SYDNEY VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE | Expedia — Transcript

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1. 0:10Perched on the East Coast of Australia, few cities are as geographically spectacular as
2. 0:16Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales, and home to over four and a half million people.
3. 0:26Surrounded by the rolling Pacific Ocean, two dramatic headlands stand as a timeless
4. 0:33gateway to one of the worlds most beautiful harbors. Blessed with over 100 beaches, bathed
5. 0:40in year-round sunshine, and buzzing with a youthful vitality, when it comes to the good
6. 0:45life, Sydney is hard to top.
7. 0:48Sydney's heart is the harbor. What began as a penal colony in 1788, would within a
8. 0:55century be transformed into paradise. From its rough and tumble beginnings in an area
9. 1:01known as The Rocks, Sydney soon threw off its convict shackles and blossomed into a
10. 1:07gracious city, filled with Victorian Architecture and public gardens. New arrivals came by the
11. 1:13boatload in search of a new life. The city expanded, into gorgeous inner city suburbs
12. 1:19like Paddington, harbor neighborhoods like Rose Bay, and into beachside communities up
13. 1:25and down the coast.
14. 1:31For first-timers, Sydney can feel like a maze of beaches, headlands, bays and coves.
15. 1:38The quickest way to find your bearings is to take the trip to the top of the Sydney Tower. From
16. 1:43over 800 feet up, the observation deck offers 360 degree views of the entire city.
17. 1:55Once you've come to grips with the layout of the city, head to Circular Quay, Sydney's
18. 1:59version of Grand Central Station. From Circular Quay you can get just about anywhere by ferry,
19. 2:06water taxi or train. Just to the right, like white sails billowing in the breeze is the
20. 2:14Sydney Opera House. You don't need a ticket or tuxedo to explore this incredible performance
21. 2:20venue. Whichever way you look, inside or outside, up or down, the Opera House is nothing less
22. 2:27than an architectural miracle.
23. 2:34Just behind the Opera House, on the site of Sydney's first farm are the Royal Botanic
24. 2:38Gardens and the Sydney Domain. Here you'll find Government House, the Art Gallery of
25. 2:44New South Wales and some of the leafiest views in Sydney.
26. 2:49To the left of Circular Quay stands the famous "Coat-hanger", the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
27. 2:55One of Sydney's famous sons, Paul Hogan, the star Crocodile Dundee, was a painter on the
28. 3:00bridge before he hit the big time. But you don't need to work on the bridge to enjoy
29. 3:04the views from the top, simply strap on a safety harness and join a Bridge Climb Tour.
30. 3:13Just across the bridge at Luna Park, you'll find Sydney's most famous smile. The rides
31. 3:18are a little on the vintage side, but the locals wouldn't have it any other way. This
32. 3:23heritage-listed fun park has been thrilling Aussie families since 1935.
33. 3:31Just a short ferry ride from Luna Park is Darling Harbour, one of Sydney's urban renewal
34. 3:36triumphs. Once the site of rusting railway yards, Darling Harbour is now home to the
35. 3:42National Maritime Museum, and popular parks, bars and restaurants. Only a few blocks away
36. 3:50you'll find the Powerhouse Museum, a celebration of steam, space, and science.
37. 3:56A short walk across the Pyrmont Bridge is the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium where you'll
38. 4:03experience many of Australia's maritime environments, from the Great Barrier Reef, to the rugged
39. 4:08South Coast. Australia has a reputation as a land of creatures that bite, sting, and
40. 4:17can even rip off your whole arm. At the Wild Life Sydney nature park, say g'day to some
41. 4:23of the world's deadliest creatures, as well as some of Australia's most cuddly.
42. 4:37But for the zoo with the view, hop back on the ferry and cruise over to Taronga Zoo.
43. 4:43Ride the cable car to the top of the hill and follow the paths back down, past some
44. 4:47of the happiest and most relaxed looking creatures you'll ever see. And who wouldn't be,
45. 4:53with views like this!
46. 4:58When it's time to cool off, grab your towel and head to Bondi Beach. You haven't experienced
47. 5:03Sydney until you've felt Bondi's golden sand between your toes. The beach is patrolled
48. 5:09year round by bronzed Aussie lifesavers, but always remember to swim between the flags!
49. 5:19Another famous seaside suburb not to be missed is Manly. The 30-minute ferry ride from Circular
50. 5:25Quay to Manly Wharf is all part of the adventure. Go for a dip in the gentle harbor-side waters
51. 5:31of Manly Cove, or head through the historic Corso to Manly Beach. If you've never tried
52. 5:38surfing, pack your board-shorts, this is the place to learn. Feeling energetic? Hike the
53. 5:44coastal paths and bush tracks to North Head for some incredible views back to the city.
54. 5:53So, you've climbed the bridge, tackled some Bondi waves, and wrangled the wildlife, no
55. 6:01doubt your feeling a little a thirsty. Time to partake in one of the great Sydney traditions.
56. 6:07Join the locals by the water, raise your ice cold beer, and make a toast ~ to paradise.