The Sydney Hop-On Hop-Off Guide

When visiting Australia, a stop-off in Sydney is a given. With stunning scenery, fabulous beaches and iconic architecture, it is definitely one of the most exciting cities in the world.

But trying to decide which sites to see when visiting Australia for the first time can be quite a challenge. It's likely to be the holiday of a lifetime for many travellers, and most will have travelled a significant distance to get there. Working out how much of the holiday should be spent in Sydney and how much time should be devoted to exploring the rest of the country is a real issue for many people.

Given the size of Sydney, a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour on arrival makes good sense, as it will put this vast city into context, making it easier to weigh up the various attractions before making a decision. It's like having a chauffeur-driven tour of the city, with door-to-door drop offs and pick-ups, and no chance of getting lost.

This article will help you decide in advance what might be of interest on a short break in Sydney. It gives an overview of many of Sydney's main attractions, all of which are stops along the two hop-on, hop-off bus routes around the city.

· Architecture: The Sydney Tower is the tallest building in the city and definitely a "must visit" attraction, with fantastic views from the top. Further along the route, you'll definitely want to stop off at Campbell's Cove for a great view of the Harbour Bridge, nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design. A highlight on the tour is, of course, the iconic Sydney Opera House, which needs no introduction.

· Shopping: George Street has some great shopping, as does the Strand Arcade and Sydney's Chinatown. Well worth a stop.

· Heritage: The Australian Museum is the oldest museum on the continent, and has an internationally-renowned natural history collection. There's also the Powerhouse Museum, which focuses on science and technology and is great for kids (or grown up kids). Or how about theAustralian National Maritime Museum, which is one of the country's largest and best? This features everything seafaring, from historic vessels, to jet-powered boats.

· Seaside attractions: The famous Bondi Beach is on the Sydney bus tour, but you could also visit the quieter Rose Bay Beach as a contrast. Then there's the beautiful seafront promenade of Woolloomooloo Bay and Finger Wharf to explore. Well worth a stroll. Or how about jumping off the bus at the Sydney Fish Market? You can explore the fishing port and the fish market, as well as stopping for a bite to eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants. Darling Harbour is worth a visit too, with plenty of places to eat and lots to do.

· Relaxation: If the pace of city life becomes too much, have a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney. Entrance is free, and the gardens are located in a spectacular position in the city. There is also Sydney's Hyde Park to explore. You could indulge in a spot of people-watching at one of the many cafes in the shady streets near the El Alamein Memorial Fountain, or just sit down by the harbour. Then there's the Art Gallery of New South Wales or the Museum of Contemporary Art for those who want to combine a bit of culture with their trip...

To know more about how to explore Sydney from a hop-on hop-off bus, including practical details, and information about each of the attractions you can visit along the route, visit the Sydney hop-on hop-off Guide, where you can also enjoy short videos and nice photos of the various sightseeing spots, as well as itineraries and links to maps. This guide is one of a series of hop-on hop-off guides to almost fifty cities worldwide, including ten cities and destinations across Australia and New Zealand (To see all our Hop-on Hop-off guides, simply click here: http://www.metropolasia.com/hop-on-hop-off-bus-tours ).

Roni Shwartz is a certified travel consultant and an expert to the cities of Asia and Australia. He writes for metropolasia.com

Article Source: Roni_Shwartz