| For those traveling solo, here are a few tips to help | | | | Natural Attractions: The Blue Mountains are incredible |
| you make the most of the experience: With luck, the | | | | and truly not to be missed. Major sites such as the |
| hardest part of the journey will be figuring out how to | | | | Three Sisters, the Giant Staircase, the Jenolan Caves |
| avoid posing awkwardly whilst a stranger snaps a | | | | and numerous cliff walks are not too far from the city, |
| photo with only you in it. | | | | and can be touched upon in a day. |
| Where to Stay: | | | | If you don't want to swap your sandals for hiking |
| Most Sydney hostels organize well-attended social | | | | boots, the 'Blue Mountain Trolley Tours' provides a hop |
| events such as BBQs and pool tournaments for their | | | | on hop off bus-route to the major sites. Easy optional |
| residents. Go along! Treat it like the first day of school | | | | walks on well-maintained nature paths provide |
| and introduce yourself. You will find one introduction | | | | alternate routes and beautiful scenery between stops. |
| leads to five more and a ready-made group of friends. | | | | The more adventurous can enjoy guided bush walks, |
| The big hostels, including Wake Up! and Sydney | | | | hikes, and activities from abseiling to horseback riding. |
| Backpackers have great locations and reputations to | | | | Beaches: Both Manly Beach and Bondi Beach are just |
| match, but are probably better suited to those traveling | | | | a short journey from the city. Generally, Manly is a |
| with a companion. Slightly smaller hostels just outside | | | | more appealing option than the better known Bondi. |
| the center like Glebe Point YHA, Glebe Village | | | | Both are surrounded by lively neighborhoods, and have |
| Backpackers, and Sydney Beach House YHA are | | | | several excellent hostels in which to spend the night if |
| perhaps better tailored to the needs of the solo | | | | you want to sit on the sand and watch the sun setting |
| traveler. | | | | on the ocean. |
| How to get around: | | | | Shopping: Those looking for a bargain should visit |
| Sydney is practically a synonym for accessibility. Buy a | | | | Paddy's Markets or Glebe Markets (Saturdays only). |
| Sydney transport pass ($165) and you'll get seven | | | | The much-visited Rocks Market, whilst quaint, is a bit |
| days of unlimited access to buses, trains, and ferries. | | | | on the pricey side. |
| The pass will pay for itself within the first few days, | | | | Those not too strapped for cash will feel at home in |
| and extensions to areas outside the pass's zone can | | | | the shops in the Queen Victoria Building and the |
| be bought separately. | | | | nearby Strand Arcade. If your finances are tighter, the |
| For those with time on their hands, the most enjoyable | | | | shops of Piccadilly can be richer bargain hunting |
| way to see the real Sydney is, of course, to walk. Put | | | | grounds. |
| a map in your back pocket and see where your legs | | | | Nightlife: Sydney's packed with enticing options when it |
| take you, you'll almost certainly discover more about | | | | comes to things to do after dark. Kings Cross contains |
| the city than a guidebook could ever teach you. | | | | a host of enjoyably sleazy clubs and bars, whilst each |
| How to Fill your Time: | | | | neighborhood comes equipped with its own sources of |
| The Big Sights: During the day you can take in big | | | | entertainment. Whichever Sydney hostel you choose, |
| attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera | | | | the staff will almost certainly have a range of |
| House and Darling Harbour in a day or two. After that | | | | recommendations for popular nearby bars and |
| you can always head for the Sydney Aquarium and | | | | restaurants. If you're lucky, they may even give you a |
| Taronga Zoo. Both detours are wonderful experiences | | | | list of happy hours, too! |
| but can eat up the cash a little. | | | | |