In a city like Sydney the lone backpacker is never really
alone. Great Sydney hostels and the city’s famously friendly
residents may make the travelers feel at home, but it’s the
abundance of activities, the 24-hour nightlife, the inspiring
sights and the nearby beaches that make them stay.
For those traveling solo, here are a few tips to help you make
the most of the experience: With luck, the hardest part of the
journey will be figuring out how to avoid posing awkwardly
whilst a stranger snaps a photo with only you in it.
Where to Stay:
Most Sydney hostels organize well-attended social events such
as BBQs and pool tournaments for their residents. Go along!
Treat it like the first day of school and introduce yourself.
You will find one introduction leads to five more and a
ready-made group of friends.
The big hostels, including Wake Up! and Sydney Backpackers have
great locations and reputations to match, but are probably
better suited to those traveling with a companion. Slightly
smaller hostels just outside the center like Glebe Point YHA,
Glebe Village Backpackers, and Sydney Beach House YHA are
perhaps better tailored to the needs of the solo traveler.
How to get around:
Sydney is practically a synonym for accessibility. Buy a Sydney
transport pass ($165) and you’ll get seven days of unlimited
access to buses, trains, and ferries. The pass will pay for
itself within the first few days, and extensions to areas
outside the pass’s zone can be bought separately.
For those with time on their hands, the most enjoyable way to
see the real Sydney is, of course, to walk. Put a map in your
back pocket and see where your legs take you, you’ll almost
certainly discover more about the city than a guidebook could
ever teach you.
How to Fill your Time:
The Big Sights: During the day you can take in big attractions
like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Darling
Harbour in a day or two. After that you can always head for the
Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo. Both detours are wonderful
experiences but can eat up the cash a little.
Natural Attractions: The Blue Mountains are incredible and
truly not to be missed. Major sites such as the Three Sisters,
the Giant Staircase, the Jenolan Caves and numerous cliff walks
are not too far from the city, and can be touched upon in a day.
If you don’t want to swap your sandals for hiking boots, the
‘Blue Mountain Trolley Tours’ provides a hop on hop off
bus-route to the major sites. Easy optional walks on
well-maintained nature paths provide alternate routes and
beautiful scenery between stops. The more adventurous can enjoy
guided bush walks, hikes, and activities from abseiling to
horseback riding.
Beaches: Both Manly Beach and Bondi Beach are just a short
journey from the city. Generally, Manly is a more appealing
option than the better known Bondi. Both are surrounded by
lively neighborhoods, and have several excellent hostels in
which to spend the night if you want to sit on the sand and
watch the sun setting on the ocean.
Shopping: Those looking for a bargain should visit Paddy’s
Markets or Glebe Markets (Saturdays only). The much-visited
Rocks Market, whilst quaint, is a bit on the pricey side.
Those not too strapped for cash will feel at home in the shops
in the Queen Victoria Building and the nearby Strand Arcade. If
your finances are tighter, the shops of Piccadilly can be richer
bargain hunting grounds.
Nightlife: Sydney’s packed with enticing options when it comes
to things to do after dark. Kings Cross contains a host of
enjoyably sleazy clubs and bars, whilst each neighborhood comes
equipped with its own sources of entertainment. Whichever Sydney
hostel you choose, the staff will almost certainly have a range
of recommendations for popular nearby bars and restaurants. If
you’re lucky, they may even give you a list of happy hours, too!
About the Author: Before settling down and becoming a
copywriter for Hostelbookers.Ben Cooper did a backpacking tour
of Australia, he checked out a variety of the country's budget
accommodation, including a number of most Sydney Hostels.
http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/australia/sydney/
