When you are reading various traveling blogs and stories, there is one thing that you can notice and that is the absence, or at least a very small percentage of advice and tips for single people, either women or men. Somehow it is always about what couples can do, what families can do, what newlyweds can do.

Well, this little guide to Sydney is going to be a bit different as it will be mostly aimed at single guys who visit Sydney for whatever the reason – you might be visiting family or friends or you might be on a business trip. Or you might just be a single guy who wanted to see one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. So, what to see? What to do?

In the morning

Morning is perhaps the best time to start exploring any city, Sydney included. The crowds are much smaller, the cafes are much emptier and in Sydney at least, the sun is always shining. Morning hours are the perfect time to really go exploring the city.

The first step should always be the Sydney Harbour which is famed as one of the most beautiful in the world with the focal point definitely being the Sydney Opera. Yes, you have seen it innumerable times on TV and in photos but the real thing still leaves quite an impression. Also, since we are doing this for the single guys; you are also likely to find plenty of tourist ladies in the harbor.

You can also climb the Sydney Tower in the morning; check out the entire city sprawled beneath you. It is an amazing view and you will definitely get to know the city a bit more by seeing it from above.

In the afternoon

The best way to start off the afternoon is by finding a nice spot in one of numerous restaurants in Sydney. The choice for outdoor seating is simply endless and before you know it, you will find that perfect spot with the perfect food and why not a drink? A good idea would be to inform yourself in advance, ask local people because you can truly find some amazing restaurants in Sydney.

After a delicious meal, nothing is better than a nice walk and the Bondi beach is the perfect place to do it. It is one of the most famed beaches in the world and even though it does not captivate with its breath-taking beauty in the more strict ‘beachy’ sense; it is still clean, with clear water and it is always packed with young crowds. If you happen to surf, you will feel right at home there. If not, pick a spot in any of the innumerable bars there and relax.

In the evening

The nightlife in Sydney is world-famous and once you experience it, you will understand why this is the case. Sydney is a relatively young city in terms of the population age and all of the clubs and bars are packed full all night long. The list of the best nightlife places in Sydney is an extensive one and with a bit of research, you will find your personal favourite in no time. Keep in mind that the drinks in Sydney do not come cheap.

The next morning

The next morning, we recommend visiting the Sydney Aquarium. There is something about aquariums that goes well with a hangover; something almost medicinal. After the visit, you can rent out a car and take a drive outside of Sydney to the Hunter Valley where you will find the best winemakers in all of Australia, as well as some amazing restaurants. If you are not sure about your left lane driving skills, perhaps take a safer driving course, let them know you are used to driving on the right.

With a city as huge as Sydney, this is just scratching the surface and we are certain that you will be coming back to this amazing city, its people and its places. Perhaps next time you will not be a single guy? Not that there is anything wrong with being one.

We have been enjoying a very mild, balmy spell in Melbourne given the time of year it is. The past 4-5 days have all been above 20C, well above the May average and so we decided we really had to make the most of this! So yesterday we jumped in the car and headed to the Yarra Valley. The first stop was the historic homestead and museum of Mont de Lancey in Wandin North. Funny enough my grandparents once lived around the corner on a rhubarb farm but I don’t ever recall visiting this place while they were there. With plenty to see around the property, the gorgeous ‘Savoia’ cafe to enjoy afternoon tea (which we did!) and gaze out to distant mountains of the Great Dividing Range, it really was a tranquil Autumn afternoon. We finished up at St Huberts winery drinking a nice glass of Chardonnay among the Autumn leaves.

My background of working for many years as a holiday planner inevitably has an influence on my holidays these days. When someone was recently planning a trip to Queensland, it was only natural to suggest destinations such as the tropical rainforests near Cairns and the pristine waters of the Whitsundays’ coast. Having delved a little deeper into my research, I realised that the state’s capital demanded inclusion into the itinerary.

Brisbane may have earned a reputation as something of a Gen Y urban playground, but while there is a growing number of flagship boutiques and Melbourne-inspired laneways, there is more to it than inner city bravado. Basing the trip from CBD, close to the lush botanical gardens, the first morning of the plan takes you to Cleveland, gateway to North Stradbroke Island. ‘Minjerribah’ to its indigenous Quandamooka people and ‘Straddie’ to other locals, the island is a favourite getaway for many city dwellers wishing to explore the native wildlife.

Having arrived by ferry at the main port of Dunwich, one heads along Nazi Road to the Blue Lake area, in the Naree Budjong Djara (‘My Mother Earth’) National Park, the base for two walking tracks, Neembeeba and Karboora. Given the often-high temperatures, it’s usually best to opt for the easier 5km return trip through the banksias and eucalypts of the Karboora trail. The area is home to birds such as honeyeaters and lorikeets as well as many freshwater fish and the golden wallaby. Venturing north by car to the popular Point Lookout, you can cast your eye out towards the migrating humpbacks and playful dolphins, all the while soaking up the stunning coastal views.

Returning at dusk you can still catch a bus up to the renowned Caxton Street precinct for a well-earned cocktail at the kitsch Statler & Waldorf. Across the road is the newly-established Brewski, which specialises in craft beer and gourmet pizza. While the next day’s plans demand a sensible bedtime, you may find it hard to prise yourself away from the lively atmosphere of the strip.

Whilst the well-known and nearby Mt Cootha provides hikers and cyclists with rewarding city views for the physical challenges they present, you can also take an early morning drive north towards the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains NP. If you feel guilty about taking the easy option, try taking a hike up Mt Tibrogargan’s summit route, at the end of which you will find yourself a satisfying 364m above sea level. For the less experienced, the Tibrogargan or Trachyte walking circuits would be a safer option. After that, there’s time for a quick lunch before setting off to Mt Beerwah, the highest of the four peaks in the range and home to many birds including peregrine falcons, kookaburras and cockatoos as well as koalas, goannas, echidnas and well-camouflaged kangaroos.

If you have an interest in such things, the rapidly growing alternative and vegan culture of the West End, one of Brisbane’s most multiciltural of suburbs should be your next stop. Enjoy the raucous live music of the Lock ‘N Load Bistro. Enter the narrow, bustling bar that possesses a lush beer garden, an unusual rarity in Brisbane. Among the vegan offerings on the menu are the spiced sweet potato falafels with quinoa salad, a wholesome and delicious choice. If you’re in the party mood, head on over to ‘the valley’, where locals go to party into the wee hours. More live music is usually on offer at the New Orleans-themed Papa Jacks, where the attentive staff will whip up a cocktail from scratch based on your tastes and budget (as long as it stretches over $15, that is).

After partying at the Family nightclub, it may be time to call it an evening (a rather late evening, all the same) and retire to reflect on the two extremes of this amazing and unique city. From its invigorating natural beauty to a hip and happening urban scene, Brisbane caters for many and disappoints few.

Author Bio
Mary Ann Keeling is a travel planner from Brisbane. She is still in love with her home town and always in the mood to talk about life in the city. In her free time she likes to drive her bike through the Brisbane suburbs.

How the Other Half Travel the Globe

I recently had a little trip to Sydney with the family. We headed there for a friend’s 50th and thought we’d make a holiday out of it. We found ourselves a super, little apartment near Manly via AirBNB and so had access to many fabulous locations – unfortunately the weather wasn’t the best. It didn’t stop us from doing things but well, it wasn’t exactly summer holiday weather!

Our second day we jumped on a ferry from Manly and headed to Circular Quay and were confronted not only with the 2nd biggest cruise ship ever but, also this luxurious, private boat. How the other half get about. Funnily enough, on my return home, I was on Google+ to see one of my connections had photographed this same boat, in the same position but his photo also captured a secret hutch I was not aware of. Where you see the oval window in about the centre of the boat on the upper level, this in fact opens up to reveal a little get-about boat!