Best Day Trips From Sydney

Things to do During CoronaVirus

It’s critical to remain safe and indoors during this difficult time, but it’s also important to keep your sanity! This might be tough if you have lots of energy or have kids who just want to get out of the house and be active.

Here is a great list of things to do (and things to avoid) to stay safe but maintain your sanity.

Get creative and build your own gym

Just before coronavirus hit, I started getting into rock climbing and naturally one of the first things to close was the indoor rock climbing gym. I’m not good enough to climb outdoor, plus I’m trying to avoid crowds, so I got creative with an indoor hang board. If you set your mind to it you can find some easy ways to do indoor exercise that doesn’t have to be limited to just weights or skipping. The biggest challenge I had was that I rent and didn’t want to drill into any walls, but half the fun was finding a good way to solve this problem.

Go the extra mile when doing exercise

Both the WHO and the state I live in (Queensland) have stated to remain indoors unless it is necessary, luckily for us in Queensland going out for exercise has been deemed necessary. I’ve found that going a bit further out of the city and finding places to hike is the best. Going for a hike is a great way to clear your mind, get fresh air and not have to worry about the virus as there are almost never any other people and its extremely unlikely that you will touch objects that regularly get interacted with, make sure to avoid picnic areas.

Best Views of Brisbane's skyline

For a city with a population of just over 2 million, Brisbane has an impressive city skyline. It’s particularly pretty when the sun goes down often rendering the sky a pinkish purple, and the buildings lights come to life.

If you’re planning a trip to Brisbane, make sure to put aside some time to admire Brisbane’s skyline. To help you, here is our list of the best vantage points.

1.Kangaroo Point Lookout

Kangaroo point runs along the river opposite the botanical garden, it wraps around the city so in a short walk you will be able to take in great views from different angles.

Kangaroo point is also well known for the cliffs, there are some stairs which will lead you from the river up to the lookout where you will be rewarded with some great views. This attraction is also in our top ten list of attractions for Brisbane.

2.South Bank and the Brisbane Wheel

Brisbane’s South Bank is another area that you will want to explore. It has a great variety of top-notch restaurants as well as entertainment and greenery. South Bank is the perfect place to take a walk along the river and take in the city skyline from a closer distance.

For an experience you won’t forget go for a swim in Brisbane’s city beach with the skyline as the backdrop. For a different kind of experience, consider taking a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane in South bank.

3.Mt Coot Tha

Not far from Brisbane’s city is Mt Coot Tha, whose outlook has the best view of Brisbane’s skyline from a distance. It’s also a great spot to go for a hike through nature and explore Brisbane’s stunning Botanical Garden. It’s also home to the Sir Thomas Planetarium, another attraction worth checking out while you’re in Brisbane!

4.Howard Smith Wharves

Tucked away underneath the Story Bridge, this is a wonderful and energetic area which really comes to life in the evenings. It’s got several good restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the atmosphere and take in skyline backdrop.

5.Wilson’s Lookout

Just past the Story Bridge, Wilson’s Lookout offers the best spot to get a view with the bridge and Brisbane’s City Skyline. It’s particularly good vantage point to watch the sunset and see the city lights come on – it’s absolutely stunning!

Local Tip: For a memorable experience go for a bike ride! Along the river there are several coastal bike and pedestrian paths. Start your bike ride at South Bank and head along the river, cross the Goodwill bridge and cycle through the City Botanical Garden until you reach the bike path that again takes you along the River. Once you pass the Story Bridge you’ll reach Howard Smiths Wharf from where you can have a beer, then catch the public elevator up to Wilson Outlook just in time for dawn. This will give you all the best angles of Brisbane’s Skyline and the bike ride is a lot of fun.

Related topics that may interest you

Brisbane Holiday Planner

The Ultimate Weekend in Brisbane

The Ultimate Weekend in Brisbane

Brisbane is a great city, and, in my opinion, it is one of Australia’s most under-rated and often overlooked destinations. It has an incredible vibe, loads to do if you know where to look, and the people are super friendly. Brisbane is perfect for a weekend trip or even 3 days if you have the extra time.

Day 1 – Friday Evening

I’m going to make bit of an assumption and guess you’re arriving on a Friday evening, in which case the best way to kick off your weekend in Brisbane:

• Howard Smith Wharves: A heritage listed wharf that has been turned into Brisbane’s newest dining precinct. The food and drinks are good, the view is even better.

If you’ve still got a lot of energy and are looking to spend a few more hours out, I’d recommend either heading into the city or the valley, both areas are close and have a large array of bars and night clubs. Just remember that your next day is going to be action packed so I don’t blame you if you want to head back for a good night sleep.

Day 2 – Saturday

Today is going to be packed, I’m going to guide you through a tour that I always take visitors on if they’ve never been to Brisbane. It’s the best way to get good feel for the city especially if you only have a weekend in Brisbane.

• Howard Smith Wharves:I usually refer to this as the West End Saturday market and in my opinion it’s the best market in Brisbane. You’ll find a variety of fashion, gift ideas, and lots of amazing food. The market is a big advocate of supporting locals, I think that’s a big plus.
• Queens St Mall:Make your way to Queen St Mall, you have a few options to get there; you can use public transport, go by foot which will take a bit over 30 minutes, or make use of a CityCycle or Lime Scooter. Queen St is in the centre of the city and the perfect place for a bit of window shopping and people watching. This is also where our tour starts.
• City Botanical Gardens:Walk from Queen St to the City Botanical Gardens, it’s a beautiful garden, well kept with water features, a rose garden and more.
• Kangaroo Point Lookout:Head through the QUT campus and over the Goodwill Bridge. Once you’ve crossed the bridge take a left and walk along the river using the dedicated footpaths. You will reach some stairs that take you up the cliffs to the Kangaroo Point Lookout. It’s a short yet tough climb up, but it’s worth it! This is one of the best spots from which you can admire Brisbane’s Skyline.
• South Bank Parklands:South Bank is a must, it’s known for its green spaces, restaurants, picnic and BBQ spots, activity areas, museums, iconic sights such as; the BRISBANE sign, the wheel, the Nepalese Pagoda and more. Have a walk around, go for a swim, enjoy some food. This is the place to be on a Saturday evening.

Day 3 – Sunday

It’s the last day of your Brisbane weekend adventure. You have a lot of options on this day, so I’ll mention a few alternative attractions below if you want to mix it up.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:This is the worlds first and largest Koala sanctuary with over 130 Koalas. It’s a rare opportunity in which you can feed kangaroos, meet a Koala, and get close to a variety of Australian native animals. My favourite thing about this sanctuary is the effort put into ensuring the animals are happy and healthy.
• Queensland Museum & ScienceCentre: Head back toward Southbank, there are several large and good quality museums lined up next to each other. It’s easy to spend several hours there getting lost in the history of Queensland and Brisbane, Aboriginal and local art, natural history, science and more.
• Eat Street Market:An amazing night food market, hundreds of stalls come to life with a huge variety of international food. The food, the buzz, the entertainment, it’s a guaranteed epic evening.

Other Options

• Mt Coot-tha:this is a really good alternative for day 2, Mt Coot-tha is a suburb and mountain not far from Brisbane. It offers great views of the city, it’s home to Brisbane’s official botanical garden; a 52-hectare garden including cherry blossoms in the Japanese Garden, a bamboo grove, water-lily lagoon, a cactus house and more. Mt Coot-tha also has a number of hikes you can enjoy and offers great picnic areas. If you have the time and the weather is good, it’s a no-brainer to add this to your 2-3 days in Brisbane.
• Rock Climbing:Brisbane has developed quite a rock-climbing culture, you can join a group and climb at Kangaroo point, or test your skills at Urban Climb indoor climbing. It’s a great sport and something the whole family will likely enjoy!
• South Bank: There’s loads to do in South Bank, so you may even want to spend more time here during your second day, especially if you just want to relax and lie on the beach.
• Rvierside Bike Path:Along the Brisbane river is a long bike path, so why not grab a bike and see where the path takes you.
• Nature Day TripOne of the best things about Brisbane is the stunning Surrounding Nature, you may even want to dedicate a day to simply heading out of the city and exploring places like the Glass House Mountains, Mt Glorious and Nebo, or Bribie Island.

Hopefully this has given you some good inspiration for a weekend in Brisbane, I highly recommend having a play with our Brisbane Trip Planner, it’s easy, simply select the attractions that you like and let Traveloris create the perfect trip for you.

Related topics that may interest you

Brisbane Trip Planner

Brisbane’s Top Ten Attractions (coming soon)

5 Days in Brisbane (coming Soon)

Locals Guide to Melbourne

LOCALS GUIDE TO MELBOURNE

It’s no surprise that Melbourne has been voted the most livable city in the world six years running. Even with its interesting weather described as four seasons in one day (quite literally it could be sunny in the morning, freezing in the afternoon, raining in the evening) it has managed to beat the likes of Vienna, Vancouver, Toronto, and, it’s rival city, Sydney.

Sydney may have Australia’s most iconic structures, like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, but Melbourne is on a whole new level when it comes to culture, diversity, history…and simply put, a great vibe – it doesn’t feel as corporate as Sydney either. Perhaps this combination also makes it Australia’s best city for tourists!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

• Tess Johnson – I’m a Melburnian, born and raised, in my final year of studying Communications at RMIT University. When I’m not on the hunt for Melbourne’s best brunch spot or sipping coffee in one of our many hidden laneways, I am working as a walking tour guide in the CBD.
• Daniel Blickling – Founder of Traveloris and a huge fan of Melbourne! I think it’s Australia’s number 1 city to visit. Although I have been several times and got a pretty good grip on things, Tess’s local knowledge is what really makes this article the perfect guide to Melbourne.

MENU

OK, I get that this is a pretty long article…it’s because Melbourne has a huge amount to offer and we’re covering every angle to help you plan the perfect trip! However, this menu will help you move around the guide.

Getting to and Around Melbourne

Accommodation in Melbourne

The Must Sees and Dos

— Tours – Starting Off Your Holiday

— Fun and Top Pick Attractions

— Hidden Art Worth Finding

— Mainstream Museums in Melbourne

— Markets in Melbourne

Meet Melbourne’s Wildlife

Parks and Gardens Around Melbourne

Nature Day Trips and Tours from Melbourne

Best Views of Melbourne

Eating and Drinking

— Cafés

— Restaurants

— Bars

Melbourne Shopping Spots

Best way to Relax

Melbourne Areas Worth Exploring and Getting Lost In

Events (Largely Sporting)

Experience Melbourne and Save Money

Itineraries for Melbourne

Getting to and Around Melbourne

Let’s get the boring yet important stuff out of the way first.

From the airport to the city you only really have 2 reasonable options, neither of which is a train. The first is the SkyBus, its ‘Low Cost Fare’ is a AU$35 roundtrip per adult (ouch). However, you can take up to 4 kids at no extra charge.

A taxi to the city centre would cost about AU$55-65. Both options would take about 35 minutes depending on traffic.

Taxi’s usually competitively priced counterpart, Uber, has a funny relationship with Melbourne airport. The complete Uber black zone has only recently been lifted from the airport to allow UberBlack (only the most luxury cars allowed). Uber estimates a ride to Flinders Street would set you back approximately between AU$112-145. In every situation other than getting to and from the airport Uber is great option for getting around Melbourne.

Note: I’ve never tried this but it was recommended by an Uber driver and a friend. If you’re coming from the airport set your pick-up location just outside the airport black zone and when they call you tell them you’re at the airport, apparently it’s a commonly used trick to avoid the extra charges… let us know how it goes in the below comments.

There is a public transport option from the airport that’s a lot cheaper but it would also take about an hour longer, and it’s a pain as you need to change services a few times.

Once in Melbourne, the cheapest way to get around is with a Myki which costs AU$6 for the electronic card plus top up money for travel (you purchase the card and tap on/off public transport, easy). Myki’s can be purchased at train stations and several retail outlets including 7-Eleven and most mainstream petrol stations.

An important and super cool thing to know is that there is a Free Tram Zone in Melbourne’s CBD and Docklands. You don’t need to use a Myki at all in this area (So don’t touch on or off!). So, if you don’t plan on leaving the CBD there’s no point in buying a Myki (though that would be a mighty shame, there’s a lot of great things to explore out of the city centre).

Melbourne has the largest operating tram network in the world, so it is safe to say it is pretty extensive. The bus and train networks also do a good job at getting you from A to B, but if you want to check when the service is running download the PTV (Public Transport Victoria) or Tram Tracker Apps.

BEST ACCOMMODATION IN MELBOURNE

Before I dive into the best areas for accommodation I’ll mention that Melbourne, more so than any other city in Australia is quite big on house sitting. So, if you’re flexible with your dates perhaps you can find some free accommodation via one of the multiple house sitting websites. Be aware it may require you to feed a goldfish or a dog as part of the deal.

BEST LOCATIONS FOR ACCOMMODATION:

• Fitzroy: A very pretty area with lots of terrace houses and cool street art. It has a great vibe and is perfect for a fun night out
• Southbank: Probably the best area especially for first time visitors
• South Melbourne: Neighbouring Southbank, also a great area and home to one of the best markets in town, South Melbourne Market
• CBD: Central Business District, any suburb right in the city centre works
• Collingwood: Right next to Fitzroy and it’s quite close to central
• St Kilda: A little bit further away from central but very good public transport so it’s okay. This area is on the beach and has a great restaurant/bar scene so definitely a great choice especially in the summer
• Brunswick: Great area with good food and café’s, also the cheapest option of the lot.

For a luxury visit, I have heard that the Sofitel Hotel in Collins Pl is great.

THE MUST SEE’S AND DO’S OF MELBOURNE

There is loads to do in Melbourne and no matter your age or interest, you will find something you like. Make sure to plan your trip using Traveloris – Melbourne trip planner for all the best attractions and to also discover if you could save money with the iVenture Card…especially if you’re planning to see a lot (for convenience I’ll mentioned which attractions are included in the iVenture Card).

TOURS – STARTING OFF YOUR HOLIDAY

Day one has to include the I’m Free Walking Tour. I always look for free walking tours when I go to a city. This tour in particular will help you discover lots of cool alleys, side streets, hidden gems and fun facts you wouldn’t otherwise – it’s also the perfect way to get some orientation.

The tour ends right next to the Eureka Skydeck 88 (iVenture), so it’s the perfect time to zip up to the 88th floor and get a panoramic view of Melbourne from above and see the sunset.

Another thing I look out for when I visit a city for the first time are Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. I know it’s very touristy, but getting some history while driving around a city’s main sights and being able to get off whenever you want is a pretty good deal. Melbourne has two options to choose from, the CitySightseeing Bus (iVenture) and the Visitor Shuttle. The Visitor Shuttle is a lot cheaper, and although it doesn’t include the Bondi route I would recommend it over the other option unless you have an iVenture Card.

Like most great cities, Melbourne was built around a river and an alternative method to explore Melbourne is from the water. So, bear in mind that there are a bunch of great River Cruises you can choose from on Traveloris and they are a great way to kick off your trip, perhaps it’s something you can do before the free walking tour starts!

Fun and Top Attractions Melbourne

There are plenty of fun things to do in Melbourne no matter what your age is! Here are our favourites:

• National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) – The oldest gallery in Australia and an absolute must visit for all art lovers in Melbourne. There are two parts to the NGV; NGV International which is in the Art’s Precinct on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
• NGV International – Is the bigger and most visited of the two. They always have a few exciting temporary exhibitions of work from the likes of Van Gough, Ai Wei Wei and David Hockney, just to name a few. Their permanent exhibitions also boast a number of famous pieces from all around the world. It’s a great outing for the whole family, as all exhibitions are made to be interactive and accessible for kids too.

If the weather is bad you could easily spend the better part of the day there, they have a cafe and gift shop which is filled with quirky items to fit with the current exhibition themes. If the sun is shining outside, the NGV courtyard out the back is a nice space to hang out and catch a bit of afternoon sun. Friday Night’s at the NGV is the place to be as they often have live music performances by both Australian and international artists in their stunning Great Hall. Check their website for more info if this interests you!

• The Ian Potter Centre – NGV Australia is located in Federation Square and hosts Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from various time periods in Australia’s history. This is smaller than NGV International but showcases a lot of incredible work that shouldn’t be missed!
• Immigration Museum – It’s often said that Australia is the best example of the multicultural society in the world. Melbourne specifically is an exciting melting pot of a whole bunch of cultures. The Immigration Museum is a great way to learn more about how we came to have such multicultural history… it wasn’t always smooth sailing. It also happens to be my favourite museum to visit in the city.

• ArtVo – Although it sounds weird and a bit ‘commercial’, it’s actually very fun! This ‘non-typical’ art museum has over 100 3D artworks which you literally step inside and become a part of. It’s fun for the whole family and will result in some cool photos for you to put online and leave your friends scratching their heads when they see it.
• Antarctic Journey (iVenture) – Ever wondered what it would be like in Antarctica? This cool (literally) and interactive museum on Phillip Island is the best way to learn just that without actually visiting Antarctica. It’s definitely worth visiting in combo with the Penguin Parade.
• Old Melbourne Gaol (iVenture) – I made a snap decision to visit the Old Melbourne Gaol (still can’t pronounce it right) on my last trip to Melbourne and it was a highlight! The tours are great and getting an insight of the Australian justice system between 1845 – 1929 was absolutely fascinating.
• Churchill Island Heritage Farm (iVenture) – This one is out on Phillip island and a great option for kids, it’s a Victorian era working farm on a historic island. Visiting this place will take you back in time where you can witness activities like sheep shearing, working dogs, cow milking and whip cracking.
• City Sights Kayak Tour (iVenture) – If you want to explore Melbourne from the water, but are hoping for more of an experience than just a cruise than this one’s for you! There’s a bunch of different packages on offer including a Yoga Kayak tour (the yoga is done beforehand on the shore, not on the kayak itself luckily), or even a moonlight kayak tour.
• Puffing Billy Railway (iVenture) – One of the nature areas you have to explore is the Dandenong ranges, it’s an absolute must! The Puffing Bill Railway is a fun way to do it, especially if you have kids. It doesn’t take you along roads so this isn’t something you can experience by car which makes it unique. It stops at a bunch of great places along the way that you can choose to get off at. If you are into your steam trains, than you’ll also love this as you go over a trestle bridge and through original stations.

• Scienceworks – If your unfortunate enough to experience Melbourne’s rainy side on your trip, which is likely, then the Scienceworks museum is a good attraction while you wait an hour or two for the weather to clear…which is also likely in Melbourne. Here you can discover all things science related from anatomy to the mysteries of the universe. The fun part is that it is extremely interactive. They also have a cool 16-meter dome planetarium!
• Pentridge Prison: 2-Hour Ghost Tour with Special Access – Sounds awesome, right? That’s what I thought! However, be warned this isn’t for the faint hearted! This adults-only tour will give you the chance to walk in the footsteps of Chopper Reed, discover outlaw Ned Kelly’s remains and experience the final moments of Ronald Ryan, the last man to be executed in Australia. It’s a unique experience led by a local guide.
• Melbourne Rooftop Bars – Make sure to spend some time exploring the Melbourne bars, I’ve mentioned the best ones below but this tour run by local guides is a great way to also meet new people.

HIDDEN ART WORTH FINDINGLocals Guide to Melbourne

Before I dive into the mainstream museums of Melbourne, I am going to do something completely radical and talk about some of the hidden art in Melbourne. There are loads, and loads of cool art galleries to choose from in Melbourne, I recommend checking out the Traveloris Museums filter for Melbourne before your trip because they have pretty much listed all the best ones, but here are my favourites. Anna Pappas Gallery and the Backwoods Gallery are both top notch contemporary art galleries with great exhibitions year-round.

Linden New Art is also a great contemporary art gallery, what makes it worth visiting is that it’s set in a large Victorian mansion with beautiful gardens.

For photography, you can’t beat the Centre for Contemporary Photography, so make sure to check that one out too.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Melbourne’s famous street art. Check out some of my favourite lanes like Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Caledonian Lane, Croft Alley,…you can’t miss it!

MAINSTREAM MUSEUMS IN MELBOURNE

There are loads of great museums in Melbourne and plenty of bad weather opportunities to help you enjoy them. I’ve already mentioned the must see NGV, but here are some more mainstream museums:

• Australian Centre for Contemporary Art – The title does a pretty good job of explaining what you’ll find here…however, you could say that ACCA is leading the way when it comes to Contemporary Art in Australia so art lovers, include a visit!
• Heide Museum of Modern Art – A visit here is more of an experience, it definitely isn’t your typical contemporary/modern art gallery. There’s 15 acres (which is a decent amount) of beautiful gardens, three dedicated exhibition spaces, two historic kitchen gardens and a sculpture park which is particularly worth visiting.
• Melbourne Museum – Don’t know much about Australian history and culture? Or perhaps you are one of those people who believe Australia has less culture than yoghurt…well, here to prove you wrong is the Melbourne Museum. Not only Australia’s history but particularly (as the name gives away) Melbourne’s history. Completely lose yourself in stories of those who shaped Melbourne since the early 1800’s. Especially interesting and worth visiting is the section on Indigenous culture.
• Polly Woodside Maritime Museum – A great choice especially with kids as it’s not exactly a walkthrough museum. The highlight is going on-board the Polly Woodside, a three-mast cargo tall ship that was built in England in 1885. There’s a range of activities including a history gallery, wharf with picnic facilities and guided tours which are fascinating.

Markets in Melbourne

A trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without visiting one of its famous markets. Again, loads to choose from and a great way to grab a meal, mingle with the locals, and check out some local arts and crafts.

Everyone talks about Queen Victoria Market, and for a good reason; it’s huge and has everything you could imagine to find at a market, it should be right up there on your list of things to see. It also happens to be built on top of an old cemetery.

However, my two favourite markets are Prahran Market for the food and South Melbourne Market for it’s awesome food, souvenir’s, entertainment and general vibe.

For a local art market, Rose Street Artists’ Market is the place for you, featuring Melbourne’s best talent for art and design. Which means, there is more than just art here! You’ll find of lot of handcrafted jewellery and locally made clothing that really reflect the arty and creative side of Melbourne creatives. The Rose Street Artists’s Market is, funnily enough, located on Rose Street in the heart of Fitzroy so you are surrounded by a bunch of cool street art and all the other treasures of the area.

If flea markets are more your style, each weekend is the Camberwell Sunday Market which see’s a whole supermarket car park turned into a bustling market place of locals selling anything and everything, often at very good prices! Get up bright and early, because the market goes from 6:30am-12:30pm. Don’t worry, there is an abundance of great cafes surrounding the market where you can get your morning coffee. The best way to get to the market is to catch the train the Camberwell station and walk 300m to the market.

Meet Melbourne’s Wildlife

Melbourne has incredible opportunities to discover and learn all about Australian wildlife.

I usually don’t include aquariums and zoos/sanctuaries because I don’t like the idea of animals being kept in captivity. However, I did a load of research about Melbourne zoos as I wanted to go to Werribee Open Range Zoo. After researching the topic, I discovered that Melbourne zoos are all about animal conservation and wellbeing, and educating people on the importance of preserving wildlife. So, needless to say we added a section on this in our locals guide to Melbourne.

Werribee Open Range Zoo – Here you can see animals from the grasslands of Australia, Africa and Asia live in conditions as close as possible to those of their natural habitats, they also do educational talks throughout the day which are a must. They have a fun safari that takes you past a lot of exotic animals including one of my favourites, the Giraffe. Several of the animals on the safari are considered extinct without conservation!

Healesville Sanctuary – Is the best place to see Australian wildlife, other than in the bush of course. They have a lot of information about Australian animals and their natural habitats. They also have a birds of prey show each day. The tip is to arrive in the morning when the animals are at their most active. Make a day of it and explore the beautiful surrounding natural areas and wineries.

Melbourne Zoo – Australia’s oldest zoo and conveniently located just out of the CBD in Parkville.

Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park – An award winning, 10-hectare wildlife park home to endangered species.

SEALife Aquarium – I was pleasantly surprised by the aquarium, especially by the regular and very informative talks from the experts. Usually tickets are around 40AUD but you can get them via Traveloris for less than 20AUD. Kids will love this place.

Penguin Parade – You wouldn’t expect it, but Phillip Island which is just around the corner from Melbourne is home to the world’s smallest penguins. This is an opportunity to sit on the side of the beach and watch them waddle up the sand after a long day’s work. If you do decide to go, which you should, it’s worth tying in a few other activities at Phillip Island to make the drive from Melbourne really worthwhile, for example: Phillip Island Aboriginal Tour; learn about the Aboriginal culture in the area before visiting the Penguin Parade, or check out on the Antarctic Journey, Churchill Island Heritage Farm, and the Koala Conservation Centre beforehand.

The Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island is a top and unique choice as you can walk along a treetop boardwalk that lets you get face to face with Koalas.

If you don’t have time to go to Phillip Island to see the penguins, another option is to go to the end of St Kilda Pier. There is a small colony of protected Fairy penguins that have nested between rocks at the end of the pier. They are active at dusk and tend to come back to the rocks when it is completely dark. You might want to bring a warm jacket, but make sure you save your flash photography for another time…. we don’t want to scare the little guys away!

Note: The chances are you will come across a lot of wildlife while you are in Melbourne, take photos but don’t touch them or try to make them your pet (this is Australia, you’ll probably get eaten if you touch them…just kidding).

Many of the options above are included in the iVenture Card!

Parks and Gardens Around Melbourne

Urban Melbourne is surrounded by lots of parklands. You don’t need to walk far from the bustling CBD to enjoy some lush greenery. Here are our top picks:

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne is really easy to get to and offers some really nice paths, picnic spots, a lake with several islands, the Shrine of Remembrance (worth stepping inside and discovering) and the Government House. You can easily spend a few hours here to escape the buzz of the city. It’s hard to believe these gardens are in the very heart of Melbourne!

Fitzroy Gardens is a must, not just because the park itself is really pretty (and conveniently located), but also because it is home to a Tudor Village and Cooks’ Cottage (iVenture). Cook’s Cottage was originally constructed in 1755 in Yorkshire, England. However, in 1934 it was brought over to Australia, brick by brick, and reconstructed in its new location!

Located on the northern tip of the CBD, the Carlton Gardens are a lovely place to visit, whether it’s on your way over to the Melbourne Museum, to get your photo taken in from of the Royal Exhibition Building (Definitely a top location for wedding photos in Melbourne) or just for people watching.

Albert Park is popular place (especially among locals) for a bunch of activities including jogging, cycling, dog walking and sailing and rowing around Albert Park Lake. It’s also a great spot to get a view of the CBD Skyline!

Docklands Park isn’t your traditional park, it’s more of a park with a modern twist. It is a landscaped garden that is decorated with interesting modern sculptures surrounding a wetlands! Also a great place for bbq’s and picnics.

NATURE DAY TRIPS AND TOURS FROM MELBOURNELocals guide to melbourne

Thinking of a day trip? It has to be pretty spectacular to be worthy of getting you out of Melbourne for a day. Luckily, Melbourne has a bunch of beautiful locations right on it’s doorstep.

Yarra Valley – Melbourne is famous for its wine regions and right at the top of that list is Yarra Valley. Spend a day in the area exploring its wineries and tasting some top-quality wine while you’re at it! And, importantly, check out the scenery while you are there, the Valley is spectacular.

Grampians National Park – Nothing short of stunning, and it has to be to deserve a spot here as it’s quite a distance away. There is an incredible lookout at the top of Mount Rosea, that should be your destination. You can easily spend more than a day here, turn it into a trip of its own!

Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles – You ideally need a full day for this and a car of your own. If you don’t have your own car there are plenty of tours to choose from. The Great Ocean Road starts about 1 hour South West from Melbourne, and then it’s another 3-hour drive along the coast before you get to the spectacular 12 Apostles (of which there are 8 remaining). There’s a bunch of amazing nature to explore on the way, including the Great Otway National Park, and Teddy’s Lookout. If you have the chance to extend your trip along the Great Ocean Road, the coastal beach towns of Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay are good spots to look for accommodation.

For the ultimate in hiking and simply getting in touch with nature, visit the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It is stunning nature right at the doorstep on Melbourne. It offers hiking for all levels of experience and fitness, from the tough Kokoda Memorial Walk (1000 Steps), to the easier Sherbrooke Falls Trail – home to the worlds tallest Mountain Ash trees. The Dandenong Ranges is also home to the Puffing Billy Railway, which offers a unique way to experience this lush landscape.

Steavenson Falls is considered the tallest waterfall near Melbourne, at 84m tall. You can drive your car very close to the base and walk the wheelchair accessible/pram friendly track to it’s base. It’s definitely worth taking the short track up to the top of the waterfall where you can get incredible views over stunning Marysville and down to the bottom of the falls. There are a lot of other great walking tracks around this area and the Marysville Information Centre has a comprehensive list of all of these tracks for people of all walking abilities.

The last top pick for our Locals Guide to Melbourne takes you about an hour out of Melbourne to the infamous Hanging Rock Reserve. Have you ever heard of a classic Australian Novel called Picnic at Hanging Rock (there is also a movie and TV series by the same name)?

It’s a novel from 1967 where students mysteriously disappear while exploring Hanging Rock on a school excursion. There are a number of trails which wind through huge boulders to the top of the rock formation. The reserve is absolutely safe for all visitors and I would definitely recommend it as a place to take your picnic! Carry it with you to the top and take your pick of rocks to dine on, view included! On my last visit, I saw two Koala’s and a bunch of Kangaroo’s which is even exciting for an Australian. Be sure to let your friends and family know that you went for a picnic at Hanging Rock and survived to tell the tale ;).

BEST VIEWS OF MELBOURNE

While Melbourne’s skyline isn’t something it is renowned for it’s still impressive and worth checking out.

The Eureka Tower is the tallest building in Melbourne, and hence the Eureka Skydeck 88 (iVenture) is the best vantage point you can get of the skyline. It isn’t free, but you can save about 10% by booking via Traveloris. There is an option to pay extra to go on The Edge, which is basically just a box that hangs out over the side of the building with a glass bottom and sound effects. I wouldn’t really recommend it, in terms of cost, waiting time and the overall experience.

If you’re looking for a high vantage point that doesn’t charge entry, I can recommend two place:

• The Atrium Bar on 35 can be found on the 35th floor of the Sofitel. The bar itself doesn’t have views of the city, however their bathrooms do. They have floor to ceiling windows that look out over the city skyline. You will, of course, be expected to buy a drink in the bar but then you are welcome to use the bathrooms as many times as you like….for free!
• The alternative is the LUI Bar on the 55th floor of the Rialto Tower. Although their toilets don’t offer a great view their bar certainly does.

The Shrine of Remembrance is a great place to check out the city skyline. It’s also the best place to see the William Barak Building, which is an apartment block at the northern end of the city with a man, William Barak’s face on it. William Barak was an Aboriginal Elder and also an activist, artist and diplomat who was very active in the community. Now his face is a permanent feature of the city-scape!

You can get a pretty spectacular view from St Kilda also.

Don’t forget Albert Park, which is mentioned earlier in this post, it also has great views of the city skyline.

Note: The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is a disappointment and complete flop, save your money and go to the Eureka Skydeck 88.

Eating and Drinking

It’s almost a crime that the food and drink section of this Locals Guide to Melbourne has come so far down, because the foodie culture in Melbourne is pretty huge. In fact, you could even dedicate your whole trip itinerary to eating your way around Melbourne…. So, cue the beginning of the comprehensive food guide.

Cafés

Melburnian’s sure love their coffee and smashed avocado, and the best thing that has come out of this cafe craze is the abundance of great places to eat and drink coffee around the city. This list scratches the surface of all the excellent places the city has to offer and is a rather comprehensive starting point to becoming a true Melbourne cafe aficionado.

Smith and Deli – It’s not exactly cafe, but if the line out the door of this Fitzroy deli tells you anything, it’s that you should absolutely not miss out. Smith and Deli is a New York style, you guessed it – Deli – with a point of difference. It’s all completely vegan. The main attraction are their sandwiches, to which they have an entire menu dedicated to. I am slowly but surely working my way through their menu and I can tell you ,’The Wiggum’, my personal fave, will absolutely not disappoint. On top of this, they have house made cakes, take away dinners and salads, as well as other bits and pieces you would traditionally pick up at a deli. There is a small park just down the road filled with happy customers (lot of locals) enjoying their goodies.

Grub Food Van – Complete with a 1965 Airstream van in the front courtyard, Grub is also a greenhouse that happens to serve some pretty top notch coffee. The cafe has a simple menu that uses some ingredients grown in their greenhouse, and also opens in the evening for dinner and drinks. The decorations around the property are super quirky, which is very fitting for the artsy area of Fitzroy where it is located.

Matcha Mylkbar – Fancy a mushroom latte, anyone? Perhaps a bright green burger bun? A vegan egg, maybe? This St Kilda cafe has been making waves in the Melbourne cafe scene since it opened, mostly due to their unusual menu selections. Do yourself a favour and try one of Melbourne’s most unique and delicious brunch destinations.

Seratonin Eatery – If you’ve ever wanted to eat your breakfast or lunch while rocking on a swing, Serotonin has you covered. They have a huge, healthy and colourful menu with a focus on boosting your serotonin levels. You’re guaranteed to leave this place with a smile on your face. In fact, even their lattes are served with a latte art smile.

Grain Store – Turned out to be out of this world! The coffee was great and the pastries sensational. I had a pan au chocolat – demolished it – and went straight back to try a caramel slice which was super tasty.

Seven Seeds Specialty Coffee – The name pretty much says it all. Seven Seeds is known for having one of the best coffees in Melbourne, which is quite a statement given how many great options there are!

Ganache Chocolate – I didn’t go for the coffee, I went for the hot chocolate and it was probably one of, if not the best hot chocolate I have had.

Centre’s Pl is a small alley packed with Café’s and they are pretty much all really good. However, my favourite and a must in this area is Vicolino, I go there every time I visit Melbourne, the coffee is really good even if it isn’t exactly the cheapest.

Almost forgot…Bowery to Williamsburg NYC – This isn’t a mistake, it may say NYC but it is in-fact in Melbourne. It’s trendy, unique, comfortable and most importantly offers amazing food and coffee. I recommended it recently to a friend who ended up going three times, in three days!

RESTAURANTS

Supernormal – Asian fusion dining in the centre of the CBD. Their menu is designed to be shared, which means you can try even more 😉

Smith and Daughters – The sister restaurant to Smith and Deli, this place will challenge any preconceptions you have about vegan food. Smith and Daughters has a rock ‘n’ roll vibe with Spanish food that is made with a whole lotta love and talent. This is definitely my favourite restaurant in Melbourne, you’d be crazy not to go!

Ichi Ni Nana – Check them out for a truly awesome Japanese dining experience.

Veggie Bar – One of the most popular spots on Brunswick street, and for good reason. Eat your dinner here and afterwards pop over next door for dessert at their dessert bar Boys and Girls.

China town – This is a whole area in Melbourne’s CBD that has an abundance of great places serving Chinese cuisine and Shanghai style dumplings, which is the most popular item on the menus. For the best dumplings, go to Shandong Mama. They are made fresh each day and are hands down the best dumplings you’ll find in town. Empress of China is my next pick; everything is very affordable, and most importantly, delicious.

400 Gradi and Lygon Street – It has been awarded the prize for ‘Best Margarita Pizza in the World’, so they must be doing something right. 400 Gradi is located in the Italian Precinct of Melbourne on Lygon Street. You can find great Italian food all along Lygon Street, simply stroll down the footpath, absorb the Italian atmosphere and take your pick at some pizza or freshly made pasta, they’re all great there.

Attica – It belongs to the top 50 restaurants in the world….I can only imagine how good it is. Be prepared to open your wallet if you are planning to fine dine here though.

BARS

Upstairs, downstairs, behind a secret door and in alley ways…. You’ll find a bar in pretty much any kind of location around Melbourne. There are endless options to choose from, but I’ve narrowed down a list of my favourites to help you get started.

Rooftop Bar – On the 7th floor of Curtain House in the CBD; you’re really in the heart of the city here. They also have a rooftop cinema during Melbourne’s summer months!

Naked in the Sky – This place is on the rooftop of popular bar Naked In the Sky. From here you’ll see excellent views of the city skyline and out to the hills in the east. This is where I bring overseas guests and also meet with my friends. Their restaurant does AU$10 lunch specials on week days too! So it’s a good choice in the day and evening.

The Croft Institute – You have to know it’s there to find it. Head to the very end of Croft Alley, passing loads of impressive street art in the process, and you will find a door right at the end. It’s a fun bar that serves all their cocktails with syringes, it’s cool to just relax there with some friends and drinks. The bar has a mental institute theme… which is a bit of a strange concept. You might find the bathrooms a bit bizarre!

The Imperial Hotel – The Imperial has been around since 1852, but they’ve recently brought it into the 21st century by opening a bar on their roof! Right opposite the Victorian Parliament, this place is pretty impressive to visit with the parliament building lit up at night.

Pizza Pizza Pizza – You need to know that this is a bar because from the front it looks like a tiny pizza shop. Ask for the bar and they will take you through a back door into a completely different scene. It’s a really nice sit down bar with good cocktails and a great atmosphere. It’s really chill.

Goldilocks Bar – This bar takes you up an elevator, past a restaurant, up a flight of stairs and onto a rooftop bar that doesn’t just serve drinks, but also some really tasty dumplings! What’s not to love?

Gin Palace – Gin lovers rejoice, here you’ll find a funky basement to enjoy your favourite drinks. The signage out the front is pretty minimal, so it makes you feel like you’re in on one of Melbourne’s best secrets.

IceBar Melbourne (iVenture) – If you’ve never been to an IceBar and you have purchased an iVenture Card then it’s worth spending an hour or so here to start your evening and have your first drink, even to just check out the cool themed ice sculptures. However, this isn’t a true reflection on Melbourne’s bar scene so make sure to visit a few of the above bars….it’s a must!

MELBOURNE SHOPPING SPOTS

There are plenty of shopping options in Melbourne, and if you’re a really keen shopper then your best bet is to check out the shopping filter on Traveloris and choose a destination from there. However, I will mention:

Bourke Street Mall is the heart of retail shopping in the centre of the city. You’ll likely find all you’re favourite mainstream shops here, however if you are in need of more retail shopping, walk through to Emporium Melbourne and Melbourne Central. These three shopping hubs have been connected so you’re able to walk right through from one to the other.

Block Arcade is a worth a trip simply for the building itself rather than the shops there. The beautiful gallery was build in 1892 as a place for wealthy people to parade their outfits and socialise. The Mosaic floor will likely leave you impressed. The cafes in connecting Block Place are also very quaint with a european feel. Royal Arcade just across the road is also worth wandering through!

For the bargain hunters out there, you can’t go past DFO Essenden or DFO South Wharf. They have all the big brands with massive discounts, if you want to renew your wardrobe than go to Melbourne with an empty suitcase and fill it up at DFO.

A lot of the markets are also great destinations for shopping, especially souvenirs so don’t forget to check those out.

Best way to RelaxLocals Guide to Melbourne

If you need to destress, there’s only one place for you, the Peninsula Hot Springs. Home to over 20 globally-inspired bathing experiences, a cave pool, massages and treatments and a great restaurant! It’s 1.5 hours out of the city, so you might even like to book a night in one of the beach towns along the Mornington Peninsula. Check out their early bird special if you want the best deal!

Or, if connecting with nature helps you relax, consider one of the many outdoor areas mentioned above, or why not try the Yoga and Kayak Tour!

Areas Worth Exploring and Getting Lost In

Anywhere in the city centre is worth exploring, there are loads of alleys and side streets with hidden away cafes and street art. The I’m Free Walking Tour mentioned earlier is a great way to discover some of them and get your orientation.

Fitzroy and Collingwood – These areas are packed with street art, cafes, restaurants, bars and funky clothing boutiques. Both Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and Smith Street in Collingwood (the two streets run parallel with each other and are only a short walk away) are great places to explore day and night. You’ll find foodie heaven along both streets and the areas are certainly my pick for a great night out in Melbourne.

During the day time St Kilda is Melbourne’s beach side playground, you’ll find great cafes, restaurants, community gardens and sometimes you’ll even spot penguins there if you’re around at dusk!

If you have some spare time, Brunswick is worth a visit. It’s very edgy and hipster and is home to some amazing cafés which you will find dotted around the area, perhaps breakfast in Brunswick is in order?

Chapel Street – Another area worth checking out. During the day you’ll find lots of shopping and places to eat. At night and you will certainly find a place to party until the early morning, or maybe even into the next day if that’s you’re style!

EVENTS (LARGELY SPORTING)

Melbourne has got loads of great events all year-round from festivals to fashion shows. I also think it is safe to say that Melbourne is Australia’s capital for sport events. So, keep an eye out for our favourites:

January

• Open (tennis) – The Australian Open is a huge tennis event in the last fortnight of January where you can watch some of the world best players compete. The stadiums are top notch, but the great thing is you don’t have to buy tickets to enjoy the event, screens are set up in the city so you can easily be a part of the atmosphere that comes with this event.
• Midsumma – Victoria’s premier queer arts and cultural Festival, for and by LGBTQIA+ communities. For three weeks, starting in the middle of January. During this time the LGBTQIA+ communities run a program of over 130 visual arts, performance, film, parties, sports, talks and social events.

February

• New Year – During the end of January/start of February festivals, performances and food take over the streets to celebrate Chinese New Year. During this time you can experience Chinese Lion Dance, Firecrackers, Traditional Folk Music, Dancers, Martial Artists and much more.

March (This is a busy month)

• Fashion Festival – Running for almost 3 weeks at the start of March. You’ll discover world-class runway shows featuring Australia’s established and emerging designers, state-of-the-art production, beauty workshops, retail events, industry seminars, forums, live entertainment and much more.
• Moomba – One of Melbourne’s longest running events…Melbourne isn’t Melbourne without Moomba. It is celebrated during the Labour Day long weekend and is great for the whole family (especially kids). There’s a parade with floats, animal petting, loads of shows etc. It’s simply a great festival you shouldn’t miss if you’re there.
• Queer Film Festival – Runs for almost 2 weeks in the middle of March. Australia’s largest and longest-running queer film festival, MQFF presents more than 100 films from across the world, showcasing the best in LGBTI features, shorts and documentaries.
• Formula 1 – Perhaps the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 makes an appearance in Melbourne during March.

April

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival – For almost a month starting at the end of March (mostly runs in April), humour takes over Melbourne. Comedians (often very famous) pop up all across town to bring in the chuckles.

June

• Melbourne International Jazz Festival – Some of the best Jazz in the world makes its way to Melbourne, so keep your eyes out for this event!

July

• Run Melbourne – Run the city and take in all of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks, join the 5k, 10k, or 21.1k (half marathon) run.
• Melbourne Open House – The Melbourne Open House is put on to allow locals and visitors to explore and discover more about the unique historical buildings around the city.

August

• Melbourne International Film Festival – Oldest and largest film festival in Australia. Discover stories of the world through curated and unforgettable screen experiences.
• Melbourne Writers Festival – For a bit over a week, this festival will challenge, entertain, teach and inspire you through a buzzing program of storytelling, conversation and discussion, intellectual debate, educational programs, live performance, music and art events.

September

• Royal Melbourne Show – Everything from entertainment, arts and craft, rides, animals and shows come together at the Royal Melbourne Show.
• AFL Grand Final – A sport invented in Australia, and if you have an interst in it this is the ultimate match to watch!

October

• Melbourne Festival – One of Australia’s leading international arts festivals presenting unique international and Australian events in the fields of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events.
• Melbourne Marathon – A fun day where people take the streets to run Melbourne

November

• Melbourne Cup – The nation stops for the Melbourne Cup. This (I think) is Australia’s largest horse racing event.
• Melbourne Music Week – For 9 Days in over 40 locations Melbourne comes to life with music, if it isn’t already all year-round…

December

• Christmas Festival – This event transforms the city into a magical place and celebrates the spirit of Christmas in true Melbourne style.
• Cricket: Boxing Day Test – Even if you’re not a cricket fan, this is a fun experience. Australia’s biggest stadium is home to this annual event where Australia takes on another nation that happens to be touring Australia at the time, it’s a great atmosphe re.

EXPERIENCE IT ALL AND SAVE MONEYLocals Guide to Melbourne

The iVenture Card is a great way to save money if you’re looking to pack a lot into your trip. They have a variety of pass’s to choose from.

Remember that at Traveloris we do loads of research to not only find you the best attractions, but also at the best prices. For example, the SEALife Aquarium is usually $AU41 for an adult, but through one of our many partners we can offer it to you for $AU18!

ITINERARIES FOR MELBOURNE

We have created itineraries for 2-3 action packed day in Melbourne.

If you enjoyed this blog post and think others would like it too, please share it on your social media sites.

Itineraries for 2-3 Days in Melbourne

2-3 DAYS IN MELBOURNE

I recently went to Melbourne using the iVenture Card and decided to use this experience to create a 2 and 3 day itinerary. My plan is to give you some inspiration on how you could experience as much as possible in Melbourne and at the same time save money with the iVenture Card. I will quickly mention, I quickly discovered that although saving money is great, one of my favourite features of the iVenture card is the flexibility, once you have one you simply walk up to attractions, no pre-booking, show them the card and walk in. Super convenient! Anyway…

Although 2-3 days doesn’t really give you a lot of time to discover this awesome city, this well-rounded itinerary will give you a taste of the street art, rooftop bars, culture, coffee, wildlife and nature, and most importantly you will get a good feel for the city. But be prepared…it’s action packed!

Day 1 and 2 are all about exploring the city while day 3 (if you have one, so this is optional) takes you out to experience stunning nature with Melbourne trip planner. Remember that you can simply copy the itineraries and then edit them to suit your interests.

DAY 1 – DISCOVER MELBOURNE

• Morning-There’s only one way to start your first day in Melbourne…coffee. Head into the city and make your way to Centre Pl. It’s a really cool alley with loads and loads of Café’s, we grabbed a coffee from Vicolino and it was exactly what we were hoping for! If you like your coffee a bit stronger, ask for a ‘Magic’…it is a Melbourne signature drink.

If you’re planning to save money with the iVenture Card , make sure to pick it up from Federation Square before the next attraction.

• At 1030- Head to Southbank and get ready to discover Melbourne from the water. The Melbourne River Cruises (iVenture) lasts just an hour but is a great way to discover Melbourne from a different perspective
• At 1130cross the Yara River and make your way past Federation Square. From there continue to Fitzroy Garden which is a must! It is also home to Cook’s Cottage (iVenture) and a Tudor Village which are both worth visiting
• At 1430The I’m Free Walking Tour departs from The State Library of Victoria, on Swanston St. Make sure to be there because this is going to be one of the highlights of your trip!

A 3-hour tour may seem like a lot of time but these tours are run by locals who know their stuff! They will show you a load of main sights, help you orientate the city, and tell you great stories and facts about Melbourne. You’ll also discover some street art and there’s a chance to grab lunch during the tour

I will mention that the iVenture Card includes a load of great Melbourne bus tours if you would rather a more comfortable option. Opting for one of these tours could save you an additional $AUD70 per adult!

• At 1730-The tour ends (with a highlight…. I won’t spoil) right near the Eureka Skydeck 88 (iVenture), so head over there and go up to the 88th floor for the best view of Melbourne from above during twilight hours. They also offer an ‘Edge’ experience, but having seen it I don’t think it is worth the wait especially if you are stretched for time
• Evening-A trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without experiencing at least a little bit of the night life. After dinner, head over to the IceBar (iVenture) for a bit of fun! It’s made using over 30 Tonnes of sculptured ice, and although this definitely isn’t a reflection on Melbourne’s true night life, it’s fun if you have never been to an IceBar and a great way to get your first drink. After an hour or less there, go and explore Melbourne’s bars. I recommend you refer to our Local Guide to Melbourne for the best restaurant and bars, check that section out here.

DAY 2 – EXPLORE MELBOURNE

I usually don’t include aquariums and zoos/sanctuaries because I don’t like the idea of animals being kept in captivity. However, I did a load of research about Melbourne zoos as I wanted to go to Werribee Open Range Zoo. After researching the topic, I discovered that Melbourne zoos are all about animal conservation and wellbeing, and educating people on the importance of preserving wildlife. You actually learn a lot at the Melbourne Zoo’s so I will include them in this instance!

• Morning- Head to the SeaLife Aquarium (iVenture) and spend about 1.5 hours there, I was really impressed by the experience! I promise I wouldn’t be adding it if it wasn’t worth it. However, if you really want to get the most out of this experience make sure to sit in on some of the talks from the experts, the croc talk is particularly interesting
• At 1100-Wait for the CitySightseeing Bus (iVenture) which appears just outside the aquarium, simply show them your iVenture Card and they will let you on. If you have a bit of waiting time like we did, head around the corner from the Bus Stop to Grain Store for some of the best coffee, hot chocolate and pastries!
• Noon-You’ve got two options here:

1. Melbourne Zoo(iVenture)It’s a really good zoo with over 300 species, if you’re with kids, they will love this option! Afterwards get back on the bus and quickly grab food and perhaps some souvenirs at the Queen Victoria Market which is a short walk away (before jumping on the bus…all depends on how much time you spend at the zoo).

Perhaps after the aquarium you have had enough of animals? Check out our other option…

2. Backwooda Gallery If you love your art, this is a great option for day 2. Backwoods Gallery presents work by artists who typically have a background in street art and graffiti, it’s a place where maverick artists can present their work. Afterwards, walk down Lygon St for some pizza or pasta. Alternatively you can go to the Queen Victoria Market.

• At 1400-head down to the Old Melbourne Gaol (iVenture) to discover where over 130 hangings took place! You’ll enter a world where some of Australia’s most infamous criminals were held, including bushranger Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor. The tour is a must while you are there, but don’t spend too much time there as you need to get back to Federation Square


Old Melbourne Gaol

• At 1545-Catch the last CitySightseeing bus to St Kilda and explore the area and relax at the beach. Here you will also be spending the evening enjoying the great restaurants and bars that St Kilda has on offer. Note: There is a small colony of protected Fairy penguins that have nested between rocks at the end of the St Kilda pier. They are active at dusk and tend to come back to the rocks when it is completely dark.

If you got too engrossed in the Zoo or the Gaol and missed the last CitySightseeing bus to St Kilda, don’t panic! Simply jump on public transport to get there instead, or spend the rest of the evening in the city, there are plenty of places to explore.

Start Planning:

Simply select one of the itineraries (blue button) to access and start editing your trip to suit you.

DAY 3 – EXPERIENCE MELBOURNE’S NATURE

If you have a third day in Melbourne, I highly recommend you get out and see some of the amazing nature around Melbourne. You can plan another day in the city if you really want as it has plenty on offer…

Option 1 – Phillip Island

Phillip Island is home to the world’s smallest penguins and you can witness them during an evening penguin parade when they waddle up the beach after a long day’s work fishing, the penguins alone are an awesome reason to visit the island!

Note: I highly, highly recommend you hire a car for Phillip Island, it will make the journey a lot easier and more enjoyable. However, if that simply isn’t an option check out this site for alternatives (there are also some Phillip Island Day Tours if you don’t have a car).

So, here are the things to do on Phillip Island:

• Churchill Heritage Farm
• Koala Conservation
• Penguin Parade
• Antarctic Journey

It’s a great day out for the whole family, and it will definitely provide you with an experience to remember! The iVenture Card includes the Phillip Island Nature Park pass and the Antarctic Journey so you’re covered for all the above.

Option 2 – Werribee Open Range Zoo and Great Ocean Road (12 Apostles)

To make this work you have to start early and you need a car. If you don’t have a car, you may have to sacrifice Werribee Open Range Zoo and check out the tours available for the Great Ocean Road.

• At 0900-Arrive at Werribee Open Range Zoo (iVenture) and spend about 1.5 hours there, walk around one of the circuits and go on the safari. I was really pleasantly surprised by the experience and thought it was really worth it!
• T 1100-Head down to the start of the Great Ocean Road, from there it’s another 3-hour drive along the coast before you get to the spectacular 12 Apostles (of which there are 8 remaining). There’s a bunch of amazing nature to explore on the way, including the Great Otway National Park, and Teddy’s Lookout.

This day definitely requires a lot of driving so be prepared!

Option 3 – Puffing Billy and Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges is natures paradise and it’s right at Melbourne’s Doorstep! This option is particularly good if you don’t have a car. Puffing Billy (iVenture) is a bit of fun too – it’s an old steam train that takes you through original stations and over trestle bridges. However, the great thing about the train is that the tracks take you through a section of the ranges that can’t be reached by car…this makes it quite unique! There are some extremely stunning lakes and forests, and townships along the way.

*When using the iVenture Card you have full flexibility, meaning you simply turn up at an attraction and show the card with no prior booking. At the end of the 2 and 3 day itineraries I will let you know how much you could save. Our savings are based on how much it would cost for 2 adults to pay for attractions ‘on the day at the door’ and don’t take online savings from Traveloris into consideration as that wouldn’t be a like for like comparison. When you plan your trip Traveloris will always tell you how much you could save with iVenture on the booking page.

Check out our Sydney Trip Planner for similar iVenture Savings.

If you enjoyed this blog post and think others would like it too, please share it on your social media sites.

Become a Zero-Waste Traveller

Written by Ines Boussebaa.

WHAT IS ZERO-WASTE

I first discovered the “zero-waste” lifestyle after I read an article about a woman, Lauren Singer, who could fit all of her trash from the past couple of years in a mason jar. Like the name entails, zero waste is about cutting out as much trash as possible from your daily life. It seemed incredible to me, and far-fetched, but the more I researched this new lifestyle, the more I realised how important it was.

Humans create far more trash than we used to. Today, the average American produces three pounds of landfill-bound garbage every day, and a ton of garbage per year – 90% of which can instead be recycled or composted. The trash we produce is connected to every environmental problem we face today – climate change, habitat destruction, water pollution, and chemical exposure. If 1 in 50 Americans took on this lifestyle, we would avoid throwing away 10 million pounds of garbage per year.

TRAVELLING ZERO-WASTE

Zero-waste is an adjustment and with my love for travel, I had to find new ways to continue practicing zero-waste on the go. It requires some planning, and I still create far more trash than I’d like. But some small, simple steps can make a difference.

Travel is an important area to practice zero-waste because while traveling it’s easy to forget how much trash we are creating. For example, many airlines still don’t recycle the main types of recyclables (aluminium cans, glass, plastic, paper). To give you an idea, US Airways throws every one million plastic cups every six hours. This guide will cover a few simple steps to reduce this.

PACKING FOR A ZERO-WASTE HOLIDAY

Packing the right items is critical to having a zero-waste holiday. Here are some things I include that you may not have thought of while packing:

• A small metal container to hold a bar of soap, a shampoo bar, and a conditioner bar. Bars have less plastic from packaging and they are longer lasting and much easier to get through airport security. These can be found at Lush, but several other stores and online retailers sell them

• Tooth powder for toothpaste, or toothpaste that comes in a recyclable container
• A bamboo toothbrush (In the US, approximately 850 million to a billion toothbrushes, or 50 million pounds of waste, are thrown away every year)
• Bring your own reusable clear zipper bag to put your liquids in rather than getting a throw away one at the airport
• Mason jars: these are extremely versatile and can be used as a water bottle (filled up after security), for coffee, food, or waste to recycle properly later
• Reusable napkins (made of cloth) are like mason jars – they are multi-purpose. I’ve used mine to wrap up sandwiches and snacks, and as an on-the-go plate

• Utensils so you can avoid having to use plastic ones when traveling

WHEN FLYING ZERO-WASTE….

I always download my plane ticket onto my phone instead of printing it out. This avoids a lot of paper waste Become a zero-waste travelleras I travel pretty often. I also avoid checking bags, mostly because it’s a time-consuming hassle, but also because of the little stickers airlines place on it.

I avoid paper luggage tags, but if checking a bag is necessary, try using a reusable luggage tag. Some airlines have started using e-tags for check-in luggage to reduce waste. I also pack headphones, a sweater and a pillow (or if you are traveling light use a sweater). This is so that I don’t have to use the ones offered by airlines which they wrap in plastic and throw away later on.

WHEN GOING ON A ZERO-WASTE ROAD TRIP….

I pack all of the same things as above, as well as a bag full of food. I pack the food in reusable Tupperware containers and reuse those containers throughout my trip. It’s easy to ask people at restaurants if they’ll put your food in it, although sometimes they refuse.

WHILE ON YOUR ZERO-WASTE HOLIDAY…

As I am traveling, I enjoy going to farmer’s markets and co-ops as it’s a great way to try local food. Many of them are happy to give you package-free food and some might know places to compost your food scraps. I’ve also downloaded an app called Bulk Locator App, which shows stores that offer bulk products in the US and Canada and is available for both Apple and Android phones.

While this might seem like a lot at first, it has quickly become second nature on my trips. I love knowing that I don’t contribute more waste to the areas I am traveling in, and am working to preserve the landscapes I love to explore.

7 Days in Sydney

Itinerary for 7 Days in Sydney

A week is the perfect amount of time in Sydney. Not only will you be able to explore the city’s main attractions, but you’ll also scratch beneath the surface and discover a bit more of the real Sydney. This 7 day Sydney itinerary has been created to offer you a great blend of iconic sites, fun attractions, culture, and nature. However, it’s easy to build it the way you want using our Sydney Trip Planner.

Day 1

Day 1, Monday. Lets kick off our seven days in Sydney. Your first day focuses on exploring the city, seeing some of it’s main sights and just getting a general feel.

• Sydney Sights Free Walking Tour: It starts at 10:30 am and it’s the best way to start your trip. It’s a great tour through the city run by locals who know Sydney inside out. It’s also a good time to talk to your tour guide and learn a bit more about Sydney
• Sydney Model in Customs House: The tour ends in Circular Quay, so make sure to check out the Customs House Sydney Model if you haven’t already done so as part of the tour
• Sydney Opera House: The famous opera house that looks like white sails in the harbor, it’s a must see attraction and now is the perfect time to go and check it out
• Sydney’s Royal Botanical Garden: Have a relaxing walk around Sydney’s famous Botanical Garden which starts from Sydney’s Opera House
• Mrs Macquarie’s Chair: At the furthest point of Sydney’s Royal Botanical Garden is Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the chair itself is nothing spectacular but the view of the harbour certainly is, this is one of the best city vantage points and a great way to end day 1

Top Tip for Day 1

There is a lot of walking involved in Day 1, so if you’d rather take it a bit easier then consider grabbing some tickets for the Hop on Hop off Tour Bus. The on-board commentary is good, there are plenty of great stops to get off at and you will be able to see all the main sites from the comfort of a bus.

Day 2

Your second day has to be a beach day! I’m going to discuss two good options, and if you like them both a lot you can always trade them for one of the other days.

Day 2 – Option 1

This option focuses on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach.

• Bondi Beach: Make your way over to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, remember to bring sunscreen. The area has some great options for food, and Gelato Messina is close to the beach for really good ice cream. Bondi beach has some pretty good facilities to change back into dry clothes
• Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: After a few hours on the beach and exploring the area, make your way towards Coogee beach along the coastal path
• Bronte Beach: Along the way you will pass several great beaches including Bronte Beach. If Bondi was too crowded, one of the en-route beaches may be a better choice to go for a paddle
• Coogee Beach: The coastal walk ends here and we are now going to head back into Sydney
• Milson Point: As you would have spent a lot of the day walking it’s time to take it easy. Catch public transport to Milsons Point, grab yourself a takeaway pizza from one of the many options and sit in the park underneath the harbour bridge. This is one of the best views of Sydney, especially in the evening

Day 2 – Option 2

This option focus’s on Manly beach.

• Spit Manly Walk: I think this is nicer than the Bondi Coogee Coastal Walk as it’s far more “one with nature”. However, its also a slightly harder hike. Catch a bus from Sydney to The Spit, that’s where the walk starts
• Manly Beach: Manly beach is nice but if you’re looking for a full blown beach day I’d suggest option 1 as it includes Bronte and Coogee. The general area of Manly has a lot to offer, from small shops to cafes and restaurants
• Manly Ferry: Not exactly an attraction, but it has to be mentioned! One of the highlights of this option is the trip back to Sydney City, you will catch a ferry from Manly to Circular Quay which goes directly past the Sydney Opera House. Many would choose this option for day 2 simply because of the ferry ride
• Milsons Point: Again this is quite a long day and tiring, so head over to Milsons point and enjoy it in the same fashion as the above option

Top Tip for Day 2

If you get back to Sydney and still have some energy left over, this is a good time to squeeze in one of the recommended attractions from below, perhaps a museum?

Day 3

Its time to take in some culture and also have a bit of fun.

• Heritage Tour: Wednesday at 10am there is an Aboriginal Heritage Tour at the Royal Botanical Garden, learn about the Cadigal people – the original settlers of the Sydney city area
• Picnic in Royal Botanical Garden: You’ve already been to the garden, but today this visit is more about relaxing, finding a nice spot and having a picnic
• Museum of your choosing: Sydney has several top quality museums, take your pick; Museum of Sydney, Australian Museum, The Art Gallery of NSW are all good choices and close by
• Chinese Garden of Friendship: I couldn’t help but add this in as an optional, it’s a great little garden close to Darling Harbour
• Darling Harbour: Another iconic area in Sydney, and also a good place to get some food or grab a drink. But be warned, the area is filled with tourist traps. For some good food that’s a bit more affordable, head toward the city

Top Tip for Day 3

Take a picnic basket with you and enjoy it in Sydney’s Royal Botanical Gardens.

Day 4

Now that you have spent 3 days in Sydney, it’s time to get out of town for a day. Ideally you will have a car for this but it is doable with public transport. Although we are heading away from Sydney, this may just be the best day of this 7 day Sydney Itinerary.

• Point Three Sisters: Make an early start to head to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, once there, head over to the famous Three Sisters
• Grand Canyon Walk: A stunning trail that leads you past some great vantage points of the Blue Mountains, if you are up for the challenge, the Katoomba Falls Walk is in my opinion slightly nicer, it is however a very tough hike! Lots of steep stairs, but extremely rewarding when you get to the end
• Jenolan Caves: Finally it’s time to head to the Jenolan Caves, this will be one of the highlights of your trip. I highly recommend booking in advance though

Day 5

It’s time for the famous Taronga Zoo!

• Taronga Zoo: In the morning head over to Taronga Zoo and spend 3-4 hours exploring every corner. If you have kids with you, consider also doing the Wild Ropes as it’s meant to be a lot of fun
• Wendy’s Secret Garden: Bit of a locals secret, its a lovely garden with some nice views. If you are hungry, drop into the cafe Bay Ten Espresso which is near by and grab a coffee and some food to enjoy in the garden
• Sydney Harbour Bridge: An iconic site and now it’s time to walk across it
• Pylon Lookout: This is a great attraction and often overlooked. If you desperately want to do the BridgeClimb and dont mind spending the $$$ then you won’t be disappointed. But, an alternative is to visit the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s Pylon Lookout, it offers great views and the rooms on the way up have been converted into a museum, plus it’s a lot more affordable
• Sydney Observatory: It’s not far away, walk up to the Sydney Observatory and enjoy the sunset, this is a good spot for it
• Chinatown Night Market: Walk through Barangaroo towards Chinatown where you will find the Chinatown Night Market which operates Friday nights. There you will find be able to treat your taste buds to some amazing food

Top Tip for Day 5

It’s a Friday Night! You are close to both the city and darling harbour, why not go and enjoy a few drinks? Newtown is also an epic place worth traveling to if you’re looking for something that’s more of locals choice. A few good night clubs include Ivy new Wynyard station and Argyle in The Rocks.

Day 6

Lets dig a little deeper into what Sydney has to offer!

• Glebe Market: Start your day at Glebe Market, its got a good variety of stalls to help you buy some souvenirs, there’s also some good food to feast on
• White Rabbit Gallery: It’s not a far walk to the White Rabbit Gallery, personally i’m not much of an art person, however the constantly changing exhibitions at White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney has never disappointed
• Shopping and Exploring: Spend Saturday afternoon exploring and shopping, good options include Sydney’s CBD and Townhall, Glebe, Annendale, Balmain are also very nice areas in Sydney
• 6pm The Rocks Free Walking Tour (optional): If you have the energy, this is a good time to go on The Rocks Free Walking tour, following the tour check out some restaurants and bars in the area

Day 7

We’re going to end our 7 day Sydney Itinerary on a Sunday, and I’ll give you 2 options to choose from as they are quite different but both worthy.

Day 7 – Option 1

You likely had a late one Saturday night, so lets start this day a bit more relaxed. This option focuses around the Le Perouse Snake Show, in my opinion a must!

• Sydney’s Fish Market: Head over to Sydney’s famous Fish Market and enjoy some fish and chips, oysters or a fisherman’s basket
• La Perouse Snake Show: This has to be one of my favourite attractions in Sydney, it only operates Sundays at 1:30pm
• Bare Island Fort: It’s right next to the snake show, it’s a fort built in 1885 as some concerned British colonists thought an invasion by Russia was unavoidable. So, they built Bare Island Fort to protect Botany Bay. Tours run on regularly incl Sundays, just make sure to book online in advance! I’ve been stung by this, I missed out because they wouldnt allow me to purchase a ticket on-site
• Explore the area: There’s a beach, restaurants and cafes, a nice spot to explore

Day 7 – Option 2

If a snake show doesn’t appeal to you, here’s a great alternative.

• Hop on Hop off Captain Cook Cruise: Grab yourself a pass to this cruise and explore some areas, it includes live guided commentary on selected routes, here are some stops I recommend:
• Watsons Bay: A very nice area with a cove where you can swim, a nice walk to the lighthouse, plenty of vantage points, and restaurants and shops worth exploring
• Shark Island: An Island reserve which is worth exploring
• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium: One of the worlds most famous aquariums, and a great place to go to see some amazing fish and learn about the ocean

So what next?

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration and helped you get a step closer to your perfect 7 day Itinerary for Sydney. To create your own personalised trip and find other attractions you may love, I suggest using our Sydney Trip Planner. Its simple to use and lets you create your own itinerary in minutes.

Other Attractions we Recommend

• Whale Watching: There are several options, but it really depends on the season as to whether or not its available. Generally speaking it runs from May to October
• Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck: Its undeniably a great view, but in this case we went for the pylon lookout as its in an iconic bridge and the museum on the way up is neat
• Barrenjoey Lighthouse: North of Sydney, the lighthouse itself is nothing special, but the surrounding nature is, and Palm Beach is arguably nicer than the more mainstream beaches of Sydney, if the Snake Show on day 2 isn’t for you, we suggest this one instead
• Oz Jet Boating: For the thrill seeker, and conveniently located fairly central, so if your looking for a bit of wild fun, this wont be hard to squeeze into your trip
• Hyde Park Barracks: Highly recommended if you wish to learn more about the early convicts. I didn’t add it because during the time of writing this it was closed for renovation, maybe that’s changed (early 2020)?
• Royal National Park and Figure 8 Pool: A great alternative to the Blue Mountains, there are plenty of good hiking spots but you would ideally need a car for this
• Cockatoo Island: Another alternative to Day 7, cockatoo island is a UNESCO world heritage site. has a wealth of history that’s waiting for your to explore. Between 1839 and 1869, Cockatoo Island was a convict penal establishment, between 1857 and 1991 it operated as Australia’s biggest shipyards, and today its a great tourist attraction

Save Money on Your Week in Sydney

It’s easy to spend a lot of money in Sydney, based on the attractions you choose, the iVenture Pass may be a more affordable option and give you extra flexibility to change things on the run. If you plan your trip with Traveloris, then when you get to the itinerary page it will calculate if you can save money with the iVenture pass. It’s the perfect addition to a 7 day Sydney itinerary.

Start planning your week in Sydney.

If you enjoyed reading this and think others would like it too, please share it on your social media sites.

5 Days in Sydney

Itinerary for the Perfect Five Days in Sydney

Five days is the perfect length of stay to get a feel for Sydney and experience the day to day life this city has to offer. We have created this itinerary to offer you a great blend of culture, fun, and sightseeing.

Before we dive into the itinerary, if you are simply interested in learning more about Sydney then check out our ultimate insiders article on Sydney.

Day 1

Day one is all about exploring the city, seeing some of it’s main sights and just getting a general feel.

• Start you morning by walking through the Royal Botanical Garden and making your way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the best view of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline
• Head back through the Botanical Garden towards the Big Bus Hop On-Hop Off Tour stop #9 (Royal Botanical Garden) and grab yourself a 24 hr ticket. It’s one of the best ways to see all the main sights in a short period of time, and the additional commentary is good
• During this tour, get off at Darling Harbour where you will find the Australian National Maritime Museum which includes a replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavor. If you would rather explore a different museum, consider stop 27 for the Australian Museum, this stop is served both by the Sydney route and the Bondi route
• For thrill seekers, end the day with a big bang and have a go on the Oz Jet Boat. It’s a blast!

During peak season the Big Bus Hop on-Hop off Tour operates until 7:30pm, so use this ticket as your means of transport for the day and jump off at all the sites that interest you. We recommend the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and Elizabeth St. Day 2 will cover some of the other interesting sites. Also, stop 13 of the Hop on Hop off bus is very close to the Glebe market, consider grabbing lunch there (open Saturdays)

Day 2

On your second day you’ll experience Sydney from the water as well as having a bit of fun going on a tour.

• It’s a must to explore Sydney from the water which is why Day 2 starts with the Hop On-Hop Off Captain Cook Cruise. During this trip jump off at Taronga Zoo and enjoy a few hours there. For a bit of fun and if you have the time, try out the Wild Ropes at the zoo.

It takes three and a half to four hours to fully explore Taronga Zoo, but it is still a perfect destination for those with only one or two hours to spare (it all depends on how many other attractions you visit).

• At 1:30pm join the Rocks Walking Tour which starts at Shop 4a – Clocktower Square, Argyle and Harrington Streets (only a 6 minute walk from Hop on Hop off’s stop number 2, Circular Quay). There is no better way to get up close and personal with the living history and heritage of Sydney than on foot, so this is a must (the tour is free with the iVenture Pass, if you don’t get the pass there is a free walking tour at 6pm for The Rocks which would also give you more time on the cruise)
• Spend the afternoon in Darling Harbour and visit the Sydney Aquarium. For dinner you can either stay in the harbor, or for less of a tourist trap venture to Regents Place for some great Ramen!

Remember that your ticket for the Hop On-Hop Off Cruise is Valid for 24 hours so this will be your way of getting around and jumping off at main sites. Sites we recommend include Manly, Watsons Bay, Fort Denison, and Shark Island.

Day 3

You’ll be going on one of Sydney’s best tours, checking out some exciting art and getting a great view of Sydney.

• Start your morning at the White Rabbit Collection (closed Mondays and Tuesdays, there are several alternatives or you can simply switch day 3 with another day) – 21st century Chinese Art, it’s different and definitely worthwhile, an hour is enough
• Head to the Chinese Garden of Friendship and again spend an hour there, make sure to find you zodiac that’s hidden away!
• Now you have a choice to make, either go the the Tower Eye, the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere, or climb over the harbour bridge. Both offer great views
• Make sure to get to the Sydney Town Hall by 2:20pm in time for the 2:30 Sydney Sights Free Walking Tour (tip at the end is expected)
• If you have some time before the tour, go have a quick look at the Hyde Park Barracks, it may be bit of a squeeze though! You could always do this instead of the White Rabbit if art really isn’t your thing (but we do highly recommend the White Rabbit).

You have the evening of, and hopefully you have adjusted to the Sydney time, so why not check out an evening show or go to the theater? or perhaps a cocktail at a nice bar?

Note: Day 3 is easily exchanged with other days.

Day 4

The best nature Sydney has to offer awaits you.

• You need to start this day early. It’s time to get out of the City and catch a train from Central to Katoomba. From there jump on the Blue Mountains Explorer bus and take in all the main sights that the Blue Mountains have to offer, including the Three Sisters
• Next up are the Jenolan Caves. There’s a bus service from Katoomba called the Blue Mountains Bus Company which will take you there. Make sure to book your tour for the Jenolan Caves in advance to avoid disappointment.

There are also tours available from Sydney that will take you directly to the Blue Mountains and the Jenolan Caves. The extra convenience does come at a higher cost though. Or, rent a car and you will have complete freedom and less stress for time!

Day 5

As this is your last day you have a few options. We are going to go with a beach day, but we will recommend other things you could also do.

• The best way to explore Sydney’s Beaches is by heading to Bondi Beach and trekking the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. On the way stop at either Tamarama or Bronte beach (or both) for a picnic and a swim.

You can either spend the whole day at the beach, or a few hours and head back into the city from Coogee after lunch. A few other things we would recommend on your last day either as an add-on or in place of the beach are:

• Whale Watching (May – November)
• Barrenjoey Lighthouse – tie it in with a visit to either Bilgola Beach, Avalon Beach, Whale Beach, and Palm Beach. Ideally you would have a rental car.
• If it’s a really hot day and you have had enough of Sydney then Wet ‘n’ Wild is an option for some fun
• Check out some of the markets, Glebe is great if you need a souvenir (only open Saturdays though)
• A day trip to the Hunter Valley including a wine tour
• One of Sydney’s great art galleries including Artspace, S. H. Ervin Gallery, and the Brett Whiteley Studio is a good option after the beach

We highly recommend adding in more markets, for example, on Fridays, Chinatown Night Market is open and a great way to experience authentic Asian food. We haven’t added the markets in simply because they are usually only open one or two days a week, so it is dependent on which five days you spend in Sydney.

Save Money on this Trip

For 2 adults all these attractions would cost a bit over $AUD750, however, with the iVenture Pass 2 Adults could save more than $AUD100 as well as fit in more attractions for free and add flexibility!

If you enjoyed reading this and think others would like it too, please share it on your social media sites.

Insiders Guide to Sydney

Sydney Travel Guide – Places To Visit in Sydney

You may think that Sydney is just a pretty young face with no real depth (…no denying it’s pretty), and by visiting the Opera House and getting a view of the Harbour Bridge you’ve done it all. But there is a lot more to Sydney than just these two iconic structures!

Having visited Sydney on several occasions and even lived there for a short time I can assure you that you can find culture, history, art, stunning nature, fun night life and great restaurants if you know where to look.

Once you have experienced the real Sydney, it’s hard to deny that it’s a great city (me saying that means a lot as I am a Brisbane boy through and through). I will mention that in my opinion the best time to visit is during October-March, however, December and January can get very hot!

So, let’s dive into this Complete Insider’s Guide to Sydney.

Getting Around Sydney

If you are coming from the airport then you are about to discover that the trains from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to the CBD are ludicrously expensive. You will pay around $20 to get to the city simply because the station at the airport is privately owned and they enjoy ripping people off. I have to take a deep breath and close my eyes every time I tap through. If there are two or more in your group, consider a taxi which costs about $55 into the city centre. There are shuttle services but they aren’t much cheaper (but they can carry more people).

HOWEVER!!! I am proud to announce I recently discovered a cheap option to get to and from the airport. I have been curious to try this and on my recent adventure to Melbourne I was able to… it was successful. Near the airport is a station called Wolli Creek Station and it isn’t privately owned, meaning it’s only a few dollars to central station. All you have to do is walk through the airport car park, across Marsh St/Airport Dr bridge, along the river which is actually a semi pleasant walk, through a small shopping area (Brodie Spark Dr) and TADA, there’s the station. It’s a 15-20 minute walk, which is fine if you don’t have much luggage. I have added a fairly terrible image to help out. Note in the photo I was going from the station to the airport which is slightly easier to navigate I think (I promise the rest of the photos in this blog are better quality).

In general, Sydney’s public transport is pretty easy to navigate. Just make sure to get yourself an Opal card. They are free and make public transport that little bit cheaper and more convenient, also get a train map beforehand. An important fact about the Opal card is that once you have reached 8 trips in a week, the rest of your trips are half price, and on Sundays you won’t get charged more than $2.60 for the whole day, so plan all your expensive travels for that day (you can find a complete price guideline to the opal card here). If you have access to google maps while you’re on the move, then you may even dare to use buses. All in all the public transport system isn’t bad. It’s not London but it does the trick.

Accommodation in Sydney

There’s plenty to choose from and it all depends on the kind of holiday you are looking for and your budget. If you want a beach holiday, then check out AirBnB for some of the best options around Coogee or perhaps one of the other main beaches that are closer to the city.

The obvious choice for accommodation is in CBD/Central. The location is great but comes at a cost and some of the areas aren’t exactly picturesque. Check out the Adina and the Mercure, or for something cheaper there are plenty of hostels. As said, it all depends on your budget.

For families, the Darling Harbour is the go to choice as it’s close to a lot of attractions including a big and free kid’s playground and the restaurants here are suited for families. Again, this may come at a cost.

The Rocks is probably one of my favourite areas as it has a great vibe, but depending on where you are it can be a longer walk to the CBD.

Finally, consider Kings Cross, Newtown and Paddington. The only downside is that you may have to travel further to get to the main attractions, but the areas are great. Kings Cross used to be the red-light district but it’s changed in recent years.

The Best Beaches

We have all heard of Bondi and Manly Beach. Yes, they are nice but they are also two of the most famous beaches in Australia which, in turn, also makes them two of Australia’s most overcrowded beaches. So, if you want to experience the best and most authentic Aussie beaches, head to the Sunshine Coast near Brisbane…. Just kidding (though it is true). You can find great beaches in Sydney and here are my favourites:

• Tamarama and Bronte beach: I have purposely grouped these two together, they are right next door to each other and sit between Coogee Beach and Bondi Beach. So, I recommend you go to Bondi and do the coastal walk to Coogee which is a must (I’ll mention this again later) and stop by at these two beaches for a picnic and a swim.
• Bondi, Coogee, and Manly: They’re iconic so I didn’t have much choice but to add them. However, the bonus for Manly beach is that you can catch a ferry to get there. Theres a restaurant at Manly beach called Hemingway Cafe, great coffee and the best chicken nuggets in Sydney.

• Beach, Avalon Beach, Whale Beach, and Palm Beach: These are all near Barrenjoey Lighthouse which is a great location for a lookout. Although these beaches are harder to get to, you will be rewarded with more peace and quiet. They are all stunning so simply choose one or visit all of them and make it a day trip (Bilgola is especially nice but you really have to know it’s there to find it)
• Beach: This is one of my favourites. It’s right next to Manly but a lot more quaint.

A lot of those beaches also have ocean pools which use water directly from the ocean, no chlorine. These are great for kids, or if you don’t like waves, simply want to swim laps, or you’re scared of sharks like my sister in law.

Starting off Your Holiday (Tours)

I think going on walking tours led by local experts is one of the best ways to start a holiday! Tours are also a great way to get an insight to a city as well as a feel for its vibe. Here are my top picks:

• Sydney Sights Free Walking Tour is the ultimate way to discover Sydney’s key sites as well as get an understanding of Sydney’s history. When they say ‘free’ they mean no upfront fee and an optional tip at the end… which they don’t hesitate to remind you of. But then this is their job so I usually give about 10-20 dollars (my family regularly remind me that I am stingy). The best part about this tour is that it is truely run by locals who have great insight to best bars and restaurants, hidden gems, and must see attractions… you simply have to talk to them.
• The Sydney Secrets Big Spin Bike Tour is a great way to discover those hidden gems you wouldn’t otherwise, and you can cover more distance on bike…obviously.

• To explore Sydney from the water, check out the Hop On Hop Off Captain Cook Cruises, or from the land you can grab the Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Sydney Tour. Either way it’s a good method to get around and jump off at the main sites, I especially recommend it for first time visitors.
• The Rocks is one of Sydney’s most vibrant areas and the Rocks at 6pm Free Walking Tour is a perfect way to discover it! Again, tip at the end.
• If you want to save some money, simply print off the Selfguided Sydney City Orientation Tour and explore Sydney yourself. Only downside is you won’t be getting the inside scoop or stories from a local tour guide.

Culture, History, and Museums in Sydney

Did you ever imagine that those three words would be used in combination with an Australian city? Well this isn’t a joke; Sydney has plenty to offer (most of which are free).

Let’s start with Art. If you have a general interest in art, then the two museums/galleries to look out for are the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art. They are in super locations and you can easily spend a couple of hours there.

The White Rabbit is a favourite of mine simply because it is very different. This state-of-the-art, four-floor wonderland is all about 21st century Chinese art and it is really worth visiting for an hour.

Traveloris has a bunch of great art museums to choose from. It all depends on what you are after. Keep an eye out for Artspace, S. H. Ervin Gallery, and the Brett Whiteley Studio.

You’ll find more than just art museums in Sydney (again check out Traveloris for the full list of hand-picked attractions). Here are a few sites I think you should visit to get a feel for Australian history and culture:

• Hyde Park Barracks is a former prison, now museum. It gives you a glimpse into the lives of convicts & orphans who dwelt there in the 1800’s. It’s also in a practical location which adds convenience (for us more so than the convicts).

The Powerhouse Museum is a really fun and interactive museum, there are a few permanent exhibitions like the experimentation where you can get hands-on with science. This is especially great for kids.

Sydney Observatory is an attraction I’ve decided to throw in because it’s a historic site and very central! You’d almost be surprised to find it where it is. Keep an eye out for tours and astronomy courses.

If you have some spare time, visit Fort Denison. It’s a tiny island in the harbour that is easily spotted by its iconic Martello Tower – the only one of its kind to be built in Australia. Consider joining a tour while you are there.

Elizabeth Farm is harder to get to, but it’s worth it. At first sight it looks like a quaint homestead, but there is a stormy and dark history waiting for you at Sydney’s most hands-on ‘living’ house museum.

Some Family Fun and Adventurous Activities in Sydney

This is where Sydney comes into its own. There are plenty of fun things to do in Sydney for all ages.

• It’s a bit radical to start this list with Sydney’s ultimate jet boating experience, but hey! Oz Jet Boating is a half hour Shark Attack Thrill Ride and it’s fast, furious and packed with stunts! Jump aboard and experience Sydney Harbour from a different perspective, and if you’re lucky you may even get a moment to take in a great view of Sydney.
• For something a tad more Australian, the Whale Watching with Captain Cook Cruises will provide you with an unforgettable experience by getting you up close to some whales. Problem is that it only operates during whale season, May – November (those are some inconsiderate whales!).
• For some family fun, the Bridge Climb, Sydney Aquarium, and the Tower Eye are all central and great choices.
• Perhaps one of the most famous zoos in the world, the Taronga Zoo is perfect for kids, especially now that they have introduced the Wild Ropes. It’s an experience for the whole family and offers ultimate Sydney views from the tree tops. I suggest you take kids so you don’t look like that weird adult doing fun kids’ stuff even though we all want to; I invited my nieces.
• Ever wanted to learn how to surf? Let’s Go Surfing in Bondi or Manly are perfect for just that! So now you don’t have an excuse to not ride some waves, or perhaps visit the Dive Centres in those areas instead to explore the ocean floor.
• If you have a spare day and the sun is intense, slap on some sun screen and head to Wet’n’Wild, Sydney’s best water park and a fun day out.

Best Views of the Sydney Skyline

There are two clear choices here, the Harbour Bridge Pylon – you’d have to pay to climb over the Harbour Bridge but the views are great, or alternatively the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere – the Sydney Tower Eye. The Sydney Tower also offers a skywalk for the extra thrill.

Both cost money and for those of you on a tight budget there are plenty of vantage points around Sydney offering a great view of the skyline and Harbour. My favourite – and I think it’s a must – is the view from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. I can’t describe it so I added a pic below, it perhaps offers an even better view than the first two options!

Nature Worth Soaking Up

Sydney has a lot of lush green areas, but the most notable and one you simply must visit even if you have only a few days in Sydney are the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves. The Blue Mountains are especially famous for the iconic three sisters. You can easily spend a whole day in the area and I’ll let the images below speak for themselves.

The next must after the Blue Mountains is the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk with stunning views of beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools. It’s a 6 km walk that will take you about 1-2 hours at a leisurely pace.

If you want to escape the buzz of the city, go to the Botanical Gardens. A very well looked after garden and a great place to relax and take in some nature, a little further from the city and less of a tourist trap is Wendy’s Secret Garden, this is an incredible nice garden and bit of a hidden gem! Alternatively, and again a must is the Chinese Garden of Friendship right next to the Darling Harbor. This is a great place for kids and adults alike to spend an hour walking around and looking for your zodiac that’s hidden somewhere in the garden.

Finally, for some true nature that’s close to the city, Lane Cove National Park is the perfect place for a family day out. Explore historic sites along the Heritage walk or enjoy a picnic before going on a trek.

Top Notch Markets

Markets are the best places to buy the odd handmade souvenir and get some tasty food. There are plenty in Sydney to choose from, but they are often only open on weekends. Here are some I have been to and recommend:

• Glebe Market is located at a school and is subsequently only open Saturdays. It’s got loads of clothes and plenty of odd bits and pieces. When I went there were only five or so food stands but they were all top.
• The Chinatown Night Market is open Fridays 4-11pm and a great way to taste some authentic Asian food.
• If you want a market that offers lots of everything, the Rozelle Market is your destination and it’s open all weekend!
• For the best fish in town, head over the the famous Sydney Fish Market.

There are several more that offer different things and are open at different times. Simply select the markets filter in Traveloris to see them.

Restaurants and Areas Worth Exploring in Sydney

The nice thing about Sydney is that it’s almost as though it’s not a city, but a collection of towns! It’s also convenient that the areas in Sydney that are worth exploring tend to also have great restaurants. So, in my guide to Sydney I have grouped them.

The areas to really look out for are The Rocks, Chinatown & Haymarket, Circular Quay, Paddington, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Darling Harbour. Note, Darling Harbour is bit of a tourist trap when it comes to restaurant; venture a little away from the area and go to Regents Place where you will find amazing and affordable Ramen at Tenkomori Sydney. Rozelle is also a really nice area, and there are loads of great restaurants and cafes in Darling St.

One of my favourites is a Greek restaurant called Alpha which is central. For a good burger, check out Crisp CBD Burger Sandwich Salad. Restaurant Hubert is a new kid on the block and produces great French Cuisine. Banksii is another top restaurant to go to for a meal. For the absolute best in fine dining, Tetsuya’s is the place to visit, but expect to pay about $250 per person with no drinks… it’s an experience rather than a quick meal.

I will quickly mention, that for awesome coffee and a healthy meal, check out Bay Ten Espresso. It’s right next door to Wendy’s secret garden which is a great getaway for a coffee and great views of the harbour, make sure to visit this place if you have a spare morning.

How to Save Some Money and Not Miss Out!

A lot of the museums and attractions are free, but if you want to go for some of the more exciting/unique experiences then there is the potential that this isn’t going to be a cheap trip. Especially if you’re paying for a few people.

If you want to pack in a lot and save some money, plan your trip on Traveloris and we’ll calculate just how much you could save with the iVenture Pass. It may be up to 40%! A real steal.

If you enjoyed reading this and think others would like it too, please share it on your social media sites.

3 Days in Sydney with the Blue Mountains

3 Days in Sydney with the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves

Sydney is one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities and definitely a must! So, getting a feel for Sydney and at the same time experiencing the amazing Blue Mountains in just 3 days is going to be tough but not impossible!

Here’s a great itinerary we built in Traveloris that will give you a flavour of the city while also giving you an opportunity to explore the natural beauty that surrounds Sydney.

Before we dive into the itinerary, if you are simply interested in learning more about Sydney, check out our ultimate insiders guide on Sydney.

Day 1

• Start you morning by walking through the Royal Botanical Garden and making your way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the best view of Sydney Harbour and city skyline.
• Head back through the Botanical Garden towards the Big Bus Hop On-Hop Off Tour stop #9 (Royal Botanical Garden) and grab yourself a 24 hr ticket. It’s one of the best ways to see all the main sights when you have limited time and you’ll even get a chance to experience Bondi Beach.
• During this tour, get off at Darling Harbour where you will find the Australian National Maritime Museum which includes a replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavor.
• For thrill seekers, end the day with a big bang and have a go on the Oz Jet Boat. It’s a blast!

During peak season the Big Bus Hop on-Hop off Tour operates until 7:30pm, so use this ticket as your means of transport for the day and jump off at all the sites that interest you. We recommend the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and Elizabeth St. Day 2 will cover some of the other interesting sites. Also, stop 13 of the Hop on Hop off bus is very close to the Glebe market, consider grabbing lunch there (open Saturdays)

Day 2

• It’s a must to explore Sydney from the water which is why Day 2 starts with the Hop On-Hop Off Captain Cook Cruise. During this trip jump off at Taronga Zoo and enjoy a few hours there. For a bit of fun you could try out the Wild Ropes at the zoo.
• At 1:30pm join the Rocks Walking Tour which starts at Shop 4a – Clocktower Square, Argyle and Harrington Streets (only a 6 minute walk from Hop on Hop off’s stop number 2, Circular Quay). There is no better way to get up close and personal with the living history and heritage of Sydney than on foot, so this is a must!
• Spend the afternoon in Darling Harbour and visit the Sydney Aquarium and the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This is also a great spot to enjoy dinner.

Remember that your ticket for the Hop On-Hop Off Cruise is Valid for 24 hours so this will be your way of getting around for the whole day.

Day 3

• You need to start this day early. It’s time to get out of the City and catch a train from Central to Katoomba. From there jump on the Blue Mountains Explorer bus and take in all the main sights that the Blue Mountains have to offer including the Three Sisters.
• Next up are the Jenolan Caves. There’s a bus service from Katoomba called the Blue Mountains Bus Company which will take you there. Make sure to book your tour for the Jenolan Caves in advance to avoid disappointment.

There are also tours available from Sydney that will take you directly to the Blue Mountains and the Jenolan Caves. The extra convenience does come at a higher cost though.

This is a great Sydney itinerary to get a feel for Sydney, and we have kept the evenings free so you can decide whether to have a night out, go dining, or have an early one.

All of these attractions would cost 2 Adults about $760AUD. However, there is a great way to save some money!

iVenture Card

Most of the above attractions are either free or included in the iVenture Card. By buying the pass you would save more than $250AUD and add flexibility to your trip which is really convenient and a big bonus!

Because we built this itinerary using Traveloris you can easily replicate it from scratch, or make some changes of your own to it (you can access this exact itinerary here). Finally, when you go to the booking page we will tell you how much you could save with the iVenture Card. Easy!

If you think others would like this blog, I’d really appreciate it if you shared it on your social media sites. There’s some buttons below that make sharing nice and easy.

3 days in London – Weekend in London Itinerary

What To Do On Weekend In London?

Only got a weekend in London? Follow this itinerary and you will get a really good feel for the city and walk away with a smile :).

I decided to also add a really cool picture of the London Shard I took while landing into London City Airport. I’ve been meaning to share it somewhere, so why not now.

The aim of this itinerary is for you to get a feel for London, see the main sights, and get some history in as well. I’ve assumed that the 3 days in London Itinerary starts half way through Friday then continues through Saturday and Sunday.

Day 1,Friday Afternoon

Grab yourself a meal at Borough Market then take a stroll down South Bank past the Globe Theatre.

Day 2,Saturday

Buy a Big Bus ticket and bundle it with a London Eye ticket, get off at all the main sites especially Tower of London Big Bus(spend 2 hours there and purchase an entry ticket). However if you dont want to spend the money on a bus tour you can select one of the free self guided walking tours of London instead, it can all be found on Traveloris (our last post on Local’s Guide to London also has a detailed walk in it).

Day3,Sunday

Go to Greenwich Park and have a look at that area it’s really nice, then for bit of an experience either go to the Churchill War Rooms or the London Dungeon. From there go to the National Museum in Trafalgar Square and take a glimpse inside, use this time to also walk around the area; Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Covent Garden – these are also great shopping areas.

You’ll have a blast, try and go to the theatre or for a drink in Notting Hill Arts Club (it’s a quirky bar in a nice area) on one of your evenings.

You can get the itinerary here to edit.

With Traveloris its so simple to just tick the things you want to see and put it into a plan that makes sense. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and have a great trip!

If you enjoyed reading this and think others would like it too, we would really appreciate it if you shared it on your social media sites.

1 Week In London – Ultimate London Itinerary

There plenty to do in London so it’s easy to spend a week there and not get bored! This itinerary is a balanced mix of museums, culture, tours, parks and all the must attractions. We organised everything to keep your travel time to a minimum!

You’ll notice that we have designed it to give you the evenings off to do your own thing, we recommend going to the theater at least once and enjoying an evening at a bar (keep an eye out for other events, London has a lot to offer to fill your evenings).

Day1,(Sat):

Let’s go and see the sights! Jump on the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and get a feel for London as well as getting up close to all the main attractions (make sure to get a selfie with the lions at Trafalgar Square). Use this time to also visit the British Museum, the building alone is a must see and usually there are some great exhibitions worth visiting too. Here are other sites we recommend you jump off at:

• Westminster Abbey
• Piccadilly Circus
• Buckingham Palace
• Oxford/Regent St
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Tower of London
• Hyde Park and Speakers Corner

Day2,(Sun):

This is going to be a really fun day! Tower of London, the View from the Shard, the London Bridge Experience. Finally for a bit of culture, head over and have a look at Kensington Palace. Afterwards explore the area, its extremely nice!

Day3,(Mon):

Head over to Greenwich park and stop off at the Cutty Sark on your way. Once you have arrived at the park make a pit stop at the observatory and the meridian line. To end the day on an interesting note, head over to the Churchill War Rooms and afterwards enjoy the evening buzz of South Bank, which is also a great place to grab a meal.

Day4,(Tue):

Time to head outside of London for a bit and go to the must see Kew Gardens. Afterwards, enjoy some more nature by going to the Wetland Centre which is conveniently close.

Day5,(wed):

Time to jump on a bike and go on the London Bicycle Tour! Afterwards its just a short walk to the Globe Theatre, followed by a meal at Borough Market (this is a must, its a fantastic food market). To end the day check out the Tower Bridge Exhibition near by.

Day6,(Thu):

Head into the city centre and go to the National Portrait Museum, followed by a Rock ‘n’ Roll walking tour and one of our favorites, the London Dungeon for a bit of history presented in an exciting manner!

Day7,(Fri):

It’s museum time, and you won’t get bored with these ones! The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, Adults will find it interesting and kids will enjoy the experience. While you are at the Science museum jump into the IMAX, it’s brilliant.

Day8,(Sat):

DAY TRIP! Go and explore Bath, Windsor Castle, and Stonehenge. We think it’s a great trip but if you want to save money you could easily substitute this for a day exploring London (check out Covent Garden Market, there’s always great street performances going on there).

DaY9,(Sun):

The weeks up so say a great way to say farewell to London is by jumping on the Thames River Cruise. To end the day, go for a final walk through Oxford St and Regent St and buy some London Souvenirs if you haven’t already done so on Day 1.

All these attractions would cost 2 Adults about $US 850 (incl. the tour on Day 8). To really save some money ($US 270 to be exact for 2 Adults), purchase The London Pass. It would also give you more flexibility.

Who said London can’t be affordable? Combine Traveloris with The London Pass and you can save time and money while having fun planning your big trip to London. It’s easy!

If you enjoyed reading this and think others would like it too, we would really appreciate it if you shared it on your social media sites.

Local’s Guide to London

London is such a vibrant city that I had the pleasure of living in for 5 years. I also visited it as a tourist when I was younger and wish I had the knowledge then that I gained from living there (Traveloris would have done the trick too). As a result, I have plenty to share in this local’s guide to London to help you experience more during your visit.

Firstly, it’s an extremely easy city to navigate, especially with the London underground (known by Londoners as ‘the tube’) which will get you almost anywhere and runs regularly. Just grab an Oyster card from any station and a tube map (or download their app) and you’re ready to go. If you are landing at Heathrow, avoid the Heathrow express or connect as they are expensive, just jump on the tube instead.

London is home to some of the best museums in the world (mostly free!), great markets, stunning parks, iconic buildings, bars and restaurants, and in general an exciting vibe. Most attractions can easily be accessed by foot; I’ve added instructions for a self guided walking tour below that I regularly pass on to tourists; I highly recommend it.

ACCOMMODATION AND GETTING AROUND LONDON

Public transport in London is world class! The train network, also referred to as the tube or underground runs regularly and they recently introduced a night service on some of the major lines. Simply grab yourself an Oyster card to tap on and off the service, or you can use Paywave. This also works for buses, but be aware you only tap on a bus (not off) and it’s a standard rate no matter the distance! The bus network is huge but can be confusing if you don’t have Google Maps or similar.

The great advantage of having such good public transport is that you aren’t limited to accommodation in the city centre. If you find a nice hotel a little bit further out than you can save a pretty penny or two- check out Ealing as a great example. If you do want to stay central then check out places like Paddington, Kings Cross, Kensington (lots of museums), Tower Bridge/London Bridge, West End (very expensive), or Bloomsburry.

A small thing to note is that star ratings in London can be extremely misleading! From my understanding, in the UK star ratings are based on service, not necessarily cleanliness and facilities. For example, I once stayed in a 3 star hotel and it was incredible expensive, dirty, and I had to share a bathroom with the floor…but the service was ok.

The main museums I suggest visiting include the highly engaging and interactive Science Museum which is aimed just as much at kids as it is at adults. Right next door is the Natural History Museum which is also well worth a visit even if you only go to see ‘Dippy’ the Dinosaur or the full size Blue Whale. Next on the list is for Art Lovers, The National Gallery which has got some great pieces from Rembrandt, Monet, Michelangelo and many others. It’s worth taking a tour if you have the time. Also worth visiting is MoMa, Tate Modern, the British Museum, and the list goes on! Take a look at the Traveloris Museum filter for all the best museums to explore.

If you’re not much of a museum goer but want to experience a bit more about London’s history then I have 2 suggestions for you. Firstly, visit the Churchill War Rooms, a WWII bunker home to a museum and Map Room where Churchill met with his War Cabinet. The room has been left exactly as it was when the lights were switched off in 1945, and there isn’t a better way to get an insight of what life must have been like during WWII. Secondly, go to The London Dungeon where you will relive important historic events presented to you by actors, special effects, fun rides and interactive scenes. I have been 3 times and love how fun- and at times scary- it has been.

Worth noting is that right next door to The London Dungeon is the SEA Life Aquarium. It’s a decent attraction, but if you’re on a budget I’d recommend spending the money on the London Eye or the View from the Shard instead as they are far more unique experiences.

Next up, there are some really nice parks in the city centre including Regents Park and Hyde Park that are worth visiting. If you want to experience something truly stunning, hop on the tube and go to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Kew Gardens is home not just to a stunning array of gardens but also a treetop walkway, the Pagoda, a greenhouse, and much more. Also worth visiting is Greenwich Park, home to the Prime Meridian line, the Royal Observatory, the Queen’s House (more like a mansion), and an extremely lush park that you’ll love.

One of the best things about Greenwich park is the trip there. You need to take the DLR, which is a self-driven train where the front is a glass window that gives you a driver’s perspective of ‘Tube’ tunnels and skyscrapers (more exciting than it sounds). You will get off the DLR just outside the Cutty Sark, a restored British clipper from the 19th Century that you can admire without having to spend money.

As for markets, London offers a bucketload. My favourite market in London is Borough Market because it is set in a brilliant location and it offers tasty fresh food. If you like markets have a look at Covent Garden Market which has one of the best atmospheres and comes with plenty of street entertainment. Also worth mentioning are Old Spitalfields Market and Portobello Road Market.

ONLY PLANNING A SHORT TRIP TO LONDON

OK so you have bit of an idea of what London has to offer but if you are strapped for time my recommendation would be to either grab a Hop on Hop off ticket to ensure you see all the main sights like St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridger, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, etc. Be sure to check out the Points of Interest list in Traveloris to plan your visit. If you are strapped for cash you can easily use the Tube to visit all the main attractions. I also recommend the below ‘Walk Through London’ and a visit to Greenwich Park.

SHOPPING IN LONDON

When it comes to shopping definitely swing by Oxford Street and Regent Street, or go to one of the many flea markets like Brick Lane for cheap vintage clothing. For a more luxe experience, stop by Harrods for all your high end designer needs.

NIGHT OUT IN LONDON

London has a lot to offer for night dwellers, and in my opinion it is home to the best theatres. My 3 favourite shows so far have been ‘A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, and if you have bit of a wicked sense of humour, you will love ‘The Book of Mormon’.

Keep an eye out for La Soiree, a show where cabaret meets burlesque meets circus. It regularly plays in London and is a MUST. I’ve been twice, never disappointed – it’s funny, witty, and entertaining, but bear in mind it’s not for the kids.

Now, if you’re looking for bit more of a party, Notting Hill Arts Club, KoKo, The Book Club (Shoreditch at night in general is very active), and Mason House are all great fun.

EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN LONDON

London has an endless array of events and I definitely haven’t been to all of them, but watching a football match at one of London’s great stadiums will really add to your holiday, even if you’re not a football hooligan. Also keep an eye out for:

• Notting Hill Carnival
• Wimbledon
• The Proms (if you like classical music)
• London Film Festival
• Bonfire Night (remember remember the 5th of November…. Guy Fawkes Night, Google it)
• Chelsea Flower Show
• London’s New Year’s Day Parade
• Changing of the Guards (occurs regularly).

BEST FOOD IN LONDON

The best thing about London is that they have such a great variety of non-English food (thank the heavens). My very favourite place is Santa Maria in Ealing which is hands down the best pizza I have had and their tiramisu is amazing. Alas, to give the English some credit, they have some great pubs – for instance, The Anchor near the Globe Theatre has a great vibe with typical pub food. Also noteworthy for its pubs is Richmond, a beautiful area worth visiting. If you are in London for holiday, make sure to go to a food market, especially Borough Market.

IF YOU HAVE A SPARE DAY, TRY GOING ON A DAY TRIP FROM LONDON

There are some great spots just a stone’s throw away from London, so why not plan a day trip to add a bit of an edge to your holiday? I’d suggest a day trip to Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge, or Oxford and Cambridge. Alternatively, rent a car and add a visit to Cornwall for a few days and take a look at the Eden Project while you are there, it is really worth it!

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON ATTRACTIONS IN LONDON

A local’s guide to London wouldn’t be complete without a few money saving tips as London can get quite expensive, especially if you are planning to see LOTS of attractions. Consider getting the London City Pass, it gives you access to most key attractions and will save you a lot of money, time and hassle – especially if you use it in conjunction with Traveloris to plan your visit to London.

Here is the full list of attractions the London City Pass has to offer

LONDON ON TRAVELORIS

Traveloris was designed for exactly this kind of city. A city that has so much to offer, so many things to do, so many new memories to be made and all in such little time. With so much to offer, holiday planning for such a large city is overwhelming, but the good news is, with Traveloris you don’t need to have lived here for 5 years to know the ins and outs.

Here’s the proof, we have used Traveloris to create an Ultimate Itinerary for London that you can easily edit to fine tune to your interests! Click Here to check it out.

AND AS PROMISED, THE WALK THROUGH LONDON

To finalise our local’s guide to London, here is our recommended walk…

Start your journey at Marble Arch (or get off a few stops earlier if you want to tie in Hyde Park), walk along Oxford street and then head down Regent Street until you get to the buzzing Piccadilly Circus. These two streets are among some of the busiest roads in London and offer everything you need for shopping. Even if you aren’t in London to spend money on fashion, these two iconic streets are worth a visit. From Piccadilly Circus, head to Trafalgar Square, you can’t go there without taking a selfie with one of the 4 famous Lions.

Trafalgar Square is also the location of the National Gallery, home to Vincent van Gogh’s ‘The Sunflowers’. From Trafalgar Square head to Big Ben and cross the Westminster Bridge to get a stunning photo of the river Thames with the Palace of Westminster as a backdrop. On the other side of the river you will find the London Eye, Sea Life, and The London Dungeon which I recommend visiting. Next walk along South Bank, it’s a nice walk that takes about 40 minutes and will take you past the famous Globe Theatre. Continue on until you get to Borough Market which is located next to the Shard, here you will find some of London’s best food, just be sure to check opening times. Finally, cross the river and visit the Tower of London and Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge).

That’s it folks! I hope this guide has been useful and I hope your planning of your trip to London has been made a little easier. Make sure not to miss out on new blogs and be sure to share this post. Till next time!

If you enjoyed reading our local’s guide to London and think others would like it too, we would really appreciate it if you shared it on your social media sites.

Welcome to TRVLR

WELCOME TO TRAVELORIS

I am a firm believer that travel broadens the mind – experiencing new cultures, tasting new food, seeing new sites, it’s all a part of it, and I love it!

Yet the biggest pain of going on holiday is creating your very own personalised itinerary, it’s extremely complicated and time consuming! Or at least it was – the answer to stress free holiday planning? Traveloris.

I wanted to create a website that truly overcomes the stress of holiday planning, however, the tough part was keeping it simple without losing functionality. After all, if it’s not really easy to use, it doesn’t solve the problem.

Let’s wind the clock back a few years to 2012 when I was going on holiday New York. I was given the painstaking task of creating a travel itinerary for the 10 days, here’s how I tackled it:

1. Research, endless hours of surfing websites with little to no consistency, reading blogs, looking at top 10 lists, and figuring out what events are on. Eventually I had a final list of things to doWinding Arrows
2. More research and more time wasting, why? Well, I knew what I wanted to see, but when are things open? How much do they cost? Where are they located?…… I’m sure you get the point
3. Build some kind of a plan based on where attractions are, when they are open etc. This was like a puzzle….a really, really tedious puzzle that contained zero fun
4. Go back and book things

Eventually my holiday plan was finished and pretty robust (just don’t change anything!).

This experience gave me the idea of creating a website that does all your holiday planning. the challenge? Keep it simple while leaving you with all of the control and none of the stress.

I start developing the website with the hope that it’ll take 3 months, 12 months later Traveloris went live. The task was a lot more challenging then I had anticipated and yet the result is so simple and effective.

What makes Traveloris unlike any other travel website? Easy, you say ‘I want to see this, and I want to do it at this time’ by click and dragging attractions into an interactive scheduler, while in the background the website calculates the complicated stuff:

• How much time to spend there
• Its location
• Times to avoid due to attraction closing hours
• How to get to the next attraction based on your chosen navigation

• The cost of your trip based on what you want to see and how many people are going

To make things really easy for you, all the listed attractions have been researched and hand picked as you would if you were going on holiday. The end result is an ultimate travel tool that ensures you experience more!

So now that you know why I developed Traveloris, I’m going to keep you up to date by writing regular blogs about the website, its progress, and new features that are on the way. This is also a good opportunity for you to use the comments box below to tell me if there is anything extra you would like to see on the site and your thoughts of Traveloris in general.

As I get the hang of blogging I’m also going to share some of my holiday experiences with you, including travel tips and top attractions. Until then, happy holiday planning.