ANN/THE STAR – Oprah Winfrey once stated, “Family vacations are akin to treasure hunts – a journey filled with discoveries, laughter, and enduring memories.” I wholeheartedly endorse this sentiment, as it perfectly encapsulates our family’s sojourn to Sydney, Australia.
The meticulous planning for our family trip to Sydney demanded several months of effort and anticipation, ultimately rewarded with an enriching and unforgettable experience. Our itinerary featured visits to renowned landmarks, such as the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is also known as the “coat hanger” bridge owing to its shape. It remains one of the most iconic arch bridges in the world and its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show is spectacular.
We also watched a musical called Partyegarang at the Opera House. It was interesting to learn more about Australia’s Indigenous people and culture.
The next day, we visited the Featherdale Wildlife Park, where we saw animals native to Australia such as the kangaroo, koala, wombat, Tasmanian devil, wallaby, dingo, emu, and lorikeet. We had the opportunity to feed the kangaroos, and carry a koala.
We also went to the Blue Mountains. The place is called that because there is a eucalyptus forest in the vicinity, and the trees emit a kind of oil that combines with the vapours of the water, forming a blueish tinge. The place does look blueish from a distance.
At the Blue Mountains, we saw a rock formation called the Three Sisters that has a legendary story about forbidden love. We then rode on the world’s steepest passenger railway, the Scenic Railway. The view of the Blue Mountains and valleys from the train was simply stunning.
On the third day, we went to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It housed exquisite modern and contemporary art pieces, and I think it is a must-visit place for art lovers. We headed to the Royal Botanical Gardens next, which was blooming with roses of various sizes, colours and fragrances. It was a feast for the eyes and nose! Hyde Park was next on the list. This park had shady walkways and several monuments including the statue of Captain James Cook, one of the voyagers who claimed Australia for the British in 1700s.
We spent some time simply relaxing and watching the world go by at Bondi Beach, enjoying some scrumptious fish and chips.
Luckily for us, the annual Vivid Sydney festival took place during our trip, so we saw numerous beautiful light installations and projections around the city. The light projection on the lively Darling Harbour was astonishing and justifies why it is an award-winning festival.
The Rocks, meanwhile, was where early European settlers and convicts had settled in Australia. Today, it has many cafes, open-air markets, restaurants, street buskers and other attractions. After The Rocks, we took a 20-minute ferry ride to another popular beach in the city, the Manly Beach, where we saw some surfers surfing.
Apart from these places, we also visited the Sydney Chinatown, Elizabeth Bay, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, St Mary’s Cathedral, and several farmers markets.
My family and I enjoyed our trip tremendously as we made memories that will forever be etched in our hearts. – Harjinder Kaur
