While staying in Penrith, and having seen almost everything we wanted to see there, we thought it would be silly not to take advantage of being so close to the city! It was quick and inexpensive to get the train in, so we headed for half a day in Sydney!
We arrived into Sydney central and didn’t have a plan for the afternoon, so we just wandered. We stopped for a coffee at our first opportunity to both rehydrate and get our bearings. Then we simply followed the crowds, going where it looked busy and interesting, and this took us to the edge of China Town, to World Square and to Regent Place Shopping Centre which had some amazing looking Asian Restaurants, a couple of which we have earmarked for our next visit. We did try an interesting Onigiri Crepe from Uncle Tetsu’s on this visit though.
Then we found ourselves at the Town Hall and then at the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), both of which were really beautiful. We walked through the nice (and expensive) shopping centre admiring all the things that we couldn’t afford, as well as the Palace Tea Room where people were enjoying their high tea.
Town Hall 
Queen Victoria Building 
Inside the Queen Victoria Building
After exiting the QVB we spotted the Sydney Tower Eye. We both enjoy a viewpoint so headed over to see if there were any tickets available for that afternoon. We did get a bit lost in the Westfield trying to find where to enter the tower, probably distracted by more delicious looking food!
But we finally made it to the ticket desk and were in luck! We had some great views from the tower, although as seems to happen wherever we visit, a storm rolled in and at one point it was raining on one side of the tower and not the other. Thankfully it didn’t last long and didn’t spoil the experience too much. We were also grateful we hadn’t opted for Skywalk Tickets instead which would have left us out in the elements!
Pro Tip – If you are a resident of NSW and have any spare Dine & Discover Vouchers you can use these to get money off the entrance fee!
Once we had finished in the tower, we wandered through Hyde Park and over to St Mary’s Cathedral. While we were there, a carol service started, so we didn’t stay very long, but it was gorgeous building and I had forgotten how lovely hymns can be when sung by a full choir.
Then we continued heading through the city down Pitt Street, passing the beautiful Strand Arcade, and some more high end shops such as Tiffany and Co and Louis Vuitton.
We finished up at Martin Place, before jumping on a train out to Bondi Junction to meet some work colleagues for tea. Amazing to think that we were in the centre of a major city, then a quick train ride and a few minutes on a bus, and we were at the beach!
We took a few moments to enjoy the view, before walking down the seafront to scope out a potential restaurant. There were a fair few options, but we picked Hurricanes Bar and Grill.
We kicked off with some beers, then ordered our food, which was all delicious, but I was particularly pleased with my seafood salad!
Gnocchi 
Seafood Salad 
Smokey Burger
After walking back to Bondi Junction station (which was mostly uphill), we took a train back to Sydney Central and then a late train back to Penrith, totally exhausted but happy to have been to the coast for even just an hour or two!
If you like this post, please consider sharing it – Thank You!
