Tag: travel sydney

6 of the best day trips from Sydney

Australia is huge! If you’ve only got a couple of days to explore, then day trips could be the perfect option for you. If you’re looking for a quick adventure not too far from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, consider taking these day trips!

Central Coast

The central coast is home to a collective of stunning beaches, so if you love the sand and the sea, you need to be there! With dozens of beaches available at your fingertips, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The area offers a chilled vibe and secluded hideaways so this is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway. Is the beach not your thing? If not, the coast also offers astounding bush and coastal walks as well as some amazing markets!

Royal National Park

The distance to this national park isn’t too bad for the visitors that don’t want to travel for more than an hour. There’s so much to do and see at the Royal National park! Whether you’re just sightseeing or after an adventure, this national park is the place for you. It’s the home of stunning waterfalls, coastal cliffs and the infamous Wedding Cake Rock. Whether you’re taking a dip, a hike or want to hire a canoe, this is the perfect spot!

Southern Highlands

Although this is a large area, dropping in at any city in the Southern Highlands won’t disappoint! If you’re looking to travel somewhere closer to Sydney, try stopping by Stanwell Park or Helensburgh! They have great lookouts for spectacular views and have beaches that are much quieter than the ones in larger cities. If you’re willing to go the distance, drive down a bit and check out Kiama. Whilst you’re there, go and check out the Kiama blowhole or stroll along the Kiama Coast walkway!

Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is one of the top day trip destinations for visitors and for good reason! Both Sydney siders and visitors come to the Blue Mountains to immerse themselves in the lush landscape filled with dense eucalyptus trees. With more than 140kms worth of hiking trails, you’ve got plenty to explore! The location is also home to spectacular rock formations like the Three Sisters and Bridal Veil Falls! Whether you’re hiking, rock climbing or just having a stroll, Blue Mountains is the perfect place to visit.

Ku-ring-gai National Park

Ku-ring-gai is just a dash north from Sydney and it’s the second oldest national park in Australia! Filled with tranquil bays, waterfalls and stunning bushland, you’d be crazy to give this one a miss! You’ll be surrounded by an astounding view and it’s the best place for a kayak down the river or for some solid hiking. Without a doubt, you won’t regret spending your day here!

Palm Beach

If you’ve just visited Ku-ring-gai National Park, why not head up a bit to the breathtaking palm beach! Here you can snap a pic at instafamous Barrenjoey Lighthouse as it’ll give you a spectacular panoramic backdrop! The area is home to some of the best beaches and is the perfect place to settle down for a picnic.

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An animal lovers guide to Sydney

Whether you’re in Sydney for a few days or are lucky enough to call this place a home, you’ll know that this city is full of furry, cuddly, slimy, and wild and all other sorts of creatures. And this is your perfect chance to go say hello or even take your pets for a little pampering day! We all know that there’s Taronga Zoo and the Sea Life Aquarium, but venture into this list to find a list of other places where you can embrace the animal-lover within you!

Featherdale Wildlife Park

This place is home to over 1700 animals from 250 different species and is mostly famous for all the Koalas that the place shelters. It’s not as massive as the Taronga Zoo, but all those famous names that you keep seeing on TV or reading in books are all here. Kangaroos, koalas, quokkas, wombats, crocodiles and much more.

This is also the place where you can get a picture taken with a koala for free! You can even pay and have your own one-on-one session with a koala and pet them. All the zoo keepers take a very personalized approach to each animal and give you little stories about them while they’re at it, making the feeding times of each animal one of the best when compared to other parks!

Spot some kangaroos and cockatoos at Euroka clearing

Other than the best secret place for camping and bush-walking, Euroka Clearing is the best place to catch some kangaroos in their natural habitat. This hidden spot that is located near Glenbrook has over 40 campsites and the best time to find those roos are during dawn and dusk. Although these kangaroos are not like the ones in the zoo, unfortunately you cannot feed them but as they are used to people coming and observing them, they do not scare away that easily. So go get lucky and watch them closely while you can! I would advise you to stay away from the large male ones as they can get a bit aggressive and the mothers can get a tad bit protective if there are small joeys in the group.

Mix it up in Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Park

If you’re a fan of tiny little fish, Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Park is a nice short little walk from Manly Wharf. This reserve that covers the area between the southern ends of Manly Beach to the northern ends of Shelley Beach Headland attracts schools of small fish. If you’re lucky enough you might even get to see some gropers. The area is also staffed by volunteers on the weekend who will happily answer any questions that you might have. And if you want to mix up observing some fish with something else, this is also a great spot for snorkeling and underwater photography. It is famous among photographers as at various times, over 150 different species of fish have been recorded to be swimming in the water!

So now that you know where the wild things are, here are some tamer places for you and your furry ones!

Chew Chew Pet Restaurant

This is where pet nutrition comes first! Pet nutritionist and pet care advisor Naoko Okamoto has designed a Japanese style dog menu with a focus on nutritional content and taste. Serving organic meat and fish straight from the Sydney fish markets, there is always a lot of thought that is put into the dishes for your pals. You can order 3-course meals for your dog, including an entree of soup, a lamb omelet, and a cupcake and doggie cappuccino to top it off. In case this cafe couldn’t get any more loveable, you can now host your pooch’s birthday party here! 

Catmosphere

Sydney’s first space-themed cat café is going to be your heaven if you have been wanting those cuddles with kitties. You can have a yoga session for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of cuddling with cats! How good is that! I cannot think of a better way to relieve stress! All the cats here are fostered rescues and chosen especially because of their sociable purrsonalities. Entry to the café is free and you can just get a coffee there and relax and the rooms with cats can only be entered after you’ve paid for it.

Your pets deserve pampering too!

Australia’s premier pet grooming station- The Fur Station by Rufus & Coco that opened up in April this year is not just about haircuts and all. Your furry ones are more than welcome to get a full-standard massage just like humans in order to shine on their inner a well as their outer beauty! This pet grooming center that has taken the idea to a whole new level uses products only from Rufus & Coco. These are high quality products that are free of paraben and soap and also sulfate. Catered to the breed of your pal, they can get a full mud bath and well-being massage so that even the most sensitive ones can experience the very best!

Visit Aabode.com and book your perfect accommodation to have the perfect holiday experience!

Your Sydney Winter Wonderland

Winter in Australia has started showing its magic and although it might be too cold to go for a swim in Bondi, there are still a plenty of fun things to do in Sydney at this time of the year. From pop-up ice rinks to high tea on Ferris wheels, the city is as bustling and busy in winter as it is in summer and here is a list of things that you can venture into to make the most out of your Australian winter season in Sydney.

Good Food and Wine Show

 When: June 22nd – June 24th

The Good Food and Wine show are back again, and you can spend a weekend immersed in all of the booze and yummy goodness the city has to offer. This year’s event will bring back some old favorites’ and provide an exciting line-up of features to discover, taste, share and enjoy. There will be lunches with notable chefs such as Maggie Beer, Manu and Clarissa Feidel, Miguel Maestre, Matt Morgan as well as other fun and educational events. From vegan pizza master classes to boozy brunches and more, you will want to add this event to your calendar.

Vivid Sydney

When: May 25th – June 16th

The world’s largest festival of lights, music and ideas is returning to Sydney for its 10th year in a row. Last year Vivid Sydney drew over 2.33 million visitors to the city for its massive list of events including educational talks and seminars, live music and light shows, and its 10th anniversary is shaping up to be as spectacular as ever. From the Heaps Gay Queens Ball to Vivid After Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Snugglepot and Cuddlepie light display and so many more, you’ll definitely be wanting to get involved in Vivid Sydney this year.

Bondi Winter Magic Festival

When: June 28th – July 29th

I know what you’re thinking, going to the beach in winter? Well, why not especially when Bondi is bringing back its winter magic! You can ski along the shores as the festival brings snow to sand in the form of an ice-skating rink. There will be an educational history series, as well as daily ice skating and hockey demos and lessons.

Road and Snore at Taronga Zoo

When: April 30th – July 5th

Roar and snore is a long-running overnight experience offer by Taronga Zoo. It lets you bunker down after the zoo shuts its gates and stay in luxurious tents until morning. You’ll get to meet all the critters such as lions, tigers, snow leopards and a sun bear as well as dine at the zoo’s restaurant. The next morning you will be served a delicious brekkie before being able to feed a giraffe, pat a seal and sun bake with an echidna. From the 25th of May to the 16th of June, you can also catch Roar and Snore VIVID which will see amazing light installations on top of your furry filled experience.

Ferris Wheel High Tea

When: May 5th – 22nd September

The Deck in Sydney has brought back its quirky Ferris wheel high tea, so you can snack on scones and sip prosecco while taking in the best view in town. Served on board the iconic Luna Park Ferris Wheel, this next level experience is unlike any other tea party the city has to offer. After your one hour ride, you’re invited to sit back and warm up with a cuppa in the deck lounge.

Sydney Film Festival

When: June 6th – June 17th

Are you ready for 12 massive days of film, fun, talks, parties and of course all the movie snacks? Sydney film Festival kicks off in June and is bringing Sydneysiders over 120 flicks. With several of last year’s titles such as Call Me by Your Name, On Body and Soul and A Fantastic Woman scoring Oscar nominations or wins, you’ll certainly be wanting to take a sneak peak at this year’s lineup. From You Were Never Really Here starring Joaquin Phoenix, Kiwi flick, The Breaker Upperers and a hoard of other indie titles and docos, the program is packed to the brim. The State Theatre will be hosting most of the screenings, but there will also be films showing around the city in Newtown, Cremorne, Randwick and Western Sydney.

Whether you are planning your winter in Sydney or in another city, go to Aabode.com now to check out some cozy properties!

Top city picnic spots around Australia!

Oh no, summer is almost over! Take advantage of the sunny weather while you can. Grab a couple blocks of cheese, some wine glasses and your best mates to enjoy the remainder of your day basking in the warm sun with some speccy views. No matter where you are in the country, there’s a picnic spot calling your name!

Sydney – Wendy Whitley’s Secret Garden

Wendy’s secret garden might not be so secret anymore, but we can’t say no to spectacular harbor views. Surround yourself with the lush greenery and sip your wine in serenity in front of the harbor bridge! Located in Lavender Bay, it’s a 10 minute walk from North Sydney Station or a 15 minute walk from Milsons Point ferry wharf. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Wendy’s garden is the perfect oasis not too far from the hustling streets.

Perth – Kings Park

Home of the Western Australia Botanical Gardens, Kings Park is the perfect location to plop yourself down in Perth. Overlooking the entire city and the Swan River, it’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day at work or to relax on the weekends. If you want to walk off your delicious picnic fare, you can stroll among the 3000 native plants or climb up the DNA tower for some unreal views!

Melbourne – The Stables of Como

After an elegant picnic location? Don’t fret, The Stables of Como is home to lush greenery and glamorous regal styled buildings. If you’ve forgotten your picnic fare, you can purchase a gourmet basket from the cafe and it comes with a complete set of rugs, crockery and blankets. Otherwise, fold out your blankets and enjoy the your extremely elegant picnic surrounds at Como gardens.

Adelaide – Himeji Garden

This Japanese inspired Garden is where you want to go when you’re after a picnic in a completely different world! Step into Japan as you stroll among the pine trees and skip across the stepping stones. Nestle yourself among the trees or next to the lake and enjoy a leisurely morning basking in the sun. The Himeji Gardens will make your picnic that extra bit special and you’ll be transported to Japan in the heart of Adelaide!

Hobart – Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Mosey within the tulips and endlessly gaze at the white lilies because the abundant flora at the Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is breathtaking. With 14 hectares of beautiful gardens and land, you won’t be short of a spot to enjoy your picnic goods and company! You’ll be sure to lose yourself on the winding paths and discover a perfect relaxation nook amongst the euphoric greens in the garden.

Brisbane – Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Whether you wanted to catch the sunrise or sunset, the only place to do so would be at Kangaroo Point Cliffs. While you sip on your merlot and slice through your camembert, you’ll be perched right on the river edge admiring the spectacular Brisbane Skyline.

Darwin – George Brown Darwin Botanical Gardens

Located only two kilometers from Darwin CBD is one of the most astonishing picnic locations in the Northern Territory. Filled with bridges and mini waterfalls, a small visit to the gardens is an adventure waiting to happen! Find a snug spot between palm trees or facing the water, because a hamper filled to the brim combined with this amazing location results in a perfect afternoon.

After you spend your day winding down and getting a food coma from all the cheese you’ve eaten, it’s time to hit the hay. Find the perfect place for your head to hit a pillow at Aabode.com!

A guide to Chinatown around Aus!

Being a multicultural society means to embrace the food, lifestyle, experiences and the cultural practices of all cultures within Australia.
So, cue the thumping and beating of the drums, and get your red and gold out for Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year is a cultural tradition that is well celebrated, not only among the Chinese, but also throughout Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore and a number of other Asian countries. It is a celebration of the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.

We’ve put together a guide to Chinatown’s around Australia, and the festivities taking place during the Chinese New Year!

Chinatown – Melbourne, Victoria

Melbourne is the hub of cultural diversity, making it the place to be when celebrating Chinese New Year in Australia. With a number of events to attend, from Hawker stalls, cultural performances to ‘All Things Piggy’ (a delectable range of pork tastings, and eating competitions), you won’t want to miss out!

Chinatown – Sydney, New South Wales

During the festivities of Chinese New Year, you can find night markets, lion dances and celebrations held across Sydney, but most importantly you’ll find a delectable range of restaurants within Chinatown that offer special menus consisting of mouth watering dishes!

Once you’ve eaten till your heart is content, head down to Sydney’s Darling Harbour for the annual Dragon Boat racing; a 2,000 year tradition, held in long, elegant dragon-headed vessels.

Chinatown – Adelaide, South Australia

Dragon image replacement for CB home page banner

Unlike any other state, Chinatown in Adelaide has a very special street party to celebrate the Lunar New Year! Join thousands flocking to Chinatown for the Chinese New Year, with live music, performances, fire crackers and lion dancing!

Chinatown – Brisbane, Queensland

Brisbane’s Chinatown, a hive of Chinese culture and activity that brings visitors and blend of supermarkets, Chinese foods from sizzling woks to steaming yum cha.

Head up north during Chinese New Year to experience firecrackers, traditional lion dancers, music, displays and of course, food in the Chinatown Mall in Fortitude Valley!

Chinatown – Darwin, Northern Territory

Join Darwin’s local Chinese community in welcoming in the new year with a traditional Chinese lion dance throughout the city, blessing hundreds of shops which has been performed throughout Darwin for more than 60 years.

Explore the capital’s Chinese Temple and Museum Chung Wah, located in the small Darwin CBD, where there are good photo opportunities and learn about the importance of the Chinese Community and their contribution to Darwin!

Chinatown – Perth, Western Australia

Built amongst small lanes are lion statues, bubble tea houses and a number of restaurants and nightlife…otherwise known as Chinatown in the city of Perth. Head to this city to experience special entertainment, lunar inspired restaurant specials and a number of multicultural parades, stalls and activities for the whole family.

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