Everyone thinks about the sun, love and the beach when it comes to a summer australia guide. But what to know what else it can offer you? I’ll show you some of the things us Aussie really get up to down under!
See Sydneysiders Commute to Work (You Will Be Jealous, We Promise)
When you’re in Sydney you have to use local transportation. It’s much quicker for some Sydneysiders to catch the ferry to work rather than use the roads. It’s a beautiful and cheap way to explore the harbor.
Jump on board the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay to the beautiful and harbor and beachside suburb of Manly. Its half-hour trip that takes you past Kirribilli House (home of the Australian Prime Minister), under the harbor bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Manly Esplanade.
Once in Manly Head to The Watering Hole
A local waterhole (Aussie slang for bar) is the Manly Wharf Bar. It will be hard to miss, on the weekends it will be packed full of locals also taking in the beautiful vistas. Warning, this may make you extremely irrational and want to move immediately or make you bitter towards those living in such a beautiful location.
Live the Life of Luxury
I bet you’ve heard that Australia is expensive. We have found that food is slightly pricier than the US but accommodation is where it will sting you! Most places you will be looking at least $50 a night in an Airbnb. That why you should try house sitting! It allows you to care for animals (some of the time) and stay in some absolutely beautiful locations. Everything from apartments overlooking Bondi beach to penthouses in the Gold Coast.
It may seem like an outrageous idea, however, the demand for this is hot! To get started you need to find the sits, head over to the best house sitting sites so you can make an informed decision
Watch the Aus Open with The Locals
January in Melbourne is all about the Australian Open. Everyone gets involved and you can’t do anything without hearing about it. Tickets for the main courts can get very pricey very quickly. Do as the locals and grab a ground pass. This pass allows you to visit all the outdoor courts.
We’ve been early on during the tournament and watched the likes of Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt & Roger Federer playing. Your next move should be towards the lawns. You will find some beautiful gardens with a big screen set up. As the days progresses you will get the Aussies getting into the spirit. Before you know you will be cheering along with some new best mates.
It’s Time To Sip The Best Coffee In Australia.
Melbourne is world famous for their coffee culture. The lifeblood of Melburnians is coffee and the roots to it run deep. Too give you an idea, what Bordeaux is to wine, is Melbourne to coffee. They take it as seriously as there sport. Melbourne has an extensive population of Greeks and Italian, this is thought to have contributed to outstanding coffee. If you want to sip coffee with the locals head to Flinders Lane in the city center or Lygon St in Carlton.
Find Yourself A Grassy Knoll For A Weekend Barbie!
No matter time of the year or temperature locals always flock to Bondi Beach. The locals complain it full riffraff and overpriced coffees but it doesn’t stop them heading down.
There are only a few remaining spots too set up a true Aussie BBQ. If you head down the northern end of the beach there is a grassy knoll, where you can fire up a coin-operated gas barbecue.
You will find a huge congregation of locals here every Saturday and Sunday and well pretty most other sunsets to eat, drink and mingle. It’s a good chance to integrate yourself with a cheery local and get some insider knowledge. It might find that it does get turned into a pretty heavy drinking session. Taking this into account makes sure you always have your wits about when lighting up a gas barbeque in the park. Always follow gas smoker safety or you may be jumping on that plane home a little bit earlier.
DO.NOT.MISS The Great Barrier Reef
This might sound like a touristic activity however many Aussie heads to explore their own coastline. It has been said that the Great Barrier Reef may disappear by 2050, so you will find many Australians also trying to enjoy the reef well they can. We recommend taking a day trip from Cairns (as it the cheapest option) and snorkel among the varied, multi-colored wildlife that lives beneath the crystal water’s surface.
Australia is a an amazing playground for anyone who loves the great outdoors, culture or food! From the rainforest to the beaches and beautiful cafes between. Hop off the bus and find out what us locals get up to. It is the best way to really get amongst an Aussie summer
Brittnay was your typical Aussie who lived in London, before making the move to Dublin.
She managed to squeeze in 21 trips to Europe & Africa in that time (including lots of cheese & wine). Her adventures of travel and house sitting is captured on her blog The Travelling Housesitters
