Category: Australia

Not too many people travel for the express purpose of seeing sports. But they’re out there, and even ordinary tourists tend to like to take in an authentic sporting experience in a foreign city now and then. Because of this there are a few cities that are sometimes mentioned as having particularly great sporting cultures: New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, London, and perhaps a few more. But I’m here to argue that Melbourne, Australia is the best of the bunch, and if you do happen to like to consider local sporting scenes when choosing a destination, you might want to consider some of the reasoning!

The International Events Are Awesome

If you research the most popular sports in Australia, you’ll actually see some sports we typically associate with international events like the Olympics toward the top. In particular, swimming and cycling are first and second, and dancing and track and field (or “athletics”) also make the list. Additionally, Melbourne happens to host major competitions on some international sporting circuits that are known for being incredibly fun. The tennis Grand Slam season begins with the Australian Open, Formula 1 has the Australian Grand Prix, and the Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world – and all take place in Melbourne.

Australia Has Its Own Sports

The most popular conventional team sport in Australia is cricket, which is not native to the island nation, but is certainly about as big in Australia as anywhere else in the world. The same can be said for rugby, more or less. Additionally however Australia, and Melbourne by extension, has some sports that are almost uniquely its own. Aussie Rules football is extremely popular, for example, and Netball – a sort of basketball/handball hybrid – is also popular Down Under. Altogether these sports just make for a unique athletic scene unlike what you get just about anywhere else in the world.

…And A Legal Sports Betting Culture

Australians aren’t just interested in sports (or as some would say obsessed). They also have the ability to bet on them, which isn’t true in the places some tourists may be coming from. Sports betting is legal and covers a swath of events from those Australia-specific sports and international competitions to more ordinary sports like soccer and basketball. This doesn’t mean you need to be betting in order to enjoy yourself. But it adds to the excitement of the Melbourne sporting scene that a lot of people have a little bit on the line.

Basketball Is On The Rise

Australia in general hasn’t always been known for basketball, but it’s fair to say the sport is on the rise. Kyrie Irving, arguably the best living point guard, an NBA Champion for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now a star of the Boston Celtics, was actually born in Australia. And Ben Simmons, a budding superstar for the Philadelphia 76ers and a legitimate candidate to be the best player in the world in a few years, was born and played in Melbourne! Indeed, Simmons recently starred as the 76ers played an exhibition against Melbourne United. This is not to say you get NBA talent in your average Melbourne basketball game, but it does mean the sport is getting a bit more attention in town.

You Might See The Socceroos

The Socceroos are the Australian national soccer team, and while they’re not among the most talented in the world, they do have a reputation for playing hard and getting the absolute most out of their roster. They actually don’t have a designated home stadium, but they do play some of their matches at the beautiful (and slightly quirky) Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park. Seeing the national soccer team of most any country in a home match tends to be a real treat.

Add up all of these factors, as well as some beautiful venues to house the various sports and events, and it’s clear that the Melbourne sporting scene has it all. It’s about as diverse an athletics calendar as you could ask for, and in a nation enthusiastic for its sports there tends to be a great atmosphere to accompany the action on the field, court, or track.

Even though Sydney is not the capital of Australia (neither is Melbourne; it’s actually Canberra), it’s got all the elements you could want from an exciting, major city.

Nestled on the coast of New South Wales, Sydney is crammed full of suburbs, each bursting at the seams with restaurants, bars, culture, and shopping. If you’re heading down under anytime soon; the following area some of the best areas of Sydney check out, so you’ll never be stuck for something to do or somewhere to go on your trip.

The CBD And Sydney Harbour

If you’re craving the traditional sights of Sydney’s infamous Opera House and Bridge, then get yourself down to the water in the main harbor of the city.

Whether you grab a ferry across to Manly or stroll around the beautiful Botanical Gardens; the centre of the city will provide you will enjoy unparalleled views of its most iconic tourist destinations (and the sun is usually out, making it an Instagramers dream). The main ferry station will provide routes to an array of Sydney attractions, like Taronga Zoo, and an alternative route to various suburbs (it’s basically an excuse to be on the water and look back at the city views in style).

The Central Business District area of the city is brimming with shopping, restaurant, and bar options; perfect you love a little (or a lot) of retail therapy, coupled with regular sustenance and refreshment breaks.

The Sydney Tower looms above the Westfield shopping centre, which houses all the big designer brands you’d expect, like Prada, Chanel, and Christian Louboutin, and a variety of more affordable fashion across the different floors.

There is a food hall which offers culinary delights from across the world, or why not take a trip up the tower, and dine with a 360-degree view of the city; another great way to enjoy the sights.

Coogee, Bronte, And Bondi

The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach (or vice versa) is perfect for those who want to see the sand, sea, and plenty of surfers enjoying the waves.

The coastal areas of Sydney are about as postcard perfect as it gets, and all have areas of clean sand to lay back on (do not forget your factor 50), rocky crevices to explore, and a beautiful view of the Pacific ocean. There are events, like Sculptures By The Sea, which are held annually in Bondi, which mixes together creative artwork with an incredible coastal backdrop, and also shows some of Australia’s best talent.

If you’re not too keen on walking along the coastal edge, and the sun is too hot to do so; consider looking into car hire, or simply hopping on and off a bus, to check out each destination along the way. The coastal suburbs don’t just offer amazing views; they are crammed with cafes and restaurants which are perfect to enjoy the laidback, healthy breakfast and brunch culture that Sydneysiders embrace on the regular.

You can get a surprisingly decent cup of coffee and a slice of toast with avocado, as you sit back in your sunglasses and listen to the sounds of the sea.

Surry Hills, Newtown, And Paddington

The first place you’ll hit, when you travel out of the main city and head towards Bondi Beach, is Surry Hills; this is an eclectic area where you can find individual boutiques, pop-up restaurants and plenty of creative residents. It’s within walking distance of the CBD, Sydney’s Central Train Station, and an array of other transport links.

However, you might want to stick around and visit Belvoir Street Theatre; a highly respected theatre, where stars like Cate Blanchett have performed on stage. There are also plenty of gallery spaces to satiate your culture fix, and not forgetting Bourke Street Bakery, where you’ll need to join the queue to grab a baked delight or two. You could quite easily spend a vacation in Surry Hills and never do the same thing twice.

Newtown is next on the list, as it has a similar vibe to Surry Hills; so if you enjoyed your trip around what was previously talked about, get yourself down to Newtown ASAP. Newtown boasts some of the best Sydney street art going; walls and walls are filled with incredible paintings, tags, and colours, so there’ll be plenty to photograph, and you’ll be able to find the perfect backdrop for your OOTD.

You will not go hungry in Newtown either; The Pie Tin offers just what you’d expect from the name, a bountiful selection of savory and sweet pies, and beverages to wash them both down (assuming you managed two). There is also a chocolate-themed cafe (yes, really) that goes by the name of Max Brenner’s, which is ideal for the traveling chocoholic.

Now to Paddington, which is further down Oxford Street as you leave the city centre. You’ll find even more fashion boutiques and retailers, along with cafes and restaurants, for when you need to sit down with all of your shopping bags. You’ll find the Paddington markets are a treasure trove of crafts, art, and jewellery from local creatives; perfect if you want to pick up a bespoke souvenir or gift.

The best thing about Paddington is that you can find the majority of its best bits on one street; once you reach the end of the shops, you can take a stroll in Centennial Park, before hopping on a bus to the coast. You can also spend an evening under the stars in the park, watching a movie at the Moonlight Cinema; remember to take a torch, your popcorn, and a blanket, before watching what’s on show.

Whether it’s a delicious dinner, drinks with a view, or some serious retail therapy you’re after, from city life in Sydney; you’ll be able to discover a variety of things to try whichever direction you head. Take a little time once you’ve checked into your hotel to work out your plan of attack, then pop your sunnies on and get out and enjoy the weather that Sydney is so famous for. The more you explore, the more hidden gems you’ll discover (and the better your Insta stories will be!)