Needing a break away from Brisbane, Sydney was just the trip for a quick getaway.

Getting There 


Arriving at Terminal 2 with Jet Star was a breeze. Once collecting my bags I followed the signs to trains, going down escalators two floors.



I bought a single Opal train ticket from one of the booths. Costing $18.70 for a single one way adult ticket to St James. I was able to use my credit card. 




The airport loop is easy an easy exit form the airport, departing on platform 1. Three stops later or 15 minutes I breezed out of St James staton exiting at Elizabeth Street backing onto Hyde Park. I walked down Market Street to my hotel, the lovely Swissotel. Located in the midst of everything shopping.



I left my bags with the concierge, as it was too early to check in and made my way to Zara. Just up the road off the Pitt Street Mall, I spent awhile here as there was a huge sale on.


Interestingly, I thought it was be a much bigger and fancier shop than Brisbane, but was surprised to find it, not a big, or nice. I then walked down Pitt Street Mall to H&M to find it also not as nice or big. I walked back to to hotel to leave my purchases ready for my planned self guided Colony walk organised by The Sydney City Council. They have a number of walks which you can easily follow using their app.


This decent little app uses maps for your walk your walk. Once you reach a location, it has a little spiel about the place. I chose to do the Colony Walk due to my interest in old architecture. The walk said to allow 1- 2 hours but you would be really pushing it to get this work done in 2 hours. 



Day 1 - Colony Self Guided Walk


Starting at St James train station I started walking down Macquarie Street towards circular quay.


Keeping the lovely parks on my right I passed one of Sydney's Living History Museums, the Hyde Park Barracks.

This World Heritage site is one of the most significant convict sites in the world. Walking past Parliament House and the State Library I discovered the gates to the Botanical gardens. 



Turning left onto Bridge street I started my tour here. A number of significant buildings dot this street including the Site of first government house, Education Department building, Lovely tree filled Macquarie Place.


Continuing down Bridge Street I passed the exquisite Burns Philip building on my left noticing a couple of very old historical pubs. Following Bridge as it turns into Grosvenor I turned right onto Harrington Street passing St Patricks Church and school.

Walking down Harrington I wandered up some lovely old stairs to Cumberland Place and the Susannah Living History Museum.


This living history museum was top of my list. Only opening each day at 2pm with 3 tours only available.

Susannah Place History Museum

As I had arrived at 1pm, one hour too early,  I continued up past the Australian Hotel along Cumberland Street finding the subway under the start of the Sydney Bridge. You can also walk up the stairs to see part of the bridge.


Walking under the bridge and over to my left I walked up to Observation Hill Park.

Observation Hill Park

A gorgeous walk around the park, giving views of Darling Harbour and Walsh Bay. Circling around the observatory I walked back ready for my tour.

Observation Hill Park

Susannah Place 

Susannah Place History Museum

The tour started at 2pm with only 2 of us. Costing $12 for one hour, a very reasonably priced tour.

Susannah Place History Museum

Built in 1844, Susannah Place was a working class tenement consisting of 4 terrace houses.A Bought by the government in the 1900.s as Housing Commission, this place survived many redevelopments of The Rocks area.

Susannah Place History Museum

The houses were homes to many families however the tour focuses on a few families over the 150 years ending with the last family to leave in the 1990's.

Susannah Place History Museum

The museum remains in its original form, showing layers of flooring and paint over the years. Real photos of families are shown on the tour.

Susannah Place History Museum

I was thrilled with this tour reminding me of the Tenament Museum tour in New York.

Susannah Place History Museum

Wandering around the historic Rocks I found it quite underwhelming. A few lovely old alleyways and stairs but nothing quaint sadly. A few hidden laneways.

Susannah Place History Museum

Now starving as it was 3pm by this stage I continued back down to George Street, eating at Georgie Boys. Brilliant Toastie and coffee and great service


Exhausted by this stage I trudged back to the hotel, ready to check in and a nice something to drink.
Meeting Hubby after work, we discovered the gorgeous Lobo Plantation. A cuban style underground rum bar, down some sneaky stairs on on Clarence Street bar was warm and buzzing.


Surrounded by flamingo tiles, and everything screaming Panama style we enjoyed a delicious drink in wonderful surrounding (not rum!) 
 Now starving and not wanting pub eats at The Lobo, we made our way to the famous Sea Bay Chinese Restaurant.


Well known for their hand pulled noodles, we ere lucky to grab a street. It is recommended to book, but as it was a Wednesday night in Winter we were lucky.


Steaming bowls of dumpling and noodles surrounded us. Forgetting our wine, we walked down to the bottle shop at World Square. Very cheap, fresh warming food on a cold winters night. Wandering the streets home, very exhausted after my huge day in Sydney. 



Day 2 - Secret View Over Circular Quay and Botanical Gardens

Starting our breakfast at the the stunning Parlour Lane Roasters across the road in Market Street. Sitting on the ground level of the QT Boutique Hotel this gorgeous cafe is decorated with a Euro style flavour. 


Serving a great breakfast and drinks into the night, a very quaint place to be. Check out the gorgeous bar stools while you're there. 



Full from breakfast I made my way to the very disappointing and run down Myer. I looked around Westfield, and The beautiful Queen Victoria Building.


Make sure you walk along the outside of the building as well. The architecture is to die for. Nothing much different compared to Brisbane I made my way back to St James Station, walking down Elizabeth Street, grabbing some Sushi for lunch on the way, onto Phillip Street, veering right all the way to Circular Quay.


Under the expressway, the Cahill Expressway Lookout lift, is a large glass lift sitting lonely, waiting for tourists. This sneaky lift takes you up 3 stories to the expressway. At the top are the most gorgeous views of Sydney Harbour.

Take awhile to shot some photos the walk down towards the gardens. Walking along the front with glimpses of the original Government House on your right you come across the Sydney Opera House. 

This beautiful park is the place to sit and enjoy your lunch. Walking back towards St James station the Botanical gardens are a delight.


Lots of people doing midday runs or just walking. Follow the signs to the cafe for very clean toilets.


If you have time, pop into the Growing Friends Nursery, where you can buy plants propagated form the Botanical Gardens. They are only open from 11pm-2pm though.


Following one of the numerous paths, drag your now very tired legs back to Macquarie Street ready to pack up to go home.

Going Home 

Following the same route home to St James, buy your single ticket to the domestic airport. This time leaving from platform 2, be careful that you are on the correct train. Although it has an airport sign, not all trains go to the airport from this station, so check the computerised board that you are on the airport train. Time to go home...