Australia (2014) Day 1: Sydney - Chinatown, Paddy's Market, Darling Harbour, Harbour Bridge & Opera House

Date Visited: 11th October 2014

I have few group of friends who love to gather by having annual trip together. For the past few years, we travelled together to short distance getaway like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hatyai, Bali and etc. Out of sudden, I suggested to go Australia cause so far, the only city I cover is Melbourne only. Two of my friends agreed with my travel plan and without wait any longer, we fought so hard to book the cheap tickets during AirAsia Free Seats Promotion. That's how my another adventures to Australia came to my life.

We booked the flight to Sydney first, then as for the return one, we booked the flight out from Gold Coast. Land of Down Under, here I come again!   

#1: Midnight flight with AirAsia X to Sydney 

The flight duration took 8 hours and 10 minutes and by the time we opened our eyes, we had safely landed at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport on the next day morning. In case you are wondering of the time zone difference, local time in Sydney is two hours ahead of Kuala Lumpur. The immigration and custom clearance were smooth and fast, unlike my virgin experience previously. Right after we collected our luggage, we took the airport train heading to Central Station that cost AU$12.60 each. 

#2: Getting out from airport to Central Station via airport train 

In order to stick to our tight budget, we try to save and minimize our cost as possible as we can. Hence, we decided to stay in Malaysia Hall Sydney which charge us AU$20 per night with an additional cost of AU$15 for the cleaning fee. Well, it's pretty affordable and reasonable considering a private twin bedroom attached with bathroom we're staying. 

#3: Malaysia Hall Sydney

How To Get To Malaysia Hall Sydney

From Central Station, heading to Eddy Avenue with the bus signboard. Catch bus #373, 374 or 377 heading towards Allison Road. Once you saw Caltex Petrol Station on your left side, that's where Malaysia Hall is situated nearby. 

Dumped our luggage immediately and we took bus #373 back to the city center. Malaysia Hall Sydney is located 20 minutes away from the city center. We started our first day with shopping and sight-seeing. So these are the few places and attractions we went:

Chinatown

Sydney's Chinatown is not far away from Central Station. You can opt for either walking towards Pitt Street or George Street which is 5 minutes away or even taking light rail. Well, I did both. The first time we went there to hunt for Asian meals. First day already craving for it. And then on every Friday, there is a night market starting from 4pm to 11pm. 

#4: Sydney's Chinatown - a melting pot of eateries 


#5: Chinatown's night market - Every Friday from 4pm to 11pm

Paddy's Market

Situated right in front of Chinatown is the buzzling market of Paddy's Market. If comparing both Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market and Paddy's Market, I prefer the latter one. This is one place where you can hunt wide array of souvenirs for yourself, your family and friends. I saw a trench coat selling for AU$25 only. It's dirt cheap but unfortunately, I didn't buy it. Now thinking back, so regret for not doing so. Silly me! 

#6: Buzzling market of Paddy's Market. Open from 9am to 5pm on every Wednesday to Sunday


#7: Wide array of souvenirs can be found here 

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#8: Hoodie and t-shirt  

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is a harbour adjacent to Sydney's city center. Here, you can find countless selection of restaurants, clubs, eateries, shopping and more. For those who are Hard Rock Cafe collector, this is where the shop located. 

#9: Vibrant and great atmosphere


#10: Overlooking the skyscrapers 


#11: Main attractions like Madame Tussauds, Sealife Aquarium and Wildlife Sydney Zoo are situated here as well 

Harbour Bridge 

One of the famous iconic bridge in Sydney. One of the way to enjoy this view is by taking ferry from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay or vice versa. Be prepared to taking stunning and spectacular view of Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

#12: Stunning and spectacular view of Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House via sightseeing cruise


#13: Sydney Harbour Bridge - truly a sight to behold. 


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Sydney Opera House

World's famous iconic attraction that shouldn't be missed by anyone when visit Sydney. Three days my friend and I were in Sydney, three times we went there for photography. We even managed to sneak in into the opera house - it was grand and amazing. Then in the following year when my flight transited from New Zealand, we stopby at Sydney for few hours and the place we went is none other than Sydney Opera House. 

#16: Sydney Opera House at day time


#17: Sydney Opera House at night time


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How To Get To Sydney Opera House
Take train to Circular Quay or catch ferry from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay like we did.

Looks like on the first day my friends and I managed to tick off the main touristy bucket list.

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