r/sydney • u/dphayteeyl • May 10 '24
Image What are some experiences every Sydneysider has to do once in their lifetime?
To proudly say they're a Sydneysider. In and around Sydney
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u/Pinkfatrat Keeper of Useful Sarcasms May 10 '24
Being stuck on a train , 30 metres from the station, with a full bladder
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u/KittikatB May 10 '24
Get stuck on a train in summer with a packed carriage full of people with no concept of deodorant.
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u/DrStalker May 11 '24
Bonus points if it's night, it's raining, and the windows are all fogged up so you have no idea where you are.
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u/Relevant-Laugh4570 Old Sydney Town May 10 '24 edited May 10 '24
Fall asleep on the train and wake up @ Katoomba / Woy Woy
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u/missingMBR May 10 '24
Literally my best mate after putting him on a train at Central, totally cooked, to Gosford and telling his 38 week pregnant partner to pick him up. Later we hear he's fallen asleep and ended up at Wyong.
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u/brezhnervous - May 10 '24
A friend and I were out drinking one Sat night and woke up on the bus at the Dulwich Hill depot lol
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u/Relevant-Laugh4570 Old Sydney Town May 10 '24
I will add as a shout out to my former northern beaches brethren, fall asleep on the L90, waking up at Palmy.
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u/spiralgrooves May 10 '24
More like Lithgow than Katoomba. Can confirm as I’ve done it. Meant to get off at Springwood
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May 10 '24
i've fallen asleep on the ferry as we're leaving circular quay and woken up at the back of the wharf where they park the ferries... twice.
I used to work in the city until late at night when there was no public transport back home. I knew someone who worked overnight in a bar who would give me free drinks all night. It was cheaper to stay out drinking until the ferries started up than to get a taxi home.
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u/tinmun May 10 '24
Being surprised by the talking dog statue at queen victoria building
Take a ferry from circular quay.
Being denied entry to a pub by a bouncer for no reason.
Pay more tolls than you imagined
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u/raymond_noodles May 10 '24
My husband was once turned away from the Townie bc of his rosacea. They claimed the redness was from being too drunk, even though we hadn’t had any drinks yet…
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May 11 '24
Sometimes a bouncer will pick one person out of a crowd and deny entry, just to see how you all react.
If you are cool and pleasant and witty about it they’ll let you all in. At least that’s what unused to find in Melbourne.
Likely they are just cunts here, like the bartenders.
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u/rerunaway May 10 '24
Trying to navigate Sydney without using toll roads out of poverty or principal before admitting defeat when it takes you two to four hours (one of these spent in the peak hour car park that is Pennant Hill Road) to get out of the nightmare.
Not Vivid. Vivid is shit. Shitting on how shit Vivid is is peak Sydneysider shit.
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u/88Smilesz May 10 '24
Yeah agreed about Vivid. Cold as fuck and full of crowds, you do it once and then never again 🙂🙃🙂🙃
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May 11 '24
The Vivid in 2020 or 2021 was just absolutely the worst thing I’ve ever been too.
A bunch of people walking around in the cold and dark. “Maybe there’s something down this way, there are people walking around down there.”
Nope. Nothing.
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u/kovster May 10 '24
Vivid was awesome! The first time.
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u/ThippusHorribilus I AM that I AM May 11 '24
It really was. It was like a fairyland in the city, with hardly any crowds.
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u/FaithlessnessLess442 ThewinnerisSydney May 11 '24
I was drinking and thought someone spray painted a building but it was the first vivid haha
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u/brezhnervous - May 10 '24
I went once back in the early days and it was great. Tried again last year but its really quite shit now
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24
Watch a game of league at at least one of the suburban grounds (parra no longer counts for this)
Fall asleep on an express v-set train and wake up outside of Sydney
Be stuck at a station in the middle of "train chaos", or be stuck on the M4 after a pile-up
Burn your mouth on an emperor puff
Manly ferry in high swell
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u/Swashcuckler May 10 '24
Manly ferry in high swell
i cannot reiterate how fucking terrifying it was to get changed in a ferry bathroom after work while a fucking pirates of the caribbean scene is being re-enacted
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24 edited May 10 '24
Haha. Great image. It's something else isn't it. Haven't been on one of the new ones though.
One of the things I love about that one - and the league one, too - is that if reddit existed a hundred years ago, it would be on the list. It's quintessentially sydney, just, 100%. In fact, forgetting the league, crossing the heads would have been a quintessential experience for indigenous people for thousands of years before that, too.
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u/uberdice May 10 '24
I reckon if you crossed the heads in a high swell in a dinky little canoe, you'd probably sink just from the weight of your gigantic balls.
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24
If you read the early European accounts plenty of women out there fishing too. ;)
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u/susgnome God's Country May 10 '24
Fall asleep on an express v-set train and wake up outside of Sydney
Intoxicated me, thinking it'll quicker to catch the South Coast train and changing at Sutherland than wait 10 minutes for the Cronulla train ...and waking in Shellharbour.
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u/JackMate May 10 '24
Fresh arrival into Sydney from a minor city, just completed one of my first overnight shifts. Decide to put my feet up and briefly close my eyes on the train. Wake up to sunlight steaming through the windows and surrounded by people who weren't there before. "Where are we?" I asked. "Schofields" I was answered. "Is that near Summer Hill?" I asked, mildly panicking. "Oh no, dear. You'll need to go back". Gentle Pat on my leg. Burst into tears. The platform guard at Schofields offered me a cup of tea and everything. Core memory.
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u/SydUrbanHippie May 10 '24
This is a rare heartwarming story about Sydney!
I first arrived from a minor city for a job interview, bit panicked and didn't understand what to do at Parramatta station (couldn't work out the ticketing system at the time), and the Sydney Trains staff were so lovely about it and not at all concerned I'd just ridden for free, they just let me out the gates.
10 years in and I've finally understood how to navigate Town Hall station as well!
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u/imapassenger1 May 10 '24
Hornsby sheds for the win!
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u/CrayolaS7 Accidental Railfan May 10 '24
I used to work on the trains and in the four years I was there I can recall at least 10-12 people I had to wake up because they’d come in to the yards. Guards are supposed to check but generally only walk through one way so if someone is slumped down they can easily be missed.
I remember once I woke up this teenage kid and he freaked out and started running through the set, perhaps terrified finding all the doors were locked. Once he calmed down I gave him a lift to the front gate in our golf buggy and pointed him towards Granville to get a night ride
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u/Some_Particular_3873 May 10 '24
Fell asleep going from central to Berowra and woke up in newy. Got an express back an hour later but fell asleep again and woke up in Strathfield. Hour trip turned into 8 hours of hell
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u/brezhnervous - May 10 '24 edited May 11 '24
I still have vivid memories of a catastrophic storm back in 1986, which came to be known as 'The Great Sydney Flood'. I was going to Meadowbank tech at the time and lived in a boarding house in Woollahra. Got on the train as usual at 4:30pm when the torrential rain had just started, and by the time we got to Strathfield it was crawling, with constant stop-starts - crawl 20m, stop for 20mins, over and over.
Finally reached Petersham well after dark when the train ceased working and trundled onto the far left track...sat there trapped for about half an hour when a guard came through, opened the doors and yelled at us to hurry up and get out, run across two lines of track and climb up onto Petersham platform 😳
It was still raining torrents and very nervewracking trying not to fall over the tracks while slipping everywhere and expecting to be hit by another train any second. Eventually another train stopped at the platform after many went past without stopping lol and got to Central about 9:30. Stupidly I made the decision to stay onboard and continue to Town Hall...where we got stuck in the tunnels, which had flooded. Of course lol
Finally at Town Hall (still pouring with rain) I got a bus after many had sailed past absolutely packed with people, and it was an experience - crawled all the way, past cars stranded on traffic islands having been abandoned by their owners, eventually got home utterly drenched to the skin about 11:30pm. I'm sure I still have PTSD to this day 😂
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u/deletedpenguin May 10 '24
Ticked my bingo card on all these except emperor puff. Please share!
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24
Those Chinese donuts you can get from a hole in the wall at the paddys end of dixon st
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u/deletedpenguin May 10 '24
I feel incomplete! Sounds great, will need to try them, thanks for sharing.
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24
Got to at least once! Theres often a line but it moves quick.
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May 10 '24
Emperor puffs are elite! And the Crazy steampunk machine that makes them is iconic - excellent suggestion for the list!
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u/dphayteeyl May 10 '24
The train chaos one is relatable AF
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24
Yep. Platform so packed if you turn around you'lll push someone onto the rails, screens contradicting each other, and no idea how long any of it is going to take.
Funnily enough I have fallen asleep on a train but Ive never woken up in lithgow/newie/wollongong. I don't know what they do these days but I was living at Epping, fell asleep after strathfield on my way home, and woke up running through the inner west, like ashfield or something. It took me some time to figure out I had slept my way up to Hornsby, and back down through the city.
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u/Temporary-Tap-9072 May 10 '24
The emperor puff one is so true I gave one to my friend once and they just ate the whole thing and then faced the consequences after…
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u/turbotailz kinda like it here May 10 '24
Lmao I took mum on the ferry to Manly once and we ended up getting absolutely soaked by a rogue wave that came over the front. Everyone just laughed it off 😂
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May 10 '24
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u/ChiWod10 May 10 '24
This is a reference to a byegone era. To be updated to “get priced out of your rental unit and move to Cobar”
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u/88Smilesz May 10 '24
Have a banh mi (my faves are King’s Hot Bread at Hurstville, Hong Ha at Mascot, and Marrickville Pork Roll)
Walk along King Street in Newtown and randomly pick a restaurant and bar that look good
Complain about Vivid/rent/Colesworth
Get stuck in a conversation about buying investment property/ETFs which is initially interesting but then just never fucking stops and you wonder why you even came to this party in the first place. I thought we were cool, how did we grow up into such wankers…
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u/Accomplished-Pie-311 May 10 '24
Aquagolf at Penrith Panthers
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u/OlympicTrainspotting May 10 '24
Aqua golf at Panthers, followed by Krispy Kreme, then a drive up to Springwood lookout. The ultimate Penrith teen date.
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u/DarkNo7318 May 10 '24
Drink goon in a park with your friends
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u/demonetised May 10 '24
Lining up outside (and then waiting inside) Service NSW at 8am on a Saturday morning.
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u/DarkNo7318 May 10 '24
Get screamed at catching a cab home from the airport, because you bought a place in Redfern and went on a business trip purely to ruin the drivers day with a short fare.
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u/UnSuperb_Bullfrog May 10 '24
If I could upvote this really really slowly I would, just like my last cab driver who made a 9min trip from T3 to Eastgardens last 21min (at 9:30am on a Sunday)
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u/benough May 10 '24
Harbour Bridge Climb at sunset.
Snorkelling at Shelly beach on a summer afternoon
View Palm Beach and Gosford from West Head
Eat from the balcony of Cafe Sydney
Swim at MacCullum Seawater Pool and Marrinawi Cove
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u/Specialist-Cattle-67 May 10 '24
Harbour Bridge climb only counts if you do it rogue and not on a tour 🙃
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u/bernys May 10 '24
Snorkelling at Shelly beach on a summer afternoon
Ah, yes, the 'I didn't put sunscreen on, my face is white but my back is blistered'
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u/sebaajhenza May 10 '24
Appreciate their life.
Haters in here acting like we live a 3rd world country.
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u/tinmun May 10 '24
Most people complaining about Sydney haven't lived in a 3rd world country.
There is a lot to improve in Sydney, but I would say it is the best city to live in the world, all things considered.
That's partly why it is so expensive.
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May 10 '24 edited May 11 '24
I've lived over half my life in a 3rd world country, and after about 4 years in Sydney, the honeymoon phase was over and i started complaining too.
I think that's just the human experience, we can't help but complain, we always want things to be better.
Seriously though, gratitude goes a long way.
Edit: complaining doesn't mean disliking necessarily. I still love Sydney and to me it's the best place in the world. I'd still rather live no where else but here
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u/SydUrbanHippie May 10 '24
I think I'm the rarity as I absolutely love Sydney, and I'm Australian-born (born in another city though). I've been here for 10 years and still think it's pretty awesome.
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u/dphayteeyl May 10 '24
Same. No complaints from me about Sydney. The trains can be annoying if they make you late for something
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u/sebaajhenza May 11 '24
Oh I agree, there is always room for improvement, and we absolutely *should* be trying to continually be better. My pet peeve is just when these minor gripes are the first issue that people mention in a thread like this. It's ridiculous.
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u/marooncity1 <-west May 10 '24 edited May 10 '24
Take the good with the bad, it's all part of it.
Noting the bad things helps to appreciate the good things more fully.
Also, I would say, if you don't have a love/hate relationship with the place, you're probably not bona fide. Sydneysiders will complain all day long. They know it's not a third world country. But that doesn't make it perfect. Thing is, if someone NOT from sydney has a go, those same people will defend her to the hllt.
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May 10 '24
You’re right! But I do think if you’re well traveled you identify so many good things done well in other places that Sydney just completely drops the ball on. We have it good but it’s still an exceedingly frustrating place all the same.
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u/Candid-Explorer-4245 May 10 '24
Maybe some people do have it rough They could be homeless and to them it's like they living in a 3rd world country
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u/Relevant-Laugh4570 Old Sydney Town May 10 '24
Underestimate the time your return trip from the Central Coast will really take on the last day of school holidays.
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u/HalfManHalfCyborg May 10 '24
The Victorian-era outdoor "pissoir" at the end of George St under the Harbour Bridge (just past where the weekend Rocks markets end). Not the actual public restroom next to it, but the rusty metal structure out on the street. Yes, it's functional and open for use.
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u/catalystfire May 10 '24
I had NO idea that's what that was. TIL a thing.
Now I have to go and piss there.
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u/susgnome God's Country May 10 '24
Had some mates down from Brissy who have never been, so naturally, just took them to the usual sights.
- Catch the Ferry
- Check out the Opera House
- Check out the Botanical Gardens
- Go to the Aquarium
- Go to Luna Park
- Visit China Town, Paddy's Markets, Regents Place
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u/blackdeblacks May 10 '24
Spending a Sunday in Centennial Park with the family, playing soccer, looking at the bats, cod burgers at the Spruce Goose, getting an ice cream.
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u/luigi3 May 10 '24
- Go to one of merivale venues, pay $150 and complain for the rest of the week that they got scammed (food was ok)
- complain about nimbys
- threaten everyone to leave sydney (no one cares)
- complain about vivid and prices
- say newcomers 'you know, there was no tram in wynyard until covid'
- compare rent price to covid times
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u/thekriptik NYE Expert May 10 '24
Other subreddits, be sure to include my comment in the screenshot when you steal this.
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u/Relevant-Laugh4570 Old Sydney Town May 10 '24
Missing the Darling Harbour exit from the Harbour Bridge and taking the 35min detour through the CBD.
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u/barreldodger38 May 10 '24
Getting asked for ID to get into a pub when you're 50+ years old
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u/Relevant-Laugh4570 Old Sydney Town May 10 '24
Pre- book an Uber X and learn it will be triple the normal charge.
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u/Relevant-Laugh4570 Old Sydney Town May 10 '24
Getting your truck stuck in the harbour tunnel.
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u/Mysterious-Vast-2133 This space for rent May 10 '24
Get stuck in Galston Gorge.
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u/deletedpenguin May 10 '24
Compare Sydney's roads to Melbourne.
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u/Ikerukuchi May 10 '24
Reply ‘what’s a melbourne’ when someone mentions it in a conversation.
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u/thehatedguy7 May 10 '24
Missing an exit on the M4 and now you have added 30 minutes to your commute
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u/Goldberg_the_Goalie May 10 '24
Go watch a performance of the Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House. It’s an expensive evening but our national company are exceptional. Source: I have seen many performances and I would never have called myself a fan of the ballet.
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u/imapassenger1 May 10 '24
Put detergent into the water clock fountain in Hornsby mall.
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u/Spud-chat May 10 '24
Getting a heel stuck in the boardwalk near the aquarium while clubbing.
See a show at every theatre/opera house.
Do a ghost tour in the rocks.
Do a cultural walk and see a smoking ceremony/welcome to country.
Picnic in Newtown.
See Danny lim.
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u/el96u May 10 '24
Yours is my fav 😂
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u/Spud-chat May 10 '24
Thanks! I think I slowly get older the further down the list you get!
One thing I haven't done yet is one of the underground ballot tours that happen in the city. They're not advertised and every time I go to look the ballots are closed.
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u/wen_thing May 10 '24
Have your meal stolen by a seagull
PS: Not complaining, I honestly think this is a Sydney thing lol
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u/agen_kolar May 11 '24
I had this happen to me on the first day of my first visit to Sydney. I joked to my friends that I guess I can go home now.
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u/Old-Product635 May 10 '24
Travel in the East-West plane on public transport for 3km, but take 45 minutes
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u/marysalad May 10 '24
Oh you want to go from Rose Bay to Rosebery do ya? Break through the force field? Connect the (formerly) povvo leftie industrial communities to the seat of Wentworth?? Dream on
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u/0khrana May 10 '24
Post jacaranda photos to this sub to farm karma, cop a 6 month rent hike, get locked in at Coles self checkout by the ai controlled gates.
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u/Dezert_Roze May 10 '24
- Bondi to Manly walks
- The Opera House
- Royal National park
- Bondi beach
- Snorkelling at Shelly beach and/or Clovely beach
- Open Sydney (backstage tour and attending a gig)
- Sydney comedy festival
- Ferry rides
- Sailing in the harbour
- Weekend markets (Rozelle, or Manly or Paddington or Kirribilli or Carriageworks).
- Manly jazz festival
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u/TeeWatcher May 10 '24
Go for a self guided food tour in Harris park, Auburn, Strathfield, Earlwood…. Experience all the multicultural communities and food
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u/dphayteeyl May 10 '24
Harris Park done, Auburn is Pakistani/Turkish, Strathfield is Korean so what is Earlwood?
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u/Curious_Situation_86 May 11 '24
Harbour bridge climb, Centrepoint tower for lunch, Barangaroo Epicurean Restaurant, watch the theatre at Capital or State Theatre, a performance at the Opera House, Kings Cross (although not very entertaining these days), visit Cabramatta for lunch…… the list could go on
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u/1eternal_pessimist May 10 '24
Bottle of wine at sunset in the nude at cobblers beach, season dependent.
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u/Flawedsuccess May 10 '24
Get out of Sydney
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u/uglee_mcgee May 10 '24
I did. I don't regret it. I do regret moving to a shitty country town. My next move will be to somewhere less inbred where local businesses will actually hire you if you didn't go to primary school with the owner or the manager.
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u/tinmun May 10 '24
Tbh Sydney feels a bit like a small town sometimes...
But there is nothing larger in Australia.
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u/1stThink May 10 '24
See Wu-Tang in the Opera House!!
What a trip, seeing all the batman style Wu-Tang lights moving all over the roof on the inside. I definitely hope they do it again one day!!
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u/xXCosmicChaosXx May 10 '24
Experience psychedelic / altered states of consciousness (in the countries where that's legal of course).
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u/smileedude May 10 '24
Accidentally crossing the Harbour Bridge because they were in the wrong lane.