N9 In Straya Series: BRISBANE Weekend – Quality Family Time In QLD

After spending a few days exploring Sydney & the nearby regions, I flew to Brisbane in Queensland to spend a weekend with my relatives. I told my aunt (my dad’s sister) about my Sydney trip & she immediately invited me to spend a few days with them in Brisbane. I haven’t seen them for about 4 years now so it was a perfect time to catch up. I gave it a go without any hesitations. My friends decided to stay in Sydney during this part of the trip.

Plane Ticket

Domestic plane fares in Australia are expensive, especially when booked last minute. I booked my Sydney-Brisbane-Sydney tickets about a month before the trip. It cost me AUD 194.41 return or that’s ₱7,855.20 in local currency, about 2/3 of my Manila-Sydney-Manila ticket which cost me a little over ₱11,500 return.

Took Virgin Australia from Sydney to Brisbane

I flew with Virgin Australia to Brisbane. I took one of the early Saturday morning flights. The one way fare cost me AUD 120.55 or ₱4,878.50 in our currency – quite expensive because of the schedule. Virgin Australia is a full-service airline so the fare included 23 kilograms check-in baggage allowance, 7 kilograms carry-on baggage allowance, in-flight snack & wireless in-flight entertainment accessed through the airline mobile application. Seat was comfortable; legroom was just right. The flight arrived Brisbane on time.

Flew with Tiger Air Australia back to Sydney

I took Tiger Air Australia, one of Australia’s low cost carriers, back to Sydney. I paid AUD 73.86 one way – about ₱2,976.70. Airfares in Australia are really expensive. The fare only included 7 kilograms carry-on baggage allowance. In-flight meals & check-in baggage allowance were offered for a fee. I didn’t avail these add-ons because I was only travelling light. The flight went well & arrived back in Sydney ahead of schedule.

Welcome to Brisbane!!!~

Tip when flying around Australia – book your tickets early! Check out promotional fares offered by the airlines few months before the trip to score really affordable fares.

Planning to visit land down under soon? Find out how I got myself a 1 year multiple entry tourist visa to Australia here.

Accommodation & Transportation

My accommodation in & transportation around Brisbane were care of my aunt & her family. They picked me up from the airport & took me around the city. I also stayed in their house so I didn’t bother booking an accommodation for this leg of my Australia trip.

Just in case you’re wondering how the transportation system works in Brisbane, they also have Translink‘s top-up card called go card. This card can be used in local trains & buses around Queensland.

Around Brisbane

My relatives brought me to a few notable places in the city given I only had the weekend in the area. Check out the following places we visited in & around Brisbane.

Lone Park Koala Sanctuary

With my cousin – we played with some kangaroos!

We went to Lone Park Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland. It is the world’s oldest & largest koala sanctuary. It was only until my Brisbane visit when finally I saw koalas & kangaroos up close. The kangaroos here were tame unlike those I saw in Hunter Valley. I also got the chance to have a photo hugging a koala. The koalas are so cute!

Had the chance to carry & hug a koala. 🐨 Dream come true! 🐨

Click this link for information about park tickets & koala photo fees.

Mount Coot-tha Lookout

Brisbane CBD from Mount Coot-tha Lookout 👀

We headed to Mount Coot-tha Lookout, also known as Brisbane Lookout, & had lunch overlooking the Brisbane CBD. We ordered food from the famous Kuta Cafe. The viewpoint is a must-see when in Brisbane because it gives a beautiful panoramic view of Brisbane up to Moreton Bay. Mount Coot-tha also has walking & bicycle tracks for those who are up for some adventure under the sun.

South Bank Parklands

South Bank Parklands is a recreational, cultural & social precinct located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. Located in South Brisbane, this hub is home to different cultural institutions, restaurants, food boths & lively weekend markets. This parkland also gives a panoramic view of the Brisbane central business district.

The Wheel of Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane is an iconic Ferris wheel structure found in South Brisbane, within the South Bank Parklands. A ride to this Ferris wheel gives an 360-degree view of Brisbane. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes & includes an audio system which discusses some vital information about the city & its historical landmarks.

For information on tickets, head over to The Wheel of Brisbane official website.

Brisbane River

Brisbane River & 1 William Street skyscraper

Brisbane River is one of Queensland’s longest river which crosses various suburbs & cities & ends up on Moreton Bay. The river played a big role in Brisbane’s history in terms of transportation & navigation.

Brisbane CBD

View of Brisbane CBD from The Wheel of Brisbane

Brisbane central business district, commonly known as Brisbane City, is the center & capital of Queensland. Major financial, commercial, retail & business centers are found in this city. My relatives drove me around the city right before we had dinner. We also walked around one area of the CBD. The city was surprisingly laid back & quiet that weekend. My aunt told me that everyone in Brisbane or Queensland in general is relatively laid back & chill compared to other main cities like Sydney & Melbourne.

A random quiet Brisbane CBD street

Hanwoori Korean BBQ Buffet

Unlimited Korean BBQ for dinner! 😋

We capped off the day by having dinner in Hanwoori Korean Restaurant in the city. The restaurant offers unlimited Korean BBQ & side dishes. It was a good & satisfying dinner. I never thought I’ll have Korean barbecue while in Australia. Thanks to my relatives for the treat!

Korean BBQ buffet dinner with my relatives! ❤️

In case you missed it, my friends & I went on a walkathon around Sydney. Check out the list of heritage sites & city icons we visited.

Gold Coast Side Trip

Surfers Paradise from SkyPoint Gold Coast 😍

The other side of Gold Coast

My relatives took me to Gold Coast on my second day in Brisbane. We drove a little over an hour to the world famous surfers paradise. We drove around the city before going up to SkyPoint, Gold Coast’s highest attraction. This observation deck is located on Level 77 of Q1 Resort & Spa. The view deck is 230 meters above sea level & offers a 360-degree view of Gold Coast’s beaches, parkland & beyond. Tickets cost AUD 25 for adults & AUD 15 for kids & pensioners. They also offer a family plan of AUD 65 for 2 adults & 2 kids. Check out the SkyPoint website for more details.

Seafood lunch buffet! Yum~ 😋

View while having lunch in Australian’s only revolving restaurant 😍

We didn’t go for a swim on the beach because of limited time in Gold Coast plus the waves were strong. We then headed to Crown Plaza Surfers Paradise to have lunch. My uncle reserved a seafood buffet lunch (2nd buffet in less than 24 hours) for us in Four Winds 360° Revolving Restaurant – Australia’s only revolving restaurant. The buffet restaurant offered varieties of fresh seafood (crabs, prawns, mussels & oysters) & an excellent selection of hot dishes & desserts. My favorites, aside from all the seafood choices, were the following: roast turkey supreme, crispy pork belly with hoisin sauce & apple puree, ricotta & spinach tortellini & chicken tangerine. The view from the revolving restaurant was spectacular & breathtaking. Head over to the restaurant’s official website for more information on the menu & rates.

Family lunch.. Thank you for taking me around Brisbane & Gold Coast! ❤️

We headed back to Brisbane after lunch for some grocery errands. We had a simple Filipino dinner at my aunt’s house for my last night in Brisbane. I missed sinigang! I also had a few bottles of beer with my uncle after dinner to cap off my stay in Brisbane.

After spending the whole weekend with my relatives in Brisbane, I went to our local office for a quick visit then headed to Brisbane Airport for my flight back to Sydney. This basically ends my trip to Brisbane, Queensland. It was a short but a memorable visit. I got to spend some quality time with my relatives whom I haven’t seen for years. I would like to thank my aunt, uncle & cousins for accommodating me & taking me around Brisbane. Until next time!

This beautiful sunset welcomed me back in Sydney! 😍

My time in Brisbane was limited; I’d love to go back & explore more. Have you been to Brisbane? Any recommendations on where to go in my next visit? Share those places in the comments below! If you want to remain anonymous to other readers, feel free to send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Make sure to like my Facebook page too.

One last ‘roo shot before ending this post! 👀

Watch out for the posts about the side trips we took from Sydney – to be posted soon! Thanks for reading my latest post & see you next time! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

N9 In Straya Series: Exploring SYDNEY By Foot Part 2 – City Icons, Alleys & Harbours

Heya! Apologies for being relatively quiet the past month. My work & personal lives have been very busy. There are just so many things going on. Don’t worry, I am back & I will try to post as many articles as I can before I embark on another trip in November.

View of Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay

Last month, I shared with you the list of heritage sites our Sydney walking tour went into. We’ve been to historical buildings such as the Sydney Town Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral, Customs House & a lot more. These buildings & places were big parts of Sydney’s history & heritage. I mentioned in my previous Exploring Sydney By Foot post that my friends & I took 2 walking tours with I’m Free Walking Tours. These free walking tours are conducted by the local guides to share Sydney’s history & heritage with the visitors. The tour runs by donation – no fixed fee required. Head over to their website for more information about the tours.

As mentioned in the title, this post will talk about Sydney’s city icons, alleys & harbours. From the heritage structures in the previous article, we will now jump to the modern & iconic places Sydney is more known for. Check out the featured places below!

Central Station

Central Station is an iconic place in Sydney, but isn’t really a modern one. This is the city’s main train station. All trains around Sydney & most of New South Wales either leave from, arrive to or stop by this iconic station. The station has a grand & beautiful concourse, especially at night. The structure may be old, but the train facilities are modern, clean & well-maintained.

Sydney Tower

Best photo of Sydney Tower in my files, view from Pitt Street Mall

Sydney Tower, officially known as the Sydney Tower Eye, is the city’s tallest structure. Built in 1981, this tower stands 309 meters above the Sydney Central Business District. It is located within the Pitt Street Mall premises. This tower also houses a buffet restaurant, a bar & dining area & an event space. The observation deck is located at the topmost level of the tower. For information about entry tickets & passes, head over to the tower’s official website.

Pitt Street Mall

Pitt Street Mall is Sydney’s biggest pedestrian shopping & retail center. A portion of Pitt Street has been closed to vehicles to accommodate this retail precinct. This block is home to hundreds & hundreds of specialty shops & flagship stores. According to our guide, it also has one of the highest retail leasing rates in Sydney & in the world. It is the perfect place to go shopping for branded products. Entry to the Sydney Tower can be found within the mall premises.

Angel Place

Angel Place is one of the more interesting alleys in Sydney. Empty bird cages are hung above Angel Place. As you stand underneath these bird cages, you can hear the sounds of birds that once lived in Sydney before the all the buildings & structures were built. The bird songs change during night time, giving way to the sounds of nocturnal birds.

One of the most beautiful alleys in Sydney – definitely my fave! 😍

This special artwork is called ‘Forgotten Songs‘ & was designed by Michael Thomas Hill. The best time to visit the alley is during the day. It can be a little busy at night because of the establishments around it.

Planning to apply for an Australian Tourist Visa soon? I got you covered! Check this post to know more about the application process.

Circular Quay

Circular Quay / Sydney Harbour from Sydney Opera House grounds

Circular Quay, also know as Sydney Harbour, is Sydney’s main harbour & ferry terminal. 2 city icons – Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge – can be seen from this harbour. This is also where most ferries arrive & depart. The best way to explore this area of the city is by foot. Make sure to go from one end to the other.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is the city’s most iconic & distinctive structure. Sydney has been associated with this famous building since it was finished in 1973. The opera house is a multi-venue performing arts & function center. The structure occupies the whole of Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. This iconic building was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

A visit to Sydney will never be complete without seeing & having a photo with the Sydney Opera House. If you have time, make sure to check out what’s on the Opera House to complete the experience. The Sydney Opera House also conducts daily tours. However, these tours sell out pretty quick. Book the tour early if you plan to check it out during your visit.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sunny day in Sydney Harbour – view from the Opera House 😍

Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge that divides the Sydney central business district & the predominantly residential area of North Shore (or north of Sydney). This city icon goes across Sydney Harbour & is the primary structure that carries vehicles, pedestrian & bicycle traffic between the 2 areas. If you want to cross the bridge by foot or by bicycle, make sure to look for the pedestrian-only way on the east side of the bridge or the cycle-only way on the west side of the bridge.

If you fancy crossing the bridge through the arch, check out the AUD 300 Sydney Harbour Bridge tours offered by various agencies & websites like Klook & Oz Experience.

Australia Square

Australia Square is a retail & commercial tower located at 264 George St, Sydney. Contrary to its name, this 50-storey tower is actually cylindrical in shape. The tower also has a 360-degree revolving bar & restaurant on Level 47. Check out O Bar & Dining for details. My friends & I were supposed to go to this bar & restaurant on our last night but plans changed.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour at night 😍

Darling Harbour is another harbour located near the city center. This primarily functions as a recreational & pedestrian hub. Various attractions such as the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds & the Australian National Maritime Museum can be found here. The area also boasts a very scenic restaurant & bar area called Harbourside. The renowned exhibition center, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), can also be found here.

The best view to cap off our last night in Sydney 🍻

In my opinion, the best time to visit Darling Harbour is during dinner time. The reflection of the buildings in the water & the vibe of the area gives a very relaxing feeling.

Kensington Street

Kensington Street is a restaurant & retail precinct located in Chippendale, just a few meters from the Central Station. This street is home to various specialty shops, cafes & restaurants owned by famous chefs in Sydney. I had dinner with my Sydney colleagues in a contemporary restaurant called Eastside Kitchen & Bar. The food was super good, but a bit pricey. Service was top notch.

Inside Spice Alley – Asian food everywhere! 😋

If you’re looking for Asian cuisine, head over to Spice Alley. This alley features 6 hawker-style eateries under glowing lanterns. This place is perfect for those who miss eating rice (like me!) when in Australia. We met up with some friends & had dinner here for our last night in Sydney. We then had dessert in KOI Dessert Bar after dinner.

Lanterns everywhere in Spice Alley 🏮

Kensington Street & Spice Alley are must-visit places for Asians having holidays in Sydney. Food, pricing & ambiance were good.

Places Missed

Just like the other post, I also missed a few good places, namely Paddy’s Market (closed every Monday & Tuesday – ugh we planned to go there on those days), Barangaroo (a new inner city suburb being developed), Chinese Garden of Friendship (just before Darling Harbour – no idea why I missed this) & the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. These places are not as major the heritage ones I missed, but I still look forward to going back to Sydney to explore ’em.

Central Station at night 😍

So far this post & the previous post sum up the sites & places we covered while walking around Sydney. I know we missed a few notable ones but I don’t mind going back for those. After exploring Sydney, my friends & I went on day trips to Hunter Valley & Scenic World Blue Mountains. Keep an eye on the posts about these day trips!

For the last time in this post – the Sydney Opera House! 🇦🇺

Have you been to Sydney? Are there places which are worth-visiting? Feel free to comment them below. Feeling shy? You can send it to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Feel free to connect with me via my social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.. If you haven’t liked or followed my Facebook page, check this link. You know what to do!

Thanks for reading! 👍 I hope to post the next article soon. Watch out!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

High School Squad Weekend: 48 Hours In BOHOL

Did you know that my Hong Kong trip with high school friends last March 2018 had a follow up trip? We (a group of 8 people) recently went on another weekend trip, but this time to a nearby domestic destination – Bohol. Yes, we only spent 48 hours in the beautiful island of Bohol. It may be too short, but I think we covered the places we wanted to visit. This barkada trip was more of a rest & relaxation one, so there was no pressure for us to explore everything the island has to offer. Let me share with you the details of this quick weekend trip.

Bohol squad with the Chocolate Hills! Photo credits to Mark 🙂

In case you missed it, I’ve been to 2 other 48-hour weekend trips this year – Hong Kong & Port Barton. Check out these stories to know more about these quick but super fun trips!

Airfare & Accommodation

We didn’t wait for any airline offer or promotion when we booked our tickets. We used Traveloka‘s discount codes instead. Our Tagbilaran return ticket cost us ₱3,264.12 each, after the discounts.

We were a big group of 8 so we had a hard time looking for a place to stay. Good thing we found this newly-opened accommodation called Casa Teofista. This accommodation is located a few meters off the main highway & about 8-10 minutes walk from Alona Beach.

We only stayed in Bohol for 48 hours but we fell in love with the place.

We got 2 spacious family rooms with 2 double beds each for ₱9,856 for 2 nights – that’s ₱1,232 per person already for 2 nights. We didn’t choose a beachfront & luxury accommodation because we were only there for a short time anyway. I forgot to take photos of our accommodation – I’m sorry. If you want to contact Casa Teofista, head over to their Facebook page & shoot them a message.

DIY Countryside Tour

My friends & I opted for a do-it-yourself countryside tour because we wanted to skip a few places (Loboc River, Blood Compact Shrine & Loboc Hanging Bridge) from the usual tour, plus we planned to go to Bohol Bee Farm for lunch (instead of the Loboc River Cruise). We hired a van with driver for ₱2,800 for a full 8 hours including gas & parking fees. We asked the driver to pick us up from the airport & we went straight to our countryside tour. We asked to be dropped off at Casa Teofista at the end of our tour.

This was a DIY tour so we paid the following entrance fees – ₱50 for Chocolate Hills, ₱60 for the Tarsier Conservation Area & ₱45 for the Butterfly Garden. Check out the countryside photos below.

Chocolate Hills

Tarsier Conservation Area

Man-made Forest

Butterfly Garden

Baclayon Church

Bohol Bee Farm Organic Lunch

We had mango pizza for appetizer? Lol so good!

Filipino food for lunch – everything organic!

That’s us having lunch at Bohol Bee Farm!

Also tried Bohol Bee Farm’s famous ice cream. Got Guyabano & liked it.

If you are travelling alone, you can always rent a motorbike & explore Bohol by yourself. You can also join countryside group tours. Rates vary from one agency to another.

Alona Beach Dinner & Night Out

Alona Beach at night

After a few hours of rest & sleep, we headed out to Alona Beach to explore the area. We had dinner at Pyramid Beach Resort & transferred to Outback Bar & Grill for drinks. I also met up with James, another friend of mine who was in Bohol, in Outback Bar & Grill.

Met up with James who was also in Bohol that weekend. Photo c/o James 🙂

Private Island Hopping Tour

We hired a boat for a private island hopping tour for our second & last full day in Bohol. The boat cost ₱2,500 for the whole day including gas & guides. We left Panglao Island at 7:00 am & went dolphin watching. We then went to Balicasag Island for snorkeling & swimming with the turtles. The last stop of the tour was Virgin Island, which is known for its long & beautiful sandbar. We were there during lunch time, so the sand bar was still submerged in water. We were back in Panglao at 1:00 pm.

Given ours was a private tour, we paid ₱650 each in Balicasag Island for entrance fee, environmental fee & snorkeling gear rental. Solo travelers can join group island hopping tours for a certain rate. Again, rates vary from one agency to the other.

View of Balicasag Island from our motor boat

I don’t have photos of the dolphins, turtles & the underwater creatures because I forgot my adventure camera. Let me share with you photos of Balicasag Island & Virgin Island’s (almost) sandbar.

Balicasag Island

A beautiful & sunny day in Balicasag Island 😍

Virgin Island Sandbar

Crowded Virgin Island Sandbar

Last Night In Bohol

Inside St. Augustine Church in Panglao

We started our last night in Bohol by attending Sunday mass in St. Augustine Church in Panglao. We went back to Alona area afterwards to have dinner at Irene’s Restaurant. Majority of the group went back to our hotel after dinner. Marc & I went to Aluna Bar & met up again with James for a few drinks.

Last dinner in Bohol with the whole gang

That sums up our 48 hours in Bohol. The place is very beautiful & relaxing. We may be there for only 2 full days but we surely enjoyed the place with great company. We made memories which we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Have you been to Bohol? How many days did you spend there? How do you think of the place? Are there other places that are worth-visiting? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you want to keep your identity, feel free to send ’em to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also drop me a message on Facebook, post a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

Thanks for the time & see you in the next 48-hour or maybe 24-hour trip?

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

N9 In Straya Series: Exploring SYDNEY By Foot Part 1 – Heritage Sites Within The City

Last month, my university blockmates & I flew to Sydney, Australia. We spent a few days around Sydney & took day trips to Blue Mountains National Park & Hunter Valley Wine Region. I also flew to Brisbane to visit my relatives who were living there. While I was away, my friends visited Taronga Zoo & Manly area plus went on a day trip to Australia’s capital, Canberra.

Martin Place at night 😍

I will post a series of blogs about our Australia trip in the coming weeks, this blog being the first. This & the next post will be mainly about exploring Sydney by foot. We were in Australia towards the end of winter so the weather was just right. It was not too hot & not too cold; it was actually perfect for walking around the city.

I’m Free Walking Tours

One of Lonely Planet‘s recommended activities in Sydney is to join the I’m Free Walking Tour. This guided walking tour is conducted by knowledgeable & accommodating Sydney-siders who have the passion of sharing the history & culture of Sydney to the visitors. This tour doesn’t require a booking. Interested parties need to just show up in the meeting place at a certain time & look for the person wearing the green I’m Free shirt. The guides don’t ask for a fixed fee; they only ask for a donation at the end of each walking tour.

Our guide Adrian in front of the Queen Victoria Building

Sydney Free Walking Tours have 2 tours. The 1st walking tour is the Sydney Sights Tour. The guide will take you through Sydney’s history up to what it is now in the present. The walking tour will go around downtown Sydney passing by historical & iconic buildings & places. This tour happens everyday & starts 10:30 am & 2:30 pm from Town Hall Square. The meeting place is located along George St, between the Sydney Town Hall & St Andrew’s Cathedral.

The 2nd walking tour is The Rocks at 6 pm Tour. This walking tour focuses on the history & interesting facts about The Rocks District, Australia’s 1st European settlement. The guide will walk the guests through various pubs, lane ways & buildings & share the stories of past & present controversies of The Rocks. The hour happens everyday & starts at 6:00 pm in front of Cadman’s Cottage.

Our walking tour group with our guide in front of St. Andrew’s Cathedral

My friends & I took both tours on our first day in Sydney. We joined the afternoon sights tour followed by The Rocks evening tour. This walking tour is a must-do when visiting Sydney. The walking tours were fun & very informative. We knew a lot about Sydney – it’s history, controversies & interesting stories. Shout-out to Adrian & Justine for the amazing walking tours!

If you have questions about these walking tours, feel free to check their website for more information. They also have these walking tours in Melbourne so check them out. I guarantee you a fun walking tour around the city!

In case you missed it, I already shared how I applied for my Australian Tourist Visa. Check this post to know more about the application process.

Heritage Sites Visited

The 2 walking tours lasted for around 4 hours combined. We walked past a lot of heritage & modern places. Here are some of the heritage sites we visited.

Sydney Town Hall

The Sydney Town Hall is a historic civic building that houses the Sydney City Council chambers, offices, meeting & function halls. The town hall is located in the corner of George & Druitt Streets in Sydney.

St Andrew’s Cathedral

Located next to Sydney Town Hall is St Andrew’s Cathedral. If I remember it right, this is the oldest cathedral in Australia & is the seat of the Anglican Church of Australia This cathedral is located in the corner of George Street & Bathurst Street, Sydney.

Queen Victoria Building

The Queen Victoria Building, called by locals as QVB, is one of the iconic historical buildings in Sydney. This building was built in the late 1800s & was used as a marketplace. Since then, the building has undergone a number of restoration projects to preserve its Victorian heritage. Today, this building is a shopping center housing various specialty shops & restaurants.

Outside Queen Victoria Building

Make sure to look for the status of Queen Victoria & her favorite dog, Islay, right outside of the QVB. This beautiful building is bounded by George, Druitt, Market & York Streets.

Inside QVB

ANZAC War Memorial

Located a few blocks away from the QVB is the ANZAC War Memorial. This historic war monument was built in memory of the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps who fought during the World War 1. I was not able to take a photo of the war memorial because it was under renovation during our visit.

Hyde Park

The ANZAC War Memorial is located within a bigger parkland called Hyde Park. This park is located in the center of Sydney Central Business district & is the oldest park in Australia. Apart from the war memorial, make sure to look for the Archibald Fountain, the park’s centerpiece.

 Archibald Fountain – Hyde Park’s Centerpiece

St Mary’s Cathedral

Right across the Hyde Park is St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney. This cathedral church is the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney & the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney. This minor basilica is dedicated to the Patroness of Australia – Immaculate Mother of God, Help of Christians. The cathedral has one of the most beautiful heritage exteriors & interiors in Sydney.

Inside St. Mary’s Cathedral

Hyde Park Barracks

At the back of St Mary’s Cathedral is Hyde Park Barracks. This heritage-listed brick building was designed by Francis Greenway & served as a place to house convicts in the early days. The barracks building now serves as a museum. Visitors pay $12 entrance fee to enter the facility.

There are other notable buildings located near Hyde Park Barracks. These include St James Church, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Sydney Mint & the Sydney Hospital.

Macquarie Street

Sydney Mint located along Macquarie St

Macquarie Street is one, if not the most popular streets in Sydney. This street is named after Lachlan Macquarie, one of New South Wales’ first governors. This long stretch has the majority of the historical buildings & places in Sydney such as Hyde Park, Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Mint, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Parliament of New South Wales, Sydney Hospital, State Library of New South Wales & the Royal Botanic Gardens. You need more than a day to explore everything that is located in this area. We passed by a few buildings during our walking tour.

Martin Place

Known as the Sydney’s Center of Business & Finance, Martin Place is slowly becoming a pop culture icon in Australia. Major financial institutions, businesses & offices such as the Reserve Bank of Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, Sydney GPO & US Embassy are located in this area.

This area is also popular to movie fanatics because The Matrix (1999) & Superman Returns (2006) filmed some scenes in this area.

Customs House

Customs House is a heritage building that used to house the headquarters of Australia’s customs & border protection office. This is located at Circular Quay, a few meters away from the harbor. Currently, the building is used for several events & functions plus as one of the many libraries of the City of Sydney.

Don’t miss the Sydney city center model located in the ground floor of the building. This model can be viewed through a glass floor.

The Rocks

Random lane way in The Rocks

The Rocks is a small historical Sydney suburb located in the southern shore of the Sydney Harbour, right before the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is one of Sydney’s first residential areas thus features very old but well-maintained houses. It also served as the government’s social housing settlement. The area now is characterized by restaurants, pubs & shops.

Inside one of the museums in The Rocks

This area had some of the most interesting controversies & stories about Sydney’s past. It will probably take me the whole day to share the story with all of you. If you are interested to know more about these controversies & stories, I recommend that you join I’m Free Walking Tours The Rocks Tour everyday at 6:00 pm. My friends & I joined this walking tour & oh boy, we knew a lot about the history of The Rocks.

Random street in The Rocks District

Cadman’s Cottage

Cadman’s Cottage is one of the oldest surviving residential buildings in The Rocks & in the whole of Sydney. The building housed various government agencies & offices from past until the 1970s. This building is now used as a tourist information center.

Heritage Sites Missed

Sad to say, I missed out a few notable heritage sites due to limited time in the city. These places include the University of Sydney, State Library of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens, New South Wales Parliament House & Art Gallery of New South Wales. Pretty major ones, eh? I know! These places are the reasons why I’d love to fly back to Sydney in the future.

This list is just half of the places we visited when we took the walking tour plus when we walked on our own. I know you’re wondering where the other iconic Sydney sites are. Don’t worry, it’ll be featured in the next post. Stay tuned!

Have you been to Sydney? What were your favorite heritage sites? The city is so beautiful & full of character, right? Share your thoughts in the comments below. You can also send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Feel free to connect with me via my social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.. If you haven’t liked or followed my Facebook page, check this link. You know what to do!

Druitt Street Sydney full of heritage buildings

In case you missed it, I already shared a detailed post about my first hostel in Sydney – The Pod Sydney. Head over to this post to know more about his contemporary minimalist hostel.

Thank you for reading. 🙂 Have a great day, mate! ✌️🇦🇺

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Tuesday Tip: How To Survive Low Cost Long Haul Economy Flights

Low cost airlines are starting to infiltrate the long haul flights market. These airlines offer basic & affordable fares to long haul destinations. Imagine paying ₱6,500 for a return flight from Manila to Sydney or paying around ₱2,800 for a return flight from Manila to Dubai. Super cheap, right? Yes, these fares are real. But as they say, you always get what you pay for. These tickets only include carry-on baggage & a pre-assigned seat. It doesn’t include check-in baggage, flight meal/s, insurance & in-flight entertainment. These options are always available for an additional cost; these can be availed up to few hours before the flight.

Recently flew with a low cost airline from Manila to Sydney

Recently, I had my first low cost long haul economy flight to & from Sydney, Australia. I paid ₱6,455.92 for a return flight from Manila (booked 8 months before the flight). I availed a few add-ons such as baggage, a flight meal & a comfortable front seat. I bought a seat because I initially don’t have an idea on how I will survive this close to 8-hour flight to Sydney with the seat assigned to me by the airline. The ticket with add-ons cost me ₱11,455.92. The flights surprisingly went well, even with the absence of in-flight entertainment. Legroom was alright; the service was also good.

Apart from my personal experiences, I also observed the people on the flights how they managed to conquer the 8-hour flight to & from Sydney. Here are some tips on how you can survive low cost long haul economy flights.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by a certain brand or company. I just used the photos I took in my recent low cost long haul flight.

Choose a red-eye flight

Flying a low cost long haul flight can be very difficult for first timers. Imagine doing nothing for 7 or 8 hours straight – no inflight entertainment, no food whatsoever. A tip to survive a low cost long haul flight is to choose a red-eye flight. Red-eye flights are those who leave late at night or wee hours in the morning. You won’t have any problems on how to endure the long flight because you will only sleep most of the time. Don’t forget to bring your own neck pillow, eye mask & blanket for a more comfortable sleep.

If the flight is a not full – you can always get the whole row of seats & sleep

Bring Personal Entertainment

What is there to do in the absence of in-flight entertainment? Simple. Bring a book to read throughout the flight. You can also stock up on movies in your personal electronic devices (laptops, tablets & phones). If you’re not into watching movies or reading books, make sure to have enough songs in your music player. Having these forms of distraction will help you kill time during the flight. Next thing you’ll know, you’re already on your final descent towards your destination.

Have Cash On Hand

Always make sure to bring cash when flying. There will be times when you want to buy something like a bottle of water or a cup of hot coffee. These items are always available for purchase during the flight. Also, please note that most airlines only accept cash payments of currencies from the country of origin & the country of destination. For example, the crew from Manila to Sydney flight will only accept Philippine Peso & Australian Dollar as the currencies of payment. Don’t expect the staff to accept Japanese Yen & Malaysian Ringgit.

Bring Your Own Food

Majority of low cost carriers in the world offer pre-paid in-flight meal. This means that passengers need to pre-order their meals at least 24 hours before the flight. Limited food options are available during the flight. However, the prices of these food are beyond the usual price. A good tip to get away with these expensive airplane food is to bring your own food. You can always bring a sandwich or two for your flight. Other options include chips, nuts & biscuits. Having these food on hand will save you loads of cash, plus you get to eat what you want or prefer.

Airline’s in-flight meal – bought this when I flew from Manila to Sydney; Brought my own food (sandwiches) when I flew from Sydney to Manila 😋

Bring Your Own Amenity Kit

Flying economy & flying low cost airlines give passengers limited facilities & services. Unlike full service airlines, low cost airlines do not provide amenity kits to fliers of low cost long haul routes. One thing you can do is to bring a small pouch with the necessary items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, small towel, skin moisturizer & hand sanitizer. Nothing beats the refreshed feeling after a long & tiring fight.

Move Around

Sitting for 7-12 hours in a plane can be very difficult. Also, the passengers’ bodies don’t have enough movement for a long time due to limited legroom & space. Passengers are allowed to walk around the plane as long as the other passengers are not disturbed. The simplest exercise one can do is to stand up in the aisle & do some stretching. Remember that the blood in our bodies needs to circulate – a few minutes of movement won’t hurt.

Boarding pass & passport for my recent low cost long haul flight; sorry I had to cover the name & bar code

Be Friendly

The last tip I can give on how to survive a long haul low cost economy flight is to be friendly to your co-passengers. There is a big chance that you will be seated next to a stranger inside the aircraft. You can always start a conversation by saying ‘hi’ or ‘hello.’ The next thing you’ll know, you already have someone to share ideas & experiences throughout the flight. I’ve heard stories of people who talked to their seatmates during the flight & ended up traveling together in a certain place.

This sums up the list of tips on how to conquer a low cost long haul economy flight. It may sound hard at first but I believe that the experience all boils down to how a person prepares for the flight. Regardless of ticket price & flight class, all passengers on board the flight (may it be from a low cost or full service airline) will reach the destination at the same time.

One advantages of flying a red-eye flight – you witness the beautiful sunrise from your airplane seat 🌅

Have you tried flying a low cost long haul economy flight? How was your experience? Are there other tips you can share with the other readers? Feel free to share them in the comments below. You can also send those tips via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect with me via my social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.. If you haven’t liked or followed my Facebook page, check this link. You know what to do!

If you want to know about the past Tuesday Tips I posted, check them out here. Thank you for reading & until the next set of Tuesday Tips!