Embracing Slow Travel When You Are in Sydney

Sydney, spectacularly draped around its glorious harbour and beaches, has a visual appeal that only a few other cities can boast of. The more you get to know the city, the better it gets. In this fast paced world where the touch of a fingertip gets everything done, its hard to just pause for a while and embrace the nowness of everyday life. Enter Slow travel into the picture.

What is Slow Travel?

Slow travel is a concept that has gained momentum post-pandemic. It refers to an approach to travel that emphasises connection: to local people, cultures, food and music. The philosophy behind slow travel is that a journey should leave a lasting impression in the present and the future of the one who undertakes it. At the same time it should be educating and should remain sustainable for local communities and the environment.

With parks that sometimes make their way amidst the skyscrapers and the suburbs- and the bush fringed harbours - there is a lot to explore in Sydney. And the richness of the experience increases manifold when you slow down and take your time to get to know the place. Here are a few ideas to spend quality time in Australia’s emerald city and get the Sydney experience like a local.

Exploring Sydney Harbour and the seaside life

Sydney is admired best from the waters. With the harbour enveloping the city, you can get a good view of Sydney’s top icons : the Opera House with its pearly sails and the magnificent Harbour Bridge. You can pick from a range of placid Sydney dinner cruises to enjoy the harbour and the city from the waters. Or, if you’re more of a morning person, go with a Sydney Harbour lunch cruises and enjoy a mouth-watering buffet against the mesmerising skyline.

You can also find a spot under one of the shady palms in the Royal Botanical Gardens where you can lie down or pack a picnic with good views. There are plenty of coffee houses and shops where you can spend your time too.

Beaches- coastal walk

Beaches are a crucial element in the life of a Sydneysider. And everyone has their own favourite stretch of sand. When you feel like escaping the crowds of the busy Sydney, you can always count on one of the pristine beaches. Lounge on the sand with a book, or cook an impromptu barbecue, go snorkelling or go for an early morning swim.

Sydney is also home to a number of coastal walks, the most famous of them being the Bondi-Coogee walkway that passes through Bronte Beach. Enclosing weathered sandstone cliffs, this route also has an annual open-air sculpture exhibition. These walkways are at their best in the mornings and they get more crowded with time filled with families, joggers etc. And if you are done with the walk, then its time to reward yourself with some lip-smacking fish and chips from one of the sea side eateries.

The Rocks district

Lying in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Rocks is a historic place where Sydney’s first permanent dwellings were built. Retaining much of the historic charm and character, the Rock now is home to some of Sydney’s oldest pubs and upscale restaurants with splendid harbour views. Pick a quiet time of the day to explore these historic quarters- follow a self guided walking trail, listen to buskers or shop from the street markets.From here you can get to two of Sydney’s iconic art galleries - The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of NSW.

Whether you’re a thrifty traveller or not, you’re sure to find plenty of things to do here.Laid back and bustling at the same time, Sydney has an unforgettable vibe, friendly people and awesome sights. How could one let this iconic city and its surroundings slide?

I love Travelling and I am a wanderer. I wander around so many places and write about it.