Fun for the Whole Family!

If you ever find yourself stuck in Sydney on an extremely hot day and don’t want the hassle of an over crowded beach then worry no longer! Wet ‘n’ Wild has come to Sydney. With over 40 slides and attractions, along with a zone dedicated to children, Wet ’n’ Wild is the perfect family getaway. Just as I had stated before, the park caters to all the levels of thrill seekers out there, so if you’re there for a more calm and relaxing experience then fret not as there are rides for you too!

Image taken from: http://es.oasishoteles.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Wet-n-wild-cancun.jpg

Image taken from: http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2013/11/28/1226770/404715-8d6d6ba4-57c7-11e3-96b4-51be24f2f5ad.jpg

Unfortunately throughout the colder parts of the year Wet ‘n’ Wild is shut, meaning that opening times and ticket costs are unavailable, however be sure to check in on their site in September 2016 for more information. Just like the Zoo and Aquarium Wet ‘n’ Wild also have season and family passes allowing you to save more. Wet ‘n’ Wild also have locker hires and multiple food and drink stores set up all around the park for your convenience.

Image taken from: http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/da526809a7a5c3b5fca2395fa97acf9d?api_key=zw4msefggf9wdvqswdfuqnr5

For further information on Wet ‘n’ Wild just follow this link: https://wetnwildsydney.com.au/#/

- Mitch

SPEEDO'S CAFE

Fresh and Fruity!

Speedo's Cafe is located at the iconic Bondi Beach (North Bondi to be exact), one of Sydney's most famous beaches! Speedo's is a great place to end your beautiful coastal walk with whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch or a quick drink for a little pick me up. 

Speedo's Cafe: 126 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi 

I had set off for my Bronte to Bondi coastal walk with the soul purpose of arriving at Speedo's Cafe to satisfy my hunger! The fresh and fruity dish I ordered is called the 'Burnt Fig Muesli Bowl' (pictured below):

Photographed by: Samantha Vuong

This dish was not only easy on the eyes but was just enough to fill up my stomach! Although being light yet filling, the 'Burnt Fig Muesli Bowl' was full of surprises! The menu didn't particularly state that there was tapioca in the dish but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Tapioca and coconut are an amazing combination and this dish is a must try for all you Sydney explorers out there!

Why not stop by after a swim, your long walk or just come by to experience of this colourful place? 

- Samantha 

Amazing Views

Amazing views, amazing experience…

G’day!

Come and see one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge will allow you to engage in the ultimate Sydney experience. You only climb with an experienced guide who will make your climb safe, fun and informative.

Retrieved from: http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

Amazing views are only part of this incredible experience. From the top of the bridge, you can see the Blue Mountains, the Sydney Opera house and more.

You can also choose how long you want your climb to be, in case you are afraid of heights. It might not be the cheapest thing to do in Sydney, but it is definitely one of the greatest!

Find out more and book here: http://www.bridgeclimb.com/climbs/#time

- Connie

Picnic in the heart of Sydney

With just over 16 hectares of wide-open space, Hyde Park is an essential visit for anyone new to Sydney. Hyde Park is Australia’s oldest park and is located in the heart of Sydney. After a couple of hectic days sight seeing in Sydney, Hyde Park is the perfect location to come sit down and relax. With lots of luscious green grass it’s the perfect place for an impromptu picnic or sun bathe, and with plenty of trees to go cool off under if you want to beat the heat.

Image taken from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/ANZAC_War_Memorial,_Hyde_Park,_Sydney.jpg 

Monuments and fountains are also scattered across the Northern parts of Hyde Park. The most notable of the fountains is the Archibald fountain and can’t be missed.

Image taken from: http://f.tqn.com/y/goaustralia/1/S/v/l/archibald-fountain.jpg 

For more information on the Park from directions to the Parks history visit: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/parks/major-parks/hyde-park 

- Mitch

Travel App Review

While it is good to be able to go anywhere in Sydney to sightsee, chances are that you'd have particular places that you'd want to go to. When you have those places, you want to know how to get there. There are many different travel apps out there that show you where you should go to get to the place you want to go to. These are the ones that I've used for my travels in and around Sydney (Note: I am an Android user so iOS users might have a different experience)

Opal Travel

*screenshot taken from the Opal Travel app*

A very useful app if you want to travel on public transport in and around Sydney, the Opal Travel app is an official app from the NSW Government that not only features a trip planner but also allows you to top up your Opal card and view its activity. This is the main one that I personally use.

+ Government support
+ Shows costs for each type of Opal card (adult, concession, pensioner, child)
+ Top up feature
- Only useful in NSW (which is fine for me but not for everyone)
- Only useful for public transport
- Unclear walking directions

*screenshot taken from the Google Maps app*

Google Maps is another one that I've used (though nowhere near as frequently as the Opal Travel app). I mainly use it to see when I'd have to leave to get somewhere on time if I've got a lift. It's also good for walking directions if you get lost (for example, a few months back I went to Hyde Park with my younger sister by catching the train to Central and walking the rest of the way. I had looked at the map of where I was to go before I left but got confused and walked the wrong way. I ended up using Google Maps for the walking directions).

+ Google support
+ Good walking directions
+ Useful in places outside NSW
+ Useful for more than just public transport
- Ads

TripGo

*screenshot taken from the TripGo app*

One that I used to use regularly but haven't really used in a while, TripGo has many useful features such as timetable access, favourite destinations, agenda feature and features many modes of transport.

+ Many features
+ Many modes of transport and shows costs and emissions
+ Useful in other places
- Unclear walking directions
- Figuring out how to use all the features

- Aiden

CUCKOO CALLAY

Did someone say, Bacon?

Cuckoo Callay is located in Newtown and found at the address:

324A King St, Newtown Railway station

In the image below is what I ordered at my first experience at Cuckoo Callay, it is their famous 'Mac Daddy':

Photographed by: Samantha Vuong

Although the menu had stated that the dish was a croissant instead of a brioche (which is what I was given), I was still extremely impressed by the food quality and lovely service! 

Cuckoo Callay have a menu based around bacon (... yes, I said bacon!), and it is absolutely amazing that so many different dishes can hero bacon in so many different ways. 

Cuckoo Callay is basically where Newtown Station. This means it is only a 7 minute train ride from Central Station! For all the wanderers out there, you can even get here by foot and enjoy the beautiful city of Sydney along the way. 

This restaurant is a beautiful location to enjoy breakfast or lunch at! Suitable for singles, couples, families and everyone of all ages!

- Samantha Vuong

Get involved with the Sydney's sporting spirit

Experience the spirit of Sydney…

Hello fellow Sydney goers!

This is a bit different from what I usually enjoy doing and talking about, but sport’s is a big part of Australian culture.  As you may or may not know, the Holden State of Origin is kicking off on the 1st of June, and its Sydney versus Queensland. Everyone better be supporting Sydney! The game has over 35 years of history and is a pinnacle event in the NRL.

For more information, and too support NSW, visit: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ORIGIN16

Also the Socceroos are versing Greece on June 4th. This is the first time since 2006 the European Champions come to Australia.

For more information on the event follow: #ilovesydney on twitter and remember to book your tickets here: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=SOCCERAN16

Before it’s too late!

Get into the spirit of the game by watching this: 

- Connie