Moments of Happiness: Walking in Sydney

I walked for miles in Sydney. It was a city that lent itself more to that than anything else.

Hills too steep to cycle up, public transport that was well-connected but not as affordable or regular as I would have liked and the weather in late December and early January, well, the weather was perfect.

And let's face it, these feet were made for walking.

So from our rental apartment in Waverton on Sydney's North Shore I walked and I walked and I walked to find the sights I came to see.

I climbed to high points to see views that made me smileabout what was to come.
I dipped down slopes to the water's edge.
I popped my head into Luna Park. What a strange and brilliant place...
I wandered around the foot of the Harbour Bridge, astonished by its size and presence.
I walked across it. What a noisy wonderful experience that was.
And I mounted stairs to climb it. The views were incredible and came at a fraction of the cost of those blue boiler suit tours.
I strolled into the oldest corners of Sydney and thought the small terraced houses looked like those on Coronation Street. I ate banana bread and then popped into The Rocks Discovery Museum. I marched into the CBD, a mini-metropolis of mirrored buildings.
I sought out the  Hyde Park Barracks Museum.
I stopped to admire the flowers in Royal Botanic Gardens.
I turned a corner and followed the water's edge to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, where I waited for the (other) tourists to disappear before I sat on the stone alone. I stopped at the Sydney Opera House to take some weird photos of it, often crawling on the floor to get the right - or wrong - angle. I walked over the bridge again. It was still noisy. It was still wonderful.
I ambled home slowly, a little tired, and hungry. It may have caused me to get lost in a suburb or two.
I took photos of the buildings. I like how familiar and yet distinct Sydney's old architecture is.
I made it home in time for sunset. I grabbed the moment to thank my feet - and Sydney - for my walk.
Disclosure: This post was supported by Bayswater Car Rental, a car hire company based in Sydney and Perth. They have produced this very helpful guide to driving in Australia, which is a great resource for anyone planning on road-tripping through the country.

Frances M. Thompson

Londoner turned wanderer, Frankie is an author, freelance writer and blogger. Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. Frankie is the author of three short story collections, and is a freelance writer for travel and creative brands. In 2017, she launched WriteNOW Cards, affirmation cards for writers that help build a productive and positive writing practice. When not writing contemporary fiction, Frankie shops for vintage clothes, dances to 70s disco music and chases her two young sons around Amsterdam.
Find Frankie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.

Posts you may also like:
Family Travel: How to Travel with Kids - My Golden RulesFamily Travel: How to Travel with Kids - My Golden RulesAmsterdam Travel: Best Luxury Hotels in Amsterdam - Reviewed!Amsterdam Travel: Best Luxury Hotels in Amsterdam - Reviewed!Solo Luxury Travel: Best Caribbean Islands for Solo TravellersSolo Luxury Travel: Best Caribbean Islands for Solo TravellersNew Zealand Travel: 51 Interesting Facts About New Zealand AotearoaNew Zealand Travel: 51 Interesting Facts About New Zealand AotearoaAmsterdam Travel: Accessible Travel Guide for AmsterdamAmsterdam Travel: Accessible Travel Guide for Amsterdam