New York Times Journeys - The Other Side of Sydney - Where Sydneysiders Play, Shop, Eat and Drink!
Sydney, Australia
From EUR 111.21
Office phone number: +61 (0) 414 983 091
New York Times Journeys - The Other Side of Sydney - Where Sydneysiders Play, Shop, Eat and Drink!
Sydney, Australia
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Venture past Sydney’s central business district to where locals live and play, with a guide from Urban Adventures on a tour inspired by The New York Times. From a Sydney Harbour ferry, experience water views of Sydney icons. Find out why Sydneysiders have been traveling to Manly Beach since the 1850s. Meet an First Peoples of Australia elder and learn to make music on clapsticks. Savor local delicacies and hear the stories behind First Peoples of Australia art.
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Highlights
- Savor freshly baked scones with homemade jam washed down with tea or coffee in an Irish Tea House within the historical Rocks area of Sydney
- Take a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly on a Sydney Harbour ferry
- Enjoy a craft beer and light Aussie nibbles/snacks at 4 Pines Brewery
- Stroll to Manly Beach, the birthplace of Australian surfing
New York Times Exclusives
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: At Manly’s Aboriginal Dreamtime Fine Art Gallery, hear an exclusive talk with an expert in an indigenous art, learn where the art was made, about the artists and hear the stories portrayed in the paintings
- Hands-on Element: Learn how to use First Peoples of Australia clapsticks and make music alongside an First Peoples of Australia elder as you learn about his culture. You’ll also get to hear the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo
- Local Interactions: Meet and chat with the owner/manager of the Irish Tea Cosy in the historical Sydney Rocks, who will tell you the history of the building and the story of the Irish family owners
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3.5 Hours
- Meeting point:
In the foyer of the Holiday Inn Old Sydney, 55 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney.
- Starting time: 10.00 AM
- Ending point:
4 Pines Brewery, Manly
Language: English
Inclusions: Professional local guide, scones and tea/coffee (or alternative soft drink), ferry ticket, light Aussie nibbles/snacks and a craft beer.
Exclusions: Gratuity. Clapsticks are provided for demonstration only and are not included in the tour price. Clapsticks can be purchased at the Dreamtime Gallery.
Gather at the historic Rocks area, where the English started their history in Australia in the late 1700s. Stroll to the Tea Cosy, an Irish shop in an 1870s rowhouse. The English tradition of tea or coffee with scones has been adopted by Aussies, with an Aussie flavor. Have some homemade scones fresh from the oven, slathered with jam made from Australian fruits. Chat with the owner/manager, who will talk about the history of the building and the story of the Irish family who started the shop. You can also shop for jam or a unique tea cozy for a great Aussie souvenir.
Hop on a ferry for a 30-minute ferry ride on magnificent Sydney Harbour, seeing water views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the glorious harbor scenery. Alight at Manly Beach. Originally described as “seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care,” Manly is the birthplace of surfing championships in Australia. Sydneysiders and other Aussies have been traveling to Manly since the 1850s; today it’s full of great shops, good restaurants and has become a popular destination. We’ll take a stroll through the seaside township to the famous beach.
Visit Manly’s Aboriginal Dreamtime Fine Art Gallery to immerse yourself in the world’s oldest continuously living culture. First Peoples of Australia believe their world began when their ancestors walked the land in the “Dreamtime,” creating the places and things that inhabit First Peoples of Australia culture in Australia. Marvel at the unique art, jewelry and artifacts from central and western districts of Australia. Enjoy an exclusive talk about the art, where it was made, the artists and the stories portrayed in the paintings. Learn how each piece reflects the land and First Peoples of Australia heritage. The shop sources the art from the artists and cares about the authenticity and uniqueness of each piece. All purchases will directly benefit the First Peoples of Australia artists and their communities.
A First Peoples of Australia elder will discuss his culture with you and play the didgeridoo, a wind instrument with a beautiful, haunting tone. He will also teach you how to use clapsticks, percussion sticks to accompany the didgeridoo. You can buy your own clapsticks to take home.
Finish your tour at local favorite haunt 4 Pines Brewery, a socially conscious microbrewery where you can see brewmasters hard at work to craft the perfect post-surf pint. We’ll enjoy one of their creations while sharing some light Aussie nibbles/snacks and conversation about how the brewery sprung from a casual conversation between the father and son founders. The tour concludes here, leaving you free to shop the Manly Corso; head back to Manly Beach for a swim, or accompany your guide back to Circular Quay.
New York Times Reading List
- What to Cook This Week (Australian edition)
- In Tasmania, a Gin Boom Showcasing Native Plants (and Even Sheep Whey)
- The Gay Penguins of Australia
- Has Australia Abandoned the Salad Sandwich?
- Is the Way Australia Funds the Arts a Recipe for Mediocrity?
- A $1,000 Day in Sydney for $100
A City Tour gift certificate is the perfect present for any occasion. Select a specific tour and date, or choose the value and let the lucky recipient decide how to redeem it.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Professional local guide, scones and tea/coffee (or alternative soft drink), ferry ticket, light Aussie nibbles/snacks and a craft beer.
Exclusions: Gratuity. Clapsticks are provided for demonstration only and are not included in the tour price. Clapsticks can be purchased at the Dreamtime Gallery.
Your Trip: For your New York Times Journeys/Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Dietary Notes
We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests. You can do so in the ‘Additional information’ box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@sydneyurbanadventures.com.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +61 (0) 414 983 091
Email address: info@sydneyurbanadventures.com
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