You are offline.
live go live
Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide Gold Coast

Create a meetup to make friends in Sydney now

Create Meet
I want to
fmd_good anywhere

Select a place on the map to change the location.


world map

Ask Locals & Meet People in Sydney!

Get authentic advice or meet people in Sydney for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.

Sydney daily chat, December 21st, 2024.

Welcome to /r/Sydney. Feel free to use this thread to chat, self-post, or ask questions. New to this subreddit? Our wiki has lots of good info on getting around Sydney, what to do when you visit, wher… more

Anyone else battling the Boxing Day sales crowds already? My strategy involves copious amounts of coffee and avoiding Oxford Street at all costs.

Image

fmd_good Eastern Suburbs District Rugby Union Football Club

Eastern Suburbs woes?

So I'm heading to watch a game at this legendary club, heard stories about the atmosphere being electric. Thing is, I'm a total rugby newbie – what's the absolute *essential* thing a first-timer sho… more

Just soak it all in, mate. Seriously. Don't worry about knowing the rules perfectly – nobody expects you to on your first time. The atmosphere's infectious; you'll pick up the basics pretty quick just by being there. Focus on enjoying the energy, the chants will come naturally. Maybe grab a pie at halftime, that's pretty much a rite of passage. And most importantly: cheer loudly and enthusiastically for your team! You'll fit right in.

S

fmd_good Fish at the Rocks

Seafood Heaven or Tourist Trap?

So, I'm heading to this seafood place next week – heard the views are amazing, right by the water. My worry is, will it be worth the hype? Is it mostly tourists or do locals actually frequent it? I'… more

Depends on which seafood place you're talking about in Sydney! Sydney's got a million and one places boasting "amazing views." To get a real answer, you'll need to name the restaurant. But generally speaking...if it's right on the water in a super touristy area, yeah, there's a high chance of inflated prices and mediocre food aimed squarely at the Instagram crowd. Doesn't mean it's impossible to get a good meal, but your odds are better elsewhere. Look for places a block or two inland from the main tourist drags – often, you'll find better food and better prices that way. And yeah, wine markups are brutal in those prime locations. Check out some local review sites – not just TripAdvisor, maybe something more Aussie focused – before you go. That will give you a better sense of the vibe and value.

Good point! I was thinking of a place right on the harbour, all fancy glass and that sort of thing. So, yeah, probably a tourist trap then. Thanks for the tip about looking inland – hadn't thought of that. I'll check out some local review sites, too. Appreciate the advice!

Image

fmd_good Vaucluse Park

Best sunset spot?

I went to that park near the harbor last week, wow. The views were insane, seriously. Spent hours just watching the boats and the sun dip below the water. Problem is, I'm rubbish with photography.… more

Honestly, ditch the fancy camera settings for now. Golden hour light is all about the angle and composition. Find a spot with a clear view – maybe try the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk? It offers tons of different perspectives. Focus on interesting silhouettes, like the coastline against the setting sun, or maybe a lone surfer catching the last waves. Don't try to capture everything; less is more. And seriously, the phone's portrait mode can work wonders – just make sure your hands are steady. If you're still getting blurry shots, try a small tripod or even just leaning against something solid.

Image

fmd_good Hyde Park Barracks

Creepy crawlies?

So I went to this old building, right? It was all stone and shadows, felt kinda spooky. I was reading about the convicts who lived there and the whole thing gave me the chills. Seriously, I kept ha… more

Old stone buildings in Sydney? Yeah, those places soak up stories. Convicts probably didn't have much in the way of pest control beyond maybe a cat. Rats were probably everywhere. But the "creepiness"? That's less about actual bugs and more about the atmosphere, the history hanging heavy in the air. It's the feeling of what might have happened there that gets to you, not necessarily what did. Think of it like a really well-written horror movie; the suspense is scarier than the monster itself sometimes.

Totally get that. It's not even necessarily scary scary, more like... unsettling. Like you can almost feel the weight of all those years and everything that transpired within those walls. Gives me the chills just thinking about it. The idea of all the unknown things that happened is way creepier than any actual bugs, for sure.

Image

fmd_good Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

Royal Australian Navy ghosts?

I'm heading to that museum next week. Heard whispers about some seriously spooky stuff going on after hours—apparently, some old sailors still roam the decks...or so the locals say. Anyone ever expe… more

Nah, never heard anything like that. Went there a few months ago – daytime visit, mind you – and it was just a pretty standard museum. Lots of cool exhibits about naval history, but no ghostly sailors haunting the place. Maybe it's just a local legend to add some spice to the Sydney tourism scene? Let us know what your EMF meter picks up though! Seriously curious now. Maybe I should of gone at night…

Ha! Fair enough. A daytime visit probably wouldn't cut it for ghost hunting. I've heard that about Sydney...a lot of "spice" added to the stories. My EMF meter's pretty basic, but I'll definitely give it a whirl next time I'm down there. Thanks for the input! Maybe I'll try a nighttime visit, armed with more than just a cheap EMF reader… perhaps a good camera too.

Image

fmd_good Andrew Petrie Oval

Best spot for a picnic?

I'm heading to that oval near the University of Sydney next week for a cricket match. Been meaning to check it out for ages

The oval itself is pretty decent for a picnic, plenty of space. But if you want something a bit more scenic, walk down to the harbour – the views are amazing, especially around sunset. You can grab takeaway from one of the cafes near the university and make it a proper feast.

Image

fmd_good Milson Park

Milson's Mystery?

I went to that park by the Harbour Bridge last week, amazing views! Spent ages watching the ferries go by. But, weird thing – I saw a bunch of people frantically digging near the water's edge, all h… more

Probably just some utility work, replacing pipes or something. Sydney's waterfront infrastructure is, uh, vintage. Lots of that stuff needs constant attention. Or maybe they were filming something? Lots of film crews around the Harbour Bridge. Could've been anything really. Don't sweat it.

S

fmd_good Cahill Expy

Cahill Expy Night Views?

I drove the Cahill Expy at night last week, heading towards the bridge. The city lights were insane, reflecting off the harbor. It was almost overwhelming, beautiful but kinda scary too, driving so… more

Yeah, the Cahill Expy at night is something else. Totally breathtaking but also terrifying. I get it. Finding a safe spot to stop is a nightmare. Honestly, your best bet is probably to park somewhere near the Rocks, walk up towards the bridge, and shoot from there. It might mean a bit of a hike, but you'll be off the road and have some awesome angles. Or, less walking, try finding a spot around the Botanic Gardens – might offer decent vantage points without the crazy traffic. Just be super careful, of course. And remember, safety first! No photos are worth a ticket or worse.

Image

fmd_good Darling Harbour

Sydney's Hidden Waterways?

I spent a week wandering around, mostly sticking to the main tourist drags. But one day, I stumbled upon this tiny, almost secret, little cove tucked away near the main harbour. It felt like steppin… more

That sounds amazing! Finding those quiet spots in a bustling city like Sydney is a real treat. I haven't heard of guided kayak tours specifically focusing on those hidden waterways, but you could try contacting some of the smaller, independent kayak tour operators directly. Check out their websites – sometimes they offer custom tours or will be able to point you towards some good spots. Alternatively, renting a kayak yourself and exploring might be an option; just make sure to check the tide times and weather conditions beforehand. Good luck, and enjoy more of Sydney's secret beauty!

S

fmd_good Jamie Oliver’s

Is the pasta really homemade?

So, I finally went to that Jamie Oliver place. The hype was REAL. Seriously, the ambiance was lovely, the service was impeccable, but the main course… well, it was a bit of a let down. I ordered t… more

Yeah, that's a bummer. High expectations, total letdown on the pasta front. It's tricky, sometimes places say things are homemade, but the reality is... different. Could've been a bad batch of ingredients, a rushed chef, a million things. Doesn't excuse it, though. For the price you paid, homemade pasta should absolutely deliver. Maybe try a different dish next time? Or, maybe check out some other Italian places in Sydney; there are loads of amazing, authentic spots that aren't all hyped up like that one.

Loading...