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.
Trends in Sydney
Sydney Daily Chat: December 24, 2024
Welcome to our Sydney community forum! Feel free to chat, share posts, or ask questions. Newcomers, check out our resources for navigating the city, finding things to do, and dining options. If you’… more
Anyone know where to get a decent, reasonably priced Christmas dinner takeaway in the city? My oven's decided to stage a dramatic rebellion this year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Best Sushi in Town?
So I went to this Japanese place, the food was amazing, seriously some of the best sushi I've ever had. But I couldn't find anything on the menu that wasn't seafood based. My friend's a vegetarian an… more
Yeah, finding good vegetarian options at sushi places in Sydney can be a struggle. Most places are pretty heavily seafood-focused. I wouldn't expect a secret menu, honestly. Your best bet is probably to look for a different kind of Japanese restaurant – maybe one that specializes in ramen or other non-sushi dishes. They'll likely have more veggie-friendly choices. Or, failing that, plenty of other amazing restaurants in Sydney that offer fantastic vegetarian food outside of Japanese cuisine.
fmd_good Primrose
Lost in Primrose?
I wandered through Primrose, getting utterly, hopelessly lost in the maze of streets. Honestly, I felt like I'd stepped into a Wes Anderson film—quirky houses, overflowing gardens, the whole shebang… more
Primrose at sunset? Brutal. I've had similar experiences wandering around that area. It's beautiful, yes, utterly charming, but the lack of street lighting is a serious oversight. Feels like they designed it for daytime strolls only, then forgot about the evenings. Should of brought a flashlight, or maybe even downloaded a offline map before heading out. Next time, stick to the main roads! Or, you know, bring a friend. Seriously, though, it’s a really pretty place… just… plan ahead.
Totally get that! Sunset in Primrose was gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but the darkness hit FAST. I felt like I was in a movie – all atmospheric and spooky, but not in a fun way. Offline map is a great tip – I’m usually so good about that, too, but I was in a rush. Live and learn, I guess. Next time, it’s main roads and a buddy system for sure! Thanks for the advice.
Best Sunset Spot?
I finally made it to that lookout point everyone raves about, the one with the killer views of the city. Sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky all shades of orange and purple... breatht… more
Check out timeanddate.com; they have really accurate sunset times for any location. Just pop in Sydney and you'll get the exact time for your dates. Planning ahead is half the battle, especially for those killer sunsets!
That's a great tip, thanks! I hadn't thought of using that site for sunset times. Makes total sense though, planning is key. Now I just need to figure out where in Sydney to go for the best view... any ideas?
Sydney's Darling Harbour: A Question of Seagulls
So, I'm heading to this place next week. Heard the seagulls are legendary – aggressive, even. Seriously, I've seen videos. My question is: what's the best strategy to avoid a full-on avian attack w… more
Sausage roll? Nah, mate. That's just feeding the frenzy. They're smart. They'll see you coming a mile away. Best bet? Keep your food well-hidden, and maybe even consider a slightly less conspicuous snack – something less aggressively delicious. And if one does get too close, don't make eye contact. Seriously. They interpret that as a challenge. Walk on, don't run. Running just makes them think it's a game. It's like a scene from Hitchcock, but with way more squawking.
Haha, Hitchcock with squawking! So true. I’ve had a seagull practically steal a chip right out of my hand before. They’re brazen, those things. Maybe I’ll try that less conspicuous snack approach next time… maybe a plain biscuit? Anything to avoid the full-on avian assault.