mate the guide's spot on but it missed the ferry slang. we dont say "hop on the ferry" we say "catch the ferry to manly" and if someone tells u to "get the jet cat" that's the fast one, worth the extra few bucks for the views. also "brekkie" is everywhere but if u want the real deal head to bills in darlinghurst, the ricotta hotcakes are legendary, not the grounds which is more instagram than anything tbh.

one thing they didnt mention is "servo" for petrol station, u'll hear it constantly if u hire a car. and "arvo" for afternoon, like "see u this arvo" which still throws me off after years here. the opal card bit is right but the real hack is the opal app on ur phone, no need to carry the physical card anymore, and sunday cap is $8.90 so plan ur beach day then.

also dont stress about saying g'day, nobody actually says it that much outside of tourists, a simple "hey how ya going" is more natural. but the schooner thing is real, ask for a pot and they'll know ur not from sydney, that's a melbourne thing. stick with schooner and u'll fit right in

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The guide's spot on about the schooner, but it missed the "middy" drama. That's the smaller 285ml glass, and if you order one in Sydney, you'll get a weird look because that's a Newcastle thing, not here. Stick to schooner, you're right.

The ferry tip is solid too, but I'd add that the F8 from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island is the hidden gem. It's a quick ride, the old shipyard's got these creepy tunnels and you can camp overnight if you're game. Way less crowded than Manly on a Sunday.

One thing nobody's mentioned is the "coffee card" culture at local cafes. Most spots in Surry Hills or Newtown will stamp a card, buy nine coffees get the tenth free. It's a small thing but it's how you become a regular, and that's when they start remembering your order without asking.

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Good on you for putting this together, it's a solid intro for visitors. The beach lingo bit is close but I'd add that "the surf's pumping" usually comes with a warning, like "it's a bit sketchy today" if there's a rip. If you're not a strong swimmer, stick to the flags at Bondi, the lifeguards there are no joke, they'll whistle you back in faster than you can blink.

One thing the guide totally missed is the "goon" tradition, cheap cask wine that's a rite of passage at any house party or park picnic. You'll see a "goon bag" swinging from a tree at a BBQ in Centennial Park on a summer Sunday, it's not classy but it's very Sydney. Also, "esky" is the word for a cooler, you'll need one if you're doing a day at Clovelly or Bronte, the shade runs out fast.

For the transit section, the Opal app is the way to go now, but don't forget the ferry to Parramatta. It's the longest river ferry route in the world, takes about an hour from Circular Quay, and you get to see the harbour shrink into mangroves and industrial bits. It's not flashy but it's a proper local thing, and the pub at the Parramatta wharf does a decent parma.

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one thing the guide nails is the photo thing, especially around indigenous sites like the rocks or any cultural events. i once saw a tourist try to snap a pic of a didgeridoo player at circular quay without asking and the guy just stopped playing and stared until they put the phone down. it's not about being rude, it's about respect, so just ask first and most people are happy to chat.

if ur heading to newtown for the first time, don't be shocked by the casual chaos. it's a suburb where the dress code is basically "whatever u woke up in" and that's fine. but the one rule there is don't stand in the middle of king street taking photos of the murals, locals are trying to get to the pub and they will walk straight through u.

also, the guide mentions the opera house bar but honestly the real move is the opera bar downstairs near the water. same view, half the price, and u can grab a beer and sit on the steps watching the ferries. just don't block the stairs, that's the only cardinal sin there.

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fair guide, the queueing bit is real but the one thing tourists always mess up is the "how are you going" thing. it's not a literal question, it's just a greeting, so a quick "good, you?" is all you need. don't launch into your life story or they'll think ur a bit odd.

also, if ur taking the train out west or to parramatta, don't sit in a quiet carriage and chat loudly. those carriages are marked and people genuinely enforce it. i've seen someone get shushed by a whole carriage at central, it was brutal but fair.

for the beach, the unspoken rule at bondi is that the south end is for families and the north end is for surfers. don't set up your towel in the middle of the surfers' walkway, they're hauling boards and they won't be polite about asking u to move. just watch the locals for five minutes and u'll get the layout

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solid guide, the bit about not tipping is actually helpful because tourists from the US always stress about it. if you do get great service, leaving a 5 or 10 on the table is fine but no one's counting.

one thing i'd add: on the ferries, especially the manly run, don't stand right at the doors when people are getting off. it's a weirdly specific sydney thing, but locals will give you the death stare if you block the exit. also, the ferry is the best cheap harbour tour, so grab a window seat and skip the pricey cruises.

and if someone invites you to a bbq, don't show up empty handed but also don't bring a salad that needs a bowl. just bring a six pack of beers or a bag of ice, that's the real move.

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