BARE Travel Logs :: Sydney, Australia

This is the third installment of BARE blog's Travel Log series, a four-part collection highlighting the globe-trekking explorations by BARE bloggers. Leaving picked-over tourist attractions for the masses, our bloggers will share the in's and out's of Paris, Barcelona, Sydney, and Seoul. Here are Elizabeth Maxim's top spots in Sydney, Australia.

Sydney is a happy, laid-back city of sunshine, where it seems like everyone is constantly enjoying themselves outdoors. If not tanning and surfing on the gorgeous beaches, sailing around the harbor, or jogging across the Harbor Bridge, you might find locals dining at the numerous street cafes or even enjoying the fresh air at the Royal Botanical Gardens. After having lived there for five months this past spring, I still don’t think I've explored everything that there is to see in the city that manages to be easygoing, action-packed, edgy, and sophisticated, while still maintaining its insouciant surfer-esque ease. Sydney is the ideal place to go as a college traveler because the people are amazingly friendly, have a great sense of humor (not to mention awesome accent!) and are more than happy to stop and chat, give directions, share a drink, or even show you around the city! Here are some places that you might not find in your tourist guidebook, but I would highly recommend:

Tell and You is just one of the venders at the Bondi Markets. Image courtesy of Tell and You's website.

Bondi Markets: The Bondi Markets are a must-see when visiting the laid-back yet glamorous Bondi Beach, where hip (and tan) Sydney locals browse the stalls for an eclectic and affordable mix of old and new. Talented, up-and-coming designers sell original clothes and accessories that are funky, chic, edgy, bohemian, and glamorous. This is the perfect place to score a one-of-a-kind bag, a cool printed and deconstructed shirt, or a unique necklace. Australian brand Sass & Bide once hawked their chic threads at this market. You can also find candles, aromatherapy oils, and vintage clothes, books, records, and furniture here. I scored an amazing chiffon party dress, a fabulous high-waisted denim skirt, and an old copy of one of my favorite books, The Great Gatsby. On my way out, I stopped at a booth with rows and rows of gold, silver, and copper charms and customized my own gold anklet with mini heart-shaped locket and key charms.

Oxford Art Factory's Live Art Space hosts various music, theater, and other types of performances. Image courtesy of Oxford Art Factory.

Oxford Art Factory: This multi-functional venue was recommended to me by my good friend, Tim, who is both a Sydney local and a DJ in an awesome electro-rock band called Calling in Sick. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s 60's-era NYC factory, the Oxford Art Factory showcases live music, visual art, and performance art. This avant-garde space is a cultural mecca for art and music talents and enthusiasts alike. The inside is a funky, industrial-looking mixture of glass and chrome, spray-painted brick walls, and cement floors. It is divided into three main sections: a gallery displaying the work of talented local and international artists, the "Art After Dark Bar" where patrons can share a drink and socialize, and the "Live Art Space" with a stage that features everything from live music to theater and cabaret performances. All kinds of musicians, including rock bands, beatboxers, electronic DJ's, and solo singers, perform at this venue. Breakout artist Little Boots played a gig here recently. The Art Factory is a fun place to hang out with friends, catch some cool live music acts, or get a taste of Sydney’s vibrant art scene. (And just a tip: they often offer student discounts and specials you should look out for when you’re in the area.)

The interior of Hugo's. Image courtesy of Best Restaurants.

Hugo’s: Throughout the week, this sleek, upscale bar is frequented by the well-dressed and sophisticated glitterati of Sydney, including the occasional celebrity. (Not exactly the ideal destination for a poor, traveling college student.) But there's good news: every Sunday, Hugo's restaurant temporarily lowers its prices to a mere 5-dollar entry fee and sells 5-dollar pizza and cocktails from 8 to 10 pm. With delicious gourmet pizzas (big enough for two to share, though I ate a whole one myself!) and yummy cocktails like the peach Bellini and the lemon drop, it is well worth your time. And the best part is, once you’re in, you can stay until the wee hours of the night. By 10:30 pm, the indoor/outdoor lounge and bar are packed full of their usual glamorous crowds, so you can either stay and mingle or hop in a cab and continue the party elsewhere!

Know any other must-see spots in Sydney? Don't hesitate to share them with us in the comments!

Elizabeth Maxim

BARE Reporter