FROM our boat chugging its way across Sydney Harbour, the tourists on top of the famous Bridge look tiny.
“That’ll be us tomorrow!” my travelling companion gleefully shouts. I gulp. I’m not a fan of heights.
The splendour of the Opera House, bathed in early autumn sunshine, provides a welcome distraction as we make the short trip up the coast.
The $A8 (£4) ferry trip to the chilled beach suburb of Manly is a cheap way to get the stunning views of Sydney’s skyline from the water without shelling out for a tourist boat.
Manly is a popular spot for surfing, swimming and chilling out, and we also went to snorkel in the protected marine reserve of Cabbage Tree Bay with our expert guide from EcoTreasures.
Just a few hours earlier we’d been knocking back cocktails in the late-night bars of harbourside area, The Rocks.
But a 20-minute hop on a ferry and we were donning masks and flippers and seeing a wonderful array of exotic sea creatures in their natural habitat.
We saw green turtles, blue gropers, banjo rays and tropical butterfly fish in Manly’s welcoming waters.
A quick stop for a tasty beach-side lunch with waves crashing below us at The Pantry, and we head back into the city for a sumptuous waterfront dinner at Midden by Mark Olive in the base of the Opera House, before taking in its annual open-air show just round the corner.
That was a decent distraction ahead of the looming bridge climb.
The experience isn’t cheap, with prices from £126pp, but the views are as amazing as you’d expect.
And, for those who also get nervous around heights, it wasn’t too bad at all, given the gradual nature of the climb and the sturdy construction of the bridge!
Our climb was led by an indigenous Australian guide who gave us a fascinating walk-through of Sydney’s history from an Aboriginal perspective as we ascended.
And that native Australian flavour underpinned all of our experiences as we explored Sydney – from our harbour tour with the Tribal Warrior Cruise company to a menu inspired by traditional bush food at Midden.
A guided tour around the city’s stunning (and free to enter) Botanical Gardens was a relaxing way to spend a sunny afternoon.
If you’re travelling as part of a group, I’d recommend buying a picnic box from the Botanic House restaurant to take out among the exotic trees and chattering birds.
For a less formal, more fun way to eat in the evening, try the newly opened Paddy’s Markets just a short hop from the city centre in Chinatown.
Here, you’ll find an array of vibrant street food and bars serving cocktails or whatever else takes your fancy after a day exploring.
Or if you’re celebrating – after Sydney helped you conquer your fear of heights.