My Favorite Sydney Memories (So Far)
- Ashley Chittum
- May 13
- 3 min read
Hello again! It’s been three months since I first arrived in Sydney and in that time, I’ve explored all over the city, met so many people, and embraced some amazing solo adventures. I wanted to share my top 5 favorite memories from my time here so far. Some are more intimate moments while others are absolute must-dos for your bucket list.
The Phantom of the Opera Under the Stars
This is probably my favorite memory from Sydney so far. The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals and getting to watch it performed on a floating stage in the harbour made “the music of the night” even more magical. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge glowed in the background as the huge chandelier crashed toward the stage. The music, costumes, and occasional fireworks were incredible, but what truly made it unforgettable was sharing it with my parents when they came to visit.
Our First Australian Beach Day
It’s hard to believe that it took over a week in Australia to finally make it to the beach, but this first trip is still one of my favorites. Two of my roommates and I took the ferry to Manly Beach, passing the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in our wake. We took our first plunge into the cold ocean and ended up befriending a couple of locals. From there, we walked to Shelly Beach, stopping to swim in the ocean pool along the way. At Shelly, I found sea glass and snorkeled through schools of fish, even spotting sand sharks below. It was the best beach day.
Watson’s Bay to Bondi Coastal Walk
I know I’m in Australia as a student, but sometimes it’s okay to go on a little side-quest during a school day. This was one of my favorite solo adventures, walking from Watson’s Bay to Bondi Beach. Along the way, I found a hidden swimming hole filled with some of the best sea glass I’ve ever seen and discovered my favorite beach in Sydney, Camp Cove. I also made the short walk to a lighthouse with incredible views (passing a clothing-optional beach along the way, probably one to skip). I followed the coast the rest of the way to Bondi, overlooking the cliffs and endless ocean. At the end, I rewarded myself with a 50 cent McDonald’s ice cream, a perfect way to end the day.
Cheering at the Finish Line
Since we arrived in Australia, one of our roommates had been continuously training for this first half Ironman. The day finally came last week when he conquered the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run. I still don’t know how he did it, but I’m so glad I got to be there to watch him cross the finish line. Another roommate and I took the train to the racecourse, making signs along the way, and somehow timed it perfectly to catch our first glimpse of him. We cheered him on at several points during the run, even jogging alongside him for a short stretch. Watching him cross the finish line, we felt so proud, you would’ve thought we’d known him for years.
Playing Tour Guide Around Sydney
Along with the Phantom of the Opera, one of my favorite memories from my parents’ visit was finally showing them around all the places I’d been talking about for months. We started in Chinatown, exploring Haymarket and discovering our new favorite fruit, pomelos (which they’ve been searching for back home ever since). From there, we wandered along Darling Harbour and toward the Harbour Bridge, where they caught their first glimpse of the Opera House. We explored the Rocks, admired the Opera House up close, and walked through the Royal Botanic Gardens to watch the sunset from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. We ended the day with a TimTam slam back at the hotel.
It’s crazy how much can happen in just three months. When I first landed, I wasn’t sure what this semester would entail. From solo adventures to unforgettable moments with the people I care about most, Sydney has already given me more than I ever expected. And there is still so much yet to come. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store.
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