Source: YouTube
For the uninitiated, YOLO IS just an acronym that stands for, “You Only Live Once.” But for a select few, YOLO is a way of life where they go big or go home. If you think that everything is bigger in Texas, you haven’t been to Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) yet. Now, that should be on a T-shirt.
The end of the year is coming and if you’re planning to step out of your comfort zone by travelling alone for the first time EVER, NSW is a good bet. I’ve travelled alone before and it can be a daunting endeavour. But with the famed Aussie hospitality on your side, you should be set for a comfortable but exciting journey ahead.
To help you out on your adventure, we’ve compiled a list of things you should do all around NSW because, well, YOLO.
Source: Jetpack Adventures Central Coast – Facebook
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like Iron Man, jetpacking or jetboarding is the closest you’ll ever get. Water pressure from the exhaust pipe of a jetski is pumped up a tube and channelled into the pack or board, lifting its wearer close to 3 metres in the air!
Source: Jetpack Adventures
While it might take awhile to find your bearings, once you manage to stand on the board you’ll never want to stop. Start off by trying simple maneuvers like dolphin dives and soon you’ll be like Bumblebee here jetpacking like a pro.
Address: Mt. Penang Gardens, Parklands Road, Kariong NSW 2250, Australia
Website: http://www.jetpackadventures.com.au
Source: Thrillist
The TreeTop Crazy Rider is as crazy and scary as it sounds. The Xtreme track goes on for about 1 km and will take you around the forest for about 5 minutes. With twists, turns and drops along the way, it is impossible for you not to scream, either in excitement or in extreme fear.This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
You know what’s the coolest part? The technology was developed by Aussies and was designed to be completely eco-friendly.
Address: Ourimbah State Forest, 1 Red Hill Rd (cnr of Yarramalong Rd), Wyong Creek, NSW 2259, Australia
Website: http://www.treetopcrazyrider.com.au
Source: The Daily Telegraph
If you’ve always dreamt of being on Survivor like me, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy at Glenworth Valley will help your dreams come true. While there are many different courses, the 24-hour course will equip you with necessary skills to survive in remote locations. Amongst essential survival skills, you’ll learn to navigate using the sun and the stars and build a fire.
Source: Broadsheet
There is definitely no glamour to this – it’s full-on roughing it I had a little taste of what the course would entail and let’s just say that it tasted like mealworms. But I’m sure if you stuck out the entire course, you’ll come out one step closer to feeling like Bear Grylls.
My only gripe? You don’t get to vote anyone out at the end of the experience.
Address: Cooks Road, Glenworth Valley, NSW, Australia
Website: http://beargryllssurvivalacademy.com/australia-courses
Source: Instagram
I’m sure food is one of the top things on your to-do list and Sydney’s multitude of food options will astound you. With hipster cafes sprouting all over the city, you’ll have no time to worry about whether you can fit into your hip-hugging jeans after.
Try all the cruffins and cronuts your heart desires, then grab some burgers and fried chicken. And since you’ve already forgotten about your daily calorie intake, why not indulge in some some locally-brewed beers? YOLO! Click here for a list of hangouts in Sydney where you can do just that.
Good food is nothing if you can’t brag about what you’ve eaten and where you’ve eaten at. Cafes like Black Star Pastry in Newtown and Grounds of Alexandria not only serve delicious food and drinks, they are also perfect places for your next Instagram picture.
Black Star Pastry
Address: 277 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
Website: http://blackstarpastry.com.au
Grounds of Alexandria
Address: 7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia
Website: http://thegrounds.com.au
I once said this to an Aussie friend of mine, “throw a shrimp on the barbie,” and he proceeded to stare at me like I offended the Gods. It was then that I found out that Australians call them prawns instead of shrimps.
But that’s beside the point. Australians take their barbeques very seriously. That’s why they take every opportunity they can to barbeque up a storm. So, once you’re tired of eating Eggs Benedict all the time, go for a truly authentic Aussie experience by barbecuing at some of Sydney’s best barbeques spots.
Take in the sun, sand and sea while you listen to your bacon and eggs sizzle at Bronte Park or Shelly Beach. And best of all, these Barbeque Pits are free to use and readily available! So, whip out your spatulas, your ingredients and fire up your Masterchef aspirations.
Bronte Park
Address: Bronte NSW 2024, Australia
Website: http://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/recreation/parks/parks_in_waverley/bronte_park
Shelly Beach
Address: Bronte NSW 2024, Australia
Website: http://hellomanly.com.au/things-to-do/manly-beaches/shelly-beach
It wouldn’t be a trip to Sydney if you didn’t see the Sydney Opera House. And many can tell you about the various vantage points for you to take a beautiful picture of the iconic building. But since this article is all about the YOLO-life, I’m giving you two alternative options to take your Sydney Opera House experience to a whole new level.
Source: Instagram
Did you know you are allowed to get up close and personal with the Opera House? And I mean REALLY close. I was surprised to find out that I could literally touch the the building. You can even kiss it if you want but that’s totally up to you. Nevertheless, you should take this chance to enjoy the beauty and intricacy of the tiling that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Website: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Source: See Sydney Pass
But if that’s not enough, go Oz Jet Boating to get stunning views of the Opera House onboard a high-speed boat ride. Fair warning though, you will scream and you will get wet but it’s a really small cost for those stunning views. And of course, the adrenaline rush.
Address: The Eastern Pontoon, NSW 2000, Australia
Website: http://ozjetboating.com
If you’ve always liked the idea of camping but not the idea of building a tent, you’re in luck. Get onboard a ferry from Circular Quay and head to Cockatoo Island, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a totally different camping experience.
Glamping is basically a portmanteau of the words “glamour” and “camping” which is truly is as cute as it sounds. The tents come fully-equipped with comfy beds, towels and even a set of bath toiletries to make your experience of roughing it, well, not so rough. Don’t get me wrong though – you’ll still enjoy sleeping under the stars but from under your cosy covers. And when you wake up, you’ll feel con-tent-ed.
Website: http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au
Source: Gray Line
The famed Three Sisters are as beautiful as any three sisters you’ve seen, even though they are just rock formations. Nature is at its finest here as you will find yourself gaping in awe of these beauties
Head to Echo Point to get a panoramic view of the Three Sisters rock formations and their surroundings. Ig viewing them from a distance is not enough, head down The Giant Stairway to get closer to the sisters. Going down the stairs is relatively easy but climbing them back up can be a real pain in your… legs.
Source: Travel Talk
If you want an alternative way to head back up, follow the Federal Pass Trail for about 1.5 hours towards the Katoomba Scenic Railway where you can take the steepest cable-driven funicular railway in the world. It’s a much shorter way up but it can be very scary if you have a fear of falling because at some points during the ride, you will feel like you’re falling.
Address: 23-31 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia
Website: http://www.bluemts.com.au/info/thingstodo/threesisters
We’ve all been the designated driver at some point and you definitely don’t want to be given that role when you’re visiting Hunter Valley. Too many beautiful wines, too little time? Ditch the car and join one of Hunter Valley’s many wine tours that allow you to drink and get home safely!
These tours allow you to meet like-minded individuals and will bring you around the Hunter Valley region fuss-free. These tours will bring you to the best vineyards of the Hunter Valley including stops at the local cheese and chocolate factory!
If you’re up for it, you can even challenge each other to an incredibly fun grape stomping challenge or candy making class to learn how to make classic Australian sweets like rocky road, peanut brittle and chocolate truffles. Yum.
Address: 2-14 Kings Cross Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Website: http://www.huntervalleywinetastingtours.com.au
Source: I’m Free Walking Tours
Travelling on your own for the first time can be difficult. So, if you need a little bit of help to get going, you can join one of the many tours available in Sydney. You can discover the sights of the city on “I’m Free” walking tours where qualified Sydney-sider guides show you around and give you a brief history of the various sights you will encounter.
Other than tours to Sydney’s sights at 10.30 a.m. and 2.30 a.m., there are evening tours around The Rocks, Australia’s first European settlement. Best of all, these tours are on everyday!
Address: 483 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Website: http://www.imfree.com.au/
Source: Blue Moutains Australia
If money isn’t an issue, consider joining one Gray Line’s Sydney Day Tours that take you out of the city. There are tours to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and Port Stephens. But if you’re looking for a truly YOLO tour, go for the tour to the Jenolan Caves for an amazing insider look at spectacular limestone caves. And by insider, I mean really going inside these caves.
Address: Lime St, King Street Wharf NSW 2000, Australia
Website: http://www.grayline.com.au/australia-sightseeing/sydney-day-tours
Source: YHA Australia
YOLO-ing solo can get lonely. One surefire way to combat this is to stay in one of the many YHA Hostels all over NSW. These hostels are catered to youths and are great to meet locals and tourists alike who are probably doing many of the things you are doing as well.
Source: YHA Australia
Hostels usually have a host of activities like barbecues and movie nights, which are perfect opportunities for you to meet new people and potentially, new friends. Go ahead – live on the edge little by making the first move. All it takes is a little, “hello.”
Who knows? You may arrive in Sydney solo but you may also leave with a lot of new friends and most definitely, a lot of awesome memories.
Sydney Harbour YHA at The Rocks
Address: 110 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney, 2000 NSW, Australia
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydney-surrounds/sydney-harbour
Hunter Valley YHA
Address: 100 Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba, 2325 NSW, Australia
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/newcastle-surrounds/hunter-valley
Sydney is more than just the Sydney Opera House. Fine… I admit that the Opera House was the only thing I knew about the city. But after having the privilege of visiting Sydney and its surrounding regions, I shoved any preconceived notions I had into the garbage.
I got to do things I would never have thought possible (or dared to do). So, I urge you to take a step out of the ordinary and discover a side of Sydney, NSW that you would never have imagined. After all, YOLO!
You would be pleased to know it’s spring/summer in Sydney now and there is literally no better time to explore NSW.
In September alone, I flew to and from Sydney on Scoot twice (aboard their 787 Dreamliners, no less) and have been pleasantly surprised by how comfortable my experiences were. With options like ScootBiz and ScootinSilence, you have full autonomy to customize your Scooting experience!
Scoot offers daily flights from Singapore to Sydney at unbelievably affordable prices. Special Code: From 6-October to 6 November 2015, enter promo code and get an additional 15% off Scoot’s FLYBAG/FLYBAGEAT/SCOOTBIZ fares.
This post was brought to you by Scoot and Destination New South Wales.
The NS30 celebrations haven't stopped 🎉
JB-goers take note, here are things you can do in Mount Austin to spice up…
Here are all the best things to do this weekend in Singapore.
Just an hour away from KL!
Taichung is only an hour by High Speed Rail from Taipei or Taoyuan station.
No more stressing over what to get your loved ones for Christmas.