Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

Australia

Best Things to Do in Randwick

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Whenever there’s Australia mentioned, most people envision Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. Even though these big cities are beautiful and worth seeing, there’s also something unique about visiting smaller Australian cities. One of them is Randwick in New South Wales. It was founded in the 19th century and today, it boasts the population of almost 30,000. In case you’re toying with the idea of visiting less prominent Australian places, then Randwick is a great choice. Here are the best things that you can do there.

1. Hit the beaches

Australia’s known for its gorgeous beaches, so why would Randwick be any different? Wylie’s Bath, Mahoon Pool and Maroubra Beach are all beautiful beaches with so many things to do. For example, Wylie’s Bath has hot showers, restaurants with snacks, wellness activities, seating places under the shade and swimming clubs. Even though the place is huge, it’s important to mention that the beach is open from 7 AM till 5 PM. On the other hand, there’s also the Congwong beach, which is more relaxing and calm. If you prefer to just spend time in peace and quiet, then this beach is the right choice for you.

2. Visit the La Perouse museum

Even if you’re not a fan of visiting museums, there’s still something great about visiting them and learning something new. If you happen to be in Randwick, then visiting the La Perouse Museum is a must. This museum hosts valuable records of the French explorer Comte de Lapérouse. It was built in 1881 as a cable station, and it was also used as a Salvation Army refuge in the World War II. In 1988, it was turned into a museum. This place also exhibits the Aboriginal history and culture. Another museum worth visiting is the Museum of Human Disease. It contains over 2,500 human disease tissues, including diseases that are now considered very rare, such as diphtheria or typhoid.

3. Go to the restaurants and bars

There are restaurants that offer many delicious foods and cakes. Thanks to a lot of international students, you can find different tasty cuisines. One of them is Kurtosh House One, that has Hungarian funnel cakes. The best place to look for restaurants is at the junction of St Paul Street and Peruse Road. This place is locally known as The Spot. When it comes to bars, you should definitely check out The Spanish Fly and Randi Wixs. Hotels also offer a great choice of food and drinks, so that’s something you should consider when looking for accommodation in Randwick. There are too many things to try, so be sure to get organized so you’ll be able to taste everything this charming place has to offer.

4. Visit the racecourse

The Randwick racecourse opened in 1933. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II visited the racecourse and gave permission for the venue to be called The Royal Racecourse. There are many races throughout the year, and for those who don’t like to watch races, there are restaurants and tea houses with a lovely view of the racecourse. In case you get hungry, there are deluxe picnic hampers with cold selections such as king prawns, Sicilian chicken and a rich selection of mini desserts. Also, there are bar platters with cheese, mini beef pies and finger sandwiches. If you plan on going back to the Royal Racecourse, then maybe you should consider becoming a member, since the membership offers a lot of benefits.

These are some of the best things to do in Randwick. This place has its unique charm, so next time you’re in the area, make sure to visit this lovely place and enjoy every great thing it has to offer.

How to Experience Sydney In Style

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Visiting one of Australia’s top metropolises doesn’t happen every day, so you might as well make the most of it. The gorgeous sunsets, mesmerizing rooftop viewpoints, fine cuisine and exceptional sights are just some of the reasons you absolutely need to come to Sydney the first chance you have. If you’ve already booked your ticket and you’re planning to experience Sydney in style, this is how you should make it happen.

Look for deluxe accommodation

If you’re going to treat yourself to a luxurious daytime in Sydney, you might as well offer yourself the utmost comfort during the night as well. Look for some of the best hotels in Sydney and get a room with a view over the Sydney Harbour for amazing mornings and even more memorable nights under the starry skies. A luxurious resort with a swimming pool, sauna, gym, and a spa available for you to recharge after a long day of soaking in all of the Sydney vibes is all you’ll need.

Take a luxury cruise

Cruising the Sydney Harbour should definitely be on top of your to-do list. Luxury-focused boat trips will offer you the best experience and you’ll get a much fancier ride around the Emerald City. Treat yourself to a superb cruising experience in a spectacular yacht, and if you choose to be a part of a small group, the entire cruise will be much more intimate. Use the opportunity to enjoy the city’s sights from a completely new perspective. If you have a bit more pocket money to spend, consider chartering your own private yacht.

Book a private car

Comfort comes first, so you should start your Sydney vacation in style. If you want to have the ultimate privacy from the airport to your hotel, look up private airport transfers in Sydney and book the transfer, so you’ll arrive safely and undetected to your accommodation. You can also rent a private chauffeur if you want to visit the city sights faster, and without walking too much. Your vacation should be all about comfort and indulging, so you should go ahead and book a private chauffeur to drive you around in an air-conditioned vehicle and allow you to enjoy your vacation to the max.

Go fine dining

Sydney doesn’t lack fine-dining restaurants, so if you’re all about the food tasting when on vacation, don’t miss an opportunity to have dinner at some of the exquisite Sydney restaurants. Exceptional cuisine, impeccable service and elegant surroundings, followed by an air of refinement are just a glimpse of what you can expect from deluxe Sydney restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for Australian, Chinese, Japanese, or maybe vegetarian meals, Sydney has it all.

Hop on the hot air balloon

How does a spectacular view at the Sydney sunrise sound from up above sound? If it’s all that you’ve ever dreamed about, then a flight over the city in a hot air balloon that will allow you to see Sydney skyline on the horizon as if it was at the palm of your hand is all you need for a perfect Sydney vacation. A three-hour experience will start at the crack of dawn, as early as 4 am, so better go early to bed the night before if you want to truly enjoy the flight and be mesmerized by the morning sky.

Final thoughts

Visiting Sydney will definitely be a one-of-a-kind experience. This is especially true if you decide to experience Sidney in style and opt to pamper and indulge yourself to the fullest. So, if you’ve decided to make the most of your vacation, be sure to book a luxurious accommodation, have a private chauffeur drive you around the city, go on a classy cruise, go fine dining and fly in a hot air balloon for the most spectacular holiday in your life.

Australia: What to Know Before Visiting

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In video games, you don’t go into a boss battle unprepared. You grind, power up and prepare everything you need to win against your opponent. This is also applicable in real life. You don’t go to a country without first knowing a few of their customs. Hand gestures are something you should learn about before travelling. This way, you don’t accidentally offend a local and cause an uprising that could’ve otherwise been prevented.

Be Prepared

It goes without saying that preparation is the key to a fun vacation. And in a multi-cultural continent like Australia, you need to know what you should have on you and what you can and can’t do in each state. Luckily, this guide is here to let you know beforehand what you should keep in mind when paying the folks down under a visit.

Learn the Local Language. Australians speak English. If you’re American or speak American English, the spellings of some words will be new to you; otherwise, you’re fine. Another thing you should know is that Australians use a lot of slang. It’s easy to get lost in what the locals are saying especially if you don’t know what words like “footy” mean. Use Google and give yourself a crash course in the local language.

Bring something for the BBQ. In a country where it almost feels like its summers last an entire year, it comes to no surprise that Australians love their Barbecues, or as they call it: ‘barbies’. If you ever get invited to a BBQs in Australia, remember to bring something to share with everyone. It could be some meat for the grill, some wine, or dessert. This shows that you are thankful for the invite and not a freeloader.

Sunblock is a MUST. We’ve mentioned how warm it is in Australia for most of the year. This is why you should never forget to wear sunscreen when you are planning for a day on the beach. Forgetting the sunblock can mean a sunburn that will last two weeks with a possibility of a blister. And believe us when we say, you do not want that. If you’re not a fan of the block, you can always wear a hat or a shirt that can cover up your skin from the harmful rays.

Everything is Expensive. Expect everything to come at a price. This is why backpackers visiting Australia often take on menial jobs in the cities they visit, as this can help out in their expenditures. An example of this is how they bill your rent. You can find a brand-new house complete with everything and see that it is only $750. Westerners will understand this and read it as a monthly payment, but in reality, it is $750 a week. If you’re planning to rent for your stay, talk to the agent and make sure that everything is spread out, so you don’t get a nasty surprise.

Drive Safe (We mean it!). Every country has their own law regarding drinking and driving. Australia takes this to the next level with laws that prohibit drivers from touching their phone while their keys are in the ignition as well as speeding cameras, police cars and random breathalyser tests everywhere. This just goes to show that the Australians value your life. So never drink (or do drugs) and drive.

Doing your homework can go a long way and save you a lot of money and trouble. And although a vacation in Australia sounds expensive (because it is), you’ll be happy to know that there are still affordable services like a car rental in Sydney Parramatta that offers their vehicles at a friendly price. Rent a car when you visit Australia on vacation avoid the sun and the crowds during your stay.