If you are looking for a beach getaway to chase away the winter blues, Sydney, Australia might be a good option for you. Sydney is located in the state of New South Wales. Sydney has 30 beaches that wind along its expansive coast.
Sydney is home to the Sydney Opera House and is situated on what is considered one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Sydney is Australia's oldest city and has a population of 4 million people. With an average of 300 sunny days a year, Sydney is an ideal place for a beach vacation.
Most of Sydney's beaches offer some of the following activities. Swimming, surfing, scuba diving, and fishing are very popular. You can also hang glide, snorkel, parasail, or go whale watching. If you are a daring soul you can venture onto one of Sydney's nude beaches.
When planning your trip to Sydney, there are a few things to remember. Australian seasons run opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. Winter begins in June and summer begins in December. Christmas in Sydney is a summer affair; many families picnic outside and on the beaches.
The average temperature for Sydney during the summer months is about 24 degrees Celsius or 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Though 75 degrees is an average, many summer days warm up to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months the temperatures average about 12 degrees Celsius, or 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are going during Australia's summer months, you'll want to wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to help you keep cool. For Australia's winter months, jeans and light jackets are appropriate. But don't forget your sunscreen while traveling in Australia no matter what time of year you go. The sun is very strong there, and hats and sunscreen are both recommended to protect your skin.
Below are a few resorts and beachside hotels from which to choose:
Swiss Grand Resort and Spa Bondi Beach: This resort is situated on Bondi Beach, one of Australia's most famous beaches. The Swiss Grand has a sauna, Jacuzzi, roof top pool, indoor pool, health club and several bars and restaurants. Prices range from 320.00 to 750.00 AU a night depending on the season and day of the week. An extra bed is 50.00 AU.
Swiss Grand Resort and Spa Bondi Beach
Corner of Campbell Parade and Beach Road
Bondi Beach, Sydney
NSW 2026
Australia
Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments on the Beach: This hotel is next to Coogee Beach, and right around the corner from the entertainment center of Sydney. This hotel features self-contained apartments. They offer babysitting, bar, laundry, TV, Internet access, and a restaurant. Studio rooms and apartments range in price from 285.00 to 450.00 AU. The price per extra person is 35.00 AU.
Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments on the Beach
161 Dolphin Street
Coogee
NSW
2034 Australia
Crowne Plaza Hotel: Also near Coogee Beach, the Crowne Plaza offers babysitting, valet service, laundry service, golf, pool, tennis, a bar, and a restaurant. Contact the Crowne Plaza for rate information.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Coogee Beach Sydney
242 Arden Street, P.O. Box 558
Sydney
NSW
2034 Australia
The Manly Harbour Lofts: Manly Beach is a thirty-minute ferry ride from Sydney. The Manly Harbour Lofts offer rooms ranging in price from 100.00 to 200.00 AU. The Lofts are a short walk from Manly Beach. Also nearby are museums, cinema, scuba diving, golf, fishing, and surfing.
The Manly Harbour Lofts
12 George Street
Manly
NSW
2095 Australia
Avoca Palms Resort Apartments: Located on Avoca Beach, about an hour north of Sydney, Avoca Palms offers a non-smoking environment, swimming, sauna, spa, golf, indoor and outdoor pools, babysitting, tennis, and BBQ. Rates vary according to the time of year and day of the week, so contact them for rates.
Avoca Palms Resort Apartments
194 Avoca Drive
Avoca Beach
NSW
2251 Australia
