Airbnb on the water in Sydney – what a weekend!
(source: http://www.barangaroo/sydney.com.au)
A few weeks ago, along with my colleague/friend, I travelled to Sydney for work and as there was a huge event on in the city, accommodation was scarce so I booked an Airbnb at a new waterfront inner-city suburb called Barangaroo. I really had not heard much of this part of Sydney apart from knowing that Australia’s third richest person was in the process of building a huge casino there. After a bit of research I now know that Barangaroo was the second wife of Bennelong who was the interlocutor between the Aboriginal people and the early British colonist in New South Wales and for those of you that don’t know Bennelong Point is the site of the Opera House which is beautiful both during the day and evening.
It was my first time using Airbnb and must admit it was so easy to use and the apartment was exactly as stated on the site. We were on the first floor of a huge apartment block with a range of restaurants and bars underneath and about fifteen or so floor above. The apartment was really stunning with water views and even with the cold and rainy weather it was lovely to have the huge doors open and enjoy the sea breeze.
On our first afternoon we went for an hour long walk along the boardwalk [in the rain] to Darling Harbour which is one of Sydney’s popular waterfront areas comprising cafes, restaurants, IMAX cinema, maritime museum and lovely Chinese gardens.
(source: http://www.google.com.au)
And on the way back to the apartment we enjoyed great views out to the harbour albeit again in miserable weather but I think water views are great in any weather.
Saturday night was work and then the next morning we went for another walk and found a fabulous combined shop/bar/restaurant/cafe across the road from the apartment. It’s called Bel & Brio and was just the most amazing place I had been to in a long time.
As you walk into the store, which by the way is ‘huge’, there is a very large area that stocks all sorts of stuff – cheeses/fresh breads/jams/biscuits/fresh pasta sauces/meats/drinks – you name it this great shop has it.
Then we saw the cafe area so thought we would have breakfast but not before stopping by the easter eggs and chocolates…
And then the cakes and doughnuts – wow…they all looked so delicious!!
Finally we made our way to our table and ordered breakfast. We started off with a lovely cup of peppermint tea and English breakfast tea which arrived in a nice little pots with a delicious little butter biscuit on the side.
The cafe was actually located in the bar area along with the many [many] bottles of alcohol displayed so orderly along the back of the wall of the bar.
Our breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs on toast (me) and smoked trout and poached eggs with sourdough (Jane). Delicious and very filling meals!!
And after relaxing with another cup of tea, it was time to take a taxi to the airport and return to our homes….a quick but good weekend away!
Sophie said:
What an amazing country Australia sounds and looks like through your words and eyes – and I am sure it actually IS amazing anyways! Once more I confirm that Australians know their cooking, the donuts and other delicacies look stunning. Overall, It did sound like a weekend I would have enjoyed myself, and the way you describe it makes me really want (again) to get a chance to visit someday (Sydney, Canberra, and all the other beautiful places you write about). My in-laws decided to make the trip to Sydney next October, I am so ‘jealous’. I would love to recommend them some of the places you tested, but as they travel with a tour operator, I am not sure they could get a chance to go about by themselves. As for the AirBnB point, you made a terrific choice, the apartment with a view was an excellent choice indeed. I never tried AirBnB myself either, but now I see I could consider this option if I came and visited Australia, if you felt this was more budget-friendly than a hotel too…? Did I mention the pastries look delicious?!
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Little Miss Traveller said:
Lovely! The apartment looks superb and your photos of Darling Harbour with its Chinese Gardens and the Sydney Opera House brought back such happy memories of the times I’ve had the pleasure to visit Sydney. So pleased you were both able to mix business with pleasure during the weekend Sue.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Ha ha. Yep you mentioned the pastries. You and Jerome will come out one day and we will have dinner. Yay!!!
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Lignum Draco said:
Despite the rain, it seems you had a good time. The area is coming to completion nicely. And you’ve taught me something about my own city. I must go to Bel & Brio!!! Chocolates! Pastries! Wine!
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carentaylor said:
Another great little get-away 🙂 Our daughter swears by Airbnb wherever she travels!
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vinneve said:
Oh… I miss Australia just by looking at your post particularly Sydney though not my fave but hold good memories, though. The last time me & son was there was before following hubby here in the dessert.. yep that was almost 3yrs ago!
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Marta said:
You travel so much, Sue!! I’m so jealous!
I have never used Airbnb, I should try! But hotels in Asia are so cheap…
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Vicky T. said:
Oh you got such a great view from the Airbnb but it’s too bad the weather isn’t so great.
Vicky
https://vickysscrapbook.com/
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes please go. It truly was fabulous.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes I am now hooked on Airbnb. It’s great. Thanks for your comment Caren.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Wow. Quite some time ago. I am glad my post brought back some memories of Aust. Thanks as always Vinneve.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes that’s the thing Marta you don’t need to bother with Airbnb when hotels are so cheap. I did have a good weekend so thanks as always Marta.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
You are right thank you Vicky.
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sidran said:
You seem to have had a fabulous time.The pastries look so tempting.
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Amy said:
What a fabulous apartment. A great city with so much going on! Thank you for the tour via your beautiful photos, Sue!
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sileas said:
Oh Sydney, one day I have to revisit! The harbour views are one of its kind as the whole city’s atmosphere! Next time I’ll have to check out its great café scene too!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you. Yes I did have a great time.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Please do Julia. We would love to have you and your husband back.
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Debbie said:
Sydney never looked so good! have not thought of using airbnb for sydney, but why not? with views like that…..
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Glad you liked the views Debbie. Thank you.
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J.D. Riso said:
You sure made the most of your visit, despite the gloomy weather. I’ve checked out the airbnb website, but haven’t yet booked anything on there. Good to know you had a positive experience.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you again. Yes I did pack quite a bit into my visit.
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JoHanna Massey said:
Smoked trout and sourdough sounds divine! So happy you had an excellent trip. Thank you. 🌍
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ambayalcinkaya said:
Love it!!! Barangaroo has some amazingly cafes and eats!! Devon is pretty great, they’re DD ice cream and chips special is so addictive haha
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you. Yum ice cream and chips. Heaven. Ha ha.
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ambayalcinkaya said:
YES! Absolutely! 🤤💜
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