Down Under Diary #2: Sydney – Jetlag, Giant Spiders, and the Great Easter Brekkie Fail

G’Day to the first stop on the Down Under Diary! Thanks for voting on the first blog post – and here we go with your top pick: Sydney! Our first days in Australia were a whirlwind of sleepless nights, early morning adventures, and a few surprises we definitely didn’t see coming. From iconic landmarks to unexpected encounters, here’s a look at our time in Australia’s most famous city.

Hidden Gems

Sydney is packed with tourist hotspots, but we also discovered some lesser-known gems worth exploring:

🌿 Royal Botanic Garden – A Green Escape in the City 

Nestled between Sydney’s skyscrapers and the harbor, the Royal Botanic Garden felt like stepping into a different world. Wandering through lush greenery, we spotted a kookaburra laughing in the trees and stumbled upon giant spiders hanging above the walkways (a true Aussie welcome). At first, we were also fascinated by a strange-looking bird with a long, curved beak, thinking we had spotted something rare. Only later did we realize that bin chickens (or ibises) are absolutely everywhere, rummaging through trash bins like feathered scavengers. The garden’s hidden pathways led us to some of the best views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. But the real surprises were incredible artworks such as a whale made of plants.

🏖️ Manly Beach – More Than Just a Beach Day

A trip to Manly Beach is much more than just sun and surf! While most visitors stick to the main shoreline, we took the scenic route and discovered Manly’s hidden gems. Strolling along the waterfront, we braved an unexpected attack by seagulls during lunch (they’re surprisingly aggressive). Later, we wandered into the jungle, where we spotted a massive Water Dragon lizard casually sunbathing. We enjoyed a breathtaking sunset on the beach before catching the ferry back, watching Sydney’s skyline sparkle in the night.

🌊 Bondi to Bronte – Sydney’s Most Stunning Coastal Walk

Bondi Beach with the Bondi Icebergs Pool may be world-famous, but the real magic lies in the coastal walk to Bronte Beach. As we followed the path along the rugged cliffs, we admired surfers mastering the waves below and stopped at hidden viewpoints along the way. Bronte Beach itself was a peaceful contrast to Bondi’s crowds, perfect for unwinding.

🌴 Lavender Bay – A Hidden Oasis with Harbour Views

Just across the Harbour Bridge lies one of Sydney’s most charming hidden spots: Milson Park and Lavender Bay, home to the enchanting Wendy’s Secret Garden. We started our walk at Milson Park, where a beautiful formation of palm trees in a perfect circle caught our eye, an aesthetic spot for photos or a quiet break. From there, we strolled along the bay to discover Wendy’s Secret Garden, a fairytale-like oasis filled with lush greenery, quirky sculptures, and winding paths. With its peaceful vibe and stunning views of the Harbour Bridge from a whole new angle.

Insider Tip

🐰 Plan for Public Holidays (and forget easter bunnies)

After a few days in Sydney, we already picked up one tip for future travelers: Plan for Public Holidays (and forget easter bunnies). We arrived over Easter weekend, expecting an Aussie brekkie (brunch) experience… only to find everything closed. Our Easter meal? 7-Eleven snacks. Lesson learned: Always check open hours of restaurants, cafes etc. on public holiday schedules. And while we expected to see Easter bunnies everywhere, Australians have a different Easter mascot: the Easter Bilby. It replaces the bunny in Australia because rabbits, introduced by Europeans, became an invasive species. To protect the native ecosystem, Aussies celebrate with chocolate bilbies, supporting conservation efforts.

Untold Stories

Some travel moments don’t make it into the guidebooks. Here are a few of our funniest (and scariest) experiences in Sydney:

💤 Sleepless in Sydney

Thanks to jetlag, we were all wide awake at 12 AM on the first day and desperately hunting for snacks at 3 AM. By morning at 4 AM, we debated hitting the hotel gym or pool (which were obviously closed at that time) to fight the fatigue but ended up wandering the city instead.

🕷️ First Wildlife Encounter: A Huntsman Spider

We hadn’t even been in Australia for an hour when we had our first Aussie wildlife encounter, and it wasn’t a cute kangaroo or koala, it was a giant spider clinging to the back of our taxi. Sabrina, our designated “animal expert” was the first to spot it. Even the taxi driver was disgusted, which made us panic even more! But in true Aussie fashion, he eventually removed it. But don’t worry, this was our only run-in with a Huntsman spider. As we found out after obsessively checking our hotel rooms, the campervan, and every corner for each evening the next 6 weeks, they’re not lurking around everywhere. So if you’re hesitant about visiting Australia because of creepy crawlies, you can relax, it’s not as scary as it seems.

So, what would you be most afraid of on an Aussie adventure? Take our fun poll and see how your fears compare to others!

Missed a blog post?

No worries! Catch up on all the adventures here:

• 🌴 #1: The Ultimate Australia’s East Coast Road Trip 
• 🏄🏼‍♂️ #2: Sydney – Jetlag, Giant Spiders, and the Great Easter Brekkie Fail  (this blog article)
• 🦘 #3: Emerald Beach – Kangaroos, Campervan Issues, and a Surprise Visit on the Dunny

Your Turn!

I’d love to hear from you! Share your stories in the comments at the very bottom of the page (after the “You might also like”).

How do you feel about spiders and creepy crawlies? 💭

Are you the type to stay calm or would you react like us, full panic mode? 💭