To say that the instructions how to use the toll roads in/around Sydney are confusing to the tourist, is to say the least. As we entered Sydney on the main highway via the Sydney tunnel there were many signs saying TOLL ROAD ONLY, NO CASH BOOTHS, ETAG & EPASS ONLY made us wonder what was going to happen to us when we drove through the toll (as we were now stuck on this road and couldn't get off), but nothing happened. We just kept driving through like everyone else, not even slowing down. It turns out that we then had 48 hours to call a number and get an EPASS for the roads as cameras we logging every single number plate going through these roads - luckily we did so within the 48hrs!

We were greeted at the hostel door by our friends Pernilla & Marcus who we had pre-arranged to meet there for a few days (we had originally met in Albany). So we spent a couple of days hanging out with them and catching up; whilst we also aquainted ourselves with the city. We were staying in an area near Kings Cross which is a very 'colourful' area of Sydney, and it's certainly very vibrant.

We spent some time wandering around the Botanical Gardens - which are beautiful, and lazying around on the grass. There is also a large bat colony there which makes quite a noise, even when they are sleeping during the day. We tried to figure out Sydney's underground system and went to Circular Quay to walk along it to the impressive Opera House at one end and the Sydney Harbour Bridge overlooking it. We wandered around street markets and ate Turkish wraps sitting in the sunshine looking in awe between the Opera House and the bridge and listening to street performers and buskers.

As there was a certain birthday approaching we took some time to browse some of the shops in Sydney, and we started at Paddy's markets in Chinatown where we found a few bargains!! We also visited the art gallery of New South Wales, and walked quite some distance around the city!

We were lucky enough to have some friends, originally from Leeds, now living in Sydney, only ten minutes walk away from our hostel so we eargerly accepted an invitation from them to go round for a BBQ! We spent the night with them and their friends and arranged to meet the next night too at a bar for some drinks. We spent some time with them catching up and getting some advice on Sydney; we went to a pub quiz at Bondi Surf Club, and clubbing in the heart of the city, experienced the Mardi Gras Festival, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, over the course of a few days. The friends of our friends also took us boogie boarding at the famous Bondi Beach itself...something I was a little nervous about following the 3 recent shark attacks in 3 weeks in Sydney's waters - one of which was at Bondi! But I survived as Jo looked on and waved from the safety of the sand.

We thoroughly enjoyed Sydney and there is so much to do that we couldn't possibly fit it all in, although we did have a good go!