Sydney is known for many things; it’s the biggest and oldest city in Australia, has stunning harbours, iconic landmarks, enviable climate, spectacular coastline and beaches, and great outdoor lifestyle. You will never run out of things to see and do in this coastal metropolis.
If you’re the kind of tourist who constantly looks for unique and unusual ways to experience great destinations like Sydney, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a quick rundown of the best unusual things to do in Sydney.
Discover the secret of Wendy’s Secret Garden
When Wendey Whitley’s husband died in 1992, she knew she needed a special place to distract her from her grief. She then started clearing and cleaning the old abandoned railway yard located at Harbourview Crescent Lavender Bay, Sydney. She spent more than 25 years converting this forgotten patch of land into a gorgeous hidden garden.
What’s more interesting is Whitley doesn’t actually own the land. In 2015, however, the local government of New South Wales granted her a 30-year lease so she can continue transforming the garden. Today, this secret garden is full of lush, green landscape, a maze of flora that leads to crannies and nooks, winding paths, and whimsical sculptures. There are dozens of benches and tables strategically placed for you and your friends to enjoy the scenery.
Justice and Police Museum
If you’re into crime documentaries, detective or police work stories, then you will definitely love this museum. Located at 4/8 Phillip Street, Sydney, right at one of the city’s most popular tourist spots is an unassuming building that lures curious visitors – the Justice and Police Museum. This museum is home for some of the most sensational crime artifacts and evidence in the country.
Established in 1991, this museum archives the darker side of the city’s past, as it houses artifacts of various crimes, gangsters, and violence from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. The exhibit includes mugshots of criminals and persons of interests, many of which are unsettling portraits, to say the least. Combine that with the late-Victorian features of the building, grimy interiors, blood-stained rug, and you have the perfect location for a haunting movie or series.
The Museum of Human Disease
If the thought of seeing deformed and mutilated human organs doesn’t gross you out, then the Museum of Human Disease is a must-visit for you. Located at the School of Medical Sciences in UNSW, Samuel’s Building, Sydney, this museum houses more than 2,500 specimens (aka “pots”) of preserved (in formalin) diseased human tissue. These specimens are obtained from autopsies, removed from surgeries, and those who have donated their organs for science.
The museum, which was once exclusive for the philologists and medical students, is open for the public. Obviously, this place is not for the faint of heart.
Aboriginal Carving of a Whale
Uncovered during the renovations of the Coal Loader (an important link for the movement of commodities and the people in the 20th century), this 20-feet long engraving of a whale shows a small glimpse of the life of ancient Cammeraygal people.
The renovated site is located at 1 Balls Head Drive, Sydney, and is open to the public for an artisan market, environmental events, community nursery, and public tours. The shallow lines of the engraving may have faded over time, but it’s still quite visible, and definitely a must-see for history and archaeology buffs.
Charles Dickens Statue
Charles Dickens is considered as one of the best writers in history and widely regarded as the best-novelist of the Victorian era. His books The Pickwick Paper, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Bleak House, The Great Expectations, to name a few, are all widely read today.
This statue of the renowned English and social writer is located at Loch Ave Centennial Park, Sydney. It’s a popular tourist destination, especially for Dickens enthusiasts. Every year, the Dickens Society in NSW gathers at the statue to meet and enjoy a cake in honor of the literary genius. If you’ve read and loved his books, then you should definitely check out his statue.
One More Go One More Go
Tetris is easily one of the most widely recognized games around the world. Artists from the Gaffa Gallery have a lovely display of the world-famous blocks as part of their Live Lanes exhibit. The giant Tetris blocks are suspended above and illuminate the alley in Abercrombie Lane, Sydney.
If you have played and loved the game, then you might want to take a pose and snap some photos of the iconic pieces.
Which of these unusual destinations have piqued your interest for your next visit to Sydney?
