Hidden Sydney gems that look like Europe for a cheap holiday
If you’re lusting after a European vacation but you can’t afford the flights, the solution to your vacation woes could be closer than you think.
If you’re dreaming of a European vacation but can’t afford to fly overseas, Sydney could be the answer to all your holiday needs.
Recent data released by Nielsen Consumer and Media View reveals 76 per cent of Australians plan on travelling domestically in the next 12 months.
Experts predict domestic visitors will hit a record-breaking spending total of nearly $148bn in Australia this year despite the soaring cost of living.
Much of it is likely to be spent in Sydney, which has continued to be the country’s most popular destination for domestic travellers.
Yet despite being an iconic Australian spot, the country’s largest city has attracted a lot of comparisons to its European counterparts.
Boasting colourful lanes reminiscent of Italy and libraries to make you think of London, the city has recently become the Australian destination for a European-esque staycation.
Collins Laneway
This hidden laneway in Sydney’s eastern suburbs could have been plucked straight out of colourful Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera or the island of Burano near Venice.
The shops and cafes lining the alleyway are all painted in bold and bright colours while string lights illuminate the charming lane.
Visitors are led between the shops and plentiful plants by a handcrafted mural on the ground which was inspired by the Venetian island of Burano.
Bower Lane
To be transported to Greece without the hefty travel bill, look no further than this quaint street in Manly.
Buildings along the laneway have rustic peeling white paint and bright blue shutters reminiscent of the iconic Greek whitewash with blue accents.
The illusion of a trip to the Greek Islands can be fortified by a ferry journey and a visit to one of Manly’s beautiful beaches.
Holland House
A gorgeous gabled green and white building in the heart of Sydney’s Smithfield is so quintessentially Dutch that it would be right at home on an Amsterdam canal.
Inside, visitors will find authentic Dutch food and imported goods, which include everything from furniture to the trademark wooden clogs.
You can even buy genuine souvenirs to satisfy your travel cravings.
University of Sydney
If you can’t make it to the United Kingdom, the University of Sydney campus is the next best thing.
The stunning sandstone quadrangle and immaculately kept lawn recalls the imposing majesty of centuries-old British universities.
Elsewhere on campus, the college residences have often been compared to historic English buildings.
Paddington Reservoir
The high arches of the beautiful former reservoir in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are reminiscent of ancient aqueducts in France, such as the famous Pont du Gard.
The NSW state heritage site comprises a sunken garden with plenty of greenery to reinforce the European ambience.
The lawns are perfect for picnics, so BYOB (bring your own baguette).
Waterview Wharf
The bold colours of the quaint Waterview Workshops in the harbourside suburb of Balmain have a distinctively Scandinavian aesthetic.
Whether you think of Denmark, Norway, or Sweden, these bright sheds will bring to mind an even more expensive country than Australia.
However, you’ll be soon brought back to reality by the glimpse of the nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge.
State Library of NSW
For another beautifully crafted sandstone building to remind you of England, the State Library of NSW is the best pick.
It’s the oldest library in Australia, which helps to give it a feeling of gravitas that echoes its historic London counterparts.
Aptly located at Shakespeare Place, the library also has a wonderful rooftop bar that’s guaranteed to enjoy better weather than the UK.
Earl Place, Potts Point
Another place that’s sure to make you think of London is this cute little street in Potts Point, which is lined with terrace houses painted in grey and white.
The proximity of so many mouth-watering restaurants and bars also helps perpetuate the illusion of a European getaway.
Yet, despite achieving a European aesthetic, recently released data from Tourism Research Australia shows Sydney is close to being usurped as the country’s favourite domestic travel destination.
According to the latest domestic travel research, regional NSW has attracted more than 66 million domestic visitors over the past year leading up to March.
Destination NSW Acting CEO Ian Maltman said the numbers showed travellers were eager to appreciate the spectacular and varied geography on offer.
“NSW is home to Australia’s most diverse landscapes – visitors can drive from the Snowys to the Sapphire Coast in a few hours, experience the vastly different climates of Byron Bay and Broken Hill, the sandstone cliffs of the Blue Mountains to the volcanic rock of The Warrumbungles,” he said.
“This collision of diverse natural wonders and vibrant culture energises visitors and ensures they return over and over again.”
So maybe instead of looking to emulate a European getaway, it’s time to embrace the unique beauty available at home.
Originally published as Hidden Sydney gems that look like Europe for a cheap holiday
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