New South Wales is home to some of Australia’s most prided attractions, from man-made marvels to the charm of the Blue Mountains. Complete with one of the country’s most diverse cities as its capital, the region remains a popular tourist destination for people of all demographics. By far some of the most notable attractions in all of Australia, New South Wales boasts the residence of both the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Beyond their iconicly unique architecture, the Sydney Opera house is an exciting centre of performing arts, while the Sydney Harbour Bridge hosts day and night cruises to enjoy the magnificent skyline.
Don’t miss out on what else the city has to offer. The Sydney Fish Market is the largest in the southern hemisphere. Experience a live auction, tour the variety of seafoods, and delight in some freshly grilled fish on the wharf overlooking the water. You will find that Sydney has no lack of dining options for Muslim travellers. With its remarkable mix of cultures and ethnicities, experience an incredible range of cuisines serving Halal food. Find Pakistani and Indian foods at Lal Qila, a Crescent Rated AAA restaurant just 3 km from the Sydney Fish Market. Other AAA restaurants include Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant and Ipoh on York, serving Asian Fusion with Japanese cuisine and offering a traditional Malaysian Hawker experience respectively. Or make the trip to Lakemba, one of Sydney’s most ethnically diverse suburbs, for authentic Lebanese cuisine at Jasmins restaurant and catering, reputed to serve the best falafel in Sydney.
If you are shopping near Oxford Street, Newtown, head to African Feeling and discover the rich cuisine of West Africa. Aside from food and sights, Sydney has much to offer on the shopping scene. Pitt Street Mall in the heart of the CBD is the busiest shopping precinct in all of Australia. With over 600 specialty stores within two blocks, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Queen Victoria Building is another exciting mall, perfect for boutique lovers and anyone with an eye for architecture as it remains an iconic late-nineteenth century monument.
For street shopping, Oxford street is the place to go. With a diverse range of stores and boutiques, search through chain stores, local designers, and side streets with quirky one-off boutiques. Shopping at Sydney’s outdoor markets present a different and unique experience for travellers. There’s something to suit everyone’s tastes. If not the street and beach clothing of Bondi Market, then perhaps the vintage vibe of the Glebe markets, or the handmade jewellery of Paddington Markets. Arts and crafts fans should head to Kirribilli Markets and clothes shoppers too can explore the recycled fashion and accessories. Finally the Rocks Markets are the place to go for unique and original art and jewellery, and it’s a great place to feel free from the metropolitan energy of Sydney. The city has no lack of prayer facilities for Muslims.
With four main Mosques, three are based near the city centre; Redfern Mosque, Surry Hills Mosque and Zetland Mosque. If you’re farther from the CBD then you might find Parramatta Mosque more convenient on your travels.
Australia also houses an exceptionally diverse range of exciting widlife. The Taronga Zoo is perfect for a family outing, with koalas, wombats, platypuses, Tasmanian devils, and kangaroos that you might get a chance to hand feed! There’s also a free-flight bird show and other talks held throughout the day so you can learn about the animals. For a more relaxing experience of nature, take a trip to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Ride a cable car across mountain ridges and steep inclines, explore some of the world’s oldest limestone caves, and get a well deserved breath of fresh air!
For more information on travelling to Australia, the recently launched Muslim Visitor Guide by Tourism Australia and HalalTrip details what every Muslim traveller should look to experience on their trip to any of Australia’s eight major states. Find a free downloadable copy of the guide here.
