As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
If you are looking for some unique entertainment, check out the cockroach racing
at Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub in the CBD of Sydney (downtown). This is truly an
experience you would never have in the U.S. since, so check it out! Aside from
the cockroach racing, there are many other kinds of entertainment too, like
live bands and musicians. The establishment itself is central to a lot of other
places downtown and is located close to Chinatown. There is friendly service
there, and all walks of life there. If you are not entertained by musicians or
cockroaches, at least you can be entertained by the people passing by!
The Australian live music scene is unbelievable! Some performers to watch out
for in the Sydney area are Pete Murray, Missy Higgins, Xavier Rudd and the John
Butler Trio. There is always festivals and live music in the city at different
venues, so be sure to go to: 9msn.com (Australia’s msn.com) and then click on
“Entertainment” for the list of dates and musicians that will be in town. In
addition, check out the following websites to buy tickets for these events:
www.ticketek.com.au and www.ticketmaster7.com.
If you are in the mood to go shopping, don’t head to the indoor shopping centers
in Sydney. Instead, head to the Paddington Market on Saturdays and the Bondi
Market on Sundays, where you can find everything from designer clothes to
artistic home décor. Not only does this market have great products for sale,
but it has an eccentric atmosphere with artists from all over! Make it a point
to stop by these markets at least once while you are in Sydney to soak up some
Australian culture, as well as getting all of your shopping done in one place.
Before you go, pick up a copy of Bill Bryson’s “In a Sun Burnt Country”. This is a
comical book about one man’s journey all over Australia. This would be great
reading for your long flight to Sydney!
