Green Book Global Travel Review: Sydney, Australia

It's been a while, but I'm back! Check out the travel review I wrote for greenbookglobal.com based on my trip to Australia in November 2022:

"Travelling in Sydney, Australia was an enjoyable experience, but it's important to be aware of the potential challenges that may arise, especially travelling while Black.

My first challenge was getting to Sydney, Australia from Toronto, Canada. I left Toronto on a Saturday evening and arrived in Sydney, Australia on the following Monday morning their local time. It's truly a long-haul flight, so prepare accordingly.

The second challenge is dealing with racism. I didn't personally experience any racism while I was there. I felt safe as a solo traveller, but I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't happen. Based on what I gleaned ahead of time, it's still a problem in Australia and is mostly geared toward “Aboriginal Blacks.” Side note – I'm not sure why they're still called Aboriginals in Australia. I found hearing some Australians use that word uncomfortable. The “ab” in the word Aboriginal is a Latin prefix that means “away from” or “not”. In that sense, it can mean “not original” which isn't the best description. I live in Canada where they're called Indigenous Peoples instead. Black travellers may also encounter racism in various forms, such as verbal abuse, discriminatory treatment, or even physical violence. The best way to deal with this while travelling anywhere in the world is to stay calm, document any incidents, and report them to the relevant authorities.

Another challenge that Black travellers may face is a lack of representation and visibility in the tourism industry. I only saw two other Black people during my stay in downtown Sydney. There are few Black-owned businesses and tour operators in Sydney, and it can be difficult to find information and resources catering to Black travellers. However, there are some excellent resources available online, such as “Black Travel in Australia”, which provides information on Black-friendly places to visit around Sydney.

Despite these challenges, Sydney is a beautiful and diverse city that has a lot to offer Black travellers! The city's vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and world-class attractions make it an ideal destination for travellers of all backgrounds. I'd recommend doing the Sydney City Walk which includes the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks is a neighbourhood of historic laneways in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's a variety of places to eat at The Rocks or you can book a sunset dinner cruise on the Sydney Harbour which I had the pleasure of doing! With preparation and an open mind, you can enjoy all that Sydney has to offer just as I did!"