OVERVIEW / INTRODUCTION Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, located on the southeast coast of Australia. As the largest city in Australia, Sydney has a population of over four million people and one of the largest suburban areas in the world. Sydney is built around a magnificent natural harbour, making it one of the most picturesque cities in the world. Sydney also boasts an extensive central business district and many idyllic beaches. The city is world-renown for the famous Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES/DESTINATIONS Sydney has a wide range of activities and destinations for all types of travellers. From wonderful restaurants to compelling museums, adventurous outdoor activities to historical walking tours, there’s something for everyone to do!
The Sydney Harbour remains one of the biggest tourist attractions in Sydney. There are many restaurants and bars along the bayside area of Sydney Harbour with fantastic views of the water. There are also many walking tours and scenic routes through the national parks and headlands surrounding the harbour. Some of the most beautiful beaches are tucked around the Sydney harbour, where you can spend the day sunbathing and swimming. Another great way to see Sydney harbour is on the water itself—there are a number of aquatic activities, including jet-boating, charter boat tours, water taxi’s, sail-boating, and ferry rides.
The Sydney Opera House is a world-famous icon of Sydney, Australia. The roof of the opera house was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon to look like gigantic white sails. Located between three sides of the Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House is a majestic sight to see in the day or night. You can enjoy the Sydney Opera House from the outside by simply strolling around the waterfront decks, or you can take a guided tour of the interior. Besides its aesthetic appeal, the Sydney Opera House is the largest performing arts centre in Australia. The Opera House has a main concert hall, opera theatre, drama theatre, playhouse, studio, and other rooms and exhibition halls. The Opera House hosts performances by opera companies, theatre companies, choirs, symphonies and orchestras, and dance companies. Over 3,000 performances are presented each year at the Sydney Opera House.
Before the Opera House was built, the Harbour Bridge was the most distinctive landmark in Sydney, Australia. The Harbour Bridge took eight years to build, and was completed in 1932. As the largest steel arch bridge in the world, the Harbour Bridge stretches 134 metres high and 49 metres wide. The Bridge connects Dawes Point on the south shore to Milson’s Point on the north shore. The Harbour Bridge is an excellent place to get great views of Sydney. You can walk, drive, or take the train across the Harbour Bridge. For the more adventurous, the Bridge Climb takes you on a guided tour on top of the bridge arch High above the city, you can get spectacular views of Sydney. The Pylon Museum is also a great place for a view, and the museum offers an extensive history of Harbour Bridge construction.
The Sydney Tower, also known as Centrepoint Tower, is located in the central business district of Sydney. With a height of 309 metres, Sydney Tower houses many stores, offices, and restaurants at its base. At the top of the Sydney Tower, there’s an observation deck where you can get breath-taking, panoramic views of Sydney and beyond. You can buy a combined ticket for the Sydney Tower and OzTrek, a fun virtual adventure across Australia using 180-degree cinema screens and special effects. The newest addition to the Sydney Tower is the Skywalk, which allows you to walk outside the Sydney Tower on open observation decks. Dressed in protective clothing and harnessed to the outdoor walkways, you can see the absolute best views of Sydney right under the clouds.
The Rocks is the historical precinct of Sydney. Most of the shops, pubs, and harbourside warehouses date back to Sydney’s earliest colonial days. You can take a walking tour around the cobblestone streets of The Rocks, checking out historical sites and buildings. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm, The Rocks Market takes place at the northern end of George Street. At the markets, you’ll find anything from art and crafts, jewellery, photography, clothing, foods, decorations, antiques, and much more.
Darling Harbour was one of the busiest ports in the old days in Sydney. After a massive redevelopment in the 1980’s, Darling Harbour is now a huge entertainment and leisure complex. Along the water’s edge, Darling Harbour boasts a wide spectrum of restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, shops, hotels, museums, and much more. Darling Harbour is a great place to take a stroll on a sunny Sydney day. You can also take advantage of the many attractions, such as the Sydney Aquarium, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Star City Casino, Chinese Garden, the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, and much more.
The Royal Botanic Gardens are located just a short walk from the Sydney Opera House and downtown Sydney. A long path skirts through the gardens, making the Royal Botanic Gardens the ideal spot for a morning jog or an afternoon stroll. The gardens have many large trees, which make it a perfect lunch spot! There’s a myriad of plants and flowers, including palms, bamboos, cacti and other exotic species. You can also see a number of different animal species, including birds, bats, and unusual insects.
The Sydney Beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. From the north shore to the south shore, Sydney has a plethora of beaches and coves for you to enjoy. Australia’s beach season lasts from about September until April, although the locals are known to swim year round. Three of the most popular beaches in Sydney are Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Manly Beach. Bondi Beach is a famous traveller destination, filled with hot, young bodies baking in the sun and ambitious surfers. Bondi is filled with restaurants, cafes, hotels, hostels, bars, and clubs, making it a happening nightspot. Bondi Beach is also one of the best places for people watching. Coogee Beach, which is south of Bondi, is also very popular with backpackers and tourists. However, Coogee has a more laid back atmosphere. Manly Beach, on the north side of Sydney, is considered by many as the most beautiful beach in Sydney. Located on a narrow peninsula, Manly has numerous harbour beaches and surf beaches. You can spend the day in the sun at Manly, or you can bushwalk through the famous Manly Beach Walk.
Oxford Street, located from Hyde Park to Centennial Park in Sydney, has some of the best bars, clubs, restaurants, and stores in Sydney. If you are looking for designer clothes or great nightlife, Oxford Street is the place to go. Oxford Street also is one of the biggest gay districts in Australia. Each year, during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Oxford Street becomes a crux of activity and gay-pride spectacle.
The Blue Mountains is a perfect day trip out of Sydney. The Blue Mountains offers magnificent scenery, unique plantlife, and vast wildlife. The mountains were given its name because of the blue haze it exudes from the oil of the eucalyptus trees. The Blue Mountains reach a height of 1100 metres, and you can explore the area by bushwalking, horse riding, abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, and much more. You can also explore the Blue Mountains by bus or car along the Great Western Highway.
WEATHER Sydney’s weather is temperate, so you can enjoy outdoor activities year round. In the summer (December to February), the average temperature is 25° C (77° F). However, summer temperatures can sometimes reach 40° Celsius (104° F)! In the winter (June to August), the average temperature is 17° C (63° F), although it can get much colder at night. Sydney is relatively dry most of the year; the rainiest months are between March and May. The sun in Australia is much stronger than in other parts of the world. Remember to always wear sunscreen and protective clothes when out in the sun for long periods of time.
TRANSPORT Most international flights arrive in Sydney’s international airport. Sydney is also one of the main hubs for domestic flights around Australia. From the airport, Airport Link trains take you into central Sydney. You can also access central Sydney by bus, train, or car. It’s easy to get around Sydney because of the city’s many forms of transportation: bus, train, monorail, ferry, and taxi.
ACCOMODATION Most people visiting Sydney usually stay in the central business district, or one of the beach suburbs such as Bondi Beach or Manly. For comfortable travelling, you can find many luxury hotels and posh accommodation around the city. There are also a full range of hotels, serviced apartments, beachside resorts, and motels in Sydney. There are many youth hostels in central Sydney, as well as Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Manly Beach.
