Sydney, NSW
Sydney is an ideal starting point for a visit to Australia and a familiar welcome at the end of a journey. Sydney has a diverse lifestyle ranging from history in The Rocks and Sydney’s Eastside, dining in Darling Harbour and Sydney’s Chinatown, shopping in the city centre, through to Paddington‘s fashion and café scene and Balmain‘s lively pubs with entertainment.
Places To Go In Sydney
The Central Business District of Sydney (CBD) is the bustling heart of Australia’s most iconic city. A vibrant blend of commerce, culture, and history, the CBD is a testament to Sydney’s evolution from a colonial outpost to a global metropolis. Nestled within this urban tapestry is Martin Place, a pedestrian thoroughfare that captures the essence of Sydney’s historic and contemporary spirit.
Martin Place is more than just a street; it’s a living timeline of Sydney’s heritage. One of its most distinguished landmarks is the General Post Office (GPO Sydney). Located at No. 1 Martin Place, the Sydney GPO is not just a postal hub but a symbol of Sydney’s architectural and historical legacy. Its majestic façade and intricate design details are a nod to a bygone era, yet its function remains as relevant today as it was in the past. The ground and lower ground floors house retail premises with the anchor tenant operating all the food and beverage operations known collectively as the “GPO Grand” (GPO Restaurants and Bars).
But the CBD and Martin Place are more than their historical landmarks. They are dynamic spaces where business professionals, tourists, and locals converge. Skyscrapers housing corporate headquarters stand alongside boutique shops, while eateries range from quaint cafes to world-class restaurants. The juxtaposition of the old and new, the historic and the modern, makes Sydney’s CBD a captivating destination for all who visit or call it home.
Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
The area east of the city centre is the most diverse part of Sydney, with some of the world’s most iconic beaches, inner city suburbs with it’s streets lined with terrace houses, fantastic shopping streets of Darlinghurst and Paddington, through the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse to Watsons Bay where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll, stunning harbour views and a pleasant al fresco lunch.
North Shore
The Northern suburbs are the bustling suburbs located just across the harbor from the city center. Known for thier stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge and views of the harbour, as well as being home to several impressive beaches and bush parks.
The north shore is also home to Taronga Zoo, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it a great place to explore and experience the local culture.
South Sydney
Southern Sydney is known for its inner-city living, as well as it’s share of beautiful beaches, like Brighton Le Sands and Cronulla.
Inner West Sydney
Sydney’s Inner West is a vibrant and diverse area located just west of the city center. The Inner West is known for its mix of historic and modern architecture, as well as its diverse culture and lively atmosphere. The area is home to a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm.
Western Sydney
Western Sydney is home to a number of suburbs and towns, each with its own unique character and attractions. Parramatta is the second oldest city in Australia and is home to a number of historical sites, such as the Old Government House and the Parramatta Heritage Centre. The city is also a major business and commercial center, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
North West Sydney
North west Sydney encompasses areas like Castle Hill and Rouse Hill and is known for its mix of suburban areas, as well as its proximity to natural attractions.
Discover Sydney
Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or be thrilled with a jet-boat ride on the water below. Relax on board a Sydney harbour cruise, or hire a yacht and explore one of many hidden coves that line the harbours edge.
Sydney’s award winning cuisine is an experience by itself, complemented by an abundance of famous Australian wines. Try the wide variety of seafood and fresh produce that you can buy direct from farmers at any growers markets around Sydney.
Aboriginal culture is alive and well in Sydney with authentic experiences available through preserved rock art, museums, art galleries, cultural parks and tours.
Events bring a city to life and Sydney boasts a diverse range of international events that are embraced by the locals and are a major attraction for visitors. From top cultural events through to international sporting fixtures, Sydney is a city without down time. Events include Sydney Festival, Sculpture by the Sea, New Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Film Festival, Mercedes Australian Fashion Week and adidas International Tennis.
Sydney’s shopping offers designer fashion, specialty stores with homewares, art and design, discount warehouses and markets with unique gifts as well as the chance to mix with locals.
Sydney Harbour
Incorporating the harbour’s islands and much of the Foreshore, Sydney Harbour National Park brims with picnic areas, bays, harbour pools and beaches to relax in. It’s where ferries, yachts, cruise vessels, jet boats, catamarans and kayaks all jostle for a piece of the world’s best harbour.
Laze on a chartered yacht moored in a bay or unwind on a scenic cruise, plenty of which are on offer from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. Well worth touring are the historically significant Sydney Harbour Islands – Shark, Clark, Goat or Rodd – where you can enjoy a picnic surrounded by the harbour.
For further stunning vistas one of the many walks you can go on includes the Hermitage Foreshore walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse, or from Cremorne Point to Mosman. If you’re in the mood for an adrenalin surge flash past the Opera House and zoom towards the Heads on a jet boat ride of Sydney Harbour.
With is shores bustling with commuters, tourists and buskers Circular Quay, located between Sydney’s Opera House and The Rocks, is the hub of Sydney’s water traffic and ferry services. From there you can travel on the ferries Sydneysiders use for commuting for a picturesque way to visit many waterside precincts including Balmain, Darling Harbour, Double Bay, Manly, Mosman and Watson’s Bay.
Sydney beaches
Sydney’s shores stretch some 350 kilometres across surf beaches, hidden-away harbour beaches, dramatic cliff headlands and sleepy bays. Sydney beaches are the focus of much more than just swimming and surfing. You can scuba dive, fish or watch whales migrate along the coast. You can dine, party, and watch Shakespeare on the beach.
There are jazz festivals, food and wine fests, triathlon and surf lifesaving carnivals, and even art and sculpture exhibitions – all on the shore’s edge. And if you’re wanting to explore beyond the shores you can charter a yacht, hire a kayak, parasail or even go hang-gliding.
With every beach comes a different character…
Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous, colourful and cosmopolitan beach. But further south lie other glorious beach spots – the more peaceful Coogee and Bronte. Around Botany Bay, there’s Lady Robinson Beach at Brighton le Sands, and the golden arc stretch of Cronulla, famous for its surfing.
Inner harbour beaches like Nielsen Park and Parsley Bay, Balmoral Beach, Lady Jane Obelisk beach, are calmer and more serene. Some are magnets for picnickers, the latter two for nude sunbathers.
Then there’s the gorgeous Manly with its great ocean surf as well as safe and sheltered beaches. From here a string of 18 magnificent beaches stretch their way up the Northern Peninsula to beautiful Palm Beach, where Sydney’s rich and famous come out in summer.
A jewel of a harbour
The glittering, emerald expanse of waterway which makes up Sydney Harbour is the city’s focal point. It splits the city in two and is crossed by the famous Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel.
From the ocean you enter the harbour through The Heads, dramatic cliff portals between Circular Quay in the city and the beachside suburb of Manly. The tops of The Heads are covered by Sydney Harbour National Park, which stretches along the rugged harbourside for kilometres. This haven for native plants and birds really surprises visitors.
Visitors are also struck by the harbour’s beauty, especially at night when the high-rise towers around Circular Quay, the girders of the Harbour Bridge and the ‘sails’ of the Opera House are all lit up. It’s then that the harbour waters take on a magical swirl of reflected colours – red, blue, green.
Green-and-yellow ferries ply the harbour until late in the evening, looking like wind-up bath toys as they trundle off to suburbs far and wide. Sleek tourist craft, tall ships rigged with sails, giant container vessels, water taxis and private yachts flit around too, watched by sunbathers on the harbour beaches.
In the centre of the harbour is a series of islands, the most well known being Fort Denison, with its tiny sandstone castle, which once housed the worst of Sydney’s convicts.
At Cadmans Cottage, The Rocks, you’ll find the Sydney Harbour National Park Information Centre where you can arrange a visit to Fort Denison and other islands.
Shark Island (located between Bradleys Head and Rose Bay) has panoramic views from Sydney Harbour Bridge to Manly and The Heads, and Clark Island is a tiny piece of untouched Australian bushland, with winding tracks through gum trees and natural rocky outcrops.
Climb the Harbour Bridge
Beginning at the BridgeClimb office at Cumberland Street in The Rocks, Sydney Harbour BridgeClimbers don a specialised BridgeSuit, harness and communication equipment, hook themselves to a cable and begin their climb to the top of the arch, 134 metres above the waves.
Safety is a priority. A professional climb leader accompanies each group and provides an expert commentary on the history of the bridge and the sights of the city. As a safety precaution, cameras may not be carried during the climb, however climb leaders are equipped with digital cameras to capture the moment when climbers ‘summit’ the bridge. All climbers are issued with a complimentary photograph of their climb group. Additional photographs taken during the climb may be purchased at the end of the climb.
Climbing at night offers a truly magical experience, which adds a BridgeLamp to the equipment package. See Sydney turn on its lights for an amazing technicolour show, reflected in the waters of Sydney Harbour.
Tours last three and a half hours. BridgeClimb operates every day (except 30 & 31 Dec) at 10 minute intervals from early morning through to evening. BridgeClimb is suitable for anyone over 12, provided they are medically fit and equipped with a sense of adventure.
Lasting design
The sight of the white, billowy sails of the Sydney Opera House, against the jewel-blue Sydney Harbour has become one of the most recognisable sights in the world. It captures the essence of Sydney and indeed Australia, as a breezy, free-spirited country.
When you look at the Opera House you realise it is a totally organic shape, dispensing with such conventional architectural concepts as walls and roofs. It is one of those rare things that not only does not jar with the surrounding natural landscape, but actually enhances it, and leads the sight of the harbour. It is a monument in its own right. Jutting out onto Bennelong Point, this building entices thousands of people a day to walk from East Circular Quay just to stand on the steps and take a picture.
Up close the Opera House loses none of its majesty. You notice that what from a distance seemed to be pearl-white sails are thousands of tiny tiles in cream and white. From its steps you have a sweeping view of the harbour that makes you feel you own it.
Like many wonders, this creation had its birth pangs. In the 1950s young Danish architect Jorn Utzon won a competition to design the building. Years of controversy followed as the building appeared to be beyond the engineering capabilities of the day, culminating in Utzon’s resignation. Yet the job continued and the Opera House opened in 1973 to entertain millions and become an irreplaceable Australian icon.
The Sydney Opera House is in fact much more than just an opera house. The magnificent sail-like structure houses a complex of almost 1,000 rooms and many different performance spaces, halls and theatres, all linked together to allow enormous flexibility. The Opera House has the capacity to produce a range of entertainment from classics to the contemporary.
In an average year, it presents theatre, musicals, opera, contemporary dance, ballet, all sorts of different musical forms from symphony concerts to jazz, exhibitions and films. Open-air concerts have even taken place on its steps. It averages around 3,000 events each year, with audiences totalling up to two million per year.
A great many people also go there just for the sake of the building. Countless people jump off the train at East Circular Quay and walk up to the Opera House just to take a photograph on its steps, and around 200,000 people take a guided tour of the complex each year.
Even the path to the Opera House, along Bennelong Point, is dotted with buskers and all kinds of street theatre. And to think that the Sydney Opera House was created because before its inception in the 1950s, Sydney had no adequate musical venue! Since opening in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is now one of the busiest performing arts centres and attracts talent from all over the world.
Walk the bridge
A walk across the bridge gives you a grand view of the Opera House and of a working harbour in one of the world’s most dramatic settings: the ferries and high-speed catamarans heading in and out of Circular Quay, the yachts, pleasure cruises, water taxis and merchant ships.
Each New Year’s Eve, the bridge stars on television around the world when it serves as a platform for a brilliant fireworks display culminating in a Niagara-like cascade of golden fire into Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Harbour Bridge took 1,400 workers nine years to build. Repainting it uses 30,000 litres of paint and takes 10 years. Once finished, it’s time to start again. Probably the best-known character to have worked on this monotonous task is Paul ‘Crocodile Dundee’ Hogan.
The bridge’s single arch is 503 metres across and wide enough to carry two railway tracks, eight lanes of cars and lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. You can view the bridge and harbour from a lookout in the top of the bridge’s south-east tower.
Additionally, a company called BridgeClimb conducts guided walks over the bridge’s massive arches for small groups. You can do this by day or night – anytime except during an electrical storm. It pays to book your climb as far in advance as you can; the waiting list has grown quite long since BridgeClimb began operations in 1998.
Key Experiences
- Join a cruise, Charter a yacht and sail at your own pace, or join a crew and compete in Sydney Harbour yacht races held regularly in summer months.
- Take a tour of Fort Denison located in the middle of Sydney Harbour – originally a prison, converted into a fort in the 1800’s.
- Ride the RiverCat to Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush Bay, and Parramatta, bursting with Sydney’s colonial history.
- Parasail from Manly (summer months), or hire a kayak from Middle Harbour, Manly, or Rose Bay and explore Sydney Harbour from a different angle.
- Watch harbour activity from a range of quality harbourside restaurant offering unparalleled views.
Family-friendly things to do in Sydney
Sydney is a beautiful city with a lot to offer, but it can be hard to know where to start.
Sydney is a vibrant city with lots to see and do for families. If you’re planning a trip here, it’s important to study up on the “must dos” before you arrive. There are endless things to do in Sydney, but these are some of the best for families!
1. See a koala at Taronga Zoo.
Taronga Zoo is home to more than 350 animal species, as well as wide variety of different animals that are native to Australia including koalas and kangaroos. At Taronga zoo is located in on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, is accessible by ferry from Circular Quay in Sydney and is open all year.
The zoo is very family friendly, has plenty of food options, indoor and outdoor seating, you can ride in a cable car over the enclosures, and it even has an aquarium right on the premises!
2. Take a dip at Bondi Beach.
Sydney is home to one of the world’s most famous surf beaches, Bondi Beach. Bondi Beach features ocean pools, quality surf and a bustling social scene. The beach blend together surf culture with city convenience.
Iconic Bondi Beach is a popular tourist spot for surfing and swimming. Sydney residents also flock to the beach on hotter days for sunbathing, volleyball games and general relaxation while visitors often come to surf (most famously at Australia’s premier surfing spot, North Bondi).
There are lots of places to get snacks, coffee, beer or eat dinner while you’re there. You can also take a few different open top bus tours that leave from Bondi beach including one that leaves early in the morning for a sunrise at the opera house!
3. The Opera House.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic landmarks in Australia because it’s so recognizable from anywhere you look! The Sydney Opera House was designed by the world-renowned architect, Jørn Utzon and was opened in 1973.
The Sydney Opera House is now one of the most recognizable landmarks in Australia because it’s so iconic. Visit in late afternoon when the sun shines off the sails in spectacular light. The Opera House is also one of the best places to catch a show while visiting Sydney – well worth it if you have the time.
4. Take a ferry around Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Harbour is full of iconic landmarks – the opera house, the harbour bridge, Luna Park… I could go on and on! There’s many different ways you can see these sights from taking a harbour cruise or even simply catching a ferry.
Catch a ferry to the lower north shore beachside town of Manly Beach and walk around the pier. Manly Beach is definitely a popular spot in Sydney! It attracts young and old – there’s even a nudist section. The beach itself is always packed with people wanting soak in the sun, especially at sunset!
Alternatively, take a short ferry ride to Luna Park – originally opened in 1935, at Milsons Point. It’s fun for all the family – there’s lots of rides and roller coasters for thrill seekers and play areas for little ones. If you’re looking for something different – why not go to an outdoor cinema? Luna Park owns the original Outdoor Cinema located right beside Milsons Point that run throughout summer. Enjoy an old movie under the stars surrounded by stunning harbour views!
5. Spend time exploring Darling Harbour.
Darling Harbour offers something for everyone including restaurants, attractions and lots of shops to explore for mum and dad! It has lots of lovely playgrounds and waterparks by the harbour to spend some quiet time and has the Sydney Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and lots more!
6. The Royal Botanical Gardens.
The botanical gardens in Sydney offer amazing views of the harbour, great places to take pictures indoors or out, peacocks roaming around freely, wide open spaces for picnics or just relaxing with friends and family (they even host weddings here!), and plenty of open space for families to wander.
Sydney is a beautiful family friendly city with lots of opportunities for those visiting. There are so many fun things to do and see in Sydney! The Opera House, Bondi Beach, Darling Harbour, Luna Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens are just a few of the family-friendly attractions close to the city centre.
Regardless of your age or interests, Sydney will have something to offer everyone in your family. Enjoy exploring!
Where to stay?
Sydney Destinations
- Agnes Banks
- Annangrove
- Appin
- Arcadia
- Avalon Beach
- Balmain
- Balmoral Beach
- Bargo
- Baulkham Hills
- Berkshire Park
- Berowra Waters
- Berrilee
- Bilgola Beach
- Bilpin
- Blacktown
- Bondi Beach
- Box Hill
- Brighton Le Sands
- Bronte Beach
- Brooklyn
- Cabramatta
- Cambridge Gardens
- Cambridge Park
- Campbelltown
- Carlingford
- Castle Hill
- Castlereagh
- Cattai
- Clovelly
- Collaroy
- Colo
- Colyton
- Coogee
- Cranebrook
- Cronulla
- Curl Curl
- Darling Harbour
- Darlinghurst
- Dee Why
- Double Bay
- Douglas Park
- Dural
- East Sydney
- Ebenezer
- Emu Heights
- Emu Plains
- Erskine Park
- Fort Denison
- Galston
- Glebe
- Glenhaven
- Glenmore Park
- Glenorie
- Hawkesbury Gateway
- Hawkesbury River
- Hawkesbury Valley
- Haymarket
- Jamisontown
- Kellyville
- Kenthurst
- Kings Cross
- Kurrajong
- Kurrajong Heights
- La Perouse
- Lakesland
- Leichhardt
- Leonay
- Llandilo
- Lower Portland
- Macarthur
- Malabar
- Manly
- Maraylya
- Maroota
- Maroota South
- Maroubra
- Menangle
- Middle Dural
- Mona Vale
- Moore Park
- Mosman
- Mulgoa
- Narrabeen
- Nelson
- Newport Beach
- Newtown
- North Parramatta
- North Rocks
- Northern Beaches
- Northmead
- Oakdale
- Oakville
- Paddington
- Palm Beach
- Parramatta
- Penrith
- Penrith South
- Picton
- Pitt Town
- Rhodes
- Richmond
- Rouse Hill
- Sackville
- Sackville North
- Silverwater
- St Albans
- St Marys
- Sutherland
- Sydney Chinatown
- Sydney City Centre
- Sydney Eastern Suburbs
- Sydney Inner West
- Sydney Northern Suburbs
- Sydney Olympic Park
- Tahmoor
- Tamarama
- The Oaks
- The Rocks
- Thirlmere
- Wallacia
- Warragamba
- Warriewood
- Watsons Bay
- Wentworth Point
- West Pennant Hills
- Whale Beach
- Wilberforce
- Windsor
- Winston Hills
- Wisemans Ferry
- Wollondilly
- Woolloomooloo
- Yerranderie
Experiences
- 18-35's
- Active
- Romance
- City
- Cultural
- Food and Wine
- Historic/Heritage
- Honeymoon
- Indulgence/Luxury
Popular Activities
- City Sightseeing
- Cruising
- Dinner Cruising
- Lunch Cruising
- Sailing
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Swimming
- Adventure
- Nightlife
- Beach
- Surfing
- Jet Boating
- Food and Wine
About Sydney
- Locality: Major urban locality
- Sydney Postcode: 2000
- State: New South Wales
- Region: Sydney
- Latitude: -33.86714
- Longitude: 151.20711
- Elevation: 58m
- Population: 17252
- Median Income: $35412
- Area (Sq/km): 2.94
- Timezone: Australia/Sydney
Accommodation In Sydney
Discover some of the accommodation in and around Sydney
- AEA Bridgeport
- AEA The Milsons
- Apartments R Oz – Top of the Town
- Avalanche Homestead
- Avillion Hotel Sydney
- Best Western Central Motel
- Blue Parrot Backpackers
- Brindabella Station
- Burley Griffin Motel
- Capitol Square Hotel
- Carrington at Bungendore, The
- Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, The
- Chelsea Guest House
- Citigate Sebel Sydney
- City Resort Hostel
- Civic Hotel
- Clarion Suites Southern Cross on Harbour
- Comfort Inn Airport
- Comfort Inn Cambridge
- Country Guesthouse Schonegg
- Crest Motor Inn
- Crestview Tourist Park
- Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour
- Devere Hotel
- DLux Budget Hotel
- Establishment Hotel
- Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
- Glebe Point YHA – Sydney
- Globe Backpackers, The
- Golden Age Motor Inn
- Goolabri Country Resort
- Grace Hotel
- Grand Manor Motor Inn
- Grand Mercure Apartments One Darling Harbour
- Guy’s Cross Farm B and B
- Hamilton’s Townhouse Motel
- Hilton Sydney
- Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
- Holiday Inn Potts Point
- Hotel Altamont
- Hotel Formule 1 Kings Cross
- Hotel Ibis Darling Harbour
- Hotel Stellar
- Hyde Park Inn
- InterContinental Sydney
- Kirketon Hotel
- Last Stop Ambledown Brook
- Leagues Motel
- Margeurita Motel
- Mid City Motor Inn
- Murrumbateman Country Inn
- Olympia Motel
- Parkway Motel
- Queanbeyan Riverside Tourist Park
- Queensgate Motel
- Rainbow Motel
- Village Cabins, The
- Wallaby Motel
Tours In Sydney
Discover some of the tours options around Sydney
- Aboriginal Discoveries
- Adventure Tours Australia
- Aussie Bush Discoveries
- Australia By Air
- Australian Eco Adventures
- Australian Spirit Sailing Company
- Blue Thunder DownUnder Harley Tours & Escorts
- Blue Wander Golf
- Bondi Explorer – State Transit Authority
- Bonza Bike Tours
- Bush Track Tours
- Captain Cook Cruises
- Cloud 9 Balloon Flights
- Colourful Trips Australia
- Destiny Tours
- Destiny Tours Sydney
- Eastcoast Sailing
- EastSail
- Frontier Photographic Safaris
- Getabout 4WD Adventures
- Grape Escape
- Gray Line Sydney
- Harbour Jet
- Hunter Valley Wine Tours
- Kookaburra Challenge Pty Ltd
- LIVE Adrenalin Pty Ltd
- Magistic Cruises
- Manly Surf School
- Massage and Beauty Cruise
- Matilda Cruises
- National Parks & Wildlife Services Tours
- Oz Experience
- Oz Jet Boating Sydney Harbour
- Oz Trails
- Rhythmboat Cruises
- River Deep, Mountain High
- Rocks Pub Tour, The
- Self Guided Walking Tours
- Shop and Save Tours
- Shopping Spree Tours In Sydney
- Skywalk
- Surfing Kangaroo
- Sydney Architecture Walk
- Sydney By Sail
- Sydney Golf Australia
- Sydney Opera House Tours
- The Rocks Walking Tours
- Ticket Through Time
- Wahoo Fishing Charters Sydney
- Wendt On Tours
- Wine Tours NSW