Australia’s largest and most glamorous city

Sydney

Be enchanted by Australia’s largest city, Sydney. The capital of New South Wales is located along the East Coast of Australia and draws visitors from all over the world. Renowned for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, this destination is a melting pot of culture. Whether you are a foodie, a thrill-seeker, a beach lover, or a history buff - Sydney is sure to impress every tourist.

Where should you visit in Sydney?

Visit Luna Park and admire the Sydney Harbour Bridge
© Brad Mills, Unsplash
Cool off in Sydney!
© Clarinta subrata

Sample trips

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When we started preparing for our trip, we gathered information from several travel agencies and were given a lot… read more

A dream that became a reality. One country with so much diversity. From fascinating and bustling cities to the… read more

Highlights

A holiday maker's dream, Sydney is filled with many world-famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Conquer the Sydney Harbour Bridge by experiencing the BridgeClimb. Visitors can go on a tour with a local guide and discover behind-the-scenes of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sydney Opera House. Take the kids to Taronga Zoo or Sydney Zoo. Enjoy a cruise over the Sydney Harbour, learn to surf at Bondi Beach or feel the excitement at Luna Park.

Discover Sydney like a local

Take a wander around the Royal Botanical Gardens or enjoy a meal by the waterside at Darling Harbour. For a view over the city, visit the Sydney Tower. Take the local ferry from Circular Quay to Manly or Bondi. Have lunch on the beach and on the way back, watch the sunset over the city. Or if you prefer, escape to a secluded garden, the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Go to Macquarie Street and enjoy the heritage walk till you reach the heritage-listed, Hyde Park.

Local tip:

Picture-perfect, the Sydney Opera House is best viewed from the Manly ferry, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens (free entry), or from the other side of the Harbour Bridge.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a heritage-listed and is over 1149 metres long
© Tourism Australia
Absorb the local lifestyle at Bondi Beach
© Tourism Australia

Neighbourhoods

With a size of 12,368 square kilometres, there are plenty of quirky and fascinating neighbourhoods to discover in Sydney. As a city that exceeds the size of Greater London, there is a lot of diversity to explore. Dynamic and multicultural - as a tourist in Sydney, you cannot get bored.

Uncover the authenticity

Marvel at the bustle in the Central Business district. Visit The Rocks which is renowned for its historic pubs and the local markets. Surry Hills is a fashion haven bursting with boutique stores and cafes. Take a wander through Paramatta Park, and dine at one of the large assortment of eateries. Explore the harbour in Circular Quay or go shopping in the hip and industrial, Chippendale.

A city with the perfect mix of personality

Oozing with funkiness, Surry Hills lies on the doorstep of Central Station. Here, you can enjoy a collection of bars and coffee shops. Pop by Newtown, a place that is bursting with bohemian vibes. The colourful Darlinghurst hosts Sydney’s epic Mardi Gras celebration every March. This Sydney event attracts visitors from all over the world. Discover the Mediterranean flavours in Balmain, or taste the local coffee and craft beer in Marrickville.

Uncover the cutting-edge and creative scene in Chippendale
© Tourism Australia
Pop by and explore the inner suburb of Waterloo
© Tourism Australia

"We had a great trip! Everything was right about it. The information beforehand, the careful planning that took into account our personal wishes, all reservations and the excursions. We went well prepared and we enjoyed it from start to finish."

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Activities

Enjoy authentic once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the locals. Let your travel specialist know your interests and they will advise what are the best activities for you. There are small-group activities available, ranging from easy-going to adventurous, or private tours for a more intimate experience. We can take care of every detail, so you just have to show up and enjoy an experience to look back on for years to come.

Shopping & markets

Sydney is well-known for its designer shopping and has a strong reputation for being one of the world’s great style capitals. An ideal location for a tourist who would like to visit various multi-level shopping centres, smaller boutiques, and local markets. Some of the most popular places to shop are:

  • Queen Victoria Building
  • The Star
  • Paddy’s Market
  • Westfield Parramatta
  • Westfield Bondi Junction
  • Pitt Street Mall
  • The Rocks Market
Visit the Sydney Rocks Market for some local goodies
© Tourism Australia
Splurge on some shopping at the Queen Victoria Building
© Digby Cheung, Unsplash

Dining & local cuisine

With over 20,000 restaurants and more than 2000 pubs, Sydney is the ultimate foodie destination. Are you ready to savour the perfect blend of cuisines from all over the world, modernised with a twist? Some of Sydney's dining precincts can be found at King Street in Newton, Church Street in Parramatta, Dixon Street in Chinatown, and Norton Street in Leichhardt.

From fine dining to a classic Aussie pub, Sydney offers a taste sensation

For a range of restaurants, go to the Darling Harbour or if you would like a meal with a view of the ocean, go to Coogee Pavillion. Spice Alley is a narrow street where you can eat Asian food together with the locals. Visit wine bars in Surry Hills or for a beautiful view over the city, go to SkyFeast at the Sydney Tower.

Sydney boutique hotel industrial bar
Sydney has approximately 20,000 restaurants to choose from
Dine at the Sydney Opera House
© Eriksson Luo, Unsplash
Aus qld brisbane tangalooma wreck moreton island

Would you like to learn more about Sydney?

Join one of our live and informative presentations, hosted by one of our travel specialists. And find out how to travel to Australia in a uniquely local way. There are also plenty of opportunities to ask questions!

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Where to stay

Make your trip extra special by experiencing a unique stay from our large collection of hand-selected accommodations located in Brisbane and beyond. Whether you prefer a luxury hotel in the heart of the CBD, or an apartment overlooking the Sydney Harbour, we have found the perfect place for you. Your travel specialist will match you up with accommodation that suits your wants and needs. A journey where your accommodation is an experience in itself.

Revel in the vibrancy of Sydney during your stay at a unique and elegant hotel. A heritage-listed building located… read more

Museums

Sydney has an abundance of museums and art galleries to visit. Dabble in some culture at the Contemporary Art Museum (Local tip: visit the rooftop terrace for great views of the Opera House). Admire the artwork found at the Art Gallery of New South Wales or pop by the Australian Museum and learn more about the fascinating culture.

Here are some of the best museums and art galleries to visit in Sydney:

  • Museum of Sydney
  • Hyde Park Barracks
  • Powerhouse Museum
  • Australian National Maritime Museum
  • Justice and Police Museum
  • Sydney Living Museums
  • Sydney Jewish Museum
  • Brett Whiteley Studio
Be sure to visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales
© Tourism Australia
Sydney has several free museums to visit such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
© Tourism Australia

Parks & nature

With over 400 parks, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature in the city. Some of the most popular parks are Hyde Park, Centennial Park, and Barangaroo Reserve. The Royal Botanic Gardens is situated beside the beautiful harbourside and is perfect for an early morning jog. Or visit the 40 hectares of land at Bicentennial Park and enjoy an Aussie-style barbecue.

Enjoy an Aussie bush walk or spark up the barbecue

Take a trip to Parramatta Park - Perfect for families, it is a place filled with history. For a range of bushwalks, visit the Royal National Park. For fantastic skyline views, take the Manly Scenic Walkway. Take a wander and discover the hidden gardens of Wendy's Secret Garden or conquer a coastal walk: the Spit to Manly walk (or Manly to Spit). Capture the sea breeze on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal walk! There is no shortage of nature in Sydney.

Enjoy the views of the Sydney Harbour
© Tourism Australia
Blue mountains kangaroo | Australia holiday
Have a close encounter with a wallaby or kangaroo at Featherdale Wildlife Park

Beaches

Did you know that Sydney features more than 100 picturesque beaches? What better way to spend your holiday as a tourist than relaxing at the beach or indulging in a range of watersports. Would you prefer a secluded beach in Australia’s oldest national park, the Royal National Park, or the vibrancy of one of the world’s most famous beaches, Bondi? Perhaps, you would like to snorkel at Gordons Bay or visit the wild beaches of Wattamolla Beach and Garie Beach? Whatever, your wishes are, the options are limitless.

Here are some of the best beaches in Sydney:

  • Bondi Beach
  • Palm Beach
  • Manly Beach
  • Shelley Beach
  • Coogee Beach
  • Balmoral
  • Cronulla
Marvel at the art sculptures by the beach
© Tourism Australia
Meet the locals at Bondi Beach
© Unsplash

Public transport

Sydney has an excellent public transport system. You can catch the metro, a train, a bus, take a ferry, hop on a light rail, or make use of the taxi service. It is relatively easy to get around Sydney without a car. There is even a free city centre shuttle bus (route 555) that operates in the CBD. Every 10 minutes, you can catch the shuttle bus from Central Station to Circular Quay, along George Street which will bring you to many of Sydney’s attractions. Operating from 9 am to 3:30 pm each weekday (Thursday evening till 9 pm) and 9:30 to 6 pm on weekends.

Catch a ferry to Manly Beach
© Unsplash
Central Railway Station is heritage-listed and one of the busiest train stations in Australia
© Unsplash

Surrounding areas

There are plenty of attractions to visit outside of the city which is ideal for a day trip. From the fruitful vineyards of Hunter Valley to the floating blue mist in the iconic, Blue Mountains. Discover the natural beauty found in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Marvel at dolphins at Port Stephens or if you are a beach lover, be sure to pop by the Northern Beaches. At 120 kilometres in length, the Hawkesbury River is Sydney’s longest river and a cruise is a must-do!

Vineyards | Australia holiday
Take a trip to Hunter Valley, a gourmet escape
© TravelEssence
Visit the iconic Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains

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