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Sydney Harbour
Sydney
A coastal metropolis that hugs its harbour like a proud parent, Australia's biggest city does 'quality lifestyle' better than most. Its enviable climate, laid-back vibe and beachside culture sit comfortably alongside world-class restaurants, a vibrant arts scene and retail hotspots. Let our Sydney travel guide show you the way.
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Places to stay
Soak in iconic views of Sydney Harbour, The Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from one of the centrally based hotels located in the Rocks or Circular Quay or Woolloomooloo. All of these areas are based along waterfront promenades, so you’re perfectly placed to explore Sydney on foot after breakfast. Visit the photogenic Royal Botanic Gardens for a free tour to learn about native Australian flowers, Eucalyptus trees and Aboriginal culture, and then head over to the Museum of Contemporary Art to immerse yourself in art. If your ideal city break involves shopping, choose a centrally located hotel in the CBD near Westfield Sydney and Pitt Street Mall.
Prefer a boutique hotel, guest house or bed and breakfast? Head to East Sydney, Surry Hills or Sydney’s Inner West, where the lively neighbourhoods are packed with diverse restaurants, wine-bars and alfresco cafes. Keen to stay at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach? With options ranging from hostels to luxury homes and 5 star hotels, there’s a style of accommodation to appeal to everyone.
Things to do
Your Sydney experience wouldn’t be complete without a taking in the dramatic sandstone caves and sweeping views of the ocean along the Bondi to Coogee costal walk. You can also visit the heritage-listed Taronga Zoo where you can get close to adorable cuddly koalas or elegant giraffes and then continue north to Manly to experience the small surfer town, relaxed vibe and boutique stores.
Summer in Sydney is a wonderful time to visit - you can enjoy a scenic coastal walk from Rose Bay to Nieslon Park in Vaucluse, head for fish and chips at Watsons Bay, then see the fireworks at Darling Harbour. If you’re visiting in January be sure to grab a ticket for the open air cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair or one of the music and art events which make up part of Sydney Festival. If you like being on the water, travel to Parramatta from Circular Quay by Rivercat, following Sydney Harbour as it heads west to become the Parramatta River. There are plenty of things to see and do in Sydney's West – whitewater rafting, go-karting and even car racing with professional instructors.
Take your pick of day trips from Sydney to the stunning Blue Mountains, the award-winning wineries in the Hunter Valley, the nation’s capital Canberra or south to idyllic Hyams Beach with its crisp white sand and eye-catching aqua water. Get ready to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world when planning your Sydney itinerary.
Feel adventurous
Road trips from Sydney
From Sydney, follow the scenic southerly route of the Grand Pacific Drive as it heads from the Royal National Park through seaside villages such as Wollongong, Kiama and Jervis Bay. Detour inland to visit Bowral, the hometown of Sir Donald Bradman, and stop by the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame. Or head north from Sydney along the Legendary Pacific Coast through national parks, giant sand dunes and golden surf beaches to Byron Bay.
Sydney for kids
See native Australian animals such as koalas and kangaroos at immersive animal sanctuaries and zoos in Sydney, such as Taranga Zoo, famed for its spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Explore ‘underwater’ at an inner-city aquarium to see penguins, dugongs and sharks, too. Feel the cool clear water of Sydney’s surf lifesaver-patrolled beaches, like Bondi or Manly, and even get a surf lesson!
Port Stephens
With a sparkling blue shoreline and golden sweeping sand dunes, Port Stephens is a coastal haven and adventurer’s paradise. Meet Port Stephens’ many resident dolphins on a cruise, quad bike down the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, feed endangered zebra sharks and manta rays at an interactive outdoor aquarium and spend the night sleeping amongst the koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
Feel closer to nature
Bondi to Coogee Coastal walk
Soak up stunning views on one of Sydney’s most iconic walks, taking in beautiful beaches, Aboriginal engravings and great cafes along the way. The 6 kilometre walk begins at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach at the stunning Bondi Icebergs swimming club – one of Australia’s most photographed pools – and ends at lively Coogee Beach.
Blue Mountains
A 90-minute journey from Sydney brings you to the vast UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Blue Mountains. Take in awe-inspiring natural icons such as the Three Sisters, visit expansive gardens, indulge in farm-fresh produce and enjoy epic dining with a view.
Byron Bay
From kayaking into turquoise water in search of dolphins to snorkelling over colourful volcanic reefs alongside turtles and spotting humpback whales as they migrate along the coast from June to November, world-famous Byron Bay offers endless chances to connect to the natural world.
Feel indulgent
Sydney
The most satisfying way to feel the pulse of a city is through its bars, restaurants and cafes. Sydney’s culinary precincts boast world-class restaurants and vibrant multicultural influences, and Australian cuisine takes pride in showcasing fresh and locally sourced produce.
Hunter Valley
Only two hours away from Sydney by car, escape to Australia’s oldest wine region, where world-famous wineries, acclaimed restaurants, delicious local produce and luxurious hideaways await. Enjoy paddock-to-plate meals, beautiful vineyards and olive groves, live music festivals, hot air balloon rides, horse riding and scenic walks.
South Coast
One of New South Wales’ most delicious journeys begins just a short trip south of Sydney, along the Grand Pacific Drive, where you can unearth boutique wines, cheeses and ocean-fresh seafood in the Shoalhaven region. Continue south along Australia’s Oyster Trail for a taste of some of the world’s best oysters.
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Food and drink
Foodies flock to inner-city Surry Hills and Chippendale to eat, filling up on various international cuisines including flavoursome Greek cuisine at Kepos Street Kitchen, juicy burgers from Marys in Newtown or inventive Japanese dining at Toko in the CBD. For some of Australia’s best fresh seafood, take the light rail to Sydney Fish Market where you can fill up on a bucket of prawns, Sydney Rock oysters or barramundi and chips by the marina. Restaurants like the whimsical Bennelong, the magical Golden Century (try the dim sum!) and the stylishly seasonal Chiswick are some of the most inventive kitchens in the world.
Fashion and shopping
Love to shop? Then Sydney is fabulous, with luxury international brands, innovative designers, master artisans and beautiful arcades. In the city centre, the 19th century grandeur of the Queen Victoria Building defines shopping elegance with three levels devoted to fashion, jewellery and gifts. A stroll away is the Strand Arcade, another gorgeous arcade where you’ll find hatters, shoemakers, jewellers, cafes and restaurants. Walk through this charming arcade to Pitt Street Mall and Westfield Sydney with more than 250 stores. The city is also home to some of Australia’s top designers and their flagship stores, including Chanel, Gucci, Zimmermann and more.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
On the edge of Sydney Harbour, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), is Australia’s leading museum dedicated to celebrating the work of living artists, bringing exhibitions of international and Australian art to the community. Within walking distance from the Opera House and Sydney’s historic Rocks, the MCA sees over a million visitors each year.
Tour the incredible artwork, take in spectacular views of Sydney Harbour from the rooftop cafe. Settle in at GRAZE MCA for a long lunch or stop by the MCA Store, voted one of the best design stores in the world by The Guardian.
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