Travel guide to Sydney

Sydney is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them.

When most people think of Australia, they think of Sydney. The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are two of the most recognizable images of the modern world. While Sydney Harbour provides a perfect backdrop to the white ‘sails’ of the Sydney Opera House, the Opera House itself, with its distinct silhouette, has become a symbol of Sydney. This, however, is only one side of the city. Sydney is a place of many layers, like the sandstone upon which it is built. The visitor can explore these layers to gain a deeper understanding of Sydney and its history. They can discover how Sydney grew from a penal colony of several hundred people in 1788, to a modern city of over 4 million people today.

SIGHTS  AND ACTIVITIES

Bondi Beach

Bondi is one of the world’s most famous beaches, a crescent of sand strung between two rocky headlands, just 15 minutes from the city centre. During the summer visitors jostle for towel space on the beach while the promenade bustles with activity. Campbell Parade serves up a mixture of busy bars, seaside cafes, and the ever-popular Sunday market. Topless sunbathing is tolerated and swimmers should always swim within the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags. The coastal walk, which starts at Bondi’s southern end and runs along the coast to Coogee, is a must for any visitor, especially in October and November when the annual “Sculptures by the Sea” is on.

Darling Harbour

A former dockside area, this small harbour has been transformed into a major tourist site. The vast, paved and landscaped precinct is packed with restaurants and shops, as well as a number of tourist attractions. These include the Powerhouse Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, IMAX Theatre and the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift to Sydney from its sister city of Guangdong in China. Harbour Cruises leave the King Street Wharf area and there are weekend festivals and events aplenty.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Affectionately known as ‘the Coathanger’, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a feat of engineering genius. It took 1,400 workers (16 of whom died in the process) eight years to complete at a cost of A$20 million, finally opening in 1932.

The best way to experience the bridge is to climb it and the Bridge Climb gives thrill-seekers the chance to walk to the top of the 50-storey-high bridge (over the cars and trains rumbling across the deck below) and down the other side. If you’re afraid of heights or on a budget, you can walk or cycle across the bridge free of charge. Use the aptly named “Bridge Stairs” on Cumberland Street in the Rocks for an hour-long, round-trip stroll.

Sydney Opera House

Opened in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is the most recognisable symbol of both Sydney and Australia. It’s also considered one of the 20th century’s greatest buildings. Designed to resemble a ship at sea with its roof appearing as a billowing white sail, Sydney Opera House is one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world.

Housing a large complex of theatres and halls that play host to a wide range of performing arts, the Opera House also offers fascinating ‘behind the scenes’ tours and spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a pre-show beverage or bite at one of the many restaurants and bars along the Opera House’s western side.

Sydney Tower

Standing 309m (1,014ft) above Market Street, Sydney Tower is the city’s tallest building and offers views over the city, the harbour, the Olympic Park and as far as Terrigal Beach, 100km (62 miles) to the north. Entry to the 250m-high (820ft) observation deck includes the Skytour, a 35-minute virtual tour/ride on the podium level. Thrill-seekers can go one better and take a Skywalk, an outdoor tour on two glass-floored platforms. Dine in the rotating restaurant for a unique and spectacular Sydney experience.

The Rocks

Nestled at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks (Sydney’s historical birthplace) is a neighbourhood of winding streets, sandstone cottages and some of Sydney’s oldest pubs.

The site of the first landing from Plymouth, England in 1788, the area is now a busy tourist enclave with cafes, restaurants, galleries, museums, weekend markets and countless souvenir shops. Among the district’s historic buildings are the Hero of Waterloo inn (built over a tunnel that was originally used for smuggling), the Sydney Observatory (on the site of the colony’s first windmill) and Cadman’s Cottage (Sydney’s oldest building, built in 1816).

Art Gallery Of New South Wales

Featuring the Yiribana Gallery, the world’s largest permanent exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s foremost art museums. Among its most impressive exhibitions is its Australian art collection, extending from the early colonial period to the mid 20th century. The Asian Galleries showcase the gallery’s significant Asian collection and touring exhibitions. Shortlisted portraits in the Archibald Prize (Australia’s most prestigious and controversial art award) are exhibited here annually.

FOOD

Sydney is one of the world’s great dining destinations. You can dine by the harbour in five-star style, enjoy a traditional pub bursting with history or find sublime Sydney views at a cool rooftop bar.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summer lasts from December to February, and winter from June to August. The most rainfall is in the summer. Winter can become chilly, but is usually cool and very dry. Autumn, which lasts from March until May, is probably the time where the weather is at its most comfortable. The spring (September to November) is the best time to travel to Sydney because it offers the warmth of summer, but not as much rainfall, and the sun shines brightly for most of the day.

Travel guide to Sydney