Situated on the E coast, in the region of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia’s oldest, largest and most diverse city. Located in the centre of Sydney is the d … view more
Situated on the E coast, in the region of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia’s oldest, largest and most diverse city. Located in the centre of Sydney is the dazzling Sydney Harbour with its iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The city has no shortage of lazy bays and legendary surf beaches but Sydney is an adventure playground on the grandest scale with no shortage of activities. There’s the Bondi surf, sailing under the Harbour Bridge on a yacht, jogging along the Coogee cliff tops or rampaging through Centennial Park on horseback. Everybody seems to enjoy the outdoors with swarming beaches, buzzing street cafés and the harbour is always blooming with a variety of sails. Sydney’s location gives it a temperate, sunny climate with average maximum temperatures range from 17 degrees Celsius in winter (June-August) to 27 degrees Celsius in summer (December-February).
Sydney’s population is approaching five million, but it is easy to leave the frenetic urban pace behind with just a simple ferry ride to the North Shore for a bush walk, enjoy a stroll along the harbour beaches or take any one of a number of daytrips to explore the ‘real’ Australia on the doorstep.
Sydney is a dynamic city and visitors love its verve and vibrancy, its beautiful harbour and myriad waterways. From sailboats and ferry rides to fine dining at a harbourside restaurant or outdoor cafe, the soul of Sydney is the harbour. The city is also a wonderful base for touring the New South Wales countryside and beyond the city there are friendly country towns, national parks filled with extraordinary flora and fauna, and beautiful beaches up and down the coast.
Sydney is one of the world’s most popular destinations and even aside from the ‘Big Two’ (Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge) there is plenty to do.
Fox Studios is Australia’s film epicentre and you can happily while away several hours on a tour.
The Aquarium, Opera House and enormous clean shopping malls with their eclectic food halls are also appealing.
For the energetic, walking trips across the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge are now available and offer unsurpassed views of Sydney City and Sydney Harbour. It’s not cheap, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience!
The southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge has a museum where you can learn about the construction and history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The museum is just a short walk from the famous Rocks area of Sydney. The Rocks contains many historic buildings, tourist attractions and boutique shopping. The Rocks is also where you can pick up unique bargain items at the weekend street markets.
Shopping in Sydney covers everything from luxury boutiques to the weekend markets. Sydney’s oldest and most famous market is Paddy’s Market in the Haymarket. It is open Thursday through to Sunday and sells just about anything you can think of!
Sydney’s main landmarks include:
The Sydney Harbour Bridge crosses the harbour from the The Rocks to North Sydney. There are many different experiences centred around the bridge. You can walk or cycle across, picnic under, or climb over the Harbour Bridge. See the details in The Rocks.
The Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House is simply one of the most famous structures ever built. It is in the city centre.
Darling Harbour is a large tourist precinct and includes a range of activities, restaurants, museums and shopping facilities.
Sydney Olympic Park. Home of the 2000 Olympics and now parklands and sporting facilities.
Luna Park, 1 Olympic Dr, Milson’s Point, tel. 02 9033 7676. Is a large theme park situated near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its mouth-shaped entrance can be seen from many areas of Sydney as well as the large Ferris Wheel.
Sydney Tower also called Centrepoint Tower or AMP Tower. The tallest structure in Sydney, the tower contains a buffet, cafe and a rather large restaurant and attracts many visitors a year. The tower is in the City Centre
St Mary’s Cathedral. Sydney’s main catholic cathedral. Corner of St Mary’s Road and College St. The cathedral is in the City Centre.
Royal Botanic Gardens- The Royal Botanic Gardens were first established in Sydney by Governor Bligh in 1816. The gardens cover 30 hectares and adjoin the 35 hectares making up the Domain, there are over 7500 species of plants represented here. The gardens are at the north eastern corner of the City Centre and overlook Sydney harbour.