Sydney is Australia’s largest and oldest city, founded as a British penal colony at Sydney Cove in 1788 on the land of the Gadigal people. Today it is a sprawling, sunny, multicultural city of around five million people, built around a deep harbour full of coves, beaches and islands. The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge face each other across Circular Quay, and ferries fan out from there in every direction.
Few big cities have so much nature inside them: ocean beaches from Bondi to Manly, coastal walks along sandstone cliffs and harbourside national parks. Stay a few days, then use it as a base: the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley are all practical day trips.
Highlights
- Sydney Opera House: the UNESCO-listed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, best seen on a tour or at a performance.
- Sydney Harbour Bridge: walk across for free, or climb to the top of the arch.
- The Rocks: the oldest part of the city, with sandstone lanes, pubs and weekend markets.
- Harbour ferries: the trip to Manly is one of the best-value sightseeing rides anywhere.
- Bondi to Coogee: a cliff-top walk linking some of the city’s most famous beaches.
- Taronga Zoo: Australian wildlife with harbour views, a short ferry ride from the Quay.
Quick facts
| Where | Central coast of NSW, on Port Jackson |
|---|---|
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD), about 9 km south of the centre |
| Ideal stay | 4–5 nights, more with day trips |
| Best for | Harbour, beaches, food, nightlife |
| Getting around | Trains, Metro, ferries, buses and light rail |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Four or five nights covers the harbour, a couple of beaches and a neighbourhood or two; add a night for each day trip. First-timers usually stay around Circular Quay and The Rocks for the views and ferries, or in the CBD and Darling Harbour for choice and value. Bondi and Manly suit beach lovers, and Surry Hills and Newtown have the best cafés and restaurants.
