Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney, the largest city in Australia, is one of the most famous and visually stunning cities on the planet. Home to the iconic Sydney Opera House, a building that is recognizable all over the world, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the largest steel arch on the planet, the Sydney Cricket Ground, a mecca for Cricket lovers, Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world, and world-class culture and cuisine, Sydney offers visitors a dazzling array of unforgettable experiences!

The Greater Sydney region has been inhabited for at least 30,000 years by Aboriginal Australians. It wasn’t until James Cook made landfall at Botany Bay in 1770 that the area came to the attention of Europeans. By 1788, a British penal colony was founded in Sydney and the first fleet of European convicts started arriving. It remained largely a convict town until the 1840s. In 1842, the city of Sydney and a governing council were established, and by the 1850s a flood of migrants moved to the area as gold was discovered in New South Wales and Victoria. Several historical buildings were erected during this era including the University of Sydney, the Australian Museum, the Town Hall and the General Post Office. By 1901, Sydney became the capital of New South Wales. The 1900s brought with it the industrial revolution, the bubonic plague, the Great Depression and a post World War II boom in development and immigration.

Today, Sydney is an important financial capital, tourist hub, host of important sporting events including the Olympics, and one of the world’s most vibrant cities with new, world-class rooftop bars and restaurants regularly popping up. It is also consistently ranked among the top 10 most liveable cities in the world!

Destinations

Key sights to see

Sydney Opera House

The iconic Opera House is one of Sydney’s most distinguished landmarks and is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Oberg Utzon with a series of arched white roofs that are similar to the sails of a ship or the geometric spirals of seashells, the building officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. The Opera House hosts over 1,500 performances attended by 1.2 million people, and attracts over eight million tourists every year!

Sydney Harbor Bridge

The Sydney Harbor Bridge is the largest steel arch on the planet, and one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. As well as being able to cross the bridge on foot, by bicycle, train or car, visitors are also offered the chance to climb the steel arch or famous south-east pylon. The bridge is almost 100 years old, boasts views across Sydney’s natural harbor, and is used to launch fireworks for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Darling Harbor

Originally known as Long Cove, Darling Harbor is Sydney Harbor’s popular neighbor. The area is one of Sydney’s biggest dining, shopping, and entertainment precincts, with events taking place throughout the year. As well as restaurants and bars, darling Harbor is home to some of the best nightclubs in the city, the Sealife Sydney Aquarium, and the Wildlife Sydney Zoo.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is one of the most recognizable beaches in Australia and one of the most visited tourist spots in the country. The name of the beach comes from the Aboriginal word “Boondi” meaning surf. The beach is around 1km long and is home to the famous “Santa by the surf” event on the 25th of December every year, where surfers enter the water dressed as Santa Claus.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair

Located on a peninsula in the Sydney Harbor, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair is a bench hand-carved into a sandstone rock by convicts in 1810. The Sydney landmark was commissioned by Governor Macquarie for his wife Elizabeth due to having one of the best views across the harbor. The chair is located next to the Royal Botanic Garden, the perfect spot for a picnic. Both the sites have disabled access.

Queen Victoria Building

Designed by architect George McRae, the Queen Victoria Building is a heritage-listed building from the late 19th century located in the business district of Sydney. First opened in 1898, the building is now one of Sydney's most iconic structures and home to a five-level shopping center with over 180 shops – including fashion boutiques, jewelry shops, and homeware stores, as well as a handful of bars and restaurants.

The Rocks

The Rocks is the historical center of Sydney and a popular tourist hotspot. First established in 1788, when the European settlers arrived, The Rocks is where the convicts set up their first encampment, military camp and hospital. Located on the famous harbor’s southern shore, the area is home to some of the most visited attractions in town and some of the best bars, restaurants, and clubs in the city.

Taronga Zoo

Located a 12-minute ferry ride from Sydney’s Central Business District, Taronga Zoo is situated in Sydney Harbor. The zoo was officially opened in 1916 and is home to over 2.600 animals and 250 different species, including a large number of threatened and endangered species. The zoo has transformed over the last 100 years, growing from a traditional zoo to an education and conservation center.

Manly

11 miles northeast of Sydney’s Central Business District lies the beach-side Sydney Suburb of Manly. By the 1850s plans were made to turn the town into a seaside resort and by the 1870s there were regular ferry and steamer services bringing tourists to the area. The town is home to several popular beaches, including long sandy stretches as well as rock pools and the famous freshwater beach home of the World Surfing Reserve.

Watson’s Bay

Watson’s Bay, "Australia's Oldest Fishing Village," is a suburb of Sydney located 11 km outside of the city center. The town, located on the South Head peninsula, offers excellent views across the harbor and into Sydney, and is home to plenty of bars and restaurants, a single hotel, and a legal nude beach. Every January the bay hosts the Every Man and His Dog event, where men and their dogs race each other on paddle boards.

Sydney, New South Wales

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