Sydney is Australia’s most iconic city, known for the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and beaches like Bondi. But there’s more beneath the postcard views: diverse neighbourhoods, a buzzing food scene, and a strong connection to culture, sport and the outdoors. The weather’s good most of the year, and the vibe is laid-back without trying too hard, which makes it easy to feel at home, even just for a while.
Steve Back; Destination NSW
Sydney is Australia's largest city, home to beautiful beaches such as world-famous Bondi Beach, iconic buildings, historic landmarks, acclaimed restaurants, and a vibrant culture. From the breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour to the tranquillity of the Royal Botanic Garden, the city is a delight for everyone. If you're looking for a holiday adventure, planning a honeymoon, or searching for a fun-filled getaway, Sydney is a great destination.
Hamilton Lund - Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour
Steve Back; Destination NSW
Sydney is home to Australia’s most iconic attractions, and incredible, unique experiences. Whether you wish to cruise in style on the blue waters of the harbour, scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge, relax on Bondi Beach, see a world-class performance in the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, go whale watching or visit with koalas, it's all yours to enjoy in this splendid city.
Sydney Opera House/Destination NSW
Sydney Opera House
BridgeClimb Sydney/Destination NSW
BridgeClimb
Captain Cook Cruises/Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour Cruise
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium/Destination NSW
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Taronga Zoo/Destination NSW
Taronga Zoo
Merlin Entertainment Group/Destination NSW
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Ken Leanfore/Destination NSW
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Destination NSW
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Sydney Tower Eye/Destination NSW
Sydney Tower Eye
Sydney Harbour Tall Ships/Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour Tall Ships
Luna Park Sydney/Destination NSW
Luna Park
James Horan/Destination NSW
Sydney Fish Market
Madame Tussauds Sydney/Destination NSW
Madame Tussauds Sydney
Destination NSW
From enchanting national parks and tranquil gardens to fascinating museums and beautiful beaches, there's always something to explore and see in Sydney. You'll discover world-class attractions and delight in a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour. And many of the best sightseeing activities are free — all you need is a map, comfortable shoes, and your bus, train or ferry fare (you can get an Opal smartcard ticket to cover all three). Enjoy some of the Sydney locals' favourite places to go.
Rodrigo Dawson - Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour Bridge
James Horan - Destination NSW
Explore The Rocks
Keith McInnes - Destination NSW
Manly Ferry
Royal Botanic Garden/Destination NSW
Royal Botanic Garden
Destination NSW
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
James Horan - Destination NSW
Darling Harbour
Anna Kucera - Destination NSW
Kings Cross
Robert Billington - Destination NSW
Hyde Park
Stuart Humphries/Destination NSW
Australian Museum
Destination NSW
Centennial Parklands
Cockatoo Island/Destination NSW
Cockatoo Island
Doug Riley - Sydney Living Museums/Destination NSW
Museum of Sydney
Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW
Sydney’s beaches are world famous, and thanks to the mild climate, you can enjoy them year-round. Whether you want to ride waves on a surfboard or bodysurf at Bondi Beach, enjoy quiet time on a secluded stretch of sand, swim in a tranquil ocean pool or harbour cove, or dine overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean, Sydney's picturesque harbour and gorgeous coastal beaches have it all.
Mikala Wilbow - Let's Go Surfing Bondi Beach/Destination NSW
Surf Beaches
Manly surf guide/Destination NSW
Surf Schools
Hamilton Lund - Destination NSW
Bondi Beach
Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW
Manly Beach
Kajo Merkert-Ohlheiser - Destination NSW
Coogee Beach
James Horan/Destination NSW
Ocean & Harbour Pools
Isaac Brown - Destination NSW
Palm Beach
Destination NSW
Manly Scenic Walkway
Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW
Secret Spots
Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW
Watsons Bay
Lawrence Furzey/Destination NSW
Snorkelling in Sydney
Destination NSW
Sydney's enviable reputation as a world-class dining destination is built on talented chefs using the freshest local produce and seafood caught daily in the Pacific Ocean. You might hear the term Mod Oz, which is short for Modern Australia — a fresh fusion of Asian and European culinary styles adored by locals and visitors alike. Welcome to foodie heaven! Each year The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide reviews restaurants and awards one, two or three chef’s hats to the best — it's similar to Michelin stars.
Robert Walsh Photography/Destination NSW
Infinity at Sydney Tower
Aria Sydney/Destination NSW
ARIA Sydney
Cafe Sydney/Destination NSW
Café Sydney
Jason Loucas – Solotel/Destination NSW
Chiswick Woollahra
Destination NSW
Icebergs Dining Room & Bar Bondi
Destination NSW
Pilu at Freshwater
Monopole Restaurant and Bar/Destination NSW
Monopole Restaurant & Bar
Tobias Rowles - Destination NSW
Bennelong at the Opera House
Mr Wong/Destination NSW
Mr Wong
Nikki To – Fink Group/Destination NSW
Quay
Destination NSW
Spice Temple
Destination NSW
Sydney Fish Market
Destination NSW
Tetsuya’s
James Pipino/Destination NSW
You'll discover plenty of stylish bars, hip venues and cool clubs in Sydney. Near the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour are bars and pubs with spectacular views of the city's iconic attractions. Enjoy beachside bars with outdoor seating. After sightseeing, you'll appreciate the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of Sydney's eclectic bars and pubs.
Destination NSW
Baxter Inn
Pumphouse bar/Destination NSW
Pumphouse Sydney
Destination NSW
Hemmesphere
Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW
Hugos Manly
Ivy Bar/Destination NSW
ivy
Hilton Sydney/Destination NSW
Marble Bar
Anliette Chen - O Bar and Dining/Destination NSW
O Bar & Dining
Destination NSW
Opera Bar
Destination NSW
Palmer & Co
Destination NSW
The Glenmore Hotel
Destination NSW
The Lord Nelson
Destination NSW
The Wine Library
Destination NSW
Zeta Bar
Westfield Sydney/Destination NSW
Sydney is a shopper’s paradise, with all your favourite international brands and labels plus trendy boutiques and buzzy weekend markets. And Sydney designers wow the fashion world with their creations; browse in boutiques and markets for innovative local designs. Stock up on boots, party frocks or unique pieces of jewellery including opals, natural pearls and pink diamonds in stylish shopping malls and boutiques.
Queen Victoria Building/Destination NSW
Queen Victoria Building
Tony Yeates - Destination NSW
Pitt Street Mall
Brent Winstone - Strand Arcade/Destination NSW
Strand Arcade
Westfield Sydney/Destination NSW
Westfield Sydney
Westfield Bondi Junction/Destination NSW
Westfield Bondi Junction
MidCity Centre/Destination NSW
MidCity Centre
Destination NSW
The Galeries Victoria
World Square Shopping/Destination NSW
World Square
Sydney Harbour Forshore Authority/Destination NSW
The Rocks Markets
Glebe Markets/Destination NSW
Glebe Markets
Bondi Markets/Destination NSW
Bondi Markets
Paddington Markets/Destination NSW
Paddington Markets
Paddy’s Markets/Destination NSW
Paddy’s Markets
Destination NSW
Carriageworks Farmers Market
Jonathan Cami/Destination NSW
Oxford Street
Destination NSW
The Intersection Paddington
Destination NSW
Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre
Ethan Rohloff/Destination NSW
You'll find plenty of accommodation options in Sydney to suit your budget, from hotels with Sydney Harbour views to boutique hotels, B&Bs, and inexpensive youth and backpacker hostels. You can even camp on an island in the beautiful harbour.
Destination NSW
Sydney stages spectacular events year-round. With fireworks and arts festivals, musicals and outdoor concerts, the city enchants visitors. Start your year with the dazzling New Year's Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Festival is in January. At any time of the year, see a show at the Sydney Opera House or a blockbuster musical at a charming theatre. Don't miss Australia Day on January 26, and sports fans have plenty of choices. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras culminates with a glittering parade in March. In winter, Vivid Sydney lights up the city.
City of Sydney/Destination NSW
Sydney New Year’s Eve
Dan Boud/Destination NSW
Badu Gili
Vivid Sydney - Light, Music and Ideas/Destination NSW
Vivid Sydney
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras/Destination NSW
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Destination NSW
State Of Origin
Sydney Royal Easter Show/Destination NSW
Sydney Royal Easter Show
Hamilton Lund/Destination NSW
Sydney is a clean, safe modern city with a sophisticated infrastructure to service your needs.
Sydney Airport (SYD)
Nestled on the northern shores of Botany Bay in Sydney's Mascot suburb, you'll find the grand Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport — the world's oldest continually operated commercial airport.
By car
Looking for a taxi? They're ready and waiting outside all the terminals. Fancy driving yourself? You can grab a rental car at any terminal. Just remember, the car park is free as long as you're exiting within 15 minutes.
By train
The city centre is a brisk 13-minute train journey from the airport. The Airport Link, which runs about every 10 minutes, is your ticket to the city and beyond. The train station? It's up north of the terminal, accessible from Arrivals. Pay for your journey with an Opal Card (grab one from the station or WH Smith), or tap on with your Amex, Visa, or Mastercard.
By bus
Route 420, run by Sydney Buses, is a dependable service connecting Mascot Station to Burwood via the airport. Both T1 International and T3 Domestic terminals have stops, clearly marked on the arrivals level. You'll need an Opal transport card or a credit card to board.
By shuttle
For a more personalised transfer to and from the airport, there are several providers offering services to most of Sydney's suburbs and regional areas. Check out Mozio for options.
By bike
If two wheels are more your speed, undercover bike racks are situated on level 1 of the T1 International terminal and near the express pick-up area in the T2/T3 Domestic precinct.
Address: Airport Drive, Mascot, Sydney
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9667 9111
Website: www.sydneyairport.com.au
More Information:
Public Transport
The Sydney public transport system consists of commuter rail, bus, ferry and light rail. Combined, they can get you virtually anywhere in the metropolitan area.
A handy companion for this network is the Opal card, your ticket to all public transport in Sydney. It caps daily and weekly fares (excluding Sydney Airport station fees) and can be picked up from train stations, the airport, and various city retailers. Tap on and off at Opal readers with the card, or use contactless-enabled Amex, Mastercard, or Visa cards or linked devices.
Buses are the city's lifelines, and include NightRide services for the wee hours. Central Station, near Chinatown, is your hub for local and regional trains and buses, with routes covering CBD, North Sydney, Bondi Junction, and the airport.
Sydney's light rail features the L1 Inner West network from Central Station to Dulwich Hill, and the CBD and South East Light Rail with lines to Randwick and Junior Kingsford.
The ferry system is your quick, scenic route across the harbour, with departures from Circular Quay to destinations like Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, and Rose Bay. Captain Cook also runs services to various spots, including Watsons Bay, Manly, Clifton Gardens, and Shark Island.
The river ferry offers a scenic 90-minute journey from Circular Quay to Parramatta, with stops at places like Cockatoo Island and Sydney Olympic Park.
Address:
Email:
Phone: +61 13 15 00
Website: www.transportnsw.info
More Information:
Taxi
Taxis are a convenient way to get around Sydney. They can be flagged down, found at a taxi rank, or booked on the phone or online.
Silver Service Fleet
Phone: +61 133 100
www.silverservice.com.au
Legion Cabs
Phone: +61 131 451
www.legioncabs.com.au
Premier Cabs
Phone:+61 131 017
www.premiercabs.com.au
St George Cabs
Phone: +61 132 166
www.stgeorgecabs.com.au
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Post Office
There are numerous Australia Post offices located all over Sydney, where you can buy stamps and send mail and packages. Sydney's General Post Office is located at 1 Martin Place.
Address: Australia Post – Sydney GPO, 1 Martin Place, Sydney
Email:
Phone: +61 13 13 18
Website: www.auspost.com.au
More Information:
Pharmacy
In Sydney, and Australia more broadly, there are several major pharmacy chains where you can pick up over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, personal care items, and more. The major pharmacy chains are Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart, Priceline Pharmacy, Amcal and Blooms The Chemist. It's always worth checking the opening hours as these can vary, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Address: Terrywhite Chemmart Macquarie Street Pharmacy CBD, Shop 1/185 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9221 1622
Website:
More Information:
Telephone
Australian Country Code: +61
Sydney City Area Code: 02
Calling Sydney landlines from overseas: +612
Calling Australian mobiles from overseas: +614
Calling overseas from within Australia: 0011
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Electricity
Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information: