top of page button
Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW

 Sydney is Australia's most famous city, with the majestic Sydney Opera House, the impressive steel arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the sparkling waterways and the white sands of Bondi Beach. Beneath this glittering surface, Sydney has many more enchanting layers to discover. This beautiful cosmopolitan city celebrates its cultural diversity and heritage, and passion for arts and sports. A temperate climate makes Sydney spectacular at any time of the year, and the city's friendly, casual attitude keeps visitors coming back Down Under for more!

currency

Australian Dollar (AUD)

phone

Emergency situations, police, ambulance, fire brigade: 000

newspaper

Sydney Morning Herald — www.smh.com.au
The Australian — www.theaustralian.com.au
Daily Telegraph — www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Sun-Herald — www.heraldsun.com.au
The Australian Financial Review — www.afr.com
Time Out Sidney — www.timeout.com/sydney

hours

Most shops are open 9 am to 5 pm daily, with late night trading on Thursday to 9 pm.

population

Over 5.3 million

website

www.sydney.com

Panoramic view of Sydney Harbour at night Steve Back; Destination NSW

The City

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

Luna Park at Milsons Point with views to Harbour Bridge and Opera House Steve Back; Destination NSW

Top Things to Do

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

BridgeClimb

Captain Cook Cruises/Destination NSW

Sydney Harbour Cruise

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Taronga Zoo/Destination NSW

Taronga Zoo

Merlin Entertainment Group

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Ken Leanfore/Destination NSW

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

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

Relaxing at Royal Botanic Gardens with views to Hardbour Bridge and Opera House Destination NSW

Do & See

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.

Nicholas Doherty/Unsplash

Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney

Rodrigo Dawson - Destination NSW

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Clarinta Subrata/Unsplash

Big Bus Sydney & Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour

James Horan - Destination NSW

Explore The Rocks

Keith McInnes - Destination NSW

Manly Ferry

Royal Botanic Garden/Destination NSW

Royal Botanic Garden

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

James Horan - Destination NSW

Darling Harbour

Adam Craven

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Anna Kucera - Destination NSW

Kings Cross

Robert Billington - Destination NSW

Hyde Park

Stuart Humphries - Australian Museum

Australian Museum

Centennial Parklands

Centennial Parklands

Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island

Doug Riley - Sydney Living Museums/Destination NSW

Museum of Sydney

View from the South Steyne end of Manly Beach Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW

Beach Lifestyle

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

Manly scenic walkway

Manly Scenic Walkway

Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW

Secret Spots

Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW

Watsons Bay

Lawrence Furzey - Destination NSW

Snorkelling in Sydney

couple having lunch with a view of the Harbour Bridge Destination NSW

Dining

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.

Infinity at Sydney Tower_Credit Robert Walsh Photography

Infinity at Sydney Tower

Aria Sydney

ARIA Sydney

Cafe Sydney

Café Sydney

Jason Loucas – Solotel/Destination NSW

Chiswick Woollahra

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

Icebergs Dining Room & Bar Bondi

Pilu at Freshwater

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

Spice Temple

Spice Temple

Sydney Fish Market

Sydney Fish Market

Tetsuya's

Tetsuya’s

Food and Cocktails at the Opera Bar James Pipino; Destination NSW

Bars, Pubs & Nightlife

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.

The Baxter Inn

Baxter Inn

Pumphouse bar/Destination NSW

Pumphouse Sydney

Hemmesphere

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

Opera Bar

Opera Bar

Palmer and Co

Palmer & Co

The Glenmore Hotel

The Glenmore Hotel

Lord Nelson Brewery

The Lord Nelson

The Wine Library

The Wine Library

Zeta Bar

Zeta Bar

Westfield Sydney from Pitt Street Mall Westfield Sydney/Destination NSW

Shopping

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

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

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour featuring the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW

Accommodation

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.

Sydney Royal Easter Show Destination NSW

Events

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/Destinations 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

View of Sydney Harbour at sunset from Mrs Macquaries Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW

Tourist Information

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 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: