Sydney

Introduction

Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Sydney is Australia's largest and oldest city. It is the site of the first European colony in Australia, which was established in 1788 in what is now known as New South Wales. Two centuries later, 21st century Sydney is a multicultural city known for iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city^[1], it has Australia's highest quality of living ^[2], and Conde Nast travelor readers have voted Sydney the best city to visit for 8 straight years.

Neighbourhoods

Inner City

• CBD is in the heart of the city. Home to major shopping centres, hotels, and national financial and business institutions. Set alongside the CBD are parklands including Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Within this parkland and overlooking the harbour is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, one of Australia's leading art museums.
• The Rocks and Circular Quay was the area first settled by the English in 1788 and now an oasis of historic buildings in the city.
• Darling Harbour was built for the Bicentenary in 1988. Great nightlife, bars and restaurants can all be found here as well as the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Sydney Entertainment Centre, The Australian National Maritime Museum, The Sydney Aquarium, The Imax Cinema, The Chinese Garden of Friendship and The Starcity Casino.
• Kings Cross or simply "The Cross", is the Red light district of Sydney. Besides that, it does have some great clubs, bars, and restaurants and is great even if you only want to go people watching.
• Chinatown was the original Chinatown of Sydney, though now most Chinese live in outer suburbs and you'll find more authentic Chinese food in places like Hurstville, Ashfield and Chatswood.
• Leichhardt is sometimes called Little Italy, although Little Stanley Street in the city also claims that title. Leichhardt is a vibrant, cosmopolitan suburb in the inner west. The buzz centres around the cafes serving great Italian coffee and gelato, the bookshops and arthouse cinema.
• Cabramatta is the place to go If you can't get to Vietnam because you'll think you're there when your in Cabramatta. A thriving Vietnamese community have created a true Little Vietnam in this suburb.

Outer Suburbs

• Parramatta - From the aboriginal word meaning "the place where the eels lie down" Parramatta is Australias second oldest settlement and is geographically the centre of Sydney. However it is an outer suburb and is located approximately 26 km from the city centre.

Sights and Activities

Manly

From around 1850, Manly has been considered Australia’s favourite seaside resort. It is definitely a destination for all seasons and all ages. It is most famous for its beautiful natural beauty, scenic walkways alongside both the harbour and ocean beaches and it’s many cultural events.

Manly is about 14 kilometres from the city centre and best reached by ferry from Circular Quay so you can fully appreciate Sydney's magnificent harbour. Named for the manly behaviour of the local Aboriginal tribe, Manly has beautiful beaches (both surf and family) and good shopping and restaurants on the Corso.

Bondi Beach

bondi beach

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Not to be confused with Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach is approximately 9 kilometres from the city centre. Originally known as "Boondi" by the local aboriginals, it is probably the most famous beach in Australia, though not the best. The beach itself is just a large strip of sand - the main attraction is the matching strip of pubs, restaurants and shops, and its lively nightlife. Best reached by bus from Bondi Junction train station. For families, quieter beaches with parklands such as Coogee, Bronte, Neilsen Park or Manly are likely to be more appealing.

Other Beaches

• Coogee Beach is one of Sydney's best beaches with fewer tourists and pretentious locals, but a thriving cafe culture.
• Maroubra Beach is a stunning beach with great surf and is definitely off the tourist trail.

Other Sights and Activities

• Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon of modern architecture, Sydney's Opera House commands a formidable reputation as a modern wonder of the world.
• Sydney Harbour Bridge, just look at it in awe or, if you feel up for it, climb it. There is a terrific history museum in the pylon closest to the city, and entry to just this is very cheap and you can climb up to the top of the pylon for amazing city views. This is a much lower cost than doing the bridge climb, which includes free entry to the museum.
• Art Gallery of New South Wales is Sydney's leading art museum, with impressive collections of Aboriginal, Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art. The late opening until 9pm every Wednesday is popular with locals, with free events.
• Sydney Tower is the place for great 360-degree views of Sydney from it's tallest building, in the heart of the City.
• The Australian Maritime Museum is home to a range of vessels and displays, including the HMB Endeavour, a replica of the ship used by Captain James Cook, believed to be the first European to encounter Australia's eastern coastline.
• Sydney Olympic Park was the home of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
• Taronga Zoo, "Taronga" an aboriginal word for waterview, is located just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay. Taronga Zoo is a great place to become accustomed to our unique wildlife as well as enjoy some of the best views of Sydney and the harbour.
• Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens is located in the city. The Botanical Gardens are a real oasis from the rat-race of the city outside it's gates.
• Sydney Aquarium is located in Darling Harbour, and has impressive travelators through glass tunnels in the tanks.
• Sydney Wildlife World is a great place to visit if you don't have the time for a day at the Zoo, and offers close encounters with koalas.
• Paddy's Markets is Sydney's largest markets for almost everything.
• Harbour Cruises are a great way to see what is often considered one of the most beautiful harbour's in the world. Typical cruises allow great views of The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison and City Skyline. Check with companies like Captain Cook, Magistic Cruises or Matilda.
• Baha'i Temple, located in Ingleside a northern suburb, is a stunning structure and the Mother Temple for the Bahá'í Faith in Australia. For people looking for spirituality there is actually a hostel on the premises.

Events and Festivals

Sydney offers a wide array of events and festivals, far too many to mention here. You can always check What's On Here

Annual Events

Sydney's New Year celebration

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• Australia Day on January 26th is when celebrate what it is to be Australian.
• New Years Eve is the biggest public event in Sydney attracting thousands of famillies to the harbour foreshore for a spectacular fireworks show.
• Chinese New Year Festival in 2012, celebrate the Year of the Dragon. With more than 50 events and activities will be held from Friday 20 January until Sunday 5 February.
• Mardi Gras is Sydney's Gay and Lesbian parade. It started as a gay pride event about 30 years ago and has been growing in size and popularity ever since. In 2012, it will be held on Saturday 3rd March.
• The Sydney Film Festival was established in 1954 and runs for several weeks in June.
• The The Archibald Prize is Australia's most prestigious and popular art prize, with portrait's of famous Australians and an air of controversary. Exhibition runs from March - May each year.
• The Biennale of Sydney is an international showcase for contemporary art run every two years. The 18th Biennale of Sydney will be held in 2012 from June to September.
• The Sydney Festival is a major cultural celebration showcasing theatre, dance, music and the arts. For 2012, it will be held from 7 to 29 January.
• The City2Surf is Australia's greatest fun-run with around 60,000 people of all ages running the 14 km course from the centre of the city to Bondi Beach. It is usually held in August.
• The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, even if you're not a yachtsman, is a spectacular sight. The race starts in Sydney Harbour every year on December 26 around 1:00pm.
• The Open Air Cinema is located on the side of Sydney harbour showing the latest films in a unique open air environment with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the background. Runs Jan-Feb. Book early.
• The Moonlight Cinema is an open air cinema screening latest release, contemporary, cult and classic movies on the lawns of the picturesque Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park. Runs Dec-Mar.
• Outdoor Music Festivals are extremely popular in Australia over summer. Find out more about the Outdoor Music Festivals in New South Wales happening in and around Sydney.

Weather

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate, with mild winters and warm summers. The hottest month is January when on average the city has 14.6 days over 30 °C. The hottest day on record was 45.3 °C in 1939. Winters are much cooler, although temperatures rarely drop below 5 °C. July is the coldest month of the year. Average daytime temperatures between 17 °C (July) and 27 °C (January), and between 9 °C (July) and 19 °C (February) at night.
The average annual rainfall is 1,215 mm, falling at least 1 mm on average 100 days a year. ^[3] Rainfall is fairly consistent throughout the year, with slightly more rain during the first half of the year.

Getting there

By Plane

International
Sydney Airport (SYD) with almost 33 million passengers in 2009, is Australia's premier airport, servicing flights from Europe, Asia, North America, South America, South Africa, and other parts of Oceania. The international terminal is currently undergoing renovations which are due to be completed mid 2010. The airport has curfews during the night and is busiest in the morning with the arrival of more than 20 international flights in the space of 2 hours, leading to long queues to go through both immigration and quarantine.

NOTE: Australia has very strict quarantine laws designed to protect the unique flora and fauna. Check HERE to see which items you can, and cannot bring into the country.

Domestic
From Sydney, you can fly domestically to Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and other airports across Australia.
Domestic services to/from Sydney are offered by:

• Qantas services 62 airports across Australia
• Virgin Blue is a budget airline servicing 27 airports across Australia
• Tiger Airways is a budget airline servicing 14 airports across Australia
• Jetstar is a budget airline servicing 21 airports across Australia
• Rex. (Regional Express) is a regional airline servicing 32 airports across New South Wales
• Aeropelican is a regional airline servicing 4 airports across New South Wales

There are a few options for transferring between the international and domestic terminals:

• T - Bus - This is a shuttle bus service between T1 International and T2 Domestic Terminals which costs $5.50 (one way, per person).
• Taxi - Taking a taxi will cost around $10.
• Train - The Airport link will cost $5.00 for a single transfer.
• Seamless transfer - Qantas and Virgin Blue passengers can use the Seamless transfer option when transfering to flights with the same airline. This service does suffer from overcrowding and long wait times during peak periods.
• Walking - the least preferred option but it is the cheapest. Clearly marked and a distance of only 1.5 kilometres between terminals.

Getting to the city from the airport is quick and easy:

• Taxis will cost between $20 and $30 for the 20-minute ride to the city;
• Train services to the city cost around $15.80 and take 13 minutes;
• Shuttle buses can drop you at the door of your hotel/hostel and cost a flat rate of $12 and can take up to 45 minutes.

By Train

If you are travelling around Australia, CountryLink offers long-distance services connecting Sydney to Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane, as well as regions of New South Wales not covered by the Cityrail network. The Indian Pacific connects Sydney to Adelaide and Perth, but tickets are not cheap. Expect to pay at least $680 for a one way trip to or from Perth, unless you're lucky enough to qualify for a cheaper rate (available to children, seniors, backpackers and students).

By Car

If you plan on driving to Sydney, it could be a long trip depending on where you are:

• Adelaide to Sydney = 1,400 kilometres
• Brisbane to Sydney = 1,000 kilometres
• Cairns to Sydney = 2,400 kilometres
• Canberra to Sydney = 300 kilometres
• Darwin to Sydney = 4,000 kilometres
• Melbourne to Sydney = 900 kilometres
• Perth to Sydney = 4,000 kilometres

All distances are estimates.

By Bus

The Sydney Coach Terminal is located under Central railway station on Eddy Avenue. There are a number of coach services to Sydney from around Australia.

• Greyhound Australia services the whole of Australia
• Firefly services from Adelaide and Melbourne
• Murrays services from Canberra and Southern New South Wales

By Boat

Sydney has one of the most spectacular harbours in the world and nothing compares to arriving here by sea. The harbour has two dedicated passenger terminals servicing both local and international cruise ships. One is located in Circular Quay opposite the Opera House, the second is Wharf 8 located near darling harbour. Summer is the peak season for ships to visit Sydney. Check the Sydney Ports website for cruiseliners and dates.

Getting Around

By Car

Sydney is not a car friendly city (traffic can be very bad at peak times and finding a parking space isn't easy, or cheap) so if you plan on staying in or around the city area, forget about a car. If you have a car, the city has over 50 parking stations. Expect to pay between $25 to $50 per day. Car hire is often not available to drivers under 25, or if it is, it's more expensive for younger drivers.

Car hire is available at Sydney Airport and throughout the city. Available from:

• Budget.
• Europcar.
• Hertz.
• Thrifty.
• Avis

Bus hire is available from:

• Sydney Minibus Hire.
• North Sydney Bus Charters.

By Public Transport

The city centre is easy accessed on the free CBD shuttle Free CBD Shuttle which will take you in a loop from Central station to Circular Quay via George and Elizabeth sts. Travelling further afield, Sydney has a an extensive network of trains, buses, and ferries to get you to just about anywhere you will want to go. The city centre also has a Monorail if you want to get a better view. For information on travel passes, timetables, and fares check Transport Info Line.

By Foot

Sydney's CBD is quite small, so it's pretty easy to get around by foot. If you're staying somewhere in the centre of town, harbourside attractions like the Darling Harbour and Circular Quay (where the Opera House is located) are within walking distance. One of the best ways to discover a city is on foot. There are guided tours available. You can pick up a brochure from the Town Hall and follow a number of walking routes that will show you contemporary and historic Sydney.

By Bike

Increasingly, there are more and more cycleways being built giving safe access for cyclists to get around the city and suburbs. You can legally ride a bike on the road but you must follow the same road rules as other traffic and you must also wear a helmet. For more information check Road safety.

Eat

One of the great things about Sydney is its multiculturalism, and the benefits that brings can be seen in restaurants across the city.

Drink

Sleep

Finding a place to lay your head once you are in Sydney shouldn't be a problem, if you booked ahead. When there are special events on it can be very hard to find a room at a price you're willing to pay, so book ahead. If that isn't an option, there is an information/reservations desk at the airport.

With 122 hostels around Sydney you're sure to find what you're looking for. The most popular areas are near Central Station, Kings Cross, Bondi Beach, and Manly.

Shop

There are a few key shopping areas in Sydney, depending on what kind of shops you would like to explore. If you are looking for big department stores, head to the Pitt Street Mall, where David Jones and Myer dominate the landscape. A short walk away is the Strand Arcade (412-414 George Street), which boasts an impressive collection of small (and usually expensive) shops. From here you can head underground to a long, undergound mall filled with stores which runs right through to Town Hall Station and directly under the QVB (Queen Victoria Building).

Looking for something a little different? Head down Oxford Street in Paddington. Close to the city, it offers plenty of second-hand and alternative styles.

If you're looking for a bargain, you cannot go past Paddy's Market in the Haymarket area, close to the Entertainment Centre and Central Station. Here they have souvenirs and your regular market gear and upstairs you have factory outlets stores.

Outside of the city, shopping centres in the Suburbs of Bondi Junction, Chatswood, Parramatta, and Miranda are huge and could easily fill a day.

Work

Learn

• University of Sydney
• University of Technology Sydney
• University of Western Sydney

Keep Connected

Internet

There is no shortage of internet cafe's in the city or in the most popular areas for visitors to stay in Sydney. If you don't have your laptop with you, try Global Gossip. If you're looking for free Wifi check here for locations right across the city.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

Australia is on a GSM 900/1800 network, so if you have an unlocked phone that works on those frequencies, you will be able to buy a prepaid SIM-card and stick into your phone when you're in Sydney. You will receive a new Australian phone number with the SIM-card. If you don't have a phone with you, there are a range of providers and plans for pre-paid or pay-as-you-go phone services. These are available with most networks and can be purchased for as little as $30 for basic models from stores such as Woolworths, Coles, Crazy John's and Dick Smith's.

To dial out of Australia use the prefix 0011, followed by the calling code of the country you are trying to reach, followed by the area code of the city/town (without the 0!) and finally the phone number.

Within Australia, it is necessary to add an area code to the phone numbers if you are calling from outside the area.
Sydney's area code is 02, which is the same for all of New South Wales and the ACT. If dialling interstate, use one of the following area codes.

03 - Victoria (Melbourne) and Tasmania (Hobart)
07 - Queensland (Brisbane)
08 - Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory (Perth, Adelaide, Darwin)

000 is the emergency telephone number in Australia, but the international GSM mobile emergency telephone number 112 also works on mobile phones.

Post

Australia Post has offices right across the city with the Sydney GPO located on the corner of George St and Martin Place. A standard letter or postcard sent within Australia will cost $0.55. Internationally, it costs $1.40 to send postcards anywhere in the world. Letters cost $1.45 to send within the Asia Pacific region and $2.10 to anywhere else in the world.^[4]. It is also possible to send things as parcels or by express mail.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website
• Tourism Website