Sydney is the largest and oldest city in Australia and one of the country's highlights. Whatever tour you take, sooner or later you will arrive in this vibrant metropolis shimmering on the world's largest natural harbour. Be careful with the days you have, as there is so much to see and do in Sydney!
Planning your trip to this iconic city? Accommodation will be a crucial part of your journey. From luxurious beach-side resorts to charming boutique hotels in the heart of the city, Australia hotels at tophotels.com offers a variety of options to cater to your every need and preference.
The harbour alone has more than enough sights to tick off. Admire the steel charm of the Harbour Bridge and, of course, the Sydney Opera House, the city's most famous symbol. Savour the atmosphere of the first settlers among European houses built in the 18th century. For some Instagrammable snaps of the Sydney skyline, you never have to look far - whether you're on top of the Sydney Tower or among the giraffes at Australia's largest zoo.
Need a break between all the sights? Sydney has more than 100 beaches, of which Bondi Beach and Manly Beach probably sound familiar. On rainy days, take refuge in over 40 museums. If the sun shines (as it does on most days), taking a helicopter flight over the city is unforgettable.
Sydney is not the capital of Australia (that is Canberra), but has all the vibes of the country's main city. Want to visit the capital of New South Wales in Australia's south-east? Here are the 10 best sights to see in Sydney!
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most famous icons and a star attraction in the Australian city. In fact, half the world's population sees the ornate building pass by on television once a year when a huge fireworks display in Australia heralds the New Year. The opera house opened in 1973. Read more about the Sydney Opera House here
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Until the arrival of the Sydney Opera House, most tourists still put down their tripods to take a photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Although the bridge has now dropped to second place, it is still one of the city's most famous landmarks and a symbol of Australia. Affectionately called The Coathanger (the coat hanger) by locals, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the widest steel arch bridge in the world.
The bridge was commissioned in 1932, 40 years before the first pile went into the ground of the Sydney Opera House. This more than one kilometre long bridge rises 134 metres above the harbour and connects Sydney's northern coast with the downtown business district. The bridge includes a motorway with eight lanes, two railway lines, a bicycle path and a section for pedestrians. Led by a guide, types without afraid of heights and in good physical condition can clamber to the top of the bridge in 3½ hours, where you will have spectacular views of the port and the city.
For more information on its history and construction, visit the Pylon Lookout museum on the south-east pier, where there is also a viewing platform(www.pylonlookout.com.au). An interesting fact: Australian actor Paul Hogan - aka Crocodile Dundee - worked as a painter on the bridge before earning his global star status. For information on climbing the bridge: www.bridgeclimb.com
The Rocks
The Rocks is Sydney's oldest neighbourhood, as well as the whole of Australia. The first European colony was founded here in 1788 when a ship carrying sailors and convicts arrived from England. In its early days, this harbour neighbourhood was rather dirty and dingy, with ramshackle houses, pubs and warehouses. The sandstone buildings gave the neighbourhood the name The Rocks.
Many of the remaining historic buildings have now been refurbished and house bars, restaurants, gift shops, boutiques and art galleries. You can stroll through the narrow cobbled streets to explore the district. Of course, this is also the most touristy part of Sydney, but that doesn't make it any less cosy. One of the attractions is Cadmans Cottage, the oldest surviving residential building in Sydney dating back to 1816. The Rocks is right next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the opera house across the harbour. Website: www.therocks.com
Bondi Beach
No visit to Sydney is complete without spending a few hours relaxing at Bondi Beach, arguably Australia's most famous beach. Just half an hour from central Sydney, you'll find a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with fine white sand and waves ideal for surfing. After a dip in the ocean, you can wash off the salt at public showers and have a cocktail at one of the convivial cafés and beach bars.
Don't have surfing experience? No problem, as you can take lessons at surf schools. Or how about a refreshing dip in the ocean pool at the Bondi Icebergs Club(www.icebergs.com.au)? The outdoor pool at Australia's oldest swimming club (from 1929) is open all year round. For fantastic sea views, take the 6-kilometre walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. This coastal path carved into sandstone cliffs is Sydney's most popular walking trail.
Australian Museum
For most of Australia's dead animals - stuffed or behind glass - you need to visit the Australian Museum in Sydney. Opened in 1827, this natural history and ethnography museum is the oldest in the country. It was established four years after the island was named 'Australia'.
Besides an extensive collection of vertebrates and invertebrates, the museum also holds a large collection of fossils, minerals, crystals, gemstones, dinosaur skeletons and anthropological objects from the indigenous peoples who lived in Australia and the Pacific. These range from Aboriginal children's toys to a tattooed chalk head from the Solomon Islands. Still a little sad is the section of recently extinct animals. Address: 1 William St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. Website: www.australian.museum
Taronga Zoo
For kids, Taronga Zoo is undoubtedly at the top of their list of favourite Sydney attractions. This is Australia's largest zoo, with more than 5,000 animals of 350 different species. Naturally, you'll see native animals like red kangaroos, koalas and tree kangaroos here. From other continents, animals include Sumatran tigers, chimpanzees, Asian elephants and honey bears - the smallest bear in the world.
But besides that, there is hardly any zoo in the world in such a beautiful location, set against the backdrop of the skyline of Sydney's business district. What a view the giraffes have! Taronga Zoo is located in the posh suburb of Mosman on the north side of Sydney Harbour. The ferry from the city gets you there in 12 minutes. Then board the Sky Safari, Sydney's only cable car, for great views of the animals and the harbour. Optionally, you can stay overnight in a lodge or safari tent near the zoo. Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, Sydney, NSW 2088, Australia. Website: www.taronga.org.au
Royal Botanic Garden
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Visit the Royal Botanic Garden, Australia's oldest botanical garden. In 1816, a beautiful green oasis was created a stone's throw from Sydney Harbour. On a 30-hectare site, you can wander past exotic plants, shrubs and trees here. Highlights include the rose garden (with 1,800 roses) and the native Australian rock garden. From there, you have great views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House.
Discover rare and endangered palms, ferns and orchids in the Australian Rainforest Garden, a patch of native rainforest in the middle of Sydney. There is an herb garden and palm grove, as well as an oriental garden with flora from countries such as Japan, China and South Korea. The Cadi Jam Ora garden tells the story of the Aborigines and the arrival of Europeans, who planted their brought seeds here. At the botanical garden, you can take part in a variety of tours and activities. If you suffer from stress, then the nature therapy walk is for you. Address: Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Website: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Darling Harbour
One of Sydney's most vibrant spots is Darling Harbour, a popular downtown waterfront nightlife spot. You can spend hours there for food, drinks and entertainment. There are dozens of restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs that are especially crowded in the evening. Go shopping in one of the boutiques or catch an evening at the IMAX theatre with the largest cinema screen in the world. Also fun to do: there is a fireworks show every Saturday night at 8.30pm.
Darling Harbour is mainly a tourist attraction in the evening, but there are several things to do during the day too. Take a leisurely stroll along the harbour or buy a ticket to one of the attractions in the harbour area. There are many family-friendly attractions, such as SEA LIFE aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds wax museum.
Visit the Maritime Museum or be zen at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This Chinese garden was created in 1988 according to the principle of Yin and Yang. Darling Harbour is just a 10-minute walk from Sydney city centre. You can also take a ferry from Circular Quay near the opera house. Website: www.darlingharbour.com
Sydney Tower Eye
For an insane view of the port city, take the lift up to the observation platform of the Sydney Tower Eye. At 309 metres, it is the tallest building in Sydney and the whole of Australia. The tower with its golden 'spire' can be seen from afar and rises above all the other skyscrapers. The Sydney Tower was built between 1974 and 1981 to add prestige to the Australian city.
No less than 56 cables stabilise the tower, which can also withstand earthquakes and violent storms. The architects themselves therefore call it "one of the safest buildings in the world". The Sydney Tower is also known as the Centrepoint Tower, named after an office and shopping complex below. A superfast lift takes you in 40 seconds to the observation deck 250 metres above Sydney's streets. On clear days, you can even see the Blue Mountains, 80 kilometres away.
If you fancy an adrenaline rush, buy a ticket for the SKYWALK, where you walk on the outside of the tower in an hour. It's handy if you don't suffer from any vertigo. For a slightly less thrilling experience, book a table at one of the two revolving restaurants at the top, SkyFeast(www.skyfeastsydneytower.com.au) on the 82nd floor or Infinity(www.infinitysydneytower.com.au) on the 81st floor. Or have a drink at Bar 83(www.bar83sydneytower.com.au) on the 83rd floor, Sydney's tallest bar. Address: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Website: www.sydneytowereye.com.au
Museum of Contemporary Art
As in almost every other major city, Sydney has a Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). This is Australia's leading contemporary art museum. Its collection includes over 4,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures and videos by Australian artists, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. International artworks are also on display. The museum is located in an art deco building on the waterfront, near the Harbour Bridge.
When the building opened in 1991, its purpose was to serve as an educational institution for school children in addition to being a place of interest. Since then, one of the three floors is open for schools and study programmes and the other two are open for exhibitions. For lunch or coffee, head to the MCA Café, with breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House. Admission to the museum is free. Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia.
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