Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House Bursting with character, Sydney is a vibrant city catering to all your desires whether you seek exhilaration and exploration or 100% relaxation. Discover Sydney's unique blend of dining, shopping and recreation options in one of the world's most attractive city environments.

The personality of Sydney's dining scene is as distinctive as the city itself, reflecting its multicultural diversity and willingness to embrace new things. Find a fresh approach to flavour combinations at numerous gourmet restaurants, many of which are on the harbour and enjoy outstanding views. While high-end dining experiences are plentiful cafe society thrives in Sydney's inner precincts and beaches. Paddington and Balmain have flourishing pub-dining scenes and quality food is also on offer at historic pubs in The Rocks.

Sydney's shopping offers everything your heart could desire. The City Centre is home to major retail centres offering a range of boutiques and specialty stores, and international designers including DKNY, Versace and Gucci. Find Australian designers such as Morrissey, Collette Dinnigan and Alannah Hill in Oxford Street, Paddington.

Recreation is a specialty of Sydney's, a city that takes full advantage of its natural environs. Soak up Sydney life on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, just one of many on offer. The Rose Bay to Watson's Bay and The Spit to Manly walks hug the harbour offering spectacular views. Challenge yourself by climbing Sydney's Harbour Bridge or enjoy a thrilling jet-boat jaunt.

Gain an insight into Sydney Harbour's history on a cruise, or board a yacht to explore the harbour's hidden coves. For further relaxation experience the holiday feel of Sydney's Northern Beaches stretching from Manly to Palm Beach. Escape to Outer Sydney to explore areas steeped in history and rich in natural beauty.

Feel free to take part in the Sydney experience, tasting the lifestyle along the way.

Articles

A spectrum of the arts

Sydney offers everything from performances at the Opera House to street shows and theatres, making it one of the world's hot spots for visual and performing arts. Opera, ballet, modern dance and local and international theatre are all catered for. You can even take in a show while cruising on the harbour. more

Around the clock

They say that Sydney never sleeps. In daylight hours the city buzzes with life and performances while all-night pubs, cutting-edge dance clubs, and gay reviews on trendy Oxford Street, could keep you out until dawn. Fancy a late-night meal or a final coffee - that's not a problem in Sydney. more

Australian Style

Light, bright, cheerful and colourful - Sydney style has an exuberant quality defined by the city's climate, magnificent harbour, luxuriant hinterland and superb beaches. Voluptuous rather than sharp-edged, gorgeous rather than chic, the New South Wales capital dazzles with personality. more

Bridge pylon tour

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Museum and Lookout, a 10-minute walk from Circular Quay, offers a different perspective on the bridge. There are 200 steps inside the pylon and a spectacular 360 degree view of the city from the lookout.

Choice of hotels

Whether it's a five-star hotel, a cosy boutique establishment or a top-notch backpacker hostel you'll find plenty of quality rooms at value-for-money prices in Sydney. Stay right in the heart of the city with views of the harbour, or next to the beach with a warm sea breeze and the swish of waves. more

Fabulous fusion foods

Decades of immigration have meant Sydney's restaurants cater for all sorts of tastes from Greek and Lebanese to Japanese and Indian. Fresh ingredients and a fusion of Eastern and Western styles are an Australian trademark, while superb wines and scores of bars and pubs will quench your thirst. more

Food and gifts

Visitors to the Sydney Opera House and patrons of its performances will find half-a-dozen eating outlets, ranging from formal dining to casual cafes. And for souvenirs or gifts, there are shops on the lower concourse and outlets inside the complex.

Guided tours

About twice a week, a special behind-the-scenes Backstage! tour of the Sydney Opera House explores the scenery dock, rehearsal rooms, lighting booths and more. There are also front-of-house tours and dinner and performance packages.

Superb city beaches

With more than 70 uncrowded beaches within easy reach of its cosmopolitan heart, Sydney is a mecca for sunworshippers and surfers alike. From famous ocean beaches like Bondi to Manly, to less well-known strips of golden sand, you'll be spoiled for choice during Sydney's long hot summers. more

Sydney Harbour and bays

Sydney Harbour National Park protects several islands and foreshore areas around the spectacular harbour. South of the city, Botany Bay National park straddles two headlands and a span of history.