About Australia
At the heart of Sydney — Australia's oldest, largest and most diverse city — is the outrageously good-looking Sydney Harbour. Like a psychedelic supermodel, the city curves and sways through this glamorous maze of sandstone headlands, lazy bays and legendary surf beaches. The Sydney experience is essentially physical - dunk yourself in the Bondi surf, sail under the Harbour Bridge on a yacht, jog along the Coogee cliff tops or rampage through Centennial Park on horseback. Everybody seems to be outside - the beaches are swarming, street cafés buzz and the harbour blooms with sails. (courtesy of Lonely Planet)
Sydney is no less complex socially than it is on the map. An edgy multiculturalism ignites the food scene and fuels the nocturnal life - you'll lose yourself in the restaurants, bars and clubs just as easily as on the streets. Aboriginal heritage makes an impact through art; you'll see many urban galleries celebrating indigenous culture.
Your Sydney days will be active and engaging, your nights indulgent and intense. The rest of Australia is in denial - Sydney is as good as it gets.
Sydney Fast Facts
- Climate: The average temperature in Sydney in November is 16 - 24 degrees Celsius (61 - 75 Fahrenheit) with an average rainfall of 20 mm and 20 sunny days for the month.
- Population: 4.2 million people
- Land Area: 12,000 square kilometers
- Geography: Sydney is bordered on the west by the Blue Mountains, (50km west), North and South by National Parks and to the East by the sparkling Pacific Ocean
Our Top Picks for Things to See and Do in Sydney
- Catch the ferry to Manly for a scenic trip across the harbor and enjoy fish and chips at the beach or a beer on the wharf
- Take in a spectacular coastal walk along the Eastern suburb beaches finishing at the world famous Bondi Beach for lunch or perhaps even a quick dip or a surf
- Catch a show at the Sydney Opera House, take a tour or just ogle the unique architecture
- Visit Watson's Bay by ferry where you can take a short walk to the Gap and the South Head of the Harbour and finish off with a seafood lunch on the beach at the famous Doyles Restaurant
- Catch a ferry to Taronga Zoo for unique Australian wildlife with the best views in the world
- Explore the beautiful Sydney Botanic Gardens that hug the harbor shore and finish off by visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales for some stunning indigenous art.
- Immerse yourself in the historic district of the Rocks which was the centre of Sydney when it was first settled. From here you can take a walking tour, visit some of the old pubs and restaurants or browse through the weekend Markets.
- The spectacular Blue Mountains are a worthy day trip away from the bustle of the city for walks through canyons and across ridges with spectacular scenery as a reward.
Additional Information and Things to Do:
