Despite being Australia's oldest city, Sydney is seductive and slick and so vibrantly modern that it is considered by many to be the most desirable location in the world. Everything about Sydney is sleek and clean with magnificent parks, a beautiful blue water harbour and some of the most recognisable and visually stunning landmarks in the world. What makes Sydney all the more appealing is that it sits close to the more authentic image of Australia with the bush in close reach, meaning you don't have to go far to escape the pace of urban life. It's important to remember that the Australian summer coincides with British winter meaning that the top temperatures are to be enjoyed from December-February. Flight times from Sydney to the UK take between 22 and 24hrs on average, with just one stop.
| There's no better place to start in Sydney than by taking in the sights and sounds of Sydney Harbour... |
Best for...
The largest city in Australia, Sydney appeals to everyone from beach bums to culture buffs...
Sydney is one of the most rounded destinations in the world, attracting everyone from the beach bum to the culture buff, families to single travellers. The reason is that it has incredible diversity with the harbour beaches to swim in, some of the most memorable sights on the planet, fantastic shopping opportunities and some brilliant restaurants. Sydney also has a variety of nightlife options from shows and the theatre, to bars, clubs and discos. The only factor to bear in mind is the lengthy flight time, which might put off some visitors, particularly families with young children.
What to do...
There's no better place to start in Sydney than by taking in the sights and sounds of Sydney Harbour. A walk along the harbour will never fail to entertain and it is here that you will find two of the most popular and recognisable tourist attractions - the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge spans the 1,600ft gap between the north and south shores, and visitors now have the option to climb to the top of the bridge as part of an organised group to experience some incredible views. If you're not quite that adventurous, you can still grab an excellent viewpoint at Pylon lookout. The Opera House has very much become the symbol of the city and is still used constantly by a variety of elite performers ranging from ballet, to opera, to concerts.
The beaches in Sydney are also a major attraction, and you will always find one close by. The most famous is probably Bondi Beach, where the Australian surf, bikini-clad models and bronzed males are famous. Further north you will be spoilt for choice, though Manly attracts the most attention. It can be reached from the city centre by ferry or foot, with the three-four hour walk via the Manly Scenic Walkway offering some brilliant views. Palm Beach is another of the most popular options, though it's also worth considering Avalon, Bilgola, Bungan, Newport, Whale, Long Reef, Curl Curl, North Steyne, Shelly, Freshwater, Mona Vale, Narrabeen-Collaroy and Warriewood.
If you can drag yourself away from the golden sands there are plenty more sights to see in and around Sydney. These include Darling Harbour, which is home to the IMAX theatre with Australia's largest cinema, the Star City casino and excellent views from the Sydney monorail. Darling Harbour also plays host to several free annual events including the spectacular Australia Day celebration, and festivals for jazz and street theatre. It's also worthwhile making a trip to Sydney's Olympic Park, the sight of the 2000 Olympic Games and now the venue for rugby and soccer matches. The Royal Botanical Gardens features guided walks of the flourishing fauna while St Mary's Cathedral is one of the oldest sites in Sydney, a massive Gothic cathedral with stunning stain-glass windows. Sydney also has many art galleries and museums including the Sydney Tramway Museum, the Sydney Observatory and the Australian Museum. Sydney is also a gateway to the Blue Mountains - a series of cliffs surrounding a plateau with gorges that reach as much as 760m in depth.
Shopping in Sydney centres on adventure. Much of the centre follows a fairly generic form but if you venture into the likes of Newtown, Glebe and Paddington you can unearth some eclectic boutiques and fun markets.
Travellers who like to stay out late will not be disappointed by the range of nightlife in Sydney which starts early at the numerous eateries and the vibrant café culture where the buzz starts early, particularly alongside the harbour. For some top end dining head to Billy Kwong for a Chinese, and if you're working on a tighter budget its worth tasting the seafood at the aptly named A Fish Called Coogee.
From there you'll have plenty to keep you occupied depending on your taste. The gay and lesbian scene is massive in Sydney with a host of bars and clubs and the world famous Mardi Gras, which is the largest and most flamboyant in the world, while there are also outdoor cinemas and lots of theatre and cultural options. ARQ is a large club/disco with pool tables and sofas along with DJs and drag shows. The Civic Hotel features live jazz and rock music, the Cricketers Arms will give you a taste of home and Slip Inn has lots of thumping house and hip-hop tunes.
