It is not possible to visit Australia and not spend at least a few days in one of the most beautiful cities – many of you will fly through here anyway.
Sydney, almost picture-perfect, is a fantastic city with a lot of going for it. Sydney is a modern city with a long history and is defined by its scenic harbour. The first inhabitants of the region lived along the harbour’s bank for thousands of years. The harbour was also the landing site for convicts sent to Australia during the decade of 1780. Today ferries bring visitors to cruises under the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge and past the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Everyone knows that Sydney has a blow when it comes to spectacular views and thrilling activities. It is also a beautiful city, with beautiful architectural buildings, including two of the most iconic structures in the world, the Sydney Opera and the Harbour Bridge, and the sparkling harbours interrupted only by the island sanctuaries. If you are coming from beautiful beaches, we recommend sticking around for the restaurants, the culture and good vibes (but also the beaches). Sydney is all this and more, especially if you like it a little active in your free time.
Surely Sydney has the reputation of being on the expensive side. Still, most of the best things to do are free or cheap – walk along the Harbour Bridge, walk around Circular Quay, picnic in the Botanical Gardens and admires the Opera House, explore the Rocks District, take the ferry over to Manly, and walk on Bondi Beach!
Adventurous travellers can take a ferry to Manly Wharf, where you can rent kayaks to paddle the inlets of Sydney Harbor National Park or register for surf lessons in Manly Beach. The Federation Cliff Walk is a long walkway of 5 km (3 miles) starting at Raleigh Reserve Park, which offers spectacular views of the sea, the harbour and the Macquarie Lighthouse, Australia’s first and longest operating lighthouse.
Sydney’s beaches are ideal to spend a warm summer day, swim, or simply relax in the sands. The most popular are Bondi Beach, Manly and Coogee, although many others have their charm.
No visit to Sydney is complete without a visit by Sydney Opera House. Completed in 1973 and designed by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the sailing ship-inspired performing arts complex is considered one of the most distinctive architectural structures globally.
For the adventurous visitors of Sydney, a heart-thumping climbs over the harbour bridge is a must-do activity. For the others, shopping in the historic Queen Victoria Building, hitting clubs and restaurants in Rocks district and visiting the world-class Taronga Zoo are some fun activities.