The iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge cement Sydney's standing as the best known city in Australia.
Sydney Airport, located approximately 16km away from the city centre serves as your gateway to the city and the wider state of New South Wales. From the bohemian boardwalk of Bondi Beach to the snowy peaks of the Blue Mountains, explore everything on offer in this fascinating part of Australia.
Things to See and Do Around Sydney
No visit to Sydney would be complete without visiting the world famous Sydney Opera House or Harbour Bridge. For a real adrenaline rush, climb the 440ft high bridge for the best views. If you'd prefer to see the harbour from ground level, catch one of the many ferries to Darling Harbour from Circular Quay which takes you directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Afterwards, explore Darling Harbour itself. Make your way to the Chinese Garden of Friendship filled with waterfalls, exotic plant life, and wonderful lakes. Visit the IMAX cinema, home to the world's biggest cinema screen or explore the Australian national Maritime Museum before stopping off for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on the water's edge.
If you want to see some Australian wildlife, head to Taronga Zoo. Home to a fantastic selection of animals, it’s been dubbed a zoofari as you can stay overnight allowing you to see nocturnal animals in their prime! With a variety of animal encounters and daily talks too, this really will be an unforgettable zoo adventure.
Hop on the ferry at Circular Quay for a day trip to Manly, a suburb in northern Sydney. Famed for its wide, golden beach, and rock pools, it also boasts some excellent surfing. Whilst here, why not browse the popular markets with plenty of items up for grabs or spend the afternoon at Ocean World where you can meet numerous sealife creatures.
Exploring New South Wales by Car
Whilst Sydney has enough to keep you occupied for days on end, there are a wealth of attractions outside the city limits. It's well worth booking a rental car to enable you to get out and explore.
Take a day trip to the nearby city of Wollongong. There are 17 beaches to choose from ranging from peaceful coves to impressive headlands, catering for all activities from swimming to surfing. The city itself is home to the Buddhist Nan Tien Temple, the Botanical Gardens, and the Minnamurra Rainforest which is bursting with wildlife.
Less than 2 hours’ drive east of Sydney lie the Blue Mountains. This is home to one of Australia’s most spectacular natural parks, the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Take the cable car or scenic railway for fantastic views of the mountains. A word of warning, the scenic railway is in fact the steepest passenger railway in the world. Hike some of the 45km’s worth of trails and discover the Aboriginal heritage area.
Last but not least, drive out to the famous Bondi Beach. Enjoy the epitome of a beach day with golden sands, excellent surf, a buzzing atmosphere and soaring temperatures.
