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Sydney, a dazzling and vibrant cosmopolitan city is built around one of the world's most beautiful harbours. Sydney has a wide range of attractions including art galleries, museums, theatres, opera and music as well as parks, gardens, sparkling beaches and the harbourside Taronga Zoo. Sydney's restaurants reflect the multicultural diversity with an exemplary choice in all cuisines. Why not try surfing at our glorious beaches, or sailing on our magnificent harbour. These are only two of the activities that you can pursue while staying in Sydney.

Dining out is a favourite activity in Sydney – the abundance of ingredients and the influences of many cultures make for great choices in style and cost. While visiting Sydney you must sample some of the traditional Australian cuisines and taste some of the local wines.

Sydney's cultural scene is vibrant. The Opera House with its graceful sails is home to the Sydney Symphony, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Ballet and the Sydney Theatre Company. There are many venues specialising in music from the classics to disco, theatre and film including those from the rising generation of young Australian directors.

Sydney looks forward to welcoming you to its shores to experience the endless variety and beauty it has to offer.

Things to Do in Sydney

Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking, 360-degree views of our beautiful harbour city, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Soaring 250m above the city streets, the Observation Deck of Sydney Tower is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a panoramic viewing experience unmatched by any other Sydney attraction. It is double the height of Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour distinguishes itself with the large variety of Australian aquatic life assembled under one roof: more than 650 species comprising more than 11,000 individual fish and other sea and water creatures. Walk through its see-through tunnels to where three-metre sharks glide silently above you, almost close enough to touch. A highlight at the Aquarium is the Great Barrier Reef display filled with colourful fish and coral. The variety is astounding. Almost every Australian sea and major waterway is represented at Sydney Aquarium: from the open sea to the Great Barrier Reef, to the Australian Bight and Sydney Harbour. With more than 1.2 million people visiting the Aquarium every year it is not an attraction to be missed.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, otherwise known as Lady Macquarie's Chair, provides one of the best vantage points in Sydney. Directly east of the Opera House on the eastern edge of the Royal Botanic Gardens, you can experience excellent views west across the harbour to the Bridge and the Mountains in the far distance. Looking north and east you can see Kirribilli House, Pinchgut Island and the Navy dockyards at Wooloomooloo. The views from Mrs Macquarie's Chair are still enjoyed today, over 150 years later, by hundreds of Sydney-siders and tourists each day.

The Royal Botanic Gardens were first established in 1816 and they are now one of Sydney's finest natural assets. The 30 hectares of gardens are home to over a million specimens, some of which were planted by the newly arrived European colonists almost 200 years ago. The gardens also offer some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Taronga Zoo is Sydney’s premier zoo. Located on the Northern shores of Sydney Harbour, this zoo boasts spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Only a short ferry ride from the Sydney CBD this zoo hosts Australia’s finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species.

The Rocks is a maze of sandstone lanes, cul-de-sacs and courtyards which are bursting with a colourful history dating back to the convict days of Sydney. This area is jam-packed with shops, warehouses and terraces that were built in the early 19th century. Far from its convict days, this area is now a bustling tourist attraction, with visitors from all over the world flocking to its many shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the best known architectural wonders of the world. After its opening in 1973 the Sydney Opera House became an icon of Sydney for people around the world. The Sydney Opera House has hosted a wide range of performances since its opening. This building is a must see for any visitor to Sydney. The area surrounding the Sydney Opera House is filled with vibrant restaurants and cafes for visitors to enjoy the view of the peaceful Sydney Harbour.

Fort Denison, once a prison for Australian convicts, is a Sydney landmark steeped in history. Located in the centre of Sydney Harbour, this landmark became a fort in 1857 to protect Sydney against outside threats of attack. With a prime location in Sydney Harbour, this historic attraction provides stunning views of the Harbour with many amazing photo opportunities.

Bondi Beach is popular with locals and tourists alike, who participate in a wealth of activities that include surfing, jogging, beach volleyball, skateboarding, roller blading and power walking. The home of Australia's oldest Surf Life Saving Club, Bondi Beach boasts a mixture of lifestyles and offers great surf, good food and a fun atmosphere.

Darling Harbour is an area full of life, both day and night. This lively waterfront precinct has developed into one of Sydney’s largest dining, shopping and entertainment areas. Prime hotspots include King Street Wharf and Cockle Bay Wharf which both offer a wealth of alfresco cafes, bars and restaurants. This area also offers up an array of attractions such as Sydney Wildlife World, the worlds’ largest IMAX theatre and Star City Casino.

For further information about Sydney please visit the below websites:
City of Sydney Official Website: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Tourism New South Wales: www.sydney.com
Tourism New South Wales Business: www.sydneyaustralia.com
Sydney Online: www.sydney.com.au