Trips to Sydney
City life and great experiences in Sydney
Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, is home to more than five million people and is Australia’s largest city. The city is also a top destination for many tourists visiting Australia, with the Sydney Opera House and other fascinating attractions etched in many people’s memories from childhood.
Although Sydney is a bustling metropolis, it also offers respite and the beauty of nature, whether you want to try surfing at Bondi Beach or enjoy the lush greenery of the Royal Botanical Gardens. A city break also gives you the chance to explore Australia’s wildlife at places like Taronga Zoo.
As well as sightseeing, a trip to Sydney also offers culture in many forms, and a city tour gives you a comprehensive insight into its history. The city was originally built around its harbour, so it’s easy to explore the city centre on foot.
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Sydney’s distinctive neighbourhoods offer plenty to see and do
The very heart of the city is not necessarily the most interesting area for tourists, as it is also a business hub. However, just around the corner are more atmospheric districts that bring out Sydney’s character. These include the traditional The Rocks, the nightlife of Kings Cross and the vibrant Paddington, all with their own special characteristics.
Sydney for the shopper
Right in the centre of Sydney is the historic Queen Victoria Building (QVB), which has been one of the city’s most popular shopping destinations since the 1890s. The Pitt Street Mall is home to international brand stores, Westfield Sydney shopping centre and major department stores such as Myer and David Jones.
If you want to sample the delights of Australian grocery shopping on your trip to Sydney, you’ll find a variety of grocery chains in the central area, including some of Australia’s largest, Coles and Woolworths, while smaller Woolworths Metro stores are conveniently located throughout the city.
Sydney has a diverse restaurant scene
Good food lovers will find everything they’re looking for in Sydney. You can decide whether you want to enjoy a gourmet meal in the highest quality restaurants, eat more casually in a local pub or grab a snack from street stalls or markets.
As Sydney is a port city, fish and shellfish are readily available, especially in the harbour areas. But if seafood isn’t your thing, you’re sure to find something to your liking in this multicultural city, with European restaurants and Asian cuisine both strongly represented in Sydney’s dining scene. In fact, Australian cuisine is often seen as a fusion of the two.
If you want to enjoy Sydney’s beautiful scenery while you eat, Circular Quay is where you’ll find the best restaurants with stunning views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. In China Town, you’ll find the best restaurants for Chinese and other Asian cuisine.
Restaurants in trendy areas like Potts Point, Chippendale and Newtown are also worth trying, and you’ll get to experience a new side of Sydney.
Wines and local ingredients in the Hunter Valley
Wine lovers should make the 2.5-hour drive from Sydney to the Hunter Valley. You can either do a self-guided tour of the area, for example by hire car, or opt for a pre-planned day trip, of which there are many in Sydney. Wine tastings, lunch and transport are all included in the package, and day trips depart early in the morning and return in the evening.
The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region, with more wineries to visit than anywhere else in Australia. In fact, there are more than 150 wine producers in the region. Semillon and Shiraz grapes are the main products of the region, but there are also local organic foods, cheeses, smoked delicacies, chocolate and coffee.
At the vineyards you can enjoy a lunch prepared with local ingredients, or alternatively you can take a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards.
Beautiful views of the Blue Mountains and Jervis Bay
On your trip to Sydney, you can easily take day trips to interesting places away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Blue Mountains, for example, are a handy destination for an independent visit. Just an hour and a half’s drive from Sydney, you can enjoy their eucalyptus essential oil-tinged landscapes. The Blue Mountains are also a popular day trip for small groups, and we recommend adding it to your itinerary.
You can spend several days in the area if you wish, as the Blue Mountains offers a wide range of accommodation, spas, good food and local wines. It’s also worth visiting the local artists’ galleries, antique shops and small bookshops.
Less than three hours’ drive from Sydney lies a charming, beach-filled bay called Jervis Bay. Its sands are called the whitest in the world, and the Guinness Book of World Records agrees.
The convenience of arriving in Jervis Bay from Sydney makes day trips easy, but there are also plenty of overnight options in the bay; for example, you can stay overnight at one of the campsites in Boodere National Park, or book yourself a great glamping overnight experience. This way you can get to know Australia’s nature at the same time.
Sydney’s public transport works well
Sydney’s public transport is comprehensive and easy to use, even for tourists. The public transport network includes trains, buses, ferries and trams, and journeys can be paid for with a reloadable Opal card or a credit card with a local payment feature.
The Opal card can be purchased at many grocery stores, kiosks, newsagents, post offices and airports. It is easy to load the appropriate amount of value onto the card, either at self-service machines in stations or at card resellers.
The Opal network also covers the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Illawarra, Central Coast and Southern Highlands.