Sydney
New South Wales · City

Sydney

Harbour City of the Pacific

sunny Best in September to November, March to May

Sydney

Sydney sits on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and is the capital of New South Wales. It has been continuously inhabited for at least 30,000 years and was the site of the first European settlement in Australia when the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. The name comes from Lord Sydney, the British Home Secretary at the time, and the harbour was named Port Jackson after the Admiralty official who backed the settlement.

The city today is built around Sydney Harbour, widely considered the most beautiful natural harbour on earth. The two most recognisable structures on the shoreline, the Sydney Opera House (UNESCO World Heritage listed in 2007) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge (opened 1932), are both within walking distance of the main Circular Quay ferry terminal and together define the postcard view of Australia for most international visitors.

Sydney has more than 100 beaches within the metropolitan area, connecting the harbour to the Pacific Ocean. Bondi is the most famous, attracting millions of visitors a year, but locals generally rate Manly, Bronte, Tamarama and the northern beaches above it. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is 6 kilometres of cliff path, sandstone and ocean rock pools and is one of the world's best urban walks.

The Royal Botanic Garden, just east of the Opera House, was established in 1816 and is the oldest scientific institution in Australia. Next to it sits the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the State Library, and the Hyde Park Barracks (another UNESCO convict-era site). Darling Harbour to the west, the Rocks historic district, and the sandstone suburb of Paddington all showcase different sides of Sydney's character.

Beyond the city centre, day trips within 90 minutes put you in the Blue Mountains (already covered in this guide), the Hunter Valley wine region, the northern beaches peninsula, the Royal National Park south of the city, and Wollongong. Longer day trips reach the Southern Highlands and Jervis Bay.

Sydney is a year-round destination but the best months for weather are September to November and March to May. Summer (December to February) is hot and crowded, with the CBD regularly hitting 35 degrees and the harbour filling with every kind of watercraft on Boxing Day for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start. Winter (June to August) is mild compared to Melbourne, with sunny days in the high teens, and is the quietest tourist season. The city is served by Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) just 8 kilometres south of the CBD, with direct flights from over 50 international destinations.

groups
5.4M
Population
event
1788
Founded
beach_access
100+
Beaches

Things to see here

Highlights in Sydney.

2 spots to visit

Darling Harbour
Cultural Landmark

Darling Harbour

Sydney's Waterfront Entertainment Precinct

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The Rocks
Cultural Landmark

The Rocks

Sydney's Oldest Neighbourhood and Colonial-Era Precinct

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Where to stay

Holiday parks near Sydney.

2 options via our booking partner

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort
Central Coast, NSW
Stay

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort

BBQ Beach Access Cafe or Kiosk Camp Kitchen Dump Point
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Camden Holiday Park
Macarthur, NSW
Stay

Camden Holiday Park

BBQ Camp Kitchen Dump Point Laundry Showers
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Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Gallery

Sydney in pictures.

11 images licensed from Wikimedia Commons

Cliff at Vaucluse with New Zealand sea lions, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
King Street Wharf, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaDarling Harbour in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the city center and has a long and varied history. Originally, the area was a natural bay and river connection used by the Gadigal and Eora communities. In the 19th century, the harbour developed into an important hub for goods, shipping, and naval activities, with customs facilities, shipyards, and warehouses dominating the landscape. Through land reclamation and redevelopment, Darling Harbour gradually transformed from a working port to a leisure, recreation, and exhibition district.In the 1980s, a strategic shift took place: urban redevelopment, new infrastructure, and major events led to increased use as an urban leisure and MICE location. With the Bicentennial in 1988, the area was redesigned, and museums, convention centers, restaurants, and green spaces were created. Today, Darling Harbour combines history with science, culture, and leisure and remains a vibrant attraction in the heart of Sydney.
King Street Wharf at Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaDarling Harbour in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the city center and has a long and varied history. Originally, the area was a natural bay and river connection used by the Gadigal and Eora communities. In the 19th century, the harbour developed into an important hub for goods, shipping, and naval activities, with customs facilities, shipyards, and warehouses dominating the landscape. Through land reclamation and redevelopment, Darling Harbour gradually transformed from a working port to a leisure, recreation, and exhibition district.In the 1980s, a strategic shift took place: urban redevelopment, new infrastructure, and major events led to increased use as an urban leisure and MICE location. With the Bicentennial in 1988, the area was redesigned, and museums, convention centers, restaurants, and green spaces were created. Today, Darling Harbour combines history with science, culture, and leisure and remains a vibrant attraction in the heart of Sydney.
updated storm track map of the 1947 sydney hailstorm supercell as it moved across the sydney basin. there is also colours to show when the storm cell unusually formed into a supercell just east of liverpool . i say unusually because only one or two days per year that the conditions are right for a storm to be strongest on the coast of sydney.
Bath - Sydney Wharf 
Nattai declares itself CSG Free. Nattai is the first town in the Sydney basin to declare itself coal seam gas free. On Sunday 14 October 2012 the community held a celebration at Lake Burragorang Lookout to officially declare the town CSG-Free. They erected a sign reading "Welcome to Nattai, a coal seam gas free community" on the road into the town.
Mittagong Formation at Alicia Road and the Pacific Highway. (Location as advised by the Australian Museum).
King Street Wharf at Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaDarling Harbour in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the city center and has a long and varied history. Originally, the area was a natural bay and river connection used by the Gadigal and Eora communities. In the 19th century, the harbour developed into an important hub for goods, shipping, and naval activities, with customs facilities, shipyards, and warehouses dominating the landscape. Through land reclamation and redevelopment, Darling Harbour gradually transformed from a working port to a leisure, recreation, and exhibition district.In the 1980s, a strategic shift took place: urban redevelopment, new infrastructure, and major events led to increased use as an urban leisure and MICE location. With the Bicentennial in 1988, the area was redesigned, and museums, convention centers, restaurants, and green spaces were created. Today, Darling Harbour combines history with science, culture, and leisure and remains a vibrant attraction in the heart of Sydney.
Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaDarling Harbour in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the city center and has a long and varied history. Originally, the area was a natural bay and river connection used by the Gadigal and Eora communities. In the 19th century, the harbour developed into an important hub for goods, shipping, and naval activities, with customs facilities, shipyards, and warehouses dominating the landscape. Through land reclamation and redevelopment, Darling Harbour gradually transformed from a working port to a leisure, recreation, and exhibition district.In the 1980s, a strategic shift took place: urban redevelopment, new infrastructure, and major events led to increased use as an urban leisure and MICE location. With the Bicentennial in 1988, the area was redesigned, and museums, convention centers, restaurants, and green spaces were created. Today, Darling Harbour combines history with science, culture, and leisure and remains a vibrant attraction in the heart of Sydney.
Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaDarling Harbour in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the city center and has a long and varied history. Originally, the area was a natural bay and river connection used by the Gadigal and Eora communities. In the 19th century, the harbour developed into an important hub for goods, shipping, and naval activities, with customs facilities, shipyards, and warehouses dominating the landscape. Through land reclamation and redevelopment, Darling Harbour gradually transformed from a working port to a leisure, recreation, and exhibition district.In the 1980s, a strategic shift took place: urban redevelopment, new infrastructure, and major events led to increased use as an urban leisure and MICE location. With the Bicentennial in 1988, the area was redesigned, and museums, convention centers, restaurants, and green spaces were created. Today, Darling Harbour combines history with science, culture, and leisure and remains a vibrant attraction in the heart of Sydney.
Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaDarling Harbour in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the city center and has a long and varied history. Originally, the area was a natural bay and river connection used by the Gadigal and Eora communities. In the 19th century, the harbour developed into an important hub for goods, shipping, and naval activities, with customs facilities, shipyards, and warehouses dominating the landscape. Through land reclamation and redevelopment, Darling Harbour gradually transformed from a working port to a leisure, recreation, and exhibition district.In the 1980s, a strategic shift took place: urban redevelopment, new infrastructure, and major events led to increased use as an urban leisure and MICE location. With the Bicentennial in 1988, the area was redesigned, and museums, convention centers, restaurants, and green spaces were created. Today, Darling Harbour combines history with science, culture, and leisure and remains a vibrant attraction in the heart of Sydney.

All images are sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences. Individual photographers are credited on the source pages.

Things to do

Recommended Experiences

105 bookable experiences at or near Sydney.

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Hands-On Barista Course, Sydney, 3 Hours Sydney NSW

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Tall Ship Champagne Brunch Cruise Sydney NSW

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Tall Ship Afternoon Discovery Cruise Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Tall Ship Afternoon Discovery Cruise Sydney NSW

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Jet Boat Blast For Two Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Jet Boat Blast For Two Sydney NSW

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Tall Ship Cruise and Snooze Twin Share Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Tall Ship Cruise and Snooze Twin Share Sydney NSW

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Jet Boat Thrill on Sydney Harbour Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Jet Boat Thrill on Sydney Harbour Sydney NSW

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Extreme Adrenaline Rush Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Extreme Adrenaline Rush Sydney NSW

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Tall Ship Wine and Canapes Cruise Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Tall Ship Wine and Canapes Cruise Sydney NSW

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Brewery Tour of Sydney's Northern Beaches Sydney NSW Gourmet

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Whale Watching From a Fast Military Boat Sydney NSW Water Sports

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Learn Drifting Techniques Sydney NSW Driving

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On the itinerary

Trip plans that include Sydney.

All road trips east
The East Coast: Sydney to Cairns in 14 Days
14 days

NSW to QLD · 14 stops

The East Coast: Sydney to Cairns in 14 Days
The Big Lap: Highway 1
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The Big Lap: Highway 1
Sydney to Melbourne Coastal: Seven Days
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Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under licenses that permit commercial use. If you are the rights holder and believe an attribution is incorrect, please contact us.

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