Sydney, the oldest city Down Under, is often mistakenly thought to be the capital of Australia (the city of Canberra holds this title). This is not surprising, however, because Sydney is the most visited city in Australia and thus also the cultural and economic centre of the country.
For tourists, the metropolis on the Tasman Sea, bursting with life, has a wealth of sights to offer. Cultural events, sporting highlights, architectural gems, historical hot spots and beach holidays - everything is possible here!
While Sydney is undoubtedly a must-see, don't overlook the charm of surrounding New South Wales. Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, you'll find the peaceful city of Port Macquarie. Bursting with natural beauty and maritime history, it makes the perfect spot for a relaxing mini-vacation. To make your stay even more enjoyable, check out the great Hotel deals in Port Macquarie at newsouthwaleshotels.net. A perfect escape that creates a well-rounded Australian vacation experience.
Tip: With the Sydney Pass you can save a lot of money on entrance fees! Depending on whether you want to see as much as possible in a short time (Sydney Unlimited Attractions Pass or the Sydney Bonus Pass) or spread the Sydney sights over several days or weeks (Sydney Flexi Attractions Pass or Attractions Pass), you can choose the sightseeing pass that suits you best.
Sydney Opera House
The famous Sydney Opera House is THE postcard motif of the city and a landmark of Australia. Designed by a Danish architect, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most striking architectural monuments of the 20th century and was even included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the time, the ambitious building project swallowed up many times the estimated sum and took 8 years longer than planned.
The most photographed building in Australia is visited by around 4 million people every year. Besides the opera, the 67-metre-high building also houses a cinema, 6 bars and 4 restaurants. Those who do not wish to attend a performance or dine at the Sydney Opera House can simply take a guided tour of its interior - or simply enjoy the view of Sydney Harbour on the steps in front of the opera.
Harbour Bridge
The next structure in Sydney's top 10 sights is enthroned on Sydney's natural harbour. The famous Harbour Bridge takes centre stage every year at the New Year's Eve celebrations of Sydney - also one of the most important in the world. After all, Sydney is the first city on the planet with millions of inhabitants to welcome the New Year.
Opened in 1932, the distinctive bridge is now a major artery between the north and south of the city. A walk across the 503-metre Harbour Bridge shows Sydney from a whole new perspective.
Those with a head for heights venture on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. This daring climb takes you over the iron arches of the bridge to 134 metres above the water level. Helicopter flights over and boat tours under the bridge show the elegant Harbour Bridge from every conceivable angle.
If you don't necessarily want to climb, sail or fly, but still want to enjoy the view of Sydney's countless sights, the best place to do so is from the Pylon Lookout. At this viewing platform in the southern bridge pier, a small exhibition tells the story of the Harbour Bridge.
Sydney Botanical Garden
A visit to Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden is free - but by no means free. The huge park offers wonderful relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city amidst South Pacific flora and probably the best view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. There's a lot going on here on New Year's Eve!
The 30-hectare oasis of meadows, ponds and flowers was already laid out in the early 19th century. At that time, it served as a private vegetable garden for the British colonial masters.
The main attractions in the Sydney Botanic Garden include the wonderfully fragrant rose garden, the cactus-proof desert garden, the numerous white cockatoos and the tropical house full of exotic climbing plants. Restaurants and cafés invite you to take a stroll with a dignified lunch or a cosy cappuccino in the greenery.
The Rocks district
How it all began.... you can find out in "The Rocks", the oldest district of Sydney and thus of Australia as a whole. A good 200 years ago, the foundation stone of today's megacity was laid in this historic area. Many of the few remaining buildings of the former British penal colony have been renovated and opened for public viewing.
The changeable and sometimes dark past of Sydney can best be understood on a guided tour through "The Rocks". You should also get to know Sydney's oldest pubs and go on an exciting discovery tour through the small art galleries, museums and markets.
Darling Harbour district
An ideal base camp for holidays in Sydney is Darling Harbour between Chinatown and Darling Point. The former commercial harbour of Sydney was spruced up for the Olympic Games at the end of the 1990s and redeveloped in many ways. The district takes its name from Ralph Darling, the former governor of New South Wales.
A day in this part of town consists of shopping in the numerous malls, relaxing in various restaurants and cafés right on the waterfront, a boat trip through the harbour or a visit to the aquarium, wildlife centre or marine museum. In Darling Harbour's IMAX cinema, it's "movie time" on the world's largest screen.
Queen Victoria Building
Shopping enthusiasts will get their money's worth here. The magnificent Queen Victoria Building is Sydney's oldest and probably most beautiful shopping centre. It was built in 1898 in Victorian style and today occupies an entire block between Market Street and George Street. A statue of the eponymous Queen of England is enthroned in front of the entrance.
The magnificent façade is crowned by an imposing dome, under which countless shops with marble floors and stained glass windows line up on an area of 190 by 30 metres. The higher the floor, the higher the prices.
A visit to the Queen Victoria Building is worthwhile even if you don't intend to buy anything. One of the highlights of the Queen Victoria Building is the gigantic Christmas tree that is erected under the dome every year. Every day, the Royal Clock on the second floor fascinates visitors, showing scenes from British history on the hour.
Sydney Tower
At the imposing Sydney Tower, visitors can literally see the Australian metropolis at their feet. At 309 metres, the slender tower is the tallest building in Sydney and the second tallest in the southern hemisphere (beaten only by the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand).
From the observation deck "Sydney Tower Eye" at a height of 251 metres, a gigantic 360° panoramic view opens up, stretching over the sea and all the way to the Blue Mountains.
The Skywalk takes you even higher: this glass platform circles the entire tower outdoors at a dizzying height of 260 metres - not even glass obstructs your view. Visitors are appropriately secured, but you should definitely be free from giddiness!
St Mary's Cathedral
St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney is one of Sydney's most popular sights and one of the most beautiful neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world. Its foundation stone was laid in 1821, and the then acting Bishop John Bede Polding moved in as early as 1835, becoming Sydney's first Archbishop seven years later.
The imposing church impresses with two 75-metre-high towers and a nave over 100 metres long. After a fire in 1865 completely destroyed the sandstone church, it took until the year 2000 until it was completely restored.
Tip: St Mary's Cathedral is best photographed at sunset. The perfect spot for cameras is then the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park.
Bondi Beach
One of Australia's most famous beaches and the world's best surfing sport: If you want to spend a beach holiday in Sydney, you can't miss Bondi Beach. With golden sand and perfect weather, the approximately 1000-metre-long coastal strip is the most visited of Sydney's 70 (!) beaches.
The promenade of Bondi Beach, the so-called Bondi Walk, attracts visitors with cafés, restaurants and ice cream stalls to unwind with delicious food and a wonderful view. Surfers are always in view, as the excellent year-round waves at Bondi Beach attract beginners and pros alike to the foaming surf.
Cockatoo Island
In the harbour basin off Sydney lies Cockatoo Island, a little sightseeing secret tip for Sydney holidaymakers. The two largest shipyards in Australia are located on the former convict colony, although they have been shut down in the meantime. Since 2010, the largest island in Sydney Harbour has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an important place for the life of convicts in Australia.
As a Sydney landmark, Cockatoo Island is most often visited for cultural events. These have included the Cockatoo Island Music Festival, the Biennale of Sydney and the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour Freestyle Motocross Finals.
The island is reached by ferry from the mainland and you can even stay overnight at the campsite - with probably the most spectacular ground view of the Sydney skyline.
Accommodation and hotels in Australia
Interesting articles for holidays in Australia:
Sydney Opera House
The Australian Outback
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road
Coober Pedy
Kings Canyon in the Northern Territories