Sydney the oldest, biggest, and most beautiful of all Australian cities, lies amid a seductive intermingling of land and sea. Glide along the glittering harbor on a ferry, see the white sails of the Opera House gleaming in the sunshine, admire the graceful arch of the Harbour Bridge, and you’ll see why this is one of the world’s top cities.
It’s hard to imagine this vibrant state capital of New South Wales was once a convict colony. In 1788, it was at Sydney Cove where Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet, established the first British colony in Australia. Today, you can explore Sydney’s fabled history in the narrow, cobbled laneways and historic buildings of the Rocks, and learn about the Gadigal Aboriginal people, the traditional custodians of this land, on guided tours and at the city’s excellent museums.
Sydney still fizzes with the adventurous spirit of its settlers. Climb the harbor bridge, surf the green-barrel breaks at Sydney’s golden beaches, or fly over the city on a scenic tour. And the adventures don’t end in the city. Wildlife-rich wilderness areas surround the city providing appealing day trip possibilities.
WHY VISIT SYDNEY
1. See the Sydney Opera House
2. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
3. Stroll around The Rocks
4. Hop aboard a Harbor Cruise at Circular Quay
5. Spend a Day at Darling Harbour
6. Smell the Roses at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
7. Shop ’til You Drop at the Queen Victoria Building
8. Zoom up the Sydney Tower Eye
9. Bask on Sydney’s Beaches
10. Bike or Walk around Barangaroo Reserve
11. Go Wild at Taronga Zoo
12. Wander along George Street
13. Enjoy a Picnic in Hyde Park
14. Admire the Masterpieces at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
15. Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral
16. Explore Macquarie Street & the State Library of New South Wales
17. Enjoy Yum Cha in Chinatown
18. Check Out Kings Cross