Facts and Figures
Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales, and with a population of around 4.28 million people, over 20 per cent of all Australians live here.
It is situated on the south-east coast of Australia and is the state capital of New South Wales. It was the site of the first British colony in Australia when the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 to establish a penal colony, and convict labour was used to build much of the early infrastructure, some of which is still visible. It is a little known fact that Sydney is older than many other great cities of the world including San Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, Singapore, Toronto and Johannesburg.
The city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour and it is one of the most recognisable cities in the world, with its iconic Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It is a city that caters for people of all ages and there are always plenty of things to see and do.
Sydney is one of the most multicultural and multilingual cities in the world. People from more than 180 nations, speaking 140 languages, call it home, and nearly one-quarter of Sydney residents speak a language other than English at home.
The city has hosted international sporting events, including the 2000 Summer Olympics and the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which means it has a range of excellent sporting facilities.
Sydney has restaurants for every taste and budget and a massive range of shops from top-end designer label boutiques to the cheap and colourful Paddys Markets. Likewise Sydney accommodation ranges from luxury to budget range.
Climate
Sydney has a temperate climate with more than 340 sunny days a year. It has warm summers and cool winters, and rainfall is spread throughout the year, but is slightly higher during the first half of the year, when easterly winds dominate. An average winter day has a minimum temperature of 9°C and a maximum temperature of 16°C. In summer the average minimum temperature is 19°C and the average maximum is 26°C. The warmest month is January and the coldest month is July. March and November tend to be less scorching than the height of summer and are popular months to visit Sydney.
Top 10 things to see or do
Sydney is a beautiful city, and even if you just walked around all day you would be impressed by the harbourside location. There are hundreds of different things to see and do. There are museums and galleries, parks and reserves and architecture to visit, but there also things that are unique to Sydney. Here are a few Sydney experiences you should try.
1. Visit the Sydney Opera House. This is one of Sydney's great landmarks and is a totally unique structure. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby. Book a free tour or pay to see a performance and enjoy the experience.
2. Visit Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you're low on money, visit the Pylon Lookout for a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and take a photo. If you can afford the time and money then book a BridgeClimb which takes you to the top of the arches using safety equipment.
3. See Sydney from the water with a cruise on Sydney Harbour or a scenic ferry ride to Watsons Bay.
4. Visit Bondi or Manly Beach for a surf, swim, sunbathe or spectate.
5. Take the two-hour coastal walk from Bondi Golf Course to Coogee Beach, and see Aboriginal rock engravings.
6. Visit the Powerhouse Museum and play with the interactive exhibits
7. Stroll around The Rocks. This is the restored oldest area of Sydney where you can find all sorts of treasures in a combination of historic buildings and modern.
8. Walk on the ocean floor" through 145 metres of transparent underwater tunnels at Sydney Aquarium.
9. Have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens
10. Go shopping! From designer shops in Pitt St Mall to Paddy's Markets in Chinatown
Sydney Events not to be missed
Sydney hosts a variety of festivals, shows and exhibitions throughout the year, and you will find something to visit no matter when you are in Sydney.
- The Sydney Festival, held in January each year is Australia's largest arts festival and involves both indoor and free outdoor performances at various locations in the CBD.
- The Big Day Out rock music festival is held in late January.
- The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a colourful parade along Oxford Street in February.
- The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is the focus of Australian horse racing in autumn.
- For 2 weeks around Easter the Sydney Royal Show is held at Sydney Olympic Park.
- The start of the City to Surf fun run in August is a stirring sight.
- On Boxing Day you can watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and see the harbour full of crafts of every shape and size.
- At Christmas you can experience Carols in the Domain in the heart of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.
- On New Years Day and Australia Day there are some of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world, with fireworks taking flight from several sites, including the Harbour Bridge itself.
Sydney Hotels and Accommodation
Cheap Sydney accommodation is available at backpacker hostels and there are also a range of cheap Sydney hotels that offer good value for the budget conscious traveller. There are also several five star hotels in Sydney if you like to stay in luxury. By booking online you can often get deals for discount Sydney hotels & accommodation that are much lower than the standard rates. An online search for Sydney lowest rates will give you the pick of several quality Sydney hotels and you can choose based on the location you wish to stay at.
Transport
Sydney has a huge range of public transport options so that you can get around without needing a car. An Airport Link rail service runs seven days a week, to and from the Domestic and International Terminals and all City Circle railway stations.
There is an extensive network of buses, trains and ferries to get you all around the city and the surrounding areas. They all have various travel pass deals that are good value for money and great for tourists. One of the most delightful ways to get around is by ferry from Circular Quay, and a ride on the Manly ferry will give you one of the best views of Sydney from the water.
There is also a 10-minute monorail loop from the city centre to Darling Harbour and back, and the Metro Light Rail trams run between Central Station and Wentworth Park in Pyrmont.
In addition there are large numbers of taxis that can be hailed from the street, or engaged at ranks at Circular Quay, Wynyard Station, and Town Hall Station. Most Sydney hotels will book a cab for you.