Book Flights to Sydney

Arguably the city’s two most iconic landmarks are the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While the outside of the Opera House may be distinctive, be sure to investigate the interior, for some first-rate plays, concerts and, of course, operas.

If you want to learn how to relax like an Australian, head for the Royal Botanical Gardens, where signs actually invite you to walk on the grass. The other main park in Sydney is Hyde Park, where you can spot ibises wandering around freely, and locals taking it easy on a Sunday afternoon.

To find out more about the country’s culture, you can visit the Australian Museum, established just 40 years after the First Fleet dropped anchor in the harbour. Inside you will find an eclectic mix of European and Aboriginal history, artefacts and exhibitions.

Beach lovers will inevitably head to Bondi during their trip to Sydney, but for a less-crowded alternative, consider Coogee Beach.

You’ll soon discover that Australians spend as much time as they can outdoors. Many of the pastimes available make the most of the New South Wales countryside. Beaches are, of course, one of the principle draws, but the city’s parks and open spaces are usually filled all through the weekend with Sydney residents enjoying that great Australian institution – the barbeque.

To see the city from a different perspective, there are plenty of Sydney Harbour cruises to choose from. Many include a luxurious meal along with a whistle-stop tour of all the major harbour sights. Alternatively, you can take to the air, with seaplane and helicopter tours of the city.

The countryside surrounding Sydney is awash with natural beauty, and tours into the Blue Mountains will take you into lush, verdant forests just a couple of hours’ drive from the heart of the city.

An extensive menu of international cuisines is on offer. Apart from the obvious, and tempting, Aussie BBQ, you can also indulge in five-star dining through or on-the-go street food. Head down to the Newtown neighbourhood for a great selection of Thai restaurants, or to Chinatown for the best in Asian delicacies.

The restaurants along Darling Harbour serve fresh seafood all day, while just to the east of the city is Woolloomooloo Wharf, which is lined with upmarket restaurants and eateries. For gourmet dining, you can head into the centre of the city, where internationally renowned chefs run some of the most exclusive restaurants in the country.

If you’re travelling to Sydney for the shopping, then you’re in luck. You will come face to face with some of the best options in the country, and Pitt Street Mall is one of the busiest shopping centres in the world. The Strand Arcade and the Queen Victoria Building are the two most well-known retail destinations in the city, filled with everything from big-ticket brands through to independent boutiques. For designer retail, head for Westfield Sydney Mall, which houses various international labels.

Australian trinkets and tourist souvenirs are plentiful at Paddy’s Markets – a group of markets in the Haymarket district at the southern end of the city. The Rocks Market, held every Saturday and Sunday, is the place to go if you are interested in discovering Sydney’s up-and-coming fashion designers.