Sydney Hotels

Attractions

The iconic Sydney Opera House is a drawcard for Sydneysiders and tourists. Watch an opera inside, quaff an Aussie Semillon on the concourse or grab some snaps of the Opera House’s sail-roofed glory. Sharing the limelight on Sydney Harbour is the equally famed Harbour Bridge. Linking Sydney’s east and north, the bridge can be crossed on foot, bicycle, car or if you’re brave, you can climb it on the Bridge Climb. While you’re in the area, check out The Rocks and Circular Quay. The Rocks is the place Sydney’s first settlers made their home and you can still wander its cobbled streets. It’s alongside Circular Quay, where you can catch one of Sydney’s famous harbour ferries. Not to be missed is the ferry ride to Taronga Zoo where you can pat kangaroos and koalas.

Around the headland from Circular Quay is Darling Harbour. Whether you’re taking a harbour cruise, up close and personal with the fish at Sydney Aquarium or watching an IMAX movie, it’s is a fun destination. Closer to the city center, Centrepoint Tower offers the best view of the Sydney. The structure rises above the Westfield shopping centre, which is the perfect spot to give your credit card a work out.

When you’ve satisfied your retail therapy needs, head to the Australian Museum. It’s a great place to learn about Australia’s natural history and will keep the kids entertained too. Across the road from the museum is Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral. The church is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture and crafted from local yellow sandstone.

When you’re ready to explore outside the CBD, Bondi Beach and Balmain are must-see destinations. Sydneysiders know they’re lucky to have a beach as beautiful as Bondi only 15 minutes from the city centre. After a dip in the Pacific grab a latte from one of the many cool cafes in the area. Balmain is further inland and its streets are lined with heritage buildings and the shopping, café and pub scene is top notch.

Events

Cricket fans should join the other pilgrims for the most Australian of rituals, the New Year’s Day cricket test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

For your dose of culture in January, the Sydney Festival has free and paid-for music, theatre, dance and art events. 

Australia Day is on January 26, a Bank Holiday for the whole nation. Locals hit the beach for some sun and a BBQ or the harbour for the Ferrython, the annual ferry race.

Oxford Street is awash with rainbow flags with the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras in early March. Along with the parade down Oxford Street, there are parties, art exhibitions, beach BBQs and talks.

Every Easter the country heads to the city for the Sydney Royal Easter Show at Homebush Bay.

In August cinema buffs can choose from the latest films from Australia and around the world with the two-week Sydney Film Festival.

In September the Festival of the Winds takes over the Bondi sky with a sea of kites.

In the first week of October, the Manly International Jazz Festival is the perfect excuse to check out Sydney’s best beach on the north side of the city.

The coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama Beach is beautiful year round but it becomes an outdoor art gallery in early November with the annual Sculpture By The Sea.

On Boxing Day the annual Sydney to Hobart race kicks off and Sydneysiders line the harbour to watch the yachts sail out of the heads.

Leisure and Recreation

Along with outdoor pursuits, Sydney has a lot to offer the keen shopper. There’s a brand new Westfield on Pitt Street in Sydney’s CBD and a similar affair in Bondi Junction. Market fans should head to Paddington Markets on Saturdays or Bondi Markets on Sundays. You’ll find smaller local designer boutiques on Oxford Street in Paddington and Crown Street in Surry Hills.

Sport is almost a national religion so it’s worth checking out a local sporting fixture. The NRL (National Rugby League) and AFL aka Aussie Rules seasons start in late March and finish early October. Matches are played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Olympic Stadium. The international cricket season is from November to February.

When visiting Sydney is just not enough

If you fall in love with Sydney like so many others do, then just visiting sometimes isn't enough. Moving to Sydney becomes a viable option when you want to experience something totally new. Sydney offers so much; history, the culture, the excitement as well as the very close proximity to South East Asia.

If you're contemplating taking your Sydney travels to the next level and Moving to Australia then visit moving2sydney.com to get all the advice, tips and resources you'll need to make your transition easier.

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