Sydney is Australia’s largest city and one of the world’s most livable cities. A visit to this vibrant city will provide you with a rich cultural experience and many unique sights and locations.
There are many events and activities in Sydney to enjoy, so make sure you book your trip well in advance. Simply enter your travel preferences into the menu to find the best accommodation spots in Sydney based on what you want to see and do.
1. The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most iconic buildings and a must-see attraction in Sydney. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, it is a masterpiece of architecture and is also a great urban sculpture set in a dramatic waterscape.
A unique building, the Opera House is made up of two distinctive elements; a solid base and a series of light, organically shaped roofs. These roofs, commonly referred to as shells, are precast concrete panels which float above the solid base on the hemisphere-shaped platform.
It took 15 years to build, but the building is now a world-famous icon that has become an essential part of Sydney’s identity. Although the Opera House was a controversial project, it is one of the most successful projects in Australia’s history and brings in $775 million to the local economy each year through tourism and cultural events.
2. The Sydney Harbour Bridge
A steel-arch bridge connecting Sydney to its suburbs on the northern side of the harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks. It was constructed in 1932 and is still a primary transport link for the city.
The idea of a bridge across Sydney’s harbour had been proposed as early as 1815, but it took nearly 100 years before construction started. Eventually, a design was approved and Dorman Long won a series of competitions for its construction.
It’s now the sixth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world, and one of the most famous steel-arch bridges in the world. But if any other design had been chosen, the Sydney Harbour Bridge could have been much different.
3. The Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s great natural waterways. It’s a haven for yachts and ferries, and a gateway to other parts of the city.
For thousands of years, Aboriginal people had a deep connection with the harbour. They carved engravings on rock platforms along the waterway.
Europeans also began to represent the harbour’s landscape, plants, animals and people in art. By the late 1840s, stone villas were built in many of the harbour foreshores.
These buildings drew inspiration from the sandstone cliffs and coves that ringed Sydney. The sandstone of the west shoreline, despite being less hard, eroded more easily than the Ashfield shale in the east, forming rocky outcrops.
4. The Sydney Harbour National Park
Various islands and foreshore areas around Sydney Harbour form the Sydney Harbour National Park, a protected area which helps preserve some of the harbour’s most stunning scenery. The park contains rare pockets of bushland which was once common in the vicinity of Sydney, and is also home to native wildlife.
The park protects a number of attractions and has lots to offer tourists. It features a range of beaches, Aboriginal sites and military fortifications.
The park is open sunrise to sunset, but there may be closures due to weather or fire risk. Annual NSW Parks Passes do not cover landing fees, so you will need to pay for ferries and wharves to visit the islands.
5. The Sydney CBD
The Sydney CBD is home to many of Australia’s largest companies and has an international reputation as a centre for business, finance and culture. It is also a major international center for the production of information, media and technology.
A city with a strong heritage, the Sydney CBD is a fascinating place to explore. A mix of modern architecture and traditional structures, the CBD is becoming increasingly popular amongst globetrotters.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is one such attraction that is sure to take your breath away, with a mix of pristine nature and classical architecture. It is a unique tourist destination and one that you will want to return to time and again!