Exploring Sydney

No other Australian city is as old, large, or multicultural as Sydney. The suburbs of this 'Harbour City' may extend as far as 100kms outside of the central business district, but most iconic Sydney attractions are situated within a much smaller area near Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge connects the central business district to the North Shore, where many of the city's most affordable Four Star Hotels are situated. Darling Harbour is another section of Sydney which is filled with luxurious, yet unique, places to stay, such as the Mantra on Kent and the Quest on Dixon Darling Harbour.

Sydney's other immediately recognizable landmark, the Sydney Opera House, stands on Bennelong Point's tip, directly north of the city's sprawling Royal Botanic Gardens. The main attractions of the cosmopolitan The Rocks are the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city's first colonial village. The best known of Sydney's many beaches, Bondi Beach, is situated in the Eastern Suburbs, while Taronga Zoo is the Lower North Shore's most popular attraction. The Parramatta area, just a 30-minute drive away from central Sydney, is often referred to as the region's second city centre due to its interesting history and abundant places to eat and drink.

There is a range of options for all travelers. The most popular hotel in Sydney is the Greenwich Garden Apartment, which has been booked 5 times from our Hotels.com verified guests. Our guests also highly recommended Darling Street Apartments in Sydney as it has been reserved 5 times.

Sights nearby

Despite Sydney's sprawling size, Australia's largest city is still fairly easy to navigate. Sydney's widespread public transit system features commuter and light rail networks, buses, and ferries. Cars, however, remain the easiest way to reach rural regions, such as Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains.

- Lane Cove National Park

This surprisingly rugged national park just 10kms northwest of Sydney's central business district is one of the city's most popular rural retreats. Although both pedestrians and cyclists can enter the park for free, a fee is charged for vehicles. Most picnic spots are situated in the park's central section, between the Fullers and the De Burghs bridges. Cyclists and joggers will rarely encounter vehicles along Riverside Drive. Camping facilities are available at the Lane Cove River Tourist Park.

- Taronga Zoo

The views of Sydney's skyline and Opera House are nearly as impressive as the exotic animals that live in the city's major zoo. This zoo gives visitors the opportunity to safely see koalas, kangaroos, and other iconic Australian wildlife close to their natural habitat. Native birds soar directly above visitors' heads during the zoo's bird show, and many public transportation tickets include free zoo admission.

- Luna Park

The gigantic grinning face greeting visitors to Luna Park has long been one of Sydney's most recognisable sights. This park has been one of the city's most family-friendly attractions ever since its initial 1935 construction on Sydney Harbour's north shore, at the Harbour Bridge entrance. Most of the park's permanent rides are found on the Midway, which extends from the entrance to Coney Island. Visitors can play sideshow games at Crystal Palace, take in a live show under the Big Top, or explore the world's only remaining 1930s style funhouse at Coney Island.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Each Sydney neighbourhood specialises in a specific international cuisine, but Asian restaurants provide the best bargains. Even many locals are willing to endure long weekend queues to enjoy a yum cha lunch at one of the city's countless Cantonese restaurants. Several international restaurants are clustered around waterfront districts, such as Darling Harbour, East Circular Quay, and Woolloomooloo Wharf. Newtown's King Street provides cheap Asian, Turkish, and Italian eats to backpackers on budgets and Sydney University students.

Dress codes are fairly casual at most Sydney nightclubs. Haymarket's Paddy's Markets are the easiest places to purchase affordable, authentic, and high quality Australian souvenirs. More than 400 shops are now located in the 19th century sandstone Queen Victoria Building.

Public transport

Most local four-star hotels, such as The Menzies Sydney, are situated within easy access to not only most Sydney attractions, but the city's widespread public transit network. Although light rail, commuter rail, buses, and ferries travel throughout Australia's largest city, the services aren't always well integrated with each other. The best ways to navigate Sydney's different public transport networks are by contacting the 24-hour Transport Infoline, downloading the free TripGo tablet or mobile telephone app, or by visiting TransitShops at Circular Quay.