Travel Guide to Sydney, Australia

Very bright and unforgettable, Sydney is one of the most exciting places in the world. In terms of size Sydney is among the leaders – even New York is smaller. This city has absorbed the rhythm and life energy of other large cities of the world, but at the same time Sydney remains itself and features the diversity of its unique urban values. This makes this city truly unforgettable.

Almost all the attractions of Sydney are located in one area, so there’s no need to spend extra time and apply efforts to get to them. Despite the huge territory of the city, a large share of it is occupied by Royal Botanical Park. Two grand buildings are considered the main symbols of the city. These are the opera house that looks like a ship with raised sails and Harbor Bridge, which is also an observation deck with amazing views of the harbor.

During the summertime everyone in Sydney tries to move closer to numerous beaches, harbors and bays. The most famous beaches of the city are Bondi, the favorite place for surfers, and Manley, which is located among huge pine trees. The second beach is home to wood parrots, in the evening penguins sometimes appear here. Sydney is blessed with many places to visit. Among the most notable places of interest are Blue Mountains – miraculous eucalyptus forests with wonderfully pure and fragrant air, Sydney Tower - the tallest building of the Southern Hemisphere, Chinese Garden of Friendship designed strictly according to the rules of the garden design of the V century, Sydney Observatory, and the most impressive Cathedral of St. Mary made of sandstone. In Sydney you can find entertainments to fit any taste - from visiting numerous museums and galleries to entertaining tastings of Australian cuisine.

Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour (show on map ) (view photos ) is one of the most famous tourist areas of Sydney. It is located in the central part of the city. This is the place where visitors will find a huge shopping center, an aquarium, a ship that contains information about the Olympic Games and a famous monorail that was built to mark a big anniversary. The monorail was praised by the police and the administration of the city, but it caused a lot of controversy from the side of ordinary citizens. The monorail looks well in the futuristic setting of Darling Harbour, but does not really fit the cozy center of Sydney. The trip, which lasts approximately 15 minutes, will cost you 2.5 Australian dollars.

Large halls of Sydney Exhibition Centre regularly host major exhibitions, conferences and special events. During the Olympic Games, the hall even hosted some competitions. The Convention Centre, located nearby, is mostly involved in various organizing issues. This is the place where one can get a detailed schedule of all the exhibitions.

The multi-store Harbourside complex attracts attention from a distance because of its glass roofs. The complex is home to chic boutiques and discount shops, good restaurants and fast food cafes. The complex is especially crowded on weekends. The other side of Darling Harbour is the place where Sydney Aquarium is located. Here visitors will be able to see all major freshwater and marine fishes, corals, and even crocodiles that live in a large cage.

Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain
Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain Park are the best place for a nice break from noise and bustle of the big city. The park is located not far from the bustling center of Sydney. Together The Domain Park surrounding it, the gardens, which were laid out in 1816, form the oldest park in Australia. You will find it in the east from Central Business District. When you stay in this oasis of peace, it feels that the city is a million miles away. This is a popular picnic spot among Sydney residents, so on weekends the park is especially crowded. This wonderful park is also a perfect place to sunbathe, to jog or just walk around and enjoy a beautiful view of the harbor and the Sydney Opera House .

The edge of the park is the place where you will find a pool with cool water - Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool. Finally, the surrounding gardens named Herb Garden, Palm Grove and the Sydney Tropical Centre are truly great places to expand your knowledge of botany. Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain are located in Macquarie Street, to the right of Central Business District. It is easy to reach them on foot from the center.

Read more about Sydney:
Restaurants and cuisine in Sydney
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Sydney
Nightlife and attractions in Sydney
Preparing for Sydney: Advices
Sydney photogallery