Vast, vibrant Sydney is the epitome of the Australian
surf, sand and sun cliché. Carved out of sandstone headlands with golden beaches and world-class surf, this sun-soaked city offers the ultimate in outdoor living.
At the heart of the city is the
harbor, arguably one of the most beautiful waterways in the world, where the curves of the
Sydney Opera House shimmer in the sunlight and dozens of white sails float beneath the
Harbour Bridge.
The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia’s
oldest and largest city and is regarded
by many (particularly Sydneysiders) as the country’s capital in all but name. It’s a thriving center for both
business and
the arts with a buzzing
cafe culture, a vibrant
nightlife, and a
restaurant scene fit to rival the most gastronomic destinations.
The Sydney experience is essentially a
physical one. Semitropical summers and mild winters mean that days spent indoors are rare. Take a dip in the ocean at
Bondi Beach or stretch your legs along the
coastal walk to Coogee. Learn to surf at
Manly, swim laps at
Icebergs pool, kayak around the harbor, catch some rays along the northern beaches or go bush in one of the
national parks.
But despite what its neighbors might tell you, there is more to Sydney than it’s good-looking exterior. The museums, galleries, theaters and concert venues should satisfy those seeking more cerebral pursuits. History buffs will enjoy
The Rocks, where Sydney’s sordid beginnings as a British penal colony remain, and further downtown grand
Victorian structures sit side by side modern monoliths in glass and steel.
Sydney’s
Aboriginal heritage has, for the most part, been eclipsed by Australia’s white history. Although Sydney has the highest Aboriginal population of any Australia city, a stroll around the city streets offers little evidence of their existence and they remain very much an invisible minority.
The city’s busy
social calendar means that at almost any time of year, a
festival is underway. The summer months host numerous sporting events as well as film, art and theater festivals but pick any month of the year and you’re almost guaranteed to witness some sort of celebration.
Locals have long argued that Sydney is the city that has it all but it was only following the triumphant hosting of the
2000 Olympic Games that the rest of the world sat up and took notice. Now Sydney is a ‘must see’ on many a traveller’s itinerary and once you’ve visited, you’ll understand exactly why.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Sydney Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Australia Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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