CTW Explores
Sydney
Country: Australia Language: English Currency: Australian Dollar ($)
Whether you are visiting Sydney for the first time or the 100th time, you will find you are not likely to get over the incredible Sydney Harbour. The calming sea breeze and bright sunshine fills the air, energizing the entire city. At night, watch the sky turn dark and the city light up, especially the stunning Harbour Bridge, which glows beautifully in dark the Harbour. Sydney is the perfect destination for any traveler. It has a great shopping center, rich Australian history, plenty of beaches, and an escape to nature at the beautiful Blue Mountains.
CTW Must See
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is one of Sydney’s biggest and best attractions. It features the iconic Opera House & Harbour Bridge. It is also the docking port for the ferries that can take you just about anywhere in the Sydney area. Also within Circular Quay, you’ll find the Museum of Contemporary Art. This museum is showcases contemporary art from Australians and artists from around the world.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most distinctive buildings in the world! Building was completed in 1973, and took over 10 years to complete. Inside the Opera House are multiple theater venues that host over 1,500 performances a year! The opera house is the home to Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Theatre Company, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The modern design features a different perspective at every angle. In 2007, UNESCO named the Sydney Opera House a World Heritage Site.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Located on the Sydney Harbour just next to the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a tranquil and pleasant park. It opened in 1816 and is one of the most important botanical gardens in the world. The Royal Botanic Gardens location provides an absolutely gorgeous perspective of Sydney Harbour in its entirety, the Opera House, and Sydney’s lovely skyline.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Harbour Bridge opened in 1932 and is considered the tallest steel arch bridge in the world. The top of the two arches from the water reaches 134 meters tall. The bridge has 8 lanes and is accessible by car, by train, or by foot. As one of the most famous bridges in the world, the Sydney Harbor Bridge certainly is a must see. By day, the steel bridge gleams in the sunlight, complementing Circular Quay beautifully. By night, Harbour Bridge lights up with Sydney creating a flawless skyline.
The Rocks
The Rocks encapsulates the colorful history from the convict and early days of European settlement. Enjoy a wander down its cobbled laneways and stop in one of the many souvenir shops or grab a drink at some of Australia’s most historic pubs. Each weekend, the Rocks fills up with market stalls full of passionate Aussie’s selling local products.
Luna Park
Luna Park is an amusement park that opened in 1935. If you catch the ferry from Circular Quay you will sail below Harbor Bridge and reach Misons Point in one stop. Luna Park is protected by Australian government and hosts a large number of tourists each year.
Darling Harbor
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay or enjoy a long walk along the Sydney waterfront to reach Darling Harbour. In Darling Harbour, you will have a feast of entertainment options to choose from. In Darling Harbour, you will find the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Sea Life Aquarium, a large number of restaurants and shops, and some of the most spectacular views of the Sydney skyline.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a peaceful Chinese garden near Darling Harbour. The area around the garden is called Chinatown, which holds a rich Chinese culture. The Garden of Friendship showcases a strong Chinese-Australian relationship and is full of bamboo plants, undisturbed waterfalls, and traditional Chinese architecture.
Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is part of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. It was established in 1879 and has built a collection that contains over 400,000 artifacts. The museum features a range of exhibits, one of the most popular being the rotative steam engine; it is the oldest operational steam engine of its kind in the world.
Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is a natural history and anthropology museum. It is the oldest museum in Australia, dating back to 1827! It tells the story of Australian history, exploring historic elements like dinosaurs and the country’s indigenous people. It also showcases Australian wildlife, rocks and minerals, and more.
St. Mary’s Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral was founded in 1821 and consecrated in 1882. Its spires reach 74.6 meters (245 ft) in the air, dramatically enhancing Sydney’s skyline. The cathedral features a Gothic Revival style of the 19th century and its interior is massive, with a central nave and golden-colored sandstone.
Sydney Tower Eye
The Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in the city. It stands 309 meters (1,014ft) tall and provides panoramic views of Sydney. The viewing deck is completely enclosed and has many informational, interactive screens, windspeed data, and a cafe.
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
The Barracks housed 15,000 convicts between 1819 and 1848. Today, you can take a look at their stories, see how they lived, what they endured and what skills they learned. Wander the halls observing the displays detailing the lives the men endured. And on the top floor, you can have a rest in a convict hammock!
Museum of Sydney
The Museum of Sydney was established in 1995. It contains a collection of artifacts depicting Sydney’s history. The building was the first Government House in the country, making this spot in the city quite significant.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s largest galleries. It was established in 1874 and feature works by Australian and international artists. Art Gallery of New South Wales. Apart from its usual collections, it also often hosts many temporary exhibits, so be sure to see what’s on during your visit!
Queen Victoria Building
The Queen Victoria Building is a Romanesque revival building the was built in the late 19th century. The building is made up of four floors, full of shopping at some of the most reputable brands. The Queen Victoria Buildings most distinguished features is the Royal Clock. Every hour, on the hour, the clock demonstrates six scenes of Royal England, all accompanied by a trumpet.
Bondi Beach
As one of Australia’s most famous beaches, Bondi Beach is a must visit! It is located just 7 km from Sydney’s CBD and offers some of the most beautiful sunrises. Bondi translates from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘water breaking over rocks’. The beach stretches about 1 km along the coast and has quite a temperamental tide, so it is best to follow the rules when swimming. The Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club is certainly an impressive feature of Bondi and will almost always be full of swimmers lapping the famous pool that sits in the ocean.
Blue Mountains
Just 2 hours outside of Sydney you'll find the remarkable Blue Mountains. This incredible mountain range is one of Australia’s most visited locations, for good reason. The expansive views overlooking the mountainous valleys, the tall green peaks, and renowned landmarks like the Three Sisters, make for a jaw-dropping experience. You will not want to forget extra camera batteries when visiting the Blue Mountains, trust us. Besides taking in the impressive views, the Blue Mountains has a huge range of actives for hikers, rock climbers, and adventure seekers.
If you like Sydney...
You may want to check out these guides on other Australian cities!
