A Halal-friendly guide to Sydney and beyond
Visit New South Wales and take in the beautiful, diverse and Halal-friendly capital of Sydney.
Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, a welcoming multi-cultural hub with plenty of delicious Halal dining options. It has beaches in the east, mountains in the west and a famous harbour at its heart. Often described as Australia’s most glamorous city, Sydney offers waterside attractions, fine dining and great shopping.
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Captain Cook Cruises, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales © Tourism Australia
Start your journey with a guided Sydney Harbour cruise from Circular Quay where you’ll get the very best views of the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, as well as historic coves and islands. Back at the Quay, you can get a completely different perspective by wandering through the lively harbour front with its buskers, shops and cafés. A Halal snack is never far away, try Neptune Place at the Quay.
Even though you’re in the epicentre of Sydney, there’s plenty of green space to enjoy. You can walk east for the Royal Botanic Gardens, where the Botanic Gardens Restaurant offers options for Halal diners; or take a public ferry to Taronga Zoo Sydney, one of the world’s most picturesque zoos where you can hand-feed a kangaroo and have your photo taken with a koala.
Just a short walk from Circular Quay is Darling Harbour where you’ll find museums, restaurants and a fireworks display on most Saturday nights.
Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW
To enjoy Sydney’s sun and surf, take a 30-minute train ride to Australia’s famous Bondi Beach where you can enjoy swimming, take a surfing lesson, or visit one of the many restaurants or cafes nearby. Alternatively, just under six kilometres south along a coastal path is Coogee Beach, great for snorkelling and home to McIver’s Baths, an ocean pool reserved for women only.
Being so close to the water, it’s no wonder that Sydneysiders love their seafood. Back in the city centre, visit Sydney Fish Market , to watch the live auction early in the morning, then join a guided tour for plenty of insights into the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere.
After you’ve explored Sydney, take a tour out to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Located only 90 minutes away from the city, you’ll discover a vast wilderness region with cliff-top towns, ancient forests and native wildlife.
Eat
Ipoh on York, Sydney, New South Wales © Ipoh on York
Some of Sydney’s finest restaurants are Halal-friendly and score top ratings from the Crescent Rating group. If you’re in Sydney, try Lal Qila (with one location in stylish Surry Hills and another on Darling Harbour), which serves delicious Pakistani and Indian foods. While Ipoh on York is another central city favourite, offering hawker-style Malaysian dishes.
Shop
The Rocks Markets, Sydney, New South Wales © Anson Smart
Shopping is a must for many visitors to Sydney. Pitt Street Mall, located right in the heart of the city, is the busiest and most cosmopolitan shopping precinct, boasting 600 specialty stores, department stores and the beautiful Strand Arcade. Nearby is the historic Queen Victoria Building, one of Australia’s most impressive and attractive retail experiences with over 180 of Sydney’s finest fashion boutiques, jewellery shops and homewares.
Sydney also loves its markets. Make time for The Rocks Markets next to Circular Quay for a festive array of artisan crafts, clothing and gourmet foods. While weekend markets in inner-city neighbourhoods like Paddington and Balmain are also exciting to attend and offer Halal fare in the form of Turkish Gozleme stalls.
Pray
Visit one of the many mosques that are available across greater Sydney, including a prayer room at Sydney Airport. If you’re staying in the centre of Sydney, mosques close by include the small Surry Hills Mosque, which uses Arabic and English languages or Zetland Masjid featuring Friday prayers in English.
The largest mosque in Sydney, and in Australia, is the Lakemba Mosque. Located 15 kilometres from the city, it is widely attended by the Lebanese community and uses Arabic and English.
