Jacarandas and Sydney Harbour at sunset, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

nsw

Guide to Sydney

Seek out some sunshine and good times in Australia's Harbour City.

By Ellie Schneider

Sydney is the first stop on many Australian itineraries, and for good reason. It's an inviting blend of the exhilarating and easygoing. You can find excitement in the city, but drive just a few kilometres and you'll hit the golden sand of famous beaches like Bondi and Manly. Plus, with endless nature at its doorstep, Sydney is the starting point for day trips serving up fresh air, unique flavours and locals who know a thing or two about living life to the fullest.

Where to eat, drink and stay

Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Beach, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Sydney's trendiest spots

Infinity pool, SOFITEL Sydney Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales © SOFITEL Sydney Darling Harbour

Where to stay

Bennelong Restaurant and Bar, Sydney, NSW © Brett Stevens/Bennelong

Restaurants with a view

The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Top coffee shops

Barangaroo House, Sydney, NSW © Barangaroo House

Best rooftop bars

Spice Alley, Chippendale, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Cheap eats in Sydney

Stockade Brew Co. , Marrickville, New South Wales © Stockade Brew Co.

Craft beer bars

Avocado and poached eggs on toast at Three Blue Ducks, Bronte, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Breakfast and brunch spots

Archie Rose Distillery, Rosebery, NSW © Archie Rose

Coolest urban distilleries

Palmer and Co, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Hidden bars to uncover

Sydney Harbour, Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia

Getting around

More attractions in Sydney

Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney, NSW © Josef Nalevansky, City of Sydney

Hidden gems

Friends enjoying a day of shopping along Glenmore Street in Paddington © Destination NSW

Local shopping guide

Giant Cuttlefish swimming at Shelly Beach, Manly, Sydney © Jayne Jenkins

Sydney's underwater world

Aerial over Bondi Beach in Sydney © Hamilton Lund/Destination NSW

Suburb guide

Paddington Markets, Sydney, New South Wales © Tourism Australia

Best markets

Shark Beach, Nielsen Park, Sydney, New South Wales © Andrew Gregory / Destination NSW

Secret beaches

Destinations around Sydney

Wattamolla, Royal National Park Sydney, NSW © Filippo Rivetti, Destination NSW

The best day trips from Sydney

The Boathouse Palm Beach, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Guide to Palm Beach

Sydney Harbour, Sydney, NSW © Destination New South Wales

Guide to Sydney Harbour

Marys, Newtown, Sydney, NSW © Anna Kucera, Destination NSW

Guide to Newtown

Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Beach, NSW. © Daniel Boud, Destination New South Wales

Guide to Bondi

Blue Mountains, NSW ©Tourism Australia

Guide to the Blue Mountains

Travellers' stories

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Plan your trip

Kangaroo, Lucky Bay, Esperance, WA © Australia’s Golden Outback

Facts and planning

Find a travel agent

Beach House on Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, NSW © Tourism Australia

Facts and planning

Find accommodation

Indian Pacific, Lake Hart, SA © Andrew Gregory

Facts and planning

Product Disclaimer

*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator and were correct at the time of publishing on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator and were correct at the time of publishing on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

© Tourism Australia 2021