Sydney
Sydney is located on the Pacific coast, in the southeast of Australia. Where Captain Cook sailed into Botany Bay in 1770 and landed; is today the largest metropolis on the Red Continent. Sydney is divided by two rivers, the Parramatta River and the Georges River, which both lead into the sea. Interesting to know is that this area has been inhabited by the Aboriginal people for over 30 000 years.
‘Sydney got it all’ that’s what the Aussies say
Sydney has a mild climate, fantastic beaches, exciting architecture and simply just a positive vibe. All of this combined makes not just only the first visit to Sydney very special experience. That’s why Sydney is also a popular weekend destination for Australians and it should definitely be on the list of all travelers visiting Australia.
We summed up what you should know when visiting Sydney
Whats the best time to visit Sydney?
Spring (September – November)
The days in spring are warm but the humidity is not as high as in summer. Temperatures range in average from 11 – 23°C.
Spring is a good time to travel to Sydney as it is not as busy as in summer.
If you choose spring you will also save on accommodation and the city will be less crowded.
Summer (December – February)
In summer, average temperatures range from 18.5 – 26°C, with average humidity spikes to 65%. Water temperatures rise up to pleasant 22 – 24°C
It is for sure the most enjoyable time of the year in Sydney. But the Australian school holidays in December/January plus peak-time in tourism are making this time also by far the busiest in Sydney.
Autumn (March – May)
Autumn is very mild in Sydney with temperatures in average of 14.5 – 22°C
Crisp mornings and fresh air are making this time of the year good for everyone who can’t deal with heat or doesn’t mind the more chilly days.
Winter (June – August)
June to August are the coldest months in Sydney with average temperatures between 9 – 17°C. The month with most rainfall is usually June, while July is the coolest month with average daytime temperatures of just 13°. So you better bring a rain jacket and a scarf.
In what time zone is Sydney?
Sydney uses Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST], thus it is in the same time zone as Canberra and Melbourne. New South Wales has Daylight savings, so there is summer and winter time in Sydney.
How to get to Sydney?
With a window seat a little bit of luck, you may see the Harbour Bridge and Opera House already whilst approaching Sydney. In spring you can sometimes spot humpback whales, when they are swimming up the coastline.
The Airport
Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport Airportcode SYD is Australias most frequented airport. There are nonstop flights from the US and Canada to Sydney. Coming from Europe you will have to do a stopover before reaching Sydney. Terminal 1 is for international flights and Terminal 2 & 3 are for domestic flights. Kingsford Smith Airport website
The alternatives to flying
All those travelers who are already in Australia can reach Sydney from Melbourne / Canberra / Brisbane also by car, train or bus. The journey from Melbourne by car, bus or train takes approximately 11 hours. However, we recommend taking more time by car and driving along the coastline.
How to get to the city from the airport?
By train
As long as the condition permits after the long flight and you travel alone, it makes sense to take the train. This reaches the city center in under ten minutes. The trains operate between 5 AM and 1 AM at night.
The train cost just 18 AUD (date 02/17)
Details can be found here: https://www.airportlink.com.au
By shuttle bus
More comfortable than the train is the shuttle bus. We recommend this option to all those who want to arrive simply quickly to have their shower after some 30 hours of traveling. It costs is about 30 dollars, depending on location and time of the day. It can get really busy in rush hour. Some hotels and hostels have an airport transfer service. Something good to check and arrange in advance.
Where to stay in Sydney?
Accommodation in Sydney
Sydney is not cheap. So the average price of a night in the hotel in Sydney is around 200 Australian dollars. Staying in a hostel, you should expect about 30ish dollars a night, the prices vary also here very much with location and facilities and season.
Hotels
There are plenty of good hotels in Sydney.
The Holiday Inn Potts Point offers to the average price a good location, good comfort and with luck even a view of Harbor Bridge and Opera House.
Hostels
The YHA Sydney Central offers very good comfort a great location always has good reviews. Also directly to Sydney’s Central Station is the Bounce Hostel. The Bounce is a big hostel, very clean and there are towels. On the other side of the tracks is the WAKEUP! So you have to get out of the train from the airport at Sydney Central Station and these two hostels are just a 500 m away.
Camping
There are also quite a few campsites in and around Sydney. If you are traveling by car or with your camper you should consider one of the numerous campsites. Some campsites have some cabins, which can be a good alternative to the hostel or a cheap hotel.
Our special tip
You can also camp in the middle of Sydney, on Cockatoo Island in the Paramatta River. Those who have their own tent pays 50 AUD per night for up to 4 people and 15 AUD extra per additional person. Staying in Sydney won’t get much cheaper than this.
If you don’t have your own tent, you can also rent one, with all the trimmings. Of course, you pay more for this, about AUD 100 per night.
CocatooIsland: http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/stay/camping-backpacking
How much time should you plan for Sydney?
Depending on what you want to see everything we recommend 3 days or more. The city center with its sights can be explored within 3 days on foot and by the public transport. If you want to spend more time at Sydney’s beaches and plans to visit the surrounding areas should plan a week.
How to get around in Sydney?
Public transport
The Paramatta River and its bays cut Sydney into many peninsulas and cliffs. That is why Sydney’s public transport is a mix of trains, buses, and ferries.
To use the public transport you will need a so-called OPAL CARD. This chip card can be charged with credit and serves as the only payment method. The OPAL payment system is quite complex since there is a cap which can be reached differently fast and cheap depending on the means of transportation.
Tip: Download the OPAL-Travel App to navigate through Sydney’s public transport system. Click here for more info on the OPAL Card
What to See and What to Do in Sydney?
These attractions and activities and districts are an absolute must when visiting Sydney.
Sydney Opera
Taking a photo in front of the Opera House is probably what almost every visitor to Sydney does. But there is actually more to do. You can also take a guided tour to see the inside of the opera. Further, there is a cafe and restaurant within the opera. Both certainly not the cheapest but the ambiance is hard to beat.
Royal Botanical Garden
The Botanical Gardens of Sydney is located just off the steps of the Opera House. From here you can also take great photos of the Opera House with the Harbor Bridge in the background. You can easily spend here a couple of hours to explore the variety of plant life. The Botanical Garden is also a great place to lay down on the grass and rest your feet from a long walk through the city. You may spot the fruit-bats hanging from the trees and see the cockatoos chasing each other through the blue sky. But watch out, these birds are cheeky. If they think you got food for them you may end up with one of them on your shoulder. Beware they could literally chew your ear off. So you definitely shouldn’t feed them as it can make the aggressive and it is not good for them. Website Botanical Garden Sydney
Potts Point
If you keep walking towards the eastern end of the Botanical Garden you will reach the Marina and then the Marine Port in Potts Point. Here you can find a cafe called Harry’s Café De Wheels. This little cafe has 70 years of history. Harrys is known for his meat pies, an Australian specialty. http://www.harryscafedewheels.com.au/
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is probably the most touristy-walking-mile with plenty of bars and restaurants. Here is also the Australian Maritime Museum located.
There is always something on in Darling Harbour. In summer there are almost every weekend fireworks.
Sydney nightlife
Sydney certainly does not lack opportunities to go out. But it’s fair to mention that Sydney lock-out laws are a little bit harsh. However, we have listed a few selected options below.
Goldfish Bar in Kings Cross
Kings Cross is the entertainment district of Sydney. If you like to drink cocktails, you should have a look at the Goldfish bar. Dress code: Casual
Pool Club / Ivy Poobar
The pool club is unfortunately no more an insider tip. It is certainly one of Sydney’s more fancy locations. Here you can sit in the afternoon with a drink at or in the pool, in the middle of the city center.
Dress code: trendy-casual
A little pricey http://merivale.com.au/poolclub
O-Bar
The O-Bar in Australia Place is located near Circular Quay in Sydney’s city center. Located on the 47th floor, the rotating bar offers a 360-degree view of Sydney Harbor.
Dress code: The camera should not be worn around the neck because the dress code is like the prices a little upmarket. So you should wear neither shorts, flip-flops or sneakers but the outlook is worth a little effort.
Website O-Bar
Blu-Bar on 36 (Shangrila Bar)
The Blu-Bar on 36 Bar is the bar of the Shangri-La Hotel and is also located in the center in The Rocks. Like the O-Bar, the Blu -Bar offers a fantastic view over Sydney harbor. Dress code and prices similar to the O-Bar. http://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/dining/bars-lounges/blu-bar-on-36/
Frankies’ Pizza by the slice
If you like rock-music you should check out Frankie’s Pizza. Good pizza and a very decent beer selection are making Frankie’s a great place to dive-in.Tuesdays are almost legendary with Rock’N’Roll-Karaoke with a live-band. Sometimes you can listen to real talents on the stage. Frankie’s is located in the CBD on 50 Hunter Street
http://frankiespizzabytheslice.com/
Non-beachside suburbs
Many Sydney visitors see much besides the Central Business District (CBD) or the beachside suburbs. But there are suburbs worth visiting. We recommend these two:
Newtown & Surry Hills
These two neighborhoods have an alternative and more artistic vibe. It’s just a nice contrast to the high-glossy impression Sydney usually conveys.
Surry Hills is located still close to the center, just walking distance from Central station. This suburb is great for going for breakfast and brunch. Check out Reuben Hills 61 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Newtown is also more alternative. Here you can visit the art market which is held every Saturday from 10 am-4 pm Saturday. Afterwards, you can ideally stop in one of the numerous bars.
For more tips on going out in Sydney, check out: www.timeout.com/sydney/
Museums in Sydney
Museum of Sydney
For all who are interested in the city history of Sydney are worth a visit here. http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/museum-of-sydney
National Gallery of New South Wales
The National Gallery of New South Wales offers an interesting permanent exhibition, also hosting constantly changing international exhibitions https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/
Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney
The Museum of Contemporary Art is not only recommended for art lovers.
The top-floor café with its rooftop terrace offers an excellent view of the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. https://www.mca.com.au/
Australian Maritime Museum|
This museum is certainly worth a visit for all maritime and water sports enthusiasts. Also very recommendable with children. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are always interesting changing exhibitions. So quietly check the website http://www.anmm.gov.au/
Sydney Beach life
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is Australia’s version of Malibu Beach. Here where the locals start the day with yoga at the beach a surf before the work to greet the day. Later in the day hundreds to thousands of beach goers populate Bondi. Especially the weekends can get crazy busy.
Bondis surf should not be underestimated. For this reason, the beach is patrolled by the lifeguards to ensure the safety of all swimmers and surfers. So always swim between the flags and follow the orders by the lifeguards.
Our recommendation for Bondi:
We recommend visiting Bondi Beach in the morning or evening hours. In the morning, Bondi has this almost a meditative vibe with the sound of the waves and the rising sun. Enjoy a walk on the beach or a refreshing dip in the water. After a walk with sand between your toes, you can get a nice coffee and tasty breakfast at one of the many cafes in Bondi. If you want to explore further, we recommend the Coastal Walk.
The Coastal Walk leads from Bondi Beach first to Tamarama Beach, which is half an hour’s walk. Here, the residents from Bondi are the ones who are very busy with their own beach. Follow the Coastal Walk to the Bronte Beach after 5 minutes and another 50 minutes later you will reach Clovelly Beach. Continue for another 45 minutes to get to Coogee Beach. The last stop of the Coastal Walk is Maroubra Beach and is located just 3km from the Coogee. A good overview is available here. Returning to the city is best to take the bus. http://www.bonditocoogeewalk.com.au/
ICEBERGS Pool
If the surf at Bondi Beach is too rough you can also bathe in the sea-water pool Icebergs. It is a rare occasion that the waves get as big as in the photo and even flood the pool.
Watson Bay
If you prefer a bit quieter water for bathing, we recommend the beaches of Watson Bay & Camp Cove which are sheltered, on the side facing away from the open sea, and can be easily reached by ferry from Circular Quay.
More difficult to reach but also very sheltered beaches are Balmoral Bay and Ratunda.
Day trips
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are 130 km or two hours by car or train north-west of Sydney. The Bluemountain National Park has an area of almost 2700 square kilometers and can be described as a ‘Green Grand Canyon’. Anyone who has only seen the city should book a day trip to get an impression of Australia’s wide wilderness. There is also a very decent change to spot a kangaroo on the tour. The “Blue Mountains” got their name because of the fact that there is often a bluish mist over the woods. This is due to the eucalyptus oil which diffuses from the leaves of the trees. But sometimes it gets really foggy here, so check the weather forecast before booking.
Other national parks around Sydney
The Royal National Park and the Heathcote National Park are close to the Blue Mountains. Ideally, with the rental car but also by a guided bus tour, these parks are fast and easy to reach. Important is that proper footwear, being prepared for some proper bush walking. You should carry plenty of water and a power bar or two. Being a little bit cautious is also always good on such a trip. In 2016 several accidents happened at the Figure 8 Pool when bathers were surprised by freak waves.
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