Sydney Hotels

Yes, it’s the surface appeal of the city’s location – from the harbour itself to the world-famous city beaches like Bondi, Coogee and Manly – that first draws the eye, but there’s a surprising depth of character lurking below Sydney’s surface.

For starters, there’s historic Sydney. Circular Quay was the landing place of the First Fleet and, really, the birthplace of modern, European Australia. In The Rocks, meanwhile, you can still find traces of our fledgling nation’s dangerous and disease-filled past – although it’s probably best not to think about outbreaks of bubonic plague while eating in one of the area’s many world-class restaurants.

Sydney’s nightlife is also second-to-none. From the inner-city hipster hangouts of Newtown and Surry Hills to the more decadent and openly sexy fleshpots of Kings Cross, Sydney is the place to go to let your hair down.

So, yeah, feel free to resent Sydney. But we bet you secretly want to live there.

SYDNEY’S TOP 10

SYDNEY LOCAL

CBD

The bustling business heart of Sydney is about more than just skyscrapers and multinational business headquarters. Below the modern skyline is a cultured snapshot of the past merging with the future in sandstone gems like the Queen Victoria Building and Town Hall.

It’s also here that you’ll find Sydney’s shopping centre. Spreading out along Pitt Street Mall, beneath the shadow of Sydney Tower, are a shopaholic’s wet dream in the shape of some seriously la-di-dah boutique stores (they employ people just to open the door for you!) and more comfortably daggy high-street chains.

Largely deserted on weekends (except for the skateboarding kids in Martin Place), the CBD is also home to some of Sydney’s best museums and galleries, including the Sydney Museum, the Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the ANZAC War Memorial.

Darling Harbour

Best avoided if you don’t like crowds, Darling Harbour has made a valiant and mostly successful attempt to turn itself into Sydney’s entertainment hub. It can get a little edgy on a Saturday night, but most of the time the many bars and restaurants boast a relaxed, feel-good vibe that is surprisingly good at getting you to spend lots of money.

During the day, Darling Harbour is often filled with families making the most of kid-friendly attractions like the Imax Cinema, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World. A little walk away is the Powerhouse Museum, which can’t be beaten in terms of interactive exhibits.

Circular Quay

Busy, busy, busy, but also fun, fun, fun, Circular Quay is the image that pops into the head when most people think of Sydney. It’s the perfect starting point for exploring the city, offering easy access to the Bridge, Opera House and Museum of Contemporary Art.

Circular Quay is also home to a number of street performers (of varying standard) and a variety of eateries from the generic fast-chains to the Michelin-starred, book-months-ahead boast-to-all-your-friends venues to some wonderful turn-up-and-they’ll-squeeze-you-in-and-give-you-a-great-meal-and-an-even-better-time gems.

Surry Hills

Want to know where all the cool kids go? The answer is Surry Hills. Equally popular with trendy creative types and students (who show over inclination of wanting to grow up to be a trendy creative type), it retains enough grit and deliberately grungy dilapidation (which still attracts monster house prices) to retain its edge.

Some of Sydney’s best pubs, including The Shakespeare and The Clock, can be found here. And when it comes to hangover cures required from spending time in said pubs, the Bourke Street Bakery simply can’t be beaten.

Surry Hills is also the place to come for designer threads sold by the designers themselves (some serious bargains can be found this way). And if you’ve got an appreciation of modern Australian art, be sure to check out the Brett Whitely Studio Museum.

SYDNEY EAT & DRINK

SYDNEY EVENTS

The New Year’s Test Match used to start on New Year’s Day. Now though, we’ve got a much-needed extra day to get over hangovers before the action gets underway at the SCG.

The Sydney Festival in January features a combination of free and ticketed music, theatre, dance and art events.

Hit the beach for Australia Day. Sing songs. Laugh at sunburnt Poms.

Watch March’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras wend its way along Oxford Street.

Treat the family to the rides and displays at the Royal Easter Show. (Just in case you’ve never been to the Show in your own city…)

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Martin Place is a moving reminder of why we must never forget.

The Archibald Prize Exhibition runs at the Art Gallery of NSW from April to June, with famous Aussie faces brought given the artistic treatment.

Vivid Sydney transforms the city with lights and projections in June.

The walk from Bondi to Tamarama beaches becomes an outdoor art gallery in October/November with Sculpture by the Sea.

Head to the harbour for the Boxing Day start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Watch the Bridge light up with fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Circular Quay is the place to be for the party of both years!

WHEN TO GO

Sydney enjoys a mild, pleasant climate means it’s perfect for visiting all year round. The city only experiences about 12 days a year when the mercury climbs to over 30°C, but humidity often makes it feel hotter in summer.

Gale force winds are not uncommon in winter. It’s not such a problem in the heart of the city (although the viewing platform outside the top of the Sydney Tower won’t be for the faint-hearted), but in outer regions like the Blue Mountains (100km to the west), it can be a serious issue.

Winter can also see the fog descend on Sydney. It’s eerie but also rather cool to see the Bridge blanketed in a damp white shroud.

Visit our partner page Sydney hotels by Hotel.com.au.

WHAT TO MISS

• The Monorail – Kind of cool in its day, but as that day was 1988 it’s a bit pointless now, especially as its stops are within easy walking distance of each other.

• 24-hour pubs – Unless you’re looking for trouble, these nonstop drinking holes are best avoided.

• Sightseeing Cruises – They take you around and give you a spiel on the sights, but you get the same view and a more interesting commentary on the commuter ferries and from a friendly local.

HotelClub Blog

Best Dolphin Spotting In Australia

Sydney's Winter Survival Tips

Australia's Best Food Regions

Australia's Best Snorkel Spots

Sydney's Biggest Tourist Traps

Australia's Best Fashion Markets

Australia's Best Irish Pubs

Sydney's Gayest Neighbourhoods

Australia's Best Restaurants With Views

Sydney's Alleyway Bar Scene

Sydney Luxury Hotels

Attractions

Events

Leisure and Recreation

When visiting Sydney is just not enough

Weather

GETTING AROUND

• You will have a lot of Sydney car rental options at the Airport and in different suburbs of the city.

• Sydney is eminently walkable, but if you don’t have the energy, the City Circle offers regular trains around (and under) the heart of the city. Despite Sydneysiders constantly complaining about public transport, it’s actually not bad.

• Sundays are ‘Family Fundays’. If you’re an adult travelling with at least one child, you’re whole group pays just $2.50 per person for travel all day on trains, buses and ferries.

• Get up early to explore Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour without the crowds. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, join the many early morning joggers taking the scenic waterfront path around The Domain and Botanic Gardens and into the City. Stop to catch your breath at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair as the sun rises over the water and you’ll realise why they call this the most beautiful harbour in the world.