Sydney Holidays

Where is Sydney?
Set within a huge natural harbour about a third of the way up the coast of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia’s largest city – more than 5.2 million people live in its sprawling metropolitan area. This vibrant state capital, home to two-thirds of its population, has excellent connections to other parts of Australia and beyond. Its international airport is the country’s busiest, with regular flights to the UK as well as to domestic destinations including Perth (5hrs), Brisbane (1hr 30) and Tasmania (1hr 50). A destination in its own right, it’s also a jumping-off point for memorable road trips to Melbourne or Brisbane or epic transcontinental railway journeys.

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Where to stay
Australia’s largest city is also its most popular, so you’ll want to choose your base carefully. Stay in the vibrant city centre and you’ll find Circular Quay – the café-lined harbourfront that is home to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the famous Opera House. Further west you’ll find The Rocks, the colonial heart of historic Sydney – we love this quirky assortment of weathered warehouses and cobblestone streets. Darling Harbour is the city’s unapologetic tourist quarter and your go-to for upmarket restaurants and shoreline bars. For less of the city’s bustle, head out of the centre towards the areas of Potts Point and Woolloomooloo. These harbourside neighbours are known for their culinary treats and are buzzing with hip bars and old Art Deco-style buildings.

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The Harbour
Sydney’s glorious natural harbour – technically a drowned river valley – is not just a stunning setting for iconic buildings such as the Opera House, it’s also a fabulous watery playground. Hop on a ferry to the northern beaches, take a cruise on a tall ship or rent a kayak to explore the jagged coastline. On land, you can choose from a multitude of themed walks around its edge, delving into Aboriginal history, perhaps, or the area’s colourful native birdlife. For city buzz, the former dockside area of Darling Harbour has been transformed into a major tourist site. There are trendy waterfront restaurants, al fresco bars and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with its memorable shark tunnel.

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Parks & gardens
Sydneysiders are as outdoor-minded as their compatriots, and the city has plenty of green spaces for everyone to enjoy. The Royal Botanic Garden, founded in 1816, covers a thousand acres next to Circular Quay and the Opera House. People come to stroll through the different areas, from the fernery and palm grove to the native rockery and rainforest, and enjoy the knockout harbour views. Initially known as Sydney Common, the equally historic Hyde Park is another leafy urban retreat, known for its mature trees; its fig-lined avenues are particularly impressive. A more recent open space is Sydney Olympic Park, west of the centre, which has been redeveloped since 2000 and now features riverside parks, nature trails and tranquil cycle paths.

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Beaches
If you like beaches, suburban Sydney has more than 100 to choose from, from surfing hotspots to sleepy coves. A 30-minute ferry ride away in Sydney North, the top destination is Manly, a long sweep of sand loved by surfers and sun-worshippers alike. Just to the south, tiny Shelly Beach is in a marine reserve and the snorkelling is fabulous, while the beaches north of Manly include Narrabeen, which was name-checked in the Beach Boys’ hit Surfin’ USA. In Sydney East, Bondi is the city’s most famous strip of sand, and there’s a lively beach scene to go with it. For those seeking a more tranquil experience, a four-mile coastal path gives access to Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee beaches, or check out tucked-away harbourside coves in upmarket Vaucluse, such as Parsley Bay and Kutti.

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City celebrations
New Year’s Eve is the peak of Sydney’s celebrations, and its midnight firework-fuelled harbour show is a must-see. Sort out your prime-time viewing spot, look out for any evening events and make sure to pre-book your chosen hotel – those with enviable harbour views can sell out almost a year ahead. If you’re here in May, you’ll see the city turned into a giant art canvas. The annual Vivid Sydney festival literally takes over the city – new exhibits rock up each year, but it’s something else to see the harbour dazzling in brilliant coloured light.

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Food & drink
Passionate and talented chefs, mouthwatering ingredients and a host of multicultural influences: there are plenty of reasons why Sydney’s dining scene is one of its major attractions. The sheer variety is staggering: you can feast on south-east Asian flavours in hip hawker markets, savour an upmarket take on the classic Aussie barbie in sleek harbourside restaurants or enjoy breakfast on the move at an enticing farmers’ market. In this food-obsessed metropolis, liquid refreshments are certainly not overlooked. You can mix your own spiced rum on a distillery tour, sample the products of various boutique craft beer makers or discover fine Hunter Valley vintages on myriad city wine lists.

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Coastal landscapes
You don’t have to go far from Sydney’s centre to discover the national parks dotted along the coast – there’s even one at the mouth of the harbour. For something more expansive, head to Kamay Botany Bay National Park, which covers the two headlands at the mouth of the natural harbour where Captain Cook first stepped ashore in Australia. Closer to town, the northerly La Perouse section has nature walks and family-friendly beaches, while Kurnell to the south offers Cook’s landing place, picnic spots and whale watching at Cape Solander. Further south, but still only 20 miles from central Sydney, the 40,000-acre Royal National Park – the world’s second oldest – is great for everything from rainforest walks to surfing and beach picnics.

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