Art Gallery NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain

Open daily with free admission and situated next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Established in 1875 the gallery houses some of Australia’s finest artworks. On display are works of popular contemporary Australian artists as well as Aboriginal, Asian and European art collections. 

Beaches

Sydney city is built around the water with many of its most popular activities centred around sand, sea and sun. Sydney’s beaches are easily accessible by public transport and are a great way to relax. Popular ocean beaches are Bondi, Coogee, Bronte, Manly and Palm Beach. For more sheltered beaches consider one of Sydney’s harbour beaches including Neilson Park, Balmoral Beach or Shark Bay.

CityRail

Links the city centre (also referred to as the Central Business District or CBD) to the suburbs. Trains operate daily from 4:30 am to around midnight. Various train tickets and Travel passes incorporating train, bus and ferry are available. Travel from the city to the International or Domestic Airport terminals by train with the Sydney Airport Rail Service. The airport train service operates daily from Central Train Station at 10 minute intervals from 5am till midnight. For budget travel around Sydney ask at the CityRail Information office, Central Station or the Public Transport Infoline.

Darling Harbour

Experience some of Sydney’s best outdoor and waterfront bars, restaurants and nightspots are at Harbourside, Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf. Daylight activities include Sydney Aquarium, Australian National Maritime Museum, Powerhouse Museum, IMAX Theatre and the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Shoppers can find quality Australiana and surf wear plus countless fashion, jewellery and souvenir shops at Harbourside.

Ferries

A fun and efficient way to travel between Sydney harbour suburbs and attractions. Frequent services run from Circular Quay Ferry Terminal to Darling Harbour, Manly, Balmain, Parramatta, Hunters Hill, Taronga Zoo, Neutral Bay, Mosman and Rose Bay with numerous stops in between. Travel Passes and tickets are available from Circular Quay Sydney Ferries Information Office or ticket vending machines on each wharf. Ask about transport and admission deals to harbourside attractions. Taking a ferry to Manly Beach from the city is a great way to experience Sydney’s amazing harbour and catch city, Harbour Bridge and Opera House views.

Gardens

Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens is a short walk from the city centre and is a 30 hectare harbourside oasis. Entry is free and the gardens are open daily from 7 am to sunset. Take a free guided walk from the Visitor Centre or try a Self Guide tour. Special interest is the National Herbarium, rose gardens, succulent gardens and the Sydney Tropical Centre.

Harbour Bridge

Walk across the city’s most imposing structure. Start at Milson’s Point railway station and walk towards city and Opera House views. The Harbour Bridge Exhibition and pylon lookout is housed in the pylon closest to the city. Climb 200 stairs to the top for fantastic harbour and city views. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Bridge entrance is on Cumberland Street, The Rocks just above Argyle Street.

Lookout

Mrs Macquaries Point is Sydney’s hotspot for photographers wanting to capture the city centre skyline, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Follow the promenade east from the Opera House and walk round the harbour past the Botanic Gardens to Mrs Macquaries Point.?

Markets

The Rocks Markets are open weekends on George Street, The Rocks and offer affordable arts and an eclectic range of craft, jewellery and other gifts. Paddy’s Markets are open Thursday to Sunday and public holidays, cnr Thomas and Hay Streets, Haymarket.

Opera House

Australia’s instantly recognisable icon: Sydney’s Opera House is also one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres. Completed in 1973 it covers nearly two hectares and beneath the ten spectacular arches lies a complex maze of over 1,000 rooms. Guided tours operate daily between 9 am and 4 pm - allow about an hour.

Performing Arts

Sydney Opera House is a major contemporary and classical performance venue with an international reputation. Reasonably priced tickets are readily available for theatre, ballet, opera and a variety of concerts. Dress in your finest rags, sip champagne and listen to Mozart for a memorable and different night out in Sydney.

The Rocks

Sydney’s oldest quarter is rich in colonial history and colour with historic buildings, art galleries, museums and live entertainment. Enjoy some of Sydney’s best shopping, pubs and dinning. Purchase a self guide Rocks walking tour brochure from the Sydney Visitor Centre to really discover the Rocks and learn some Australian settlement history.

Sydney Harbour

Harbour cruises are operated by many private companies and Sydney Ferries. Most cruises depart from Circular Quay, The Rocks or Darling Harbour offering coffee, lunch, dinner and even parties. Information on cruises is available from information centres, hostels and at departure points.

Transport

Sydney Buses conveniently link with Sydney’s rail and ferry systems covering city and suburban areas. For information on bus routes, timetables, tickets and travel passes contact the Public Transport Infoline. State Transit’s sightseeing buses, the Sydney Explorer and the Bondi & Bay Explorer are great ways to catch the best of Sydney. Sydney Buses have one bus service running from Bondi Junction to the Domestic and International Airport terminals, the service runs daily at twenty minute intervals from around 5am to 10.30pm.

Visitor Information

Situated in The Rocks and at Darling Harbour. The Sydney Visitor Centres are open daily and provides comprehensive information on Sydney and regional NSW. Find out what’s happening, what to do, where and when to do it. Also available is a comprehensive range of maps and guide books.

Walks

From Bondi to Bronte with fantastic views, popular beaches, vibrant cafes and lively pubs found along this cliff top walk. Head south from Bondi Beach and follow the coastline to Bronte Beach. For the energetic continue the walk further past Bronte to Coogee Beach via Clovelly and Gordons Bay. This walk takes in some great swimming and surf beaches as well as the popular snorkelling spots found at Clovelly and Gordons Bay.

Zoo

Just 12 minutes from the city by ferry Taronga Zoo (buy a combined ZooPass) is home to nearly 4,000 animals on some of Sydney’s best real estate. Special emphasis is placed on Australian wildlife exhibits for you to be close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats and other famous Australian animals. Open daily, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman.

Other things to see and things to do

Circular Quay    Sydney Harbour Bridge    Opera House    Museum of Contemporary Art    Fort Denison    The Rocks    Garrison Church    Sydney Observatory    Royal Botanic Gardens    Sydney Tower Observation Deck    Hyde Park    Queen Victoria Building    Australian Museum    Art Gallery of NSW   Police and Justice Museum   Museum of Sydney   The Domain   Strand Arcade   State Theatre   Hyde Park Barracks   The Rum Hospital   St Marys Cathedral   Luna Park   Sydney Sculpture Walk   Tank Stream   Sydney Town Hall   The Mint   Parliament of NSW   David Jones Food Hall

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