Overview
An Australia vacation wouldn’t be complete without visiting the stunning city of Sydney.
Sydney is located on the east coast of the country in the state of New South Wales. It is Australia’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city and an essential stop on any traveller’s Australia vacation. Surrounding the city is a wonderland of national parks, forests, mountains, river valleys and historic riverside towns. The first settlers arrived in 1788 came here to create a penal colony, finding the world’s largest natural harbour, and 70 beaches along the coast within a reasonable distance of the city. In more recent times, Sydney also hosted the 2000 Olympic Games.
Must-See Attractions in Sydney
Sydney HarbourThe breathtaking Sydney Harbour is the heart of the city, surrounded by a mix of downtown attractions and charming suburbs. One of the best ways to explore the harbour is by hopping on a ferry from Circular Quay, where you can enjoy stunning views and access various destinations.
Iconic Landmarks
- Sydney Harbour Bridge: Known affectionately as "The Coat Hanger," this steel arch bridge is a defining feature of Sydney’s skyline. Don’t miss the exhilarating Bridge Climb for panoramic views of the city.
- Sydney Opera House: This architectural marvel, opened in 1973, is not just a feast for the eyes but also a cultural hub for music, opera, and the arts.
The Sydney Tower is the tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, soaring above the Harbour Bridge. Its observation deck offers breathtaking views of the cityscape and beyond.
Step back in time in The Rocks District, Sydney’s oldest precinct, filled with sandstone buildings, cobblestone streets, and rich history. This vibrant area offers some of the finest dining and entertainment options in the city.
Just a short stroll from the city center, Darling Harbour is a hub for shopping, dining, and attractions like the Sydney Aquarium and National Maritime Museum. Consider a sunset cruise for a magical end to your day.
Explore Sydney's Neighborhoods
Sydney's diverse neighborhoods each offer unique experiences:
- Darlinghurst: A lively district filled with nightlife, restaurants, and boutique shops.
- Paddington: Known for its charming Victorian terrace houses and trendy designer stores.
Just across the Harbour Bridge, you’ll find:
- Taronga Zoo: Home to over 2,600 animals, including exotic species like Sumatran tigers and Kodiak bears.
- Luna Park: Sydney's beloved amusement park, reminiscent of Australia’s Coney Island, offers fun for all ages.
Culture lovers will appreciate Sydney’s impressive array of museums and galleries:
- Australian Museum: The oldest in Australia, showcasing natural history and cultural artifacts.
- Museum of Sydney: Offers insights into the city's history from Aboriginal times to the present.
- Art Gallery of New South Wales: Features an extensive collection of both Australian and international art.
Just 7 km from the city center, Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous beach, perfect for swimming, surfing, and soaking up the sun at nearby cafes and bars.
Reach Manly Beach by ferry for a stunning coastal experience. Enjoy swimming, scenic walks, and a variety of shopping and dining options.
A short drive from Sydney, Royal National Park boasts coastal cliffs, rainforests, and secluded beaches, ideal for swimming and bushwalking. Trails lead to Bungoona Lookout for breathtaking views and Uloola Falls for a picturesque hike.
A must-visit day trip, the Blue Mountains are about two hours from Sydney and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore awe-inspiring cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and charming villages, including the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. With 140 km of walking trails and the steepest cable railway, there’s plenty to discover.
Just 120 km north of Sydney, Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and a must inclusion on any trip to Australia. Sample fine wines paired with local cuisine, or take a relaxing cruise on the Hunter River.
Plan Your Sydney Adventure Today
Incorporating at least one of our Sydney tours into your travel to Australia is a must. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, Sydney is one of the most desirable cities in the world to explore. Book your Australia vacation today and start your adventure in this incredible city!
Australia Travel Guides
Top 10 Things to do in Sydney, Australia
Four Perfect Ways to Spend a Day in Sydney
15 Ways to Explore Sydney, Australia
At a Glance
Population
5,297,000Languages
EnglishCurrency
Australian Dollar (AUD)What do the experts say?
Tasmania is under the radar for many travelers, but it’s great for hikes, natural landscapes and now modern art!
Sydney and Melbourne are a great combination for first-time visitors to Australia, with Brisbane, Adelaide and/or the Outback added in, depending on how much time you have. Returnees should take in Perth, Darwin and the Kakadu National Park area and/or Tasmania if they can, plus spend some time in the cities they loved the first time around
It might sound cliche, but you really can visit year-round. Australia is a big country, so there is always somewhere with amazing weather!
Goway’s trips to Australia are not stock itineraries. We can put together trips of a few weeks or a few months, allowing you to see as much of the land Downunder as you can. And we offer a mix of travel options, from self-drives to train journeys to long stays.
Goway has partnerships with many unique inns and hotels in Australia. Among the most memorable are Qualia on Hamilton Island, Longitude 131 at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
A land of adventure, diversity & natural wonders.
Every corner of Australia's largest city promises new discoveries and authentic Aussie character, from the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House to the rugged cliffs of the Blue Mountains, historic pubs in the Rocks, and iconic golden beaches including Bondi, Coogee, and Manly Beach. Sydney's delicious and diverse culinary scene offers everything from fresh seafood markets to five-star harbourfront dining, while unique neighbourhoods like Newtown offer electric street art and cultural experiences at every turn.
The Sydney Opera house with the harbour bridge ...
Sunset view of Darling Harbour, New South Wales
The world famous Bondi Beach - a most certain i...
A view across the harbour at sunset is always a...
A beautiful Sydney sunrise
Walking through Hyde Park
Manly Cove
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Australia
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,207 ReviewsWorking with Allan is absolutely a dream. He is one of the most responsive people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and his attention to detail is unmatched. I truly wish I could just use him for every single trip I need to book.Liz PooreKimberly Brown from Goway Travel made my trip to Australia & New Zealand a very memorable and remarkable experience. Every step and detail was fantastic and I will never forget the trip of a lifetime and it was because of the experience of Kimberly. If you are thinking about taking a trip to New Zealand and Australia, I highly recommend contacting Kimberly from Goway travel. David KleinWe had a blast and felt covered by GoAway throughout. This was our first time using a travel agent and Melissa and her team made it easy. I also appreciated the quick communication while on our trip. I only wish that we got our official itinerary and tickets sooner as we did not receive them until a week prior. But it is busy season so I understand. Courtney McCarthyElise created a fantastic trip to South Africa. Our experience could not have been better. Thank You so Much!!Dave McVayOur trip to Japan was great. All our Goway arrangements preformed like clockwork and the guides for the tours were wonderful. Unfortunately, Mt. Fuji was in total fog but at least the lunch was very good and so was the drum solo, also our tour guide kept our spirits up ( she was the best).
Taryn picked hotels that were very convenient to the meeting point of our tours which was much appreciated and organized all aspects of our trip perfectly. So from our airport pickup to our last day in Tokyo everything ran very smoothly so we have used Goway before and will certainly use it again and reccommend Goway to others.JWWe had a great experience with Goaway travel our travel agent,FARNAZ. was very helpful and patient with us in planning our vacation to Greece. She was very thorough and professional and excellent with laying out our flights and our itinerary for our trip would highly recommend her very professional. Thank you again Franaz for your help and for me and my wife to have experienced a wonderful time in GreececustomerFarnaz booked Greece and Italy - she is fantastic! She listened to our needs and planned a beautiful itinerary that everyone enjoyed. All transfers went smoothly and I am looking to book more trips with her! AmyWe have used Goway Travel for previous trips and have been very happy with their excellent service. Our last trip to New Zealand and Australia was no exception. Our agent, Lori Mazzono, got tuned into the sort of trip we were hoping to have immediately. The various booking she provided were, without exception, exceptional and exactly what we envisioned, We really don't think we would have changed anything. tBruce BelshawMary was absolutely fantastic to work with. She was incredibly responsive and quick to assist with every update and change my clients made throughout the planning process. Her expertise was invaluable, from recommending the perfect resorts to advising on the best way to travel between the islands.
My clients loved every moment of their trip, especially their resort stays and overwater bungalow experiences. As this was their honeymoon, creating a seamless and memorable journey was so important, and Mary exceeded expectations. They rated their experience a 5 out of 5 and could not have been happier.
Thank you, Mary, for your outstanding support and attention to detail. I truly appreciated your partnership and would not hesitate to work with you again for future South Pacific Island bookings.
I am from the TravelStore in Fresno.Jenn WWe had an exceptional experience with Goway Travel on our recent trip to Africa. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed, which made the entire journey stress-free.
The recommendations on where to go and what to do were absolutely fantastic! Each stop felt perfectly curated and exceeded our expectations. It was clear that Goway truly understands the destinations they offer and knows how to create a memorable, well-balanced itinerary.
A special thank you to our travel consultant, Bijal, who was outstanding throughout the entire process. Bijal was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive while we prepared for the trip, ensuring that all our questions were answered and that every detail was taken care of. Their guidance made a big difference in building our confidence and excitement leading up to the trip.
I would highly recommend Goway Travel to anyone looking for a seamless, expertly planned travel experience. We will definitely be using them again for our future adventures!
Harjit C
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified