Sydney holidays
Pack your sunnies for Sydney. In the laid-back capital of New South Wales, you’ll find coastal paths lined with beaches and national parks filled with bushlands, waterfalls and lagoons. Head to the harbourside to see icons like the opera house and Benny (a beloved seal who likes to sunbathe on the steps) and head into town to explore historic neighbourhoods.
Stay out until the sun goes down, down under
You’ll want to spend plenty of time outdoors in Sydney. Watch the sunrise over surf-worthy waves at Bondi Beach and swim in a seawater pool all before brunch.
Do the coastal walk to Coogee or take the Manly Ferry for a scenic ride to the Northern Beaches. If you hire a car, you can also drive to the Blue Mountains where you’ll see vast valleys and ancient Aboriginal rock art. Book your flights to Sydney now.
Carefully selected Sydney hotels
Best hotels in Sydney for all types of traveller
For five-star fabulousness, stay at the InterContinental Sydney . This hotel set in the old Treasury Building of 1851 flaunts dazzling interiors – from chandeliers to an antique domed atrium – and dazzling views of the harbour and city. Pier One Sydney Harbour is another great option for grand views with its Pier Dining restaurant overlooking the water. Those wanting to explore the city centre should check into the Hilton Sydney in the central business district, while those who love an industrial chic vibe can find plenty of exposed brick walls and uber-cool art at Hotel Woolstore 1888 Sydney.
Sydney holiday FAQs
- Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge. One of the best ways to experience Sydney’s famous ‘Coathanger’ is to climb to its summit where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views stretching from skyscrapers to mountain ranges on a clear day. Another great way to experience the bridge is to kayak beneath it – glide across silvery water to look up at the lofty steel beams. Then find views of the bridge framed by winding ferns and fig trees at Wendy’s Secret Garden.
- Visit the Royal Botanic Garden. Sitting in the Central Business District (CBD to Sydneysiders), Australia’s oldest botanical garden showcases everything from preened plants to wilful wildflowers. Take an Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour with a First Nations guide to learn about Indigenous history and taste traditional bush foods.
- Admire the Sydney Opera House at Bennelong Point. This architectural marvel is moored at the tip of a peninsula, its roof shells resembling billowing sails. See a concert or visit just for the view – watch the harbour from the opera bar terrace as you snack on freshly shucked oysters and sip chilled wine.
- Go for a coastal walk. See the surf at Bondi before following cliff-top trails to Coogee beach, stopping to sunbathe on sandy bays and flag down ice cream boats along the way. If you’re visiting between May and November, you might even spot whales showing their bellies to the sun as they breach in the distance.
- Find beaches and bushwalks at Sydney’s national parks. Royal National Park is freckled with sandy spots like Wattamolla where you can swim in a warm lagoon. You can also listen to the tumble of waterfalls and look up at a rainforest canopy. In the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, you can whale watch at Cape Solander and see Captain Cook’s landing place.
- Bondi Beach is a Sydney idol. This coastal suburb is known for its huge stretch of sand and its sapphire waves. Take a surfing lesson and dip into the Bondi Icebergs for an iconic swim. Then wander around a market, sip locally blended espresso in a brunch spot and spend the afternoon cracking open cold drinks on the promenade.
- Kings Cross is Sydney’s classic party place. Nowadays the suburb is a concoction of hip wine bars and cocktail clubs. Find your scene – whether it’s a rooftop terrace or an underground parlour – and don’t (not that you could) miss the Coca-Cola billboard. Outside of the late, neon-lit hours, small theatre companies and hole-in-the-wall cafes attract Sydneysiders seeking culture and ice-cold lattes in The Cross.
- The Rocks is Sydney’s oldest colonial neighbourhood. Right by the harbour, this is where the convicts first lived in the city. Walk along cobbled lanes and pull up chairs in historic pubs like The Fortune of War. Look down little alleyways to find artisan shops and pop-up stalls. You can also learn about Aboriginal history: take The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour to gain insight into ancient culture and modern Sydney.
- Newtown is a bohemian beauty. Flick through racks of vintage denim in King Street and sample craft beers in breweries across the neighbourhood. Find art splashed on the walls of tall buildings and on the stages of live music bars. There’s always a new act to see, a new bevvy to drink and a new (or, rather, old) vintage record to play here.
- If you’re looking for cheap hotels in Sydney, the Macleay Hotel Sydney sits in a great location in Potts Point. Studio apartments come with kitchenettes, so you can prepare some of your own food, and two-bedroom apartments can fit up to six people. Ibis Styles Sydney Central in the CBD also offers rooms with kitchenettes and other convenient facilities for a cheap holiday to Sydney.
- For ultimate comfort and indulgence, check into one of our luxury Sydney hotels. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney in the city centre is a beautiful, boutique-style hotel set in a beaux-arts building that once housed a newspaper empire. Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay is another stylish choice – choose a room overlooking the harbour bridge or the opera house for an iconic Sydney view.
Sydney is on Australian Eastern Standard Time from April to October. In October, the clocks change to Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
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