Travel Guides > Sydney, Australia

Sydney Travel

Of all the cities "down under", beautiful Sydney, Australia has long been touted by travel experts as the best of the best. There's so much to do here that even the most finicky traveler will never be bored. One day, you can enjoy the city's stunning beaches and that same evening, you might be thrilling to the sounds of opera's most famous composers at one of the most magnificent venues in the world.

From the best in man-made attractions to incredible natural beauty, Sydney has it all and at a price that's much more affordable than many of the great cities of Europe, Asia, or North America.

Sydney covers about 700 square miles and has a population of around four million. It's quite easy to explore the city as the transportation system is excellent and nearly all the most popular attractions are located in the central downtown area or along the very beautiful harbor.

One of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House opened in 1973 and was built by Swedish architect Jorn Utzon. It juts out into the water and its unique roof resembles the sails of a grand ship. Many consider it one of the wonders of the modern world. At the opera house, you'll hear much more than just opera. Theater and dance companies also grace the stage of this magnificent building.

Nearby sits the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the world's largest steel arch bridge. Visitors can admire it from afar, cross it in their car, or... yes, climb it! There's no experience like it and you'll be rewarded with the most incredible views when you reach the top.

Walk in the other direction and you'll find the Royal Botanic Gardens. This expansive garden, which stretches from the harbor to the downtown area, contains tens of thousands of plants, some dating back to the eighteenth century.

Don't leave the harbor without a trip to the world-renowned Sydney Aquarium, considered by experts to be the best in the world. Travel its underwater walkways through enormous tanks of indigenous fish and other marine life in this attraction that's sure to delight visitors of all ages.

Downtown, the Australian Museum is an excellent natural history and anthropology museum. Its collections cover invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, mineralogy and paleontology. This is a good place to learn about the Aboriginal culture.

While you may be tempted to spend your time visiting Sydney's many man-made attractions, you should definitely spend some time of the beautiful beaches in the Sydney area. The most famous is Bondi Beach, a pretty beach, reminiscent of Southern California, and quite popular with the surfers. Families might enjoy Manly and Shelly Beach, where swimming and snorkeling are excellent.

If you prefer land-based outdoor pursuits, the golfing here is spectacular. Choose from nearly 100 courses of varying levels. The city's many parks also offer ideal locations for walking, jogging, biking, or in-line skating. Check out Centennial Park, opened in 1888, and home to several lakes, jogging paths, and picnic areas.