Sydney City
Visit the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Rocks at Circular Quay. Enjoy a drink at the Opera Bar with its harbour views. The Royal Botanic Garden also has sweeping views of the harbour and trees planted in the 1820s.
In the city centre, Sydney Tower Eye has 360-degree views of Sydney and beyond, from the Pacific Ocean to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. The Queen Victoria Building, completed in 1898, is one of the premier shopping destinations.
About the city centre
The city is teeming with attractions. Begin your journey of discovery at Circular Quay with the Sydney Opera House. The famous building is “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity”, declared a World Heritage report.
From Circular Quay stroll along the harbour foreshore to The Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney, where cobbled laneways of the convict colony remain. There’s lots to see and do in The Rocks with upmarket shops and galleries, Australia’s oldest pubs, weekend markets and The Rocks Walking Tours. Stroll through this historic area to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Six million steel rivets were hammered into the bridge, which opened in 1932. Climb to the top with BridgeClimb Sydney for one of the best views of Sydney, its harbour and the Opera House.
You’ll also marvel at the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden, which has 8,900 plant species and native wildlife, including fruit bats.
Beyond the garden is the Art Gallery of NSW where galleries are devoted to Australian, European and Aboriginal art. Tree-lined roads lead to leafy Hyde Park, which adjoins the central shopping precinct.
Shop ‘til you drop in busy Pitt Street Mall, at Westfield shopping centre, or at the elegant Strand Arcade and the grand Queen Victoria Building. The city centre has many eating options, from top-rated restaurants to funky cafés and bars. One of the most visited areas is Chinatown and its lively markets.
Stroll from the city centre to Darling Harbour where you’ll be thrilled by WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, with creatures ranging from sweet to scary.
From the harbour to Chinatown, Sydney charms visitors with its many attractions and its delicious food. There are numerous places to stay in the heart of the city to suit a range of budgets.