Sydney
Australia
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Bondi Beach
- Royal Botanic Garden
- The Rocks
About Sydney
Sydney is Australia's most populous city and the capital of New South Wales. Founded in 1788 as a British penal colony, it grew around Port Jackson, one of the world's largest natural harbours.
The Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Harbour Bridge, the historic lanes of The Rocks and ocean beaches such as Bondi are its emblems.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Jacaranda blossoms (October–November) — From October–November, the city's streets turn purple with jacaranda blossoms.
- Whale watching (May–November) — Whale-watching tours run from May–November. Choose licensed operators that keep their distance from the animals.
How many days do you need?
Allow at least four days: one for Circular Quay, the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Garden and The Rocks; one for a walk across the Harbour Bridge and a ferry to Taronga Zoo; one for the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee; and one for the ferry to Manly. With an extra day, visit the Blue Mountains.
Where to stay
- Circular Quay and The Rocks — Next to the Opera House and the ferry wharves; right in the centre.
- Darling Harbour and the CBD — Museums, restaurants and train connections.
- Bondi and Manly — Beach-town atmosphere, with buses or ferries to the centre.
From the airport to the city
Sydney Airport (SYD) is about 5 miles south of the centre. Airport Link trains on the T8 line run from the international and domestic terminals to Central and Circular Quay; an extra station access fee applies at the airport stations. Taxis and ride-hailing are also available.
Getting around
Trains, metro, buses, ferries and light rail are paid with an Opal card or a contactless bank card or phone. The ferries from Circular Quay double as transport and harbour sightseeing.
Good to know
- Almost all visitors except New Zealand citizens need a visa or electronic travel authority before travelling to Australia.
- Swim only between the red-and-yellow flags on beaches; UV levels are very high.
- Seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere: summer runs from December to February. Traffic drives on the left. The currency is the Australian dollar.
Useful links
- Sydney.com (Destination NSW) sydney.com
- Transport for NSW transportnsw.info
- Sydney Airport sydneyairport.com.au
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: April–May and September–January. The warmest month is January (average high 78 °F); the wettest is February (5.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 78.3 | 3.63 | Ideal |
| February | 77.4 | 5.08 | Good |
| March | 75.7 | 5.01 | Good |
| April | 71.8 | 2.96 | Ideal |
| May | 67.3 | 1.70 | Ideal |
| June | 62.8 | 3.50 | Good |
| July | 61.9 | 1.90 | Good |
| August | 63.5 | 1.74 | Good |
| September | 67.5 | 1.76 | Ideal |
| October | 71.2 | 2.45 | Ideal |
| November | 73.2 | 3.70 | Ideal |
| December | 76.1 | 2.92 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
More in this region
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Australia DayJanuary 26
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter SaturdayMarch 27
- Easter SundayMarch 28
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- Anzac DayApril 25
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Boxing DayDecember 26
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyAustralian Dollar ($)
- Dialling code+61
- Plugs & voltageType I · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency000
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.