Introduction
Sydney is known as the Harbour City. It is the largest, oldest and
most multicultural city in Australia with an enviable reputation as
one of the world's most beautiful and liveable cities. Brimming with
history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set
next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. The city is
also home to the
Sydney Opera House and the
Sydney Harbour Bridge,
two of the most iconic structures on the planet.
Sydney is a major global city and one of
the most important cities for finance in the Asia-Pacific. Sydney
hosted the Summer Olympics of 2000 and continues to attract and host
large international events. The city is surrounded by nature and
national parks, which extend into the suburbs and right to the
shores of the harbour.
Districts
Sydney has a compact city centre surrounded by sprawling suburbs, forming a vast metropolitan area.City Centre:
The busy centre of government and finance, but also home to many famous attractions, fine restaurants, and shopping.
The Rocks:
Just to the west of Circular Quay, now a cosmopolitan area, The Rocks includes the first colonial village of Sydney and the iconic Harbour Bridge.
Darling Harbour:
An extensive leisure and entertainment area immediately to the west of the Central Business District (CBD). See restaurants, boardwalks, Sydney Aquarium, and lots of shops by foot or above by Monorail.
City South:
The Haymarket, Chinatown and Central Station area is home to markets, cafes, Chinese culture and cuisine, and some cheaper accommodation and shopping.
City East:
Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo and Moore Park. Busy nightlife, and coffee shops, fashion and entertainment by day.
City West:
An early morning trip to the Fish Markets, exploring the Powerhouse Museum, finding a maritime pub or hitting The Star Casino.
Greater Sydney:
Sydney is a vast sprawling city, and the suburbs in the city metropolitan area spread for up to 100km from the city centre. The traveller visiting the suburbs will find less crowded beaches, parks, cheaper shopping, commercial centres, cultural festivals, and hidden gems.
Eastern Suburbs:
Between the City and the sea, includes the world-famous Bondi Beach and other city beaches, which are strong drawcards for visitors and residents in the city during summer.
Southern Sydney:
The area south of the CBD and north of the Georges River, including the areas surrounding Sydney Airport and Brighton Le Sands on Botany Bay.
Inner West:
Sydney's original suburbs are now bohemian and are a hub of cheap eats, shopping and inner-city culture. Also contains Sydney Olympic Park, the home of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, parks, cycling, and events.
Lower North Shore:
Over the Harbour Bridge are leafy residential areas stretching northwards. The North Shore also has major commercial and retail areas at North Sydney and Chatswood, many smaller boutique shopping areas, and many parks and gardens, Luna Park and Sydney's famous Taronga Zoo.
Upper North Shore:
Includes leafy residential areas, national parks and waterways.
Northern Beaches:
From Manly stretching North along the coast to Palm Beach.
North West:
Contains the Northern Districts with Macquarie Park, the northern side of the western reaches of Sydney Harbour, and the the largely residential area of the Hills District in the north-west of the city.
Parramatta:
Sydney's "second" CBD, with history, shopping, eating, all just 30 minutes from the city centre.
Sutherland Shire:
The district to the far south and east of the city centre including Cronulla, Royal National Park and Captain Cooks Landing Place at Kurnell.
South West:
Contains the centres of Liverpool and Campbelltown are a large swathe of residential and commercial Sydney.
Outer West:
Stretching from Parramatta out to the Blue Mountains