Sydney Harbour and the City

Welcome to the vibrant heart of Sydney. Starting at Sydney Harbour, the CBD runs south in a straight line towards Central Railway Station.

In recent years, Sydney city has undergone a dramatic transformation. Car traffic has been removed from many streets, creating a safe, walkable city threaded with wide boulevards and outdoor attractions. Though it’s a relatively compact area, it packs a lot in – soaring skyscrapers rub shoulders with grand heritage buildings, bustling shopping malls sit alongside leafy parks, and neon-lit food courts give way to hidden laneway bars. If you only have a short time in Sydney, you can still get a taste of what makes this city so appealing.

Sydney Harbour is the most famous sight, but head away from the water to explore the smaller precincts that are home to the city’s real gems. This is a place where people live, work and play, making for a cosmopolitan capital where the streets buzz with activity.

How To Get There

Sydney city is a short walk from Circular Quay. You can also catch the train, bus or light rail along George Street to Wynyard, Town Hall, Martin Place or Central Station.

Top 5 Things To Do

1. See the icons. Two of this city’s most famous sights sit right on the edge of the harbour – walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge then admire the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House. 
2. Relax in central Sydney’s gorgeous green spaces, like the sprawling harbourside Royal Botanic Garden, the historic Hyde Park (the oldest park in Australia) or the hilltop Observatory Park with its spectacular views. cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/parks
3. Immerse yourself in the stories of Sydney by visiting historic sites like The Rocks, the heritage precinct along Macquarie Street (home to Parliament House, Hyde Park Barracks and The Mint), and St Mary’s Cathedral.
4. Shop ’til you drop at central Sydney’s best stores – try Pitt Street Mall for international brands, Castlereagh Street for luxury labels and The Strand for Australian designers.
5. Get a birds’ eye view of the city from the top of its tallest structure, Sydney Tower. The unique Skywalk experience lets you walk around the outside of the tower, 268 metres above the ground. sydneytowereye.com.au

Top 6 Places to eat & drink

1. Londres 126. Mexican cuisine, mezcal and a touch of surrealism in the new Quay Quarter Lanes precinct. londres126.com.au
2. Opera Bar. Enjoy oysters, seafood, pizza and an all-Aussie wine list at this famed waterfront dining spot. operabar.com.au
3. YCK Laneways. A dedicated precinct of small bars tucked in laneways, basements or rooftops in the CBD. ycklaneways.com.au
4. Rockpool Bar & Grill. Legendary Sydney steakhouse with a spectacular Art Deco dining room. rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au
5. Mr Wong. Authentic Cantonese dishes and a huge dumpling menu served in an eclectic, art-filled space. merivale.com
6. McRae’s Bar. Named in honour of the 1880’s sandstone building’s original architect, this cosy drinking den is in the luxe new