Overview
An Australia vacation wouldn’t be complete without visiting the stunning city of Sydney.
Sydney is located on the east coast of the country in the state of New South Wales. It is Australia’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city and an essential stop on any traveller’s Australia vacation. Surrounding the city is a wonderland of national parks, forests, mountains, river valleys and historic riverside towns. The first settlers arrived in 1788 came here to create a penal colony, finding the world’s largest natural harbour, and 70 beaches along the coast within a reasonable distance of the city. In more recent times, Sydney also hosted the 2000 Olympic Games.
Must-See Attractions in Sydney
Sydney HarbourThe breathtaking Sydney Harbour is the heart of the city, surrounded by a mix of downtown attractions and charming suburbs. One of the best ways to explore the harbour is by hopping on a ferry from Circular Quay, where you can enjoy stunning views and access various destinations.
Iconic Landmarks
- Sydney Harbour Bridge: Known affectionately as "The Coat Hanger," this steel arch bridge is a defining feature of Sydney’s skyline. Don’t miss the exhilarating Bridge Climb for panoramic views of the city.
- Sydney Opera House: This architectural marvel, opened in 1973, is not just a feast for the eyes but also a cultural hub for music, opera, and the arts.
The Sydney Tower is the tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, soaring above the Harbour Bridge. Its observation deck offers breathtaking views of the cityscape and beyond.
Step back in time in The Rocks District, Sydney’s oldest precinct, filled with sandstone buildings, cobblestone streets, and rich history. This vibrant area offers some of the finest dining and entertainment options in the city.
Just a short stroll from the city center, Darling Harbour is a hub for shopping, dining, and attractions like the Sydney Aquarium and National Maritime Museum. Consider a sunset cruise for a magical end to your day.
Explore Sydney's Neighborhoods
Sydney's diverse neighborhoods each offer unique experiences:
- Darlinghurst: A lively district filled with nightlife, restaurants, and boutique shops.
- Paddington: Known for its charming Victorian terrace houses and trendy designer stores.
Just across the Harbour Bridge, you’ll find:
- Taronga Zoo: Home to over 2,600 animals, including exotic species like Sumatran tigers and Kodiak bears.
- Luna Park: Sydney's beloved amusement park, reminiscent of Australia’s Coney Island, offers fun for all ages.
Culture lovers will appreciate Sydney’s impressive array of museums and galleries:
- Australian Museum: The oldest in Australia, showcasing natural history and cultural artifacts.
- Museum of Sydney: Offers insights into the city's history from Aboriginal times to the present.
- Art Gallery of New South Wales: Features an extensive collection of both Australian and international art.
Just 7 km from the city center, Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous beach, perfect for swimming, surfing, and soaking up the sun at nearby cafes and bars.
Reach Manly Beach by ferry for a stunning coastal experience. Enjoy swimming, scenic walks, and a variety of shopping and dining options.
A short drive from Sydney, Royal National Park boasts coastal cliffs, rainforests, and secluded beaches, ideal for swimming and bushwalking. Trails lead to Bungoona Lookout for breathtaking views and Uloola Falls for a picturesque hike.
A must-visit day trip, the Blue Mountains are about two hours from Sydney and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore awe-inspiring cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and charming villages, including the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. With 140 km of walking trails and the steepest cable railway, there’s plenty to discover.
Just 120 km north of Sydney, Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and a must inclusion on any trip to Australia. Sample fine wines paired with local cuisine, or take a relaxing cruise on the Hunter River.
Plan Your Sydney Adventure Today
Incorporating at least one of our Sydney tours into your travel to Australia is a must. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, Sydney is one of the most desirable cities in the world to explore. Book your Australia vacation today and start your adventure in this incredible city!
Australia Travel Guides
Top 10 Things to do in Sydney, Australia
Four Perfect Ways to Spend a Day in Sydney
15 Ways to Explore Sydney, Australia
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Tasmania is under the radar for many travelers, but it’s great for hikes, natural landscapes and now modern art!
Sydney and Melbourne are a great combination for first-time visitors to Australia, with Brisbane, Adelaide and/or the Outback added in, depending on how much time you have. Returnees should take in Perth, Darwin and the Kakadu National Park area and/or Tasmania if they can, plus spend some time in the cities they loved the first time around
It might sound cliche, but you really can visit year-round. Australia is a big country, so there is always somewhere with amazing weather!
Goway’s trips to Australia are not stock itineraries. We can put together trips of a few weeks or a few months, allowing you to see as much of the land Downunder as you can. And we offer a mix of travel options, from self-drives to train journeys to long stays.
Goway has partnerships with many unique inns and hotels in Australia. Among the most memorable are Qualia on Hamilton Island, Longitude 131 at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
A land of adventure, diversity & natural wonders.
Every corner of Australia's largest city promises new discoveries and authentic Aussie character, from the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House to the rugged cliffs of the Blue Mountains, historic pubs in the Rocks, and iconic golden beaches including Bondi, Coogee, and Manly Beach. Sydney's delicious and diverse culinary scene offers everything from fresh seafood markets to five-star harbourfront dining, while unique neighbourhoods like Newtown offer electric street art and cultural experiences at every turn.
The Sydney Opera house with the harbour bridge ...
Sunset view of Darling Harbour, New South Wales
The world famous Bondi Beach - a most certain i...
A view across the harbour at sunset is always a...
A beautiful Sydney sunrise
Walking through Hyde Park
Manly Cove
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SydneyOccasional Showers
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ExcellentBased on 5,149 ReviewsMy clients had a wonderful time on their trip to Easter Island. They were very pleased with the Hare Nua Hotel Boutique and especially noted the warmth and hospitality of the hotel staff as well as their excellent breakfasts.
Jaime Vargas-Hendandez was an exceptionally gracious and knowledgeable agent, who went out of his way to ensure that my clients had the best possible experience. I will definitely contact him for future bookings and will recommend him to my colleagues.Alethea KardasWe were just back from an ambitious 42-day grand circle through seven of the ASEAN countries! An itinerary gestating over a period of time, carefully planned and pore over intently all the way through proved satisfying as expected, but the amazing "embarras de richesse" in six weeks such as we've never experienced before truly went beyond our imagination, both in terms of scenery and culture! The vast majority of the local teams who work with Goway provided impressive service throughout our stay, and quite a number of the guides and drivers deserve to be called cream of the crop in their line of work. But ultimately, we owe our destination specialist Taryn a profound gratitude for her insight and for her coordination efforts which made all this possible.
When our debit card was not retrievable in an airport ATM Taryn again went out of her way to approve a small loan through transfer to our local guide's bank account, who then withdrew cash from an ATM while we simply paid Goway Travel by credit card through an online payment link. This helped us tremendously through that difficult moment. We will always treasure this kindness on her part.Yuan LinAlice was most helpful - full of insider suggestions.
She was a good listener and able to provide tours, routes and guides tailored to our interests. She made our February trip to New Zealand entirely wonderful.
MarleneWe did a 19 day NZ Rail and Cruise Discovery Tour and then a 12 day Australian tour put together by out specialized travel operator Joanne Palanuik.
New Zealand- ABT Tours ran the actual tour and did a fabulous job. The Guide Sharon was great and worked very hard coordinating 32 people. Mostly all Australians and we has so much fun with them! Our driver Chris (a retired policeman) was especially great- he knew so many interesting things about NZ and shared them while driving throughout the trip. We loved him! So many highlights...overnight on a ship in the Milford Sound...cable car to a nature reserve then a Gold Class train ride back...Queenstown adventures..excellent meals along the way...all drivers and transfers were excellent too.
Oceana Tours in Melbourne were great as well. A morning city tour and afternoon tour were wonderful. Then the next day to Philips Island for the Penguin moonlit march was sooo special. And the Ocean road cruise too!! Sydney was gorgeous...Bondi Beach...Barrier Reef...Ayers Rock (Uluru)
Both Australians and New Zealanders were so helpful and friendly...
In short I wish I could do it all over again..highly recommend. Every day was a new adventure :)
Kathleen Reardon
customerKatie was a dream to work with. We made many changes to the standard itinerary to customize our trip and she never missed a beat. Her responsiveness and humor made working together a joy and her most common response to our very packed activities was, “can I help with that?” Hotels, car rental all went smoothly and were very much to our liking. The super long flights were laid out to minimize travel time and maximize comfort. Katie and GoWay made this dream trip happen. FayeIts all about the journey, isn't it? And our journey through Kenya, Africa was amazing and we have Bijal Kana of Goway Travel to thank for it.
From the start when we first discussed a true Safari adventure, Bijal was being helpful. Her suggestions were helpful in where to go and how we could save a few dollars when possible. Never trying to be cheap but simply, cost conscious. This was the beginning of what will continue as a forever working relationship in travel. Bijal gained our confidence and trust. And that is a rare commodity these days.
Then too there was the staff from Goway and Sense of Africa like Ruth, Wilson and Francis who allowed us to see the non tourist side of Nairobi and became fast friends. The wonderful selections made by Bijal as to where we would stay and all the Serena locations were marvelous. And at the last minute, when a bridge got washed out and we could not get to the last lodge camp, Bijal responded to our whatsapp call immediately and we were placed in the Sorova lodge. True not the same, but in the middle of a game area, who complains? It was great and we had so much fun.
The tour selection took us through parks, reserves and conservancy locales. We saw the big 5 and much more. Lions fighting, Hyenas making a chase and ultimate dinner selection, A leopard resting on tree branches, A cheetah stalking and then at rest. Hyena pups and Honbeast babes being birthed. Hippopotamus in the water, Zebra grazing, Elephants crossing rivers en mass. You'd think we hit the National Geographic channel.
Great job Bijal. Good deal Goway.customerBram L. BottfeldGoway Travel helped us set up a Venice to Athens cruise on Viking and it was fantastic! Our agent (Kimberly) was responsive to all our questions and helpful navigating all the options for excursions, etc. She also gave us a cruise credit we could use while on the ship to help pay for extras. Overall great experience would use Goway again.StanleyFor the past four years, we have travelled to Perth, Australia to visit family. As part of our travels to Perth, we have had stays in Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. This year, as part of our trip, we are staying in Melbourne and Adelaide. Each year, we have contacted Joanne at Goway to arrange our trip. She has booked all our flights and accommodations. She has been a wonderful source of travel locations within Australia and New Zealand. Joanne has always been very helpful. She checks on the best flights, give us ideas on airplane seat selection and locates great places to stay. She also provides ideas about what we might want to see or do at each location. Every time we contact her she is willing to provide information and answers any questions we may have. She listens to our requests, explains reasons for her suggestions, and answers any concerns we have with patience and understanding. We are so fortunate to have such a helpful, friendly individual as our travel advisor!Bob and SuePaul at GoWay made this first GoWay trip a breeze from start to finish! He was very quick to respond and created an incredible itinerary that my clients absolutely loved. From the incredible hotel location to the private tours led by knowledgeable tour guides who show that they love their jobs, it couldn't have gone better. Can't wait to Yesenia RodriguezOnce again, Goway Travel has provided us with an amazing travel experience, and the customized itinerary prepared by Joanne Palanuik was second to none. She was the main reason that Australia is a "trip of a lifetime" for us. Her attention to detail and recognizing what would make this a special trip for us is noteworthy and much appreciated.Wally
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