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
At a Glance
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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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SydneyMostly Sunny
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45mm / 1.8"
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ExcellentBased on 5,183 ReviewsWe are still on our journey in Italy. At Capri now and heading to the Amalfi Coast. So far, we can’t thank Goway enough for putting our itinerary together so quickly. Everything is going well and hope the next 10 days are perfect too. Gladys VivianCan't say enough good things about Goway Travel. From the very start, our travel rep, Harpreet, listened carefully to what we were hoping to see and do on our first trip to Japan. She asked great questions and then came back to us with a detailed itinerary packed with adventure and fun, and all within our travel budget.
From the moment we took off from LAX, Harpreet had made sure we had every tour voucher, hotel voucher, plane ticket, train ticket, literally every detail covered. All we had to do was follow our itinerary.
Also, Harpreet booked us into terrific hotels. Each one was spotlessly clean, comfortable, included a full (and delicious) breakfast and, most importantly, was centrally located to all of the activities she had planned for us. So everything was a 5 or 10-minute walk away.
In three weeks' time we were able to visit six cities and so many fascinating shrines, temples, castles, imperial palaces - most of which were World Heritage sites. Harpreet also tucked in fabulous "experiences" like learning how to make sushi with a professional chef, enjoying a tea ceremony and watching graceful Geishas dance.
My husband and I are seasoned travelers. But we don't speak Japanese and we really knew very little about the country. There is no way we would have been able to see and do all of the fascinating things we did in Japan if we hadn't chosen Goway Travel to be our guide. Many thanks for an unforgettable trip! Bobbi FagoneGreat country (Italy), great people and love the feel you get by just being you.
Ingrid Aird did a great job with a pair of tours one private and one group. Organizing pickup from airport and flights.
Hotel, Enterprise Hotel, after a bit of a rough start getting us into a proper room, was more than excellent.Thomas HelpsWe were looking forward to a magical vacation in Greece, and Goway Travel delivered on all fronts. This is the second time that we have booked with them (the first being an incredible excursion in Thailand), and everything went along swimmingly. Only on one occasion did a tour go sideways, but our Goway specialist (Patrick) took care of it for us.
When your tour involves many flights, numerous hotels, various tours, ferries, and transfers, it is nice to know that your travel specialist can handle it all. Goway (from Patrick to all the other staff involved) handled everything in such a professional manner. Thanks Goway for such an incredible experience in Greece. I look forward to another adventure in the near future!Jenny FriessWe recently returned from France - three cities in two weeks - and our trip was fantastic! Jacqueline helped us with a return to France with no worries and concerns. Drivers met us at every destination- hotels were superb and the individual tours memorable. This is a return vacation with Goway and we could not be more pleased. The customer service is top notch and all questions answered promptly. For us seniors, we appreciate all the thoughtfulness and consideration.ElizaGraywa saga bagus layana yaLastri UlanMy clients had an amazing trip and they told me that the trip was better than expected. I want to thank Brent Morris who was very helpful in the planning stages.
Job well done Goway & Brent it was great working with with you!!!
Sole Barraza
SoleWhile researching suppliers for a clients Thailand honeymoon, I remembered being referred to GoWay by a longterm TA ….because they “get it right and get it done!” I had already started their training modules, so I put in a quote. Immediately, Taylor responded with a very thorough email and we decided to chat. I gave him my specifics and he again responded immediately and matched my client’s travel needs 100%. I found it comforting to speak with a country expert with the knowledge I needed. My clients booked their vacation and are very excited about their itinerary! Thank you Taylor for making this process seamless.Karla BThe most amazing experience with Goway!! Phoebe did an amazing job planing the best trip to Paris, Florence and Venice with a great mix of relaxing and adventure days. Will be recommending to other travellers. Always someone available which is great when you are travelling in different time zones. Overall cannot be more happy with our experience working with Goway Lauren BouwOur rep at GoWay, Kimberly, was fantastic from start to finish. She came up with the exact itinerary we wanted for Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns and Sydney, and assisted us with both international and domestic flights to help us get the best rates. Once we were on the trip, everything flowed seamlessly and every tour and transport was on time.Lisa Wildes
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