Sydney Tours, Vacations, Trips & Travel Packages

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Take a trip to Sydney on your Australia Vacation

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.

When is the best time to visit Sydney?

Sydney and the coastal areas have a moderate or temperate climate. Summers are subtropical in nature and you can experience a certain amount of humidity. You can expect temperatures to be around 25 or 26 Celsius / 77 to 79 Fahrenheit. Winter is mild but it can rain, and you will need a light jacket for the evenings when temperatures can often drop to around 8 Celsius / 45 Fahrenheit. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the last time it snowed in Sydney was in 1836! The best time to visit Sydney could be the fall as it is the mildest time of the year with very little humidity. Daytime temperatures average 24 Celsius / 75 Fahrenheit. Spring is also a good time with warm days and little humidity with similar temperatures to the fall. 

Must-see attractions in and around Downtown Sydney

Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is surrounded not only by the downtown core of the city but also by miles of shoreline which includes a number of Sydney’s suburbs. One way to explore the harbour is to enjoy a short cruise or to take one of the many ferries heading to multiple destinations from Circular Quay in the downtown area. 

Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House

Two iconic landmarks dominate Sydney Harbour. There is the Sydney Harbour Bridge known also as “The Coat Hanger” which defines the city skyline and connects the central part of the city with the northern suburbs. It is, in fact, the world’s largest steel arch bridge. One activity involving this landmark is the Bridge Climb (walking to the top of the bridge with a guide) which is a unique way to enjoy panoramic views of Sydney. 

The other landmark is the Sydney Opera House. Opened in 1973, it is not only unique and unforgettable in design but is also a thriving venue for the arts, music, opera and culture generally.

The Domain

Close to downtown Sydney is The Domain, a beautiful green parkland in which you will find the resplendent Government House, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. At the bottom of The Domain, on the waterfront, is Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench hand carved by convicts from sandstone in 1810 for Governor Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth.

Sydney Tower

Another landmark is the Sydney Tower, the city’s tallest free-standing structure and the tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. It is twice the height of the Harbour Bridge. The golden turret at the top of the tower contains two levels of restaurants, three plant levels, two telecommunication transmission levels, and an observation deck to view stunning panoramas of the city.

The Rocks District

Also located downtown is The Rocks District. It is Sydney’s most historic precinct with its many sandstone buildings, cobblestone streets and monuments marking moments in history which allow you to gain an appreciation of Sydney's foundation as a convict-built settlement. It was the first part of Sydney to be settled. The Rocks offer some of Sydney's finest dining and entertainment. 

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour, within easy walking distance from the heart of the city, has good shopping and dining facilities and is home to the Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World and the National Maritime Museum. Tourists visiting Darling Harbour can also enjoy a sunset cruise along the harbour, or perhaps visit one of the many museums, parks and playgrounds.

Sydney Neighborhoods

There are a number of Sydney neighbourhoods which are well worth a visit on an Australian vacation. Darlinghurst is a lively district offering a wide range of nightlife, dining opportunities, bars and pubs, plus boutique shopping, bookshops, art galleries and cafes. Paddington is a trendy neighbourhood with rows of attractive Victorian terrace houses. There is excellent shopping in its designer stores and small boutiques. 

Attractions Across the Bridge

Just across the bridge is Taronga Zoo. This city zoo features one of the largest ranges of native and exotic animals in New South Wales with over 2600 animals including Sumatran tigers, Kodiak bears and many other unusual species. Also just over the bridge is Luna Park, Sydney's premier amusement park. Offering fun and games for the entire family, this is in some ways Australia’s Coney Island.

Museums and Galleries

For the culturally inclined, Sydney offers a host of museums and galleries. The best known include the Australian Museum, the oldest museum in Australia, featuring natural science and cultural artifacts, the Museum of Sydney with its history of the city from aboriginal times to the present day, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales with its extensive collection of Australian and International art and the Museum of Contemporary Art which houses works by many new artists.

Sydney’s Beaches, Nature and Wildlife

Bondi Beach

Australia’s most famous beach is Bondi Beach, located just 7 kilometres/4 miles from the centre. Not only is it a beach for swimming and surfing, but it is also a pleasant place to linger with its numerous cafes, seafood restaurants, bars & clubs. 

Manly Beach

Another popular beach location is Manly Beach. Reached by ferry from Circular Quay, this beach sits on a beautiful peninsula surrounded on three sides by the sparkling Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour. Again, a good place to swim and surf but one can also enjoy scenic walks along the coastal paths. Plus it is a locale with good shopping and dining opportunities. 

Royal National Park

Not far from Sydney is the Royal National Park, a very large coastal parkland along Australia’s eastern coastline which includes coastal cliffs, rainforests, secluded beaches and open woodlands. Again, it is a good place to swim and surf but also to go bushwalking. There are two main trails within the park; one trail leads hikers to Bungoona Lookout which has stunning views of the Hacking River, and the other trail takes hikers past Uloola Falls.

Blue Mountains

An essential day trip from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is found about 2 hours from the city. They offer remarkable scenery and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These unique formations of dramatic scenery encompass steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and small villages. They include the Three Sisters, awe-inspiring pinnacled peaks with a fascinating Aboriginal Dreamtime story. There are 140 kilometres/75 miles of walking trails as well as a cable railway which is purported to be the steepest anywhere. Should one wish to stay overnight here, many options can be found in and around Katoomba, a small town offering arty boutique shops.

For more information on the Blue Mountains, click here

Hunter Valley Wine Country

Also worth visiting on trips to Australia is the acclaimed wine country of Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine-producing area, 120 kilometres/75 miles north of Sydney. You can sample fine wines while enjoying the locally grown food in the many restaurants here, and enjoy the ambiance of the area. Non-tasting activities include taking a cruise on the Hunter River or Lake Macquarie, or a ride on a steam train at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum.

For more information on Hunter Valley, click here

It's almost impossible to not include at least one of our Sydney tours on an Australia vacation. It is one of the most desirable cities in the world to live in and is typically used as the starting point for any trip to Australia. Book one of our Australia vacations today and start exploring!

"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

Australia's Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House - Australia's Architectural Wonder

Plan Your Perfect Australia Escape

So Much to See in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

Top 10 Things to Do in Sydney, Australia

Australia Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Australia vacations. 

Learn about the history and culture of Australia, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Australia's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Australia for yourself. Start exploring...book one of our Australia vacations today!

Extend Your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Australia vacation at one of Goway's South Pacific destinations. You can choose from our selection of New Zealand vacation packages, Tahiti vacation packages or stay at one of our Fiji resorts or perhaps take a Cook Island vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Australia.

 

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Sydney, Australia

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• Sydney Outdoors

  FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: A very special Sydney package which includes an exciting jet boat ride, a bicycle tour around the city, a full day to the Blue Mountains including a stop at a wildlife park and a trip to the famous Bondi Beach to enjoy learning to surf.

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  5 Days

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  FIRST-CLASS | ESCORTED COACH TOUR: See the sights of Southern Australia as you go from Sydney to Adelaide. Visit Canberra and the Snowy Mountains, then embark on the Great Ocean Road heading to Kangaroo Island and Adelaide.

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• Wonders of Reef, Rock & Sydney

  FIRST-CLASS | SPECIALTY GROUP: This exclusive post-Lions Club International Convention group tour showcases three of Australia’s greatest landmarks: the red rock of Uluru in the Northern Territory, the world’s largest coral reef system the Great Barrier Reef, and the iconic city and surrounds of Sydney.

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