Sydney

To many people, Sydney is Australia, and this is unsurprising, given its status as one of the world’s most vibrant, iconic, dynamic and exciting cities.

Australia’s most populous city, it began life as a penal colony, although the area where the city stands today was home to Australia’s indigenous aborigine tribes, 30,000 prior to the European landing of the 1770s. Commonly mistaken as the capital of Australia, it actually never held that title, with bitter rival Melbourne remaining the capital of the country until the formation of Canberra in 1927.

Today this metropolitan centre is bursting at the seams with restaurants, bars, museums, shops and attractions, and you’ll never be short of things to do here. Surrounding by iconic beaches (most notably Bondi Beach) and framed by the world-renowned Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, nearby you’ll find many natural parks, including the Blue Mountains National Park, and a swathe of cultural attractions - Australia’s oldest city really does have it all.

Sydney Facts

Most people are drawn to Sydney due to its beach culture and al fresco lifestyle, not to mention its stunning setting on the harbour and the second-to-none social scene. Life here is never dull, and there is a heady blend of natural wonders,  with whales and sharks traversing the harbour waters. The city’s architecture is a diverse mix, from the glimmering glass of the city skyscrapers to the splendour of the Georgian sandstone facades.

With the wildlife as exotic and diverse as the people who call Sydney their home, you’d be unsurprised to find that 40% of the people who live here were born overseas. Most Sydneysiders are young (the average age is 35) and many are affluent. Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city to live in, yet compared with Western Europe the lifestyle seems strikingly affordable. Eating out is a why of life and you won’t be short of scrummy options, with fare from around the world on offer here.

Most notably, life in Sydney isn’t lived in the restrictive confines of four walls, but rather spills out into the lush green exterior of the city’s many parklands, beaches and waterfronts. With four separate areas, creatively named the North, South, Eastern and Western Suburbs, there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing where to live, while the city centre is divided into a number of characterful districts, each with diverse personalities, meaning that whatever fancy may take you, you’ll find a district to suit your mood. Find out more about what Sydney has to offer by going to the Sydney tourist information site and taking a virtual guide of the city.

If you fancy making your Australian holiday more permanent, take a look at our guide to living in Australia. And with Sydney being the most popular city for Poms in Oz to settle in, you might want to take a look at our more in-depth guide to the city for those thinking of emigrating to Sydney.

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Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Chinatown. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Sydney Harbour. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Sydney Opera House. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Courtesy of Tourism Australia

St Kilda. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Royal Botanic Gardens. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Light Rail, Haymarket. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Restaurant, East Circular Quay. Courtesy of Tourism Australia