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Located on Port Jackson, a waterway that runs through the harbor, Sydney is a vibrant, sunny city waiting to be explored. One of the oldest cities in Australia with a cosmopolitan flair, this place is a one of a kind. From the glistening waters of the port to the streets exploding with culture and history, travelers of all ages love coming to Sydney. There is always the bonus of incredible year round weather. And if that doesn’t spark your interest maybe the incredible food and exotic night life will lure you in. There is always something new and exciting to do here. Find out what everyone’s buzzing about and come to Sydney.

Sydney Pictures

Things to do in Sydney

For the best view of the city go to North Sydney. From here you can see the beautiful skyline and all of the buildings. Walk or take a bike ride across the Sydney Harbour Bridge into the main streets and into North Sydney. Spend part of a day at Darling Harbour. Take a bike ride, picnic along the water, and window shop ’til you drop. It is a very relaxing way to enjoy the scenery. If you are a fan of the Olympics, come to Olympic Park, home to the 2000 Summer Olympics. Luna Park, located here, has a large Ferris wheel that overlooks the city high in the sky. Sydney Tower is the tallest building in Sydney and is open to the public. On a transparent platform, look out over the city, making for a great night activity. Plus there’s a great restaurant and bar at the top with large windows on all sides. The Rocks and Parramatta are Sydney’s oldest sights. In Parramatta you can visit some preserved old buildings from the colonial period. Sydney Hospital has also been preserved and is one of the oldest hospitals on the island. One of the most scenic views are the gorgeous harbors. Sail boats are for rental along with paddle boats and you can enjoy a nice long afternoon on the water.

Nightlife in Sydney

The drinking age in Sydney is 18, which makes it a great party spot for college students. Bars and clubs can be strict and most card, so make sure to have some ID on you. In Sydney, the nightlife is so incredible you probably won’t get to all of it in, in your time here. If you are staying in a hostel there are plenty of bars around these areas. Many hostels also have bars on site that cater to the college student. These make for a good pregaming spot because the drinks are usually a lot cheaper then at bars in the city. Sydney has a great Irish bar scene as well as a club atmosphere. There are also a few good gay bars. keep in mind when going to a club that there is a general dress code at most places and an entrance fee, usually around $5 – $15. A tip to know is don’t go out before 11, nothing is open and if they are they’ll be bare. Plan to head out to the clubs after midnight. This will give you a chance to pregame at the bars first. For the Gay scene head over to Oxford Street.

Dining in Sydney

If you really wanted to you could eat your way through the city. All day long there are plenty of opportunities to get a quick bite or a lavish dinner. For those of you who are not breakfast eaters, you may want to reconsider. Cafes are located all around the city and offer great breakfast foods. Especially on weekends you can enjoy a good spread with your friends before you start the day. One of the coolest things about the food selections in Sydney is that there are hundreds of different types of food. Korean, Thai, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Lebanese, and Kosher; whatever your taste is you can find it here. Of course Sydney does specialize in seafood, being right on the water. Head over to Darling Harbour for the best and freshest fish markets and seafood restaurants. And for the best Chinese go to Hong Kong in the China Town area of the city.

Shopping in Sydney

Australia is usually not put into the same category as places like Paris, Milan, Rome, NYC, and London when it comes to high fashion. However over the past few years Sydney in particular has become a centerpiece for fashion and commerce. Not so isolated from the rest of the world anymore, this city has a booming fashion industry waiting to be discovered. DFO is near Olympic Park and has all the top name brands. Birkhenhead Point is a great outlet area. This multi-story building is perfect for grabbing an inexpensive outfit for a day trip or for a night out clubbing. Oxford Street and Pittsfield Street also have great shopping opportunities.

Sydney travel tips

• There are continuous shuttles and buses from the airport to city center.
• Bring a map of the city around with you during the day as the streets can be confusing.
• Tipping is not usually done here.