Discover Sydney
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Sydney.
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Must-see attractions in Sydney
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 14 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Perhaps it is Sydney's allure that makes most people confuse it for the capital of Australia. For those misinformed, take heed that Canberra is the capital city of Australia and Sydney is the capital of New South Wales (one of six Australian States). Yet, do not blush if you were ignorant of this fact, for it can be very easy to be unaware of such tidbits especially when Sydney attracts so much attention for being Australia's cultural and business hub. For instance, Sydney is home to the Australian Stock Exchange and is considered the economic capital of the nation. It also offers chic shopping, top-notch restaurants, and a booming nightlife.
Explore Sydney
Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Sydney
Halal restaurants in Sydney
Sydney’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 23 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
sydneyBécasse
Bécasse is an excellent choice if you are in the mood for fine French dining. Chef Justin North prepares excellent seafood dishes, so it is recommended you try one of them. However, if you want to amplify your taste buds, you can try its degustation menu that includes both seafood and beef. Reservations are recommended.
sydneyBilly Kwong
This cozy little restaurant holds a powerhouse Chef that is sure to give your taste buds an Asian punch. Chef Kylie Kwong, who has also written several cookbooks, is known for her creative dishes which hold her original Asian fusion stamp. The only thing that may not reflect Kwong completely is the name of the restaurant. Billy stems from her former partnership with celebrity chef Billy Granger. If you want to dine at Billy Kwong, be prepared for a whiles wait. This restaurant does not accept reservations.
sydneyQuay
This restaurant not only offers delicious dishes, but also magnificent views of the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.Yet, not only is the view pleasant, but the aesthetic appeal of the food spurs the taste buds.?Also, its lunch specials (around A$65) are a good value compared to the pricier items.
sydneyTetsuya's Japan
As the name implies, this is famed chef Tetsuya Wakuda's restaurant. Known as one of the world's top chefs, Wakuda has become famous for fusing Japanese and Australian cuisine. His food is in such high-demand that seats at Tetsuya's are usually booked three months in advance. However, if you manage to get a table, be aware that Tetsuya's offers a degustation menu (a sample of several dishes) for A$185.
sydneyEsat Ocean Restaurant
With a capacity for 400 guests, this popular Chinese restaurant is always bustling with people day or night. The biggest draw is East Ocean's yum cha, a dish where diners drink tea and then taste-test various foods.
sydneyArthur's Pizza
This long-standing pizzeria is a favorite of families and students. Arthur's Pizza serves traditional Italian dishes prepared from scratch. Also, a welcoming environment and friendly staff add to its homemade style. However, if you want to wine and dine, you must bring your own alcohol.
Sydney masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Where to stay in Sydney
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
sydneyMarriott Sydney Harbor
If location is a priority when it comes to booking your accommodation you can't get any more central than the Marriott Sydney Harbor Hotel that is located in the heart of the business, financial, and tourist area at Circular Quay. Imagine the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge being just a stone's throw away. Moreover, museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, the Royal Botanic Gardens, duty free shopping, bus, train and ferry transport and the historic area of the rocks are all at your door step. The Marriott is also located 7 miles north of Sydney International Airport.
sydneyShangri-La
This is Sydney's premier hotel with all rooms offering views to the Harbor. The rooms are styled in an Asian-European theme and offer chic and luxurious comfort. Also, the hotel has seven restaurants including the Japanese Restaurant on 36 and the Rocks Teppanyaki. If you want to drink in style, grab a cocktail at the Blue Horizons Bar.
sydneySir Stamford at Circular Quay
Formerly known as the Ritz-Carlton, this European-style hotel offers traditional elegance and grandeur. Its antique furnished rooms exude a blend of wealth and coziness. Also, its exceptional personalized service adds a further level of intimacy. If you are in town on business, there is a private meeting lounge that comes with secretarial and IT staff if needed. In 2001, Condafa©Nast Traveller voted Sir Stamford at Circular Quay as Australia's finest hotel.
sydneyHilton Sydney
The Hilton Sydney is the city's trendiest and most hi-tech hotel. All 577 rooms offer flat screen TVs with a DVD player, internet protocol telephony, blackout screens, and a Magic Button found in all room telephones that addresses all your needs and wants anytime of day or night.
sydneyBlue
Formerly known as W Sydney, this recently acquired hotel by Taj Hotels is pleasantly located on the harbor at Woolloomooloo Bay. Blue's architecture offers a nice mixture of past and present. For instance, the exterior, faithful to its industrial past, has retained its original design. On the other hand, the 100 rooms and 36 lofts have been completely revamped into utterly modern accommodations. <!--
History and today in Sydney
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
When to go
Sydney is a flexible city to visit because of its pleasant climate. For this reason, choosing the best time to vacation will depend more on your needs and demands rather than on Sydney's temporal temperament.
City Information
Exchange Rates
The currency used in Australia is the Australian Dollar. Notes include A$5, A$10, A$20, A$50, A$100 and so on. On the other hand, coins include: 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, and A$1, and A$2. Foreign currency can be changed at the airport, banks, and Bureau de Change venues.
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General Visa Information
There are three types of tourist visas offered by the Australian government.
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Sydneysiders
Since then, Sydney has grown to become Australia's largest city with a population of just over two million people. Sydney also has the seventh largest foreign-born population in the world (ahead of London and Paris). These foreign-born residents come mainly from the United Kingdom, China, and New Zealand. Moreover, the immigrant population in Sydney is at about 32 per cent of the whole. Shocking, however, is the low percentage of Aborigines, Australia's indigenous people, who make-up only one percent. Sydney is said to have the largest concentration of Aborigines in Australia, yet they are not found wandering about often and are implicitly discriminated against.
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Public Holidays
January 1- New Year’s Day January 26- Australia Day March 21 - Good Friday March 22 - Easter Saturday March 24 - Easter Monday April 25- Anzac Day June 11- Queen’s Birthday October 1- Labor Day December 25- Christmas December 26- Boxing Day
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Fast Facts
Location: New South Wales, Australia.; · Dialing code: 61; Emergency Numbers:
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Traveling Tips
Make sure you have a valid passport before traveling anywhere. Also, be sure to check the visa requirements if there are any.
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Sydney History
Yet, such culture and magnificence was not always accredited to Sydney, for it once was a destination for convicted criminals. For instance, interest spurred in Australia after the British explorer James Cook landed in New South Wales in 1770. Soon after, on January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillips founded Sydney Cove in Port Jackson and established a penal colony (a place where convicted criminals are detained). January 26 is now known as Australia Day, which is Australia's national holiday.
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Shopping in Sydney
Explore 12 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
sydneyChifley Plaza
Come to this opulent plaza if you want to experience some luxury shopping. Top designers and fashionistas stake claim to this locale, and for good reason. Some of its famous international and Aussie designers include Herringbone, Leona Edmiston, Marina Rinaldi, Max. &Co, R.M. Wiliams Fragile, Perucci, and MaxMara.
sydneyGlasshouse
For the bargain shopper, this three level shopping center holds an affordable and unique blend of items. For instance, tea connoisseurs will enjoy the Glasshouse's comprehensive tea offerings located at the Tea Center. This shopping center also sells some inexpensive brands as well as other items at discounted prices.
sydneySydney Fish Market
This unique fish market is the yummiest place in Sydney to get seafood. Known as the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, this fish market has a fishing port, fresh food retail market, seafood cooking school, wholesale fish market, and food and beverage shops.?
sydneyRed Eye Records
This music store shelves an international music scene along with plenty of Australian favorites. Red Eye Records also sells some second-hand items at great prices.
sydneyQueen Victoria Building
This historic building located in the city center has a wealth of souvenirs for the eager tourist. Also, due to the building's history, walking tours describing its history can be arranged. In brief, the Queen Victoria Building (often called QVB) has been opened since 1898, when it was originally a concert hall. Moreover, the QVB was built for the purpose of giving work to unemployed craftsmen. Therefore, its rich artesian heritage is not only rooted in its walls, but also found in QVB shops.
Signature sights in Sydney
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Sydney
Plan around 17 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
sydneySydney Festival
Australia's most populated arts festival draws in a crowd of about a million people and hosts over 500 Australian and international artists who present about 80 events in a three week period. The celebration occurs in different art mediums such as music, dance, theater, visual arts, cinema, forums, and large scale outdoor events. The level of art ranges from high to low art.
sydneyTaronga Series
A three month long music festival occurring on weekend nights from January until March.
sydneyChinese New Year
A three-week long event celebrating traditional Chinese culture that occurs sometime between January and February. The festival offers traditional entertainment in the form of dragon and lion dances, exhibitions, and historical tours. Authentic Chinese cuisine is also offered along with the Chinese New Year Imperial Banquet, an annual dining experience that includes traditional Chinese entertainment and Chinese cuisine.
sydneyTamworth Country
Heavy weights of the Aussie country music scene will gather the last week of January in 2008 at Tamworth (just outside of Sydney) and perform some kickin' country music.
sydneyRoyal Easter
For over 80 years this 14-day show has lured crowds to the Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park through its presentation of commercial brand items sold for less. Many of Australia's top designers and commercial vendors come to this show and launch their products which are then sold for less to the attendees.
Sydney tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
sydneySydney Opera House Guided Walking Tour
The Sydney Opera House holds tours every half hour that explain the history and performance events occurring throughout the year. This walking tour involves up to300 steps. Duration: 1 hour Hours of Operation: Daily, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Cost: Online (Adults): $23, Early Bird $16 (only for English tours that begin at 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 10:00 a.m.) Online (Seniors, students, and children 16 and under)- $16; Early Bird $ 11 (only for English tours that begin at 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 10:00 a.m.) Concession: Adults- $26 Seniors, students, and children 16 and under- $18 To book a tour online, go to www.sydneyoperahouse.com/boxoffice To book a tour by phone, call (02) 9250 7777
sydneySee Sydney and Beyond Smartvisit Card
This discount card will allow you to access over 40 attractions (including the Blue Mountains) for free with a reduced one-time payment. You can choose a two, three, or seven day adult or child Smartvisit Card.
sydneySydney Showboats Cabaret Dinner Cruise
Enjoy a sumptuous 2.5 hour dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour thanks to the newly refurbished Sydney Showboat. Diners will experience the finest in food, atmosphere, views and entertainment from around the world, with a first class international show. So forget about your average dinner in four walls and cruise the world on board the Sydney Showboat, any night of the week.
Sydney Skywalk Tour
The Sydney Skywalk Tour takes place at the Sydney Tower and puts your fear of heights to the test by raising you 260 meters above the sidewalk. You will be harnessed to safety rails as you walk on glass-floor moving platforms and enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney landmarks. There three different categories of tours that you can sign-up for: Day Tour, Dusk Tour, Night Tour.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Sydney and Bondi
Explore Sydney and Bondi with this 24-hour ticket aboard an open-top double-decker bus. See all the main sights as you hop on and hop off 30 conveniently located stops around the city. Listen to the multilingual commentary and learn interesting facts. Pick-up begins at Star City Casino in Pirrama and arrives at the designated stops every 15-30 minutes.
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Sydney travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
