In and Around Sydney & New South Wales

Sydney CBD

From Chinatown to Circular Quay, Sydney City Central Business District (CBD) is filled with things to do, places to visit and see.

The city’s underground railway makes it easy to get around, with shopping, restaurants, cafe’s, lots of attractions and sightseeing.

AMP Tower

Amongst the many major attractions worth visiting in Sydney city is the AMP Tower Centrepoint, with excellent 360 degree views of the City. View the city from the harbour to the Blue Mountains in the west, the ocean in the east and Botany Bay in the south. Dining available in two revolving restaurants.

Museums

Museums include Hyde Park Barracks, The Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Sydney, the Justice and Police Museum, Customs and the Australian Museum, documenting our history, culture, and the natural development of this continent.

The Australian Museum is rated as one of the six best natural history museums in the world. Experience the exhibitions covering Aboriginal Australia, rituals of the human life cycle, mammals and a host of curious and interesting items. The Museum was established in 1827 and is Australia's first museum, with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts.
The Museum of Sydney is an imaginative museum offering the visitor a journey of discovery and wonder through Sydney 1788 and beyond.
The Powerhouse Museum is Sydney's largest and most popular museum. Home to Australian culture and history, the Powerhouse is the perfect place to get a comprehensive insight into this rich and diverse country. Visit the Museum to find out about all things Australian The Museum is ideally situated in Darling Harbour, Sydney`s prestige waterfront location, and is close to the CBD and many other fantastic Sydney attractions. Easily accessible via the Metro Monorail.

The Mint constructed between 1811-1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney Hospital, is one of the oldest extant buildings in central Sydney. A Mint was established there in 1854.

Circular Quay

Nestled between the City Business District, the Rocks, the Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens, it is a main transport terminus for Sydney ferries, trains, buses and taxis. From here you can visit historical Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo by ferry via the ever beautiful Sydney Harbour. Multitude of Harbour Cruises available.

Fort Denison

Situated strategically in the middle of Sydney Harbour, this fort was a key part of the 1800s defense network of Sydney. Originally known as Pinchgut Island, this was the punishment place for recalcitrant convicts who misbehaved during the very early days of the colony.

The Royal Botanical Gardens

A serene and enjoyable walk with great harbour views - found alongside the Sydney Opera House at Circular Quay.Over 30 hectares with more than 7500 trees from all over the world. Located on the harbour, it was established in 1816 to help the settlers and farmers understand their new environment. Rose gardens, a tropical glasshouse pyramid and rare threatened plant species.

The Rocks, by Circular Quay at the foot of the city, is Australia’s finest restored historical district. Visit the Sydney Information Centre for a good look at our history and walk the cobbled streets. You will find restaurants and eateries of all kinds, pubs dating back to the early days, a lively market on weekends and plenty of entertainment.

ChinaTown

Centered on Dixon Street, Sussex and Goulburn Streets, Chinatown is very much Asian as well as Chinese.

There are restaurants, noodle bars, food halls, and gift and speciality shops from all over Asia. Restaurants include those from Vietnam, Thailand, Korea and Japan.
You can get Yum Cha for breakfast and lunch and many of the restaurants stay open late till 3 or 4 am in the morning.

Haymarket & George Street

Nearby Haymarket, centered on George Street in the area has upmarket bars, theatres and multiplex cinemas. There are also a number of of Internet Cafes with good connections and fast food outlets.

Beaches

Beaches in Sydney are essentially divided into three areas, the Northern Beaches, bordered by the outlet to the ocean of Sydney harbour at Manly all the way up to Palm Beach.

The Southern Beaches, stretch from Bondi all the way down to Cronulla on the south side of Botany Bay. Then of course, there are a number of beaches along the harbour, popular for their calmer water conditions.

Amongst the best places Bondi Beach, Coogee, Collaroy and Manly are the most well known beaches that have it all, sun, surf, sand, but also great restaurants, shopping and things to do for the whole family and nightlife.

At Bondi, you can find some great restaurants and nightlife. The dress is usually casual with t-shirts, sandals and shorts quite acceptable in most of the dining places, many with views. The Bondi Pavilion, on the beachfront, often has entertainment and exhibitions.

There is a great coastal walk (6km) starting at the south end of the beach that takes in spectacular ocean views and allows you to visit a number of smaller but still scenic beaches all the way to Coogee. Or learn how to surf with lessons from a personal instructor.

Along the coastal walk, you can visit Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, and Gordons Bay.The walk ends at Coogee Beach.

Blue Mountains

The name derives from the ever present bluish haze evaporating from the millions of eucalyptus trees dominating the Sydney Blue Mountains. Wildlife and especially birdlife is abundant here, yet only a short trip from Sydney.

Sydney Aquarium with the largest collection of Australian marine life, some dangerous, all beautiful. Try and take the time to see the new Wildlife Centre with all kinds of Australian fauna.

Chinese Garden of Friendship - A peaceful garden setting of ponds and waterfalls. Given by the Guangdong province it celebrates the contribution of Chinese culture to our way of life in Australia.

Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tours - Only a two hour drive from Sydney is the Hunter Valley - famous as Australia’s oldest wine growing region.

Paramatta

Long been considered the population center of Sydney, it is also known for its historic colonial buildings, excellent restaurants and as a shopping paradise.

Around New South wales

Central N.S.W. - Rare forests, strange rock formations, colonial historic sites, Aboriginal history, festivals the year round, there’s a whole lot to see and do in Central N.S.W. See more Central N.S.W. - North Central - Centre NSW - South Central NSW. Also West NSW Map

The Central Coast of NSW - A great place for National Parks, boating, fishing and white sandy beaches - Visit the NSW Central Coast. While there, check out the historical museums, art and craft galleries, coffee shops and markets, offering all sorts of locally made goods. Central Coast - Gosford NSW.

Illawarra, NSW - The escarpment and the coastal area of Illawara has dramatic views of the ocean and out to sea, with long ocean drives and pretty beaches along the way to the south. See more on Illawarra.

New England, NSW - Some of Australia’s most beautiful National Parks are in New England, offering world renowned trout fishing, hiking, camping, nature tours and kayaking. See more about New England NSW.

Outback NSW - Experience the Far West of New South Wales. Opals, vast deserts, Aboriginal Heritage and historic mining towns Outback NSW Tourist Information.