21st century Sydney is a multicultural city known for iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, it has Australia’s highest quality of living, and Conde Nast Traveler readers have voted Sydney the best city to visit for 8 straight years.
Sydney is Australia’s largest and oldest city. It is the site of the first European colony in Australia, which was established in 1788 in what is now known as New South Wales. CBD is in the heart of the city. Home to major shopping centres, hotels, and national financial and business institutions. Set alongside the CBD are parklands including Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Within this parkland and overlooking the harbour is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, one of Australia’s leading art museums.
The Rocks and Circular Quay was the area first settled by the English in 1788 and now an oasis of historic buildings in the city.
Darling Harbour was built for the Bicentenary in 1988. Great nightlife, bars and restaurants can all be found here as well as the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Sydney Entertainment Centre, The Australian National Maritime Museum, The Sydney Aquarium, The Imax Cinema, The Chinese Garden of Friendship and The Star Casino.
Kings Cross or simply “The Cross”, is the Red light district of Sydney. Besides that, it does have some great clubs, bars, and restaurants and is great even if you only want to go people watching.
Chinatown was the original Chinatown of Sydney, though now most Chinese live in outer suburbs and you’ll find more authentic Chinese food in places like Hurstville, Ashfield and Chatswood.
Leichhardt is sometimes called Little Italy, although Little Stanley Street in the city also claims that title. Leichhardt is a vibrant, cosmopolitan suburb in the inner west. The buzz centres around the cafes serving great Italian coffee and gelato, the bookshops and arthouse cinema.
Cabramatta is the place to go If you can’t get to Vietnam because you’ll think you’re there when your in Cabramatta. A thriving Vietnamese community have created a true Little Vietnam in this suburb.
