About Sydney

Sydney travel information

Sydney’s laid-back outdoor lifestyle and physical allure make it one of the world’s easiest and most pleasant cities to visit. The people who live here are a friendly, energetic bunch with a tell-it-like-it-is approach to life as visitors to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games found out for themselves.

When it comes to which city is Australia’s true global city, there’s no argument. It’s Sydney – with its sense of style, its love of sport and exuberant celebrations including New Year’s Eve and Australia Day. All of its attributes lie within easy reach of the city centre. Sydney’s harbour is its natural playground, the dominant factor in so much of what the city has to offer. The city has a wide-ranging cultural life, dynamic food scene and vibrant cityscape of outstanding contemporary and colonial architecture. Iconic beaches and five major national parks deliver unforgettable experiences.

Gateway to Australia and set on one of the world’s most stunning harbours, Sydney extends north and south of the harbour in a golden chain of easy-to-reach, inner-city beaches.

The temperate climate delivers warm summers and mild winters, with rainfall spreading throughout the year. January, the city's warmest month, averages temperatures between 18.6 °C and 25.8 °C. This warm climate attracts people to Sydney's iconic beaches, most notably Bondi and Manly, almost all year round.

Sydney is easily accessed by car and public transport. Sydney's Orbital road network is made up of 10 motorways linked with expressways, freeways and other main roads to get you around the city and surrounding areas. A public transport network of buses, CityRailtrains, monorails and Sydney ferries, service Sydney's major tourist attractions including beaches and shopping precincts.