University of Sydney
About Sydney, Guide and Top Tourist Attractions
(Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Sydney is one of Australia's oldest and largest cities with a population of over four million people. It is also the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales where important government buildings are located.
The seasons are reversed in Australia, so travellers are advised to pack accordingly. In Australia, summer begins in November and ends in late February or early March. Winter usually begins in late May or early June and lasts until late August.
What to do in Sydney
Sydney is one of Australia's most exciting cities. Restaurants, pubs, and bars can be found just about anywhere where visitors can enjoy the mix of aboriginal and western cuisine that Australian food is famous for.
Those who love to shop can go to the city's popular shopping centres like the Chifley Plaza, Crown Street Shopping Plaza, and Harbourside Shopping Complex. Chifley is located on Chifley Square where some of the finest boutiques and jewelry outlets are located. Crown Street is like a flea market where vintage clothes and antiques are sold. The Harbourside Shopping Complex is located near Darling Harbour, allows tourists to enjoy the ocean view while shopping. This is also the evening entertainment hub.
Tourist Attractions
Visitors can explore the city centre and harbour by riding on the Aussie Duck, which is a fully amphibian vehicle. Tickets for Duck tours are readily available in tourist centres.
The three most popular beaches in Sydney where visitors can go to are Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and Coogee Beach. Bondi Beach is considered by many as the Mecca of surfing. Professional surfers come from all over the world to test their skills against its 20- to 30-foot waves.
Sydney's most popular attraction is the Sydney Opera House. Since it was built in 1973, it has welcome more than 200 million visitors. It was designed by Joern Utzon, a Danish architect whose design won the Opera House's design competition. It has long been considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, with its shell-like structure mimicking the sails of the yachts that populate the harbour. It is actually a vast complex containing the world-famous Opera Theatre, five venues for performances, and an impressive array of restaurants and bars.
