City guide · Australia
Sydney
Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales and the largest city in both the state and Australia.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales and the largest city in both the state and Australia. The metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west, and about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Hawkesbury River in the north and north-west, to the Royal National Park and Macarthur in the south and south-west.
Greater Sydney consists of 658 suburbs, spread across 33 local government areas. Residents of the city are colloquially known as "Sydneysiders".
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Sydney without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
- Skip if
- Skip Sydney if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Sydney.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Sydney with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Sydney, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Sydney trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
City
Walk City in Sydney. Start at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, then Belvoir Theatre and Sir Henry Parkes. Stay on foot.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair · Belvoir Theatre · Sir Henry Parkes · St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church · …
- 2
City
Walk City in Sydney. Start at Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyterian Church, then St. Brendan's Catholic Church and State Theatre. Stay on foot.
Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyterian Church · St. Brendan's Catholic Church · State Theatre · Hyde Park Obelisk · …
- 3
City
Walk City in Sydney. Start at St. Peter Julian's Catholic Church, then Church in the Market Place and Justice & Police Museum. Stay on foot.
St. Peter Julian's Catholic Church · Church in the Market Place · Justice & Police Museum · Coca-Cola Billboard · …
- 4
City
Walk City in Sydney. Start at St Marys, then ANZAC memorial statue (Australia) and Campbell Street Presbyterian Church. Stay on foot.
St Marys · ANZAC memorial statue (Australia) · Campbell Street Presbyterian Church
- 5
Day trip toward Blue Mountains
Leave Sydney for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Blue Mountains · Jenolan Caves · Royal National Park (New South Wales)
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
The centre
3 to 5 nights
First-time visitors
Stay inside walking range of the first-day stops in Sydney.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Sydney works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Sydney Airport (SYD)
The public transport system consists of train, metro, light rail, ferry, and bus services, and can get you virtually anywhere in the city as well as the outer regions. Public transportation in Sydney can be complicated, even when travelling solely in the CBD and inner suburbs. For short distances in the CBD it can be faster to walk than taking public transport. Smartphone applications such as Google Maps, Citymapper, and TripView use live transit information for all modes of transport are very useful for public transport trips within the Sydney region.
- Public transit from SYD30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
thumb|right|250px|Giraffes at Taronga Zoo, Mosman While originally settled 60,000 years ago, Sydney is the oldest European settlement in Australia, having been established as a British penal colony on 26 January 1788 by Arthur Phillip. This day is now celebrated as Australia Day to mark the establishment of a new nation, although also regarded by many as Invasion Day that marked the beginning of the British appropriation of Aboriginal land.
The settlement was named "Sydney" after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, who was the British Home Secretary at that time. Sydney is one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet, with a bit less than one third of its population born overseas.
Get in
250px|thumb|right|Sydney Airport with city skyline in background : Main article: Sydney Airport Sydney Airport ( ) is Australia's busiest airport and the main gateway to eastern Australia. It is 9 km from the City centre in Southern Sydney on the northern shores of Botany Bay.
Sydney Airport is the oldest continually operated commercial airport anywhere in the world. There are direct flights to Sydney from all the other inhabited continents, as well as some sight-seeing flights over Antarctica.
Get around
The public transport system consists of train, metro, light rail, ferry, and bus services, and can get you virtually anywhere in the city as well as the outer regions. Public transportation in Sydney can be complicated, even when travelling solely in the CBD and inner suburbs.
For short distances in the CBD it can be faster to walk than taking public transport. Smartphone applications such as Google Maps, Citymapper, and TripView use live transit information for all modes of transport are very useful for public transport trips within the Sydney region.
Stay safe
: See also staying safe in Australia The Australia-wide emergency number is 000, with the ambulance service, fire department and police being available through this number. Be on the lookout for the usual big city petty crime problems.
Lock your car, and keep valuables safe or hidden. People begging may ask for money or cigarettes, but they are generally harmless.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Sydney.