Sydney Travel Guide
Stay in Sydney
Where to Stay in Sydney — Apartment Rentals
Where to stay in Sydney? Well, just like Melbourne, Sydney has plenty of choices when it comes to somewhere to check in — boutique places, flashy five stars, backpacker hostels, and, of course, our pick: apartment [...]
Book Sydney Accommodation
Eat in Sydney
Australian Food Trends We Love
While no-booking policies, done-to-death dude food, and massive ‘shared plates’ drove us crazy when recently dining out in Australia, the food scene in Australia has never been more exciting. Here are some of the Australian food trends [...]
René Redzepi is Moving Noma to Sydney for the Summer
The secret is out, revealed by the chef himself on his restaurant website this morning: René Redzepi is moving Noma to Sydney for the summer to offer an Australian-inspired menu at a pop-up restaurant at Barangaroo [...]
Drink in Sydney
High Coffee in Sydney — a Heady Alternative to Afternoon Tea
If you’ve been hiking the hilly streets seeing the sights all day and your after-dark plans involve hitting the city’s bars and restaurants then High Coffee in Sydney — a heady alternative to afternoon tea — [...]
Explore Sydney
Best Beaches in Sydney to Spread Out Your Towel, from Bondi to Palm Beach
Best beaches in Sydney range from lovely Manly, which feels like a sleepy holiday town, and breathtaking Bondi Beach, a first stop for most visitors to Sydney, to northern beaches such as Palm Beach, the [...]
A Self Guided Stroll Around Sydney
A self guided stroll around Sydney is something you should do the first day you arrive – and by around, we mean around the city’s perimeter. The city of Sydney may look large with its lofty [...]
Experience Sydney
Our Guide to the Best Harbour and Ocean Swimming Pools in Sydney
The best harbour and ocean swimming pools in Sydney should be high on your summer to-do list. Australia's most beautiful city is blessed with an abundance of alluring waterfront swimming pools in breathtaking settings. Go on! Take [...]
Monday Memories: Coasting Over Sydney
When most people think of Sydney they probably imagine the photographic landmarks of this bright, sun-friendly city. Sure these kinds of icons – and yes, I'm loathe to use that word – exist in other great capital [...]
Book Sydney Tours
Absorb Sydney
Shop Sydney
Sydney Festivals & Events
Last Minute Christmas Tips from Australia’s Finest Chefs
I don’t know about you, but we haven’t done anything about preparing for Christmas lunch yet. We’re at Lara’s uncle’s house in Bendigo in Victoria, Australia, and if this Christmas is like others, there’ll be [...]
Sydney Local Knowledge
Sydney Resources
Sydney, It Only Took A Second
It only took a second to fall in love with Sydney all over again. Just a glimpse of the glittering harbour and the Sydney Opera House sails through the train window as we pulled into [...]
Staying Connected in Australia
One of the biggest challenges for travellers is staying connected in Australia. Surprisingly for a developed nation, Australia has abysmally slow Internet speeds and some archaic telecommunications practices still in place, especially in hotels. Staying [...]
Sydney Essentials
WHEN TO GO
Dec-Feb Mid-Dec to the beginning Feb are the busiest months with summer school holidays. Beaches are packed and the water is warm.
Mar-May Autumn has the best walking weather, getting crisper as winter approaches and whale watching season begins. Note Vivid Festival may start in May.
Jun-Aug Wet and cold (for Sydney), this is low season for tourism, but the ski season gets fully underway in July.
Sep-Nov Weather warms up but without the humidity of summer, making it a great time to visit.
Health
Sydney has a very good healthcare system, but of course always buy comprehensive insurance. Despite Australia’s reputation for dangerous creatures, you won’t find many of these in urban areas, but if you’re planning to hit the beach (and you should) pay attention to the lifesavers flags and wear sunscreen. Recommended Vaccinations
Visas
Only New Zealanders do not need a visa for Australia. There are myriad classes of visas, but if you’re coming for a holiday (depending which passport you have) and you are staying for less than three months, apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) with a cost of UAD$20. For other visas visit the visa finder page of the Australian Government.
Insurance for Sydney
CURRENCY
CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES
$1.00 USD = 1.43 AUD
€1.00 EUR = 1.62 AUD
£1.00 GBP = 1.81 AUD
The Australian currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD).
ATM machines are all over Australia and generally dispense AUD$10, $50 and $100 notes. Credit and debit cards a almost universally accepted and paying by cash is almost considered quaint on restaurants, supermarkets and hotels. If heading ‘outback’ carry extra cash in case of ATM unreliability.
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF AUSTRALIA.
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY IN AUSTRALIA IS 220 VOLTS. 50 CYCLES/SEC.
LOCAL TIME
CURRENT SYDNEY TIME
Sydney’s Time Zone is (GMT+11)
Sydney’s daylight saving (one hour forward) generally starts in October and finishes in April.
WEATHER
CURRENT SYDNEY WEATHER
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TEMPERATURE
°C | °C -
HUMIDITY
% -
WIND
m/s -
CLOUDINESS
% -
SUNRISE
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SUNSET
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FRI 28°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
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SAT 29°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
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SUN 30°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
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MON 1°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
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TUE 2°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
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WED 3°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
TRANSPORTATION
AIR/LAND/SEA
Sydney’s main airport (SYD), might be just 8km from the Sydney CBD, but it can be a frustrating journey. There’s a train, however it’s not a dedicated airport line. Take an Uber or a Taxi (about US$35) to the CBD. To get around it’s best to buy an Opal Card which works for Sydney’s embarrasingly ragtag selection of train, bus, ferry and light rail services.
Sydney Daily Costs
Budget
Daily Budget Up To:
US$150
- Hostel dorm bed: US$25–60
- Fast food, pizzas, meat pies: US$5-17
- Short bus/tram/train ride: US$3
Mid Range
Daily Budget From:
US$200–350
- Double room in a Motel/Hotel: US$120–250
- Good cafe lunch: US$20+
- Greyhound Bus (Bris-Syd): US$100
Luxury
Daily Budget From:
US$350+
- Boutique hotel or resort: US$250+
- Negroni Cocktail: US$20+
- Domestic Flight (Bris-Syd): US$100+
Sydney Reading List
Sydney Map
