Sydney
If you want civilized exotics, then Sydney is what you need. Here is comfort at any level in hotels, parks, and reserves with unique flora and fauna, sandy beaches and clear water. Every year, millions of people come to see the Sydney Opera House, the famous Harbor Bridge, and swim on the beaches of Port Jackson Bay. “The city near the bay” (as Sydney is called) is the most expensive city on the entire Australian continent, the most multicultural, most multinational, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Districts of Sydney
Attractions
In Sydney, you immediately forget about the hours on the plane as you stroll through picturesque parks, admire the modern architecture, swim on beautiful beaches, and marvel at the views from the Harbor Bridge or the TV Tower. Sydney's atmosphere is more relaxing and emotionally energizing than anywhere else.
Population
Brief history
However, Sydney itself, named for the Minister of the Colonies, was founded further south (Port Jackson Bay). The 26th of January is the day of the foundation of Sydney, and it is celebrated in Australia as a national holiday (Sydney got the status of a city in 1842).
The development of the city is connected with active immigration from the Old World during the XIX century, the seizure of territory, and confrontation with the local Aborigines. Electric street lighting quickly appeared here, and streetcars started operating fairly early.
Although Australia took part in two world wars, there were no military operations on the continent itself. In the 1950s and 1970s, there was active immigration from Europe and later from Asia. This led to Sydney being one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural cities in the world.
Today, Sydney is a very controversial city with masterpieces of engineering and architecture (the Sydney Bridge of 1932, the famous opera), a zoo, beaches, and more, making tourists travel here from all over the world.
The best time to visit Sydney
Useful notes
Tickets for excursions to the main attractions of the city will make you spend a lot of money. If you want to learn a little bit about everything in general, try to buy a tourist bus ticket. It is valid during the day. The tour is also available to owners of the Sydney Explorer ticket, giving a number of other discounts. You can purchase it at any travel agency.
Make sure it is allowed to smoke before you take a cigarette. Smoking is quite strictly prohibited here, and there are few places designated for it.
Sockets in Sydney are not European type, so do not forget to buy the adapter. Otherwise, your gadgets will be left without charging. The mains voltage is standard.
The traffic is left-handed here, so take it into account if you rent a car (it makes sense to take it if you go out of town) and just when you move around the city. The fastest and most convenient way to get from one point to another is by metro.
You can rent bicycles in the city, and it's very popular. There are fountains with drinking water in the streets.
Things to do in Sydney
- Visit the city's main attraction, the Sydney Opera House. Don't hesitate to spend money on performance because it has the world's largest organ and some of the best actors on the continent. Take a guided tour and don't miss the evening light show on the facade of the Opera House!
- Visit the famous Harbour Bridge. You can stand on its observation deck overlooking Sydney Harbour and the city itself. If you like panoramic views, you can also visit the Sydney Television Tower. There are two observation decks at the height of 250 and 268 meters.
- Enjoy the beauty of nature at the Royal Botanic Gardens in the city center. You can also visit Sydney Harbour National Park and the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Sydney is famous for its extensive green zones where you can stroll and picnic on the lawn.
- Taste gourmet seafood at the Sydney Fish Market. You can grab a bite to eat in the café or have a chef cook up a meal from ingredients you've chosen at the market.
- Watch marine life at the Sydney Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. You can walk around for hours watching thousands of different fish, corals, and sharks. If you like a thrill, you can dive into the shark tank. Don't miss the Taronga Zoo.
- Learn about Australian history and culture at the National Maritime Museum, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Australian Museum, and listen to lectures at the Sydney Observatory.
- Walk around Sydney's historic Rocks district. It is full of popular eateries and historic stone houses. The Town Hall, a sandstone town hall, is one of the preserved original XIX-century buildings. Visit the Victorian-era Balmain and Paddington neighborhoods, as well as St. James Church and the Mint.
- Take a swim at Sydney's beautiful beaches. The most fashionable is Bondi Beach. It's suitable for surfing, and there are plenty of bars around. Manly Beach is excellent for sports, and it's also municipal and free. Wattamolla Beach is great for a picnic.
- Take a cruise on a ferry, yacht, or liner on Sydney Harbor. Enjoy panoramic views, food, drinks, and a light ocean breeze.
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