Sydney Travel Guide
Sydney quick links and popular ‘Things to See and Do’
Sydney Weather
What’s the Sydney Weather like?
Summer (Dec – Feb): Min 18°C Max 26°C
Avg monthly rainfall 98mm Avg rain days per month 12
Autumn (Mar – May): Min 17°C Max 25°C
Avg monthly rainfall 126mm Avg rain days per month 13
Winter (Jun – Aug): Min 9°C Max 18°C
Avg monthly rainfall 79mm Avg rain days per month 11
Spring (Sep – Nov): Min 12°C Max 23°C
Avg monthly rainfall 76mm Avg rain days per month 11
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Sydney Public Transport
Sydney Major Events
Sydney Airport
Kingsford Smith Airport
Kingsford Smith (SYD) is the main airport servicing Sydney with separate Domestic and International terminals. It is just 8 klm from the city centre and holds the record for the longest running commercial airport in the world and Australia’s busiest airport. (Sydney Airport)
Train
The Airport Rail Link has stations at both the Domestic and International terminals and connects to Central Station, Circular Key, Town Hall as well as four other stations, with regular departures seven days a week. (Airport Link Train). The trip takes approximately 15 minutes.
The domestic train station is between Terminals 2 and 3 and is accessed from the arrivals area.
The International terminal is also accessed from the arrivals area and is located at the northern end of the international terminal.
The train can also be used as a transfer service between the International and Domestic terminals.
An Opal card is the only way to access public transport in Sydney and can be purchased from the ticket windows at both the international and domestic stations. (Opal Card)
Public Buses
Bus route 400 services both the Domestic (T3) and International terminals with regular buses to Bondi Junction and Burwood. (Buses) An Opal card is the only way to access public transport in Sydney. (Opal Card)
T Bus (Terminal Transfers)
The T Bus is a regular transfer service between the domestic and international terminals and cost approx. $5.50. Look for the T Bus signs and purchase your ticket from the ticket machine near the T Bus stop.
Taxi
This is a convenient way to get to and from the airport directly connecting with your destination. Undercover taxi ranks are located at each terminal with kerbside supervisors assisting in busy periods. Pre-booked taxis are advised if you have special needs and there is a special pre-booked taxi area at each terminal. (Taxi) Taxis are not permitted to pick up from outside these areas.
Limousine
As an alternate to a taxi a pre-booked limousine service which must be arranged in advance with a pre-determined meeting point. For international arrivals there is a Limousine reservation counter in the arrivals area.
Car Rental
Six car rental companies have outlets located at Sydney Airport, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and Redspot. There are rental car counters in the arrivals area of both terminals. (Vroom Vroom Vroom)
Touting
Soliciting for fares is not permitted.
Parking
There are parking stations located adjacent to each terminal. For longer term domestic terminal parking there is a dedicated parking station. All these options are within walking distance of the terminals. Valet parking options are available at each terminal. For domestic terminal long term parking from a minimum of one day use the Blue Emu parking station and catch the regular domestic terminal bus. (Airport Parking)
Bicycle
There are bicycle racks located throughout the airport and a publicly accessible shower at the International terminal.
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Sydney Top Things to Do
Discover Sydney
Sydney has many other sides to her away from the harbour, hard to believe isn’t it? A lot of her old suburbs have distinctive character and it is well worth wandering around some of them. Many wonderful old trees line the charming streets with cottages and terrace houses showing us how Sydney looked in her earlier days. I love walking around Surry Hills, Paddington and Woollahra then I head off to catch the ferry to Mossman and head to Balmoral. Before I know it my day has been well spent.
Sydney has many vantage points and the most amazing one is the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Yes, that’s right you can take a tour and climb to the top so why don’t you? There is another place to go for a great view (local knowledge). Go to Centre Point Tower and say you want to go to the bar for a drink, you don’t have to pay for the entrance to the viewing station and you get an amazing 360 view of Sydney in the revolving bar (it takes approximately 55 minutes to go around). All you have to do is sit there and enjoy your drink while Sydney shows herself.
Surfing or swimming is a must when visiting Sydney so if you haven’t tried surfing then make sure you book a lesson and before the lesson is over you will have surfed your first wave! Afterwards reward yourself with a meal or drink in one of Bondi’s numerous restaurants and bars. If you are an animal lover, then you can take a tour to Taronga Zoo or one of the many wildlife parks. Taronga Zoo is only 12 minutes from Circular Quay and there are so many animals to see and things to do you will be there for ages.
A little something special for Home & Away fans, you must go on the tour and see where their daily life is lived. You will see where love has bloomed, hearts have broken and then been mended. Not to be missed if you are a diehard fan!
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Sydney
Sydney Harbour
One of the greatest attractions Sydney has is her harbour. Described as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. On a wonderful warm sunny day, it turns into a playground for all types of water vessels. The different colours of the sails create a vision that remains with you. Whether you are on the harbor or near the harbor there are so many attractions bidding for your time. Whatever type of harbor cruise you are after there will be one to suit you. Sailing, cruising, power boating, or the ferry, they are all available.
If you are down on Circular Quay you will find lots of restaurants and shops. If you head to the southern side of Circular Quay you will come to the Sydney Opera House and if you keep going you will find yourself in the wonderful Royal Botanical Gardens. Make sure you go as far as Mrs Macquarie’s Chair as it is here you get the spectacular view of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge (image at the top of the page). If you venture to the northern side you will come across the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks (great history of Sydney in this area).
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Sydney Harbour
Blue Mountains
A trip to the Blue Mountains is not to be missed. A 90-minute drive from Sydney will find you in the Blue Mountains National Park. Whether you are a family, nature lover, bush walker or adventurer, you will find your path. Steep cliffs, Eucalyptus Forests, water falls, all help to create this dramatic scenery. Mixed in with this scenery is a selection of Australia’s great Flora & Fauna. Scenic World has 4 amazing experiences, the Scenic Railway is the steepest railway incline in the the world, Scenic Cableway is the steepest & largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere and takes you on a trip of 545 metres with unsurpassed views, Scenic Walkway, 2.4 kilometres walkway, and Scenic Skyway has 360 degree views, 720 metres, and the adventurous may choose the glass floor cabin option!
For a more comprehensive guide to the Blue Mountains including tour reviews and videos see the ‘Tours to go’ Blue Mountains Travel Guide.
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Blue Mountains
Hunter Valley
In the 1820’s the first Australian vines were planted in the Hunter Valley region. The Hunter Valley is famous for producing a unique Semillon previously know as the Hunter Valley Riesling.
As well as the white wines the region is famous for, there is a growing number of softer reds now being produced. For the foodies the area produces cheeses and chocolates as well as having a number of specialist micro-breweries.
Although a stand alone destination, Hunter Valley is only 2 hours from Sydney so it can easily be included as part of your Sydney holiday, with lots of tour options from Sydney.
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Hunter Valley
Explore Sydney Beaches
With over 100 beaches, varying in size from a few feet to several kilometres, there is a beach for every taste.
Sydney has lots of beach walks so it is just a matter of which area you want to explore.
One of the most popular walks is the Coogee Beach to Bondi , a beautiful 6 kilometre beach walk. This is where you can see Sculptures by the Sea which takes place late October each year.
By venturing a little further south you can swim in the famous figure 8 pools, tour details here.
If surfing is more your style then you can always take a learn to surf lesson at Bondi Beach
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Sydney Surf Lessons
Visit Vivid
Welcome to the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. This year there will be over 60 installations. Sydney comes alive in the evenings during Vivid and you can really feel the energy of the city. The majority of the installations are scattered around the harbour.
If visiting Vivid Sydney, you really need a minimum of 2 nights to see the installations and then you won’t see them all. It does overload your senses. The lights come on as soon as the sun goes down. If possible, get down to the harbour before the light show begins and watch “nature’s own” light show as the sun sets over the harbour and the Opera House. One of my favourite memories. If you thought the harbour couldn’t be more impressive then you will be surprised. Even the vessels and ferries dress up for the occasion.
Click Here to Learn more about Vivid and see our tour options
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Sydney Things to Do and Itineraries
Sydney Tour Reviews
