Sydney

Sydney is blessed with stunning ocean beaches, magnificent national parks and a wonderful subtropical climate that makes the great outdoors irresistible to its four million inhabitants. The Eora people, the Aborigines who settled around Sydney Harbour, arrived approximately 50,000 years ago, while the white settlers arrived just over 200 years ago.

Free settlers soon followed in the wake of the First Fleet of transported convicts, and after them several waves of migrants seeking a new life. Now, two centuries later, the once far-flung penal colony has matured into a culturally diverse, tolerant and mesmerizing city. Ideally located on the world’s most beautiful harbour, Sydney is as exciting and bustling as it is laid back and relaxing.

Top 10 Must-See Sights

1. Sydney Opera House
Sydney’s architectural icon and world-renowned performing arts venue enjoys the most spectacular setting of any cultural institution in the world. It is the city’s most popular tourist attraction.

2. Sydney Harbour Bridge
This enormous and beautiful structure was an economic and engineering triumph. It reshaped Sydney’s landscape and lifted the city’s spirits during the dark days of the Great Depression.

3. Sydney Harbour
From its pristine beaches to its working dock-lands, this deep-water port at the heart of this maritime city is the world’s finest.

4. The Rocks & Circular Quay
Governor Phillip and the First Fleet arrived here in 1788 to lay the foundations for Australia’s white settlement. Now it’s an engaging historic precinct and a lively transport hub.

5. Botanic Gardens & The Domain
This lovely green belt east of the city centre incorporates the Botanic Gardens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and has been one of Sydney’s best-loved public spaces for almost 200 years.

6. Art Gallery of New South Wales
Boasting one of the country’s most extensive collections of Australian and international art, this striking building in The Domain is not to be missed.

7. Darling Harbour & Chinatown
Chinatown’s authentic bustle and flavour is the perfect counterpoint to the ritzy Darling Harbour precinct. An extension of the city centre, Darling Harbour offers numerous museums, bars, cafés and tourist attractions.

8. Powerhouse Museum
Kooky. Challenging. Hands-on. And plenty of fun. Powerhouse’s eclectic and sometimes eccentric science and design collection appeals to children and adults alike.

9. Taronga Park Zoo
The zoo’s collection of Australian and exotic animals, not to mention its gorgeous setting overlooking the harbour, makes it a must-see destination for visitors.

10. Bondi Beach
Sydney’s swimmers, surfers and sybarites all love Australia’s most iconic beach. Don’t leave the city without spending some time here, body surfing, walking along the clifftops or working on your tan.

Discover more to see and do in Sydney at www.traveldk.com/sydney.

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