Modern and prosperous Sydney, stretched out on the shores of the picturesque bay of the Tasman Sea, used to be a city of convicts and daring adventurers exiled to the end of the world. And now it has become a corner of the well-fed Western world on the most distant inhabited continent of the planet.
Sydney has business districts like the City of London and gorgeous beaches like Rio de Janeiro, cosmopolitanism and a trendy mix of cultures. City streets, parks and promenades attract tourists from all over the world. Here you can visit the best aquariums in the world, take a cruise and admire the rugged shores of Port Jackson, or sunbathe on the city's well-equipped beaches. In the evenings, the city comes alive and opens the doors to nightlife. Hundreds of bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs await visitors and offer a wide variety of menus and shows.
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What to see and where to go in Sydney?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Port jackson
The very first European colony on the Australian continent was founded on the shores of Port Jackson Bay. The bay consists of three bays: Middle Harbor, North Harbor and Sydney Harbor. The coastline is intricately indented, which is very convenient for navigation. Since the inception of the first port, Port Jackson has played a key role in Sydney. Nowadays, a national park is organized on a part of the natural territory of the bay.
Sydney Opera House
An outstanding example of modern architecture and one of the symbols of Australia. The roof of the building resembles flying sails or giant sea shells. The architects wanted to convey the image of a frozen melody through these unusual forms. The opera house is built on stilts in the middle of the water, the roof is supported by powerful metal cables. The building was included in the UNESCO heritage list during the life of its creator J. Watson.
Harbor Bridge
The structure is considered one of the largest arched bridges not only on the continent, but also in the world. It was built in the 30s. XX century in order to connect the northern regions of Sydney with the central ones. There is an observation deck on the bridge overlooking the picturesque Sydney Harbor and cityscape. Harbor Bridge is designed for road, pedestrian and rail traffic, before opening it was tested for strength with the help of heavy trains.
Rocks District
Sydney's oldest neighborhood, former home of adventurers and desperate adventurers. At the beginning of the 20th century, this place had a rather bad reputation, today the Rocks is a prestigious area with fabulous real estate prices. There are many galleries, museums, historic residential areas, pubs and restaurants. The area is quite popular with tourists.
Darling Harbor
One of the central areas of Sydney, there are the best restaurants, luxury hotels and modern skyscrapers. Darling Harbor is home to many offices and is considered the business center of Sydney. However, the area is also perfect for recreation, as there are many city attractions on its territory.
Sydney aquarium
The best oceanariums tend to be located in coastal cities. So the Sydney Aquarium boasts of its size, variety of marine life and an incredible scale of the exposition. It seems that all the inhabitants of the world's oceans are represented here. A huge number of fish of unimaginable color, reptiles, sharks, seals, octopuses, rays, sea urchins, crabs and many others.
Australian National Maritime Museum
The museum exposition tells about the history of the Australian Navy. Here you can see local Aboriginal ships, modern warships, weapons, and surfing gear. Ships and a submarine are moored near the building. One of these ships is a copy of J. Cook's ship, on which the discoverer sailed to the Australian continent.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Museum, opened at the end of the 19th century. It exhibits examples of European, Asian and Australian art. The collection is housed in a building of classical architecture, built at the beginning of the 20th century. In the Gallery you can see the works of Australian painters of the last two centuries, as well as works of art created by Monet, Rodin, Picasso, Rubens and other masters.
Australian museum
The oldest museum in Australia, which is active in research and scientific activities. One of the priority areas is the study of the culture and history of the indigenous peoples of the continent. Also at the museum there are scientific institutes that study evolutionary processes, environmental protection, a variety of biological and geological species.
Queen Victoria Building
Former market aisles, now a modern shopping center. The building was built at the very end of the 19th century in the classic "Victorian" style, popular at that time in the metropolis. The structure is crowned with a large patterned dome, the walls and the facade are decorated with arched spans, stained-glass windows, the floor is paved with mosaic tiles. In front of the building there is a monument in honor of Queen Victoria.
Sydney Town Hall
A Victorian style building of Sydney City Hall, built of sandstone. The city administration is located here. This is the only historical civil structure that has completely preserved its appearance since the 19th century. Before the appearance of the Sydney Opera House, the City Hall housed the City Concert Hall. The building is listed as a National Monument in Australia.
Sydney observatory
Observatory of the mid-19th century, where the oldest telescope in the country (made in 1874) is located. In the 80s. XX century, the observatory turned into a museum, where the latest instruments for studying the starry sky are exhibited. Also on the territory of the observatory there is a 3D cinema and a lecture hall. The building of the observatory itself is of historical value and is considered a national monument.
Sydney Fish Market
The trading floor was founded in 1945. In terms of size and variety of seafood delicacies, it is second only to the fish market in Tokyo. Here you can taste the products in a cafe or buy something for your home right away. Delicious dishes are prepared right in front of customers. In addition to fish and seafood, the market stalls sell wine, cheese and various sauces.
Cathedral of the Virgin Mary
Sydney Catholic Cathedral, which has the status of a "minor basilica". The construction of the temple began in the first half of the 19th century, and was completed only in the 2000s. The cathedral is a typical English Gothic church. Until 1820, Catholics were forbidden to practice their religion, but after the declaration of freedom of religion, the efforts of the local community laid the foundation stone for the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew
Anglican Temple, built in 1868. The architectural style of the building imitates the medieval English style. The cathedral really looks against the background of modern buildings as if it was erected several centuries ago. The temple is the oldest in Australia. A huge organ is installed inside, which is considered one of the largest in the world.
Sydney TV Tower
Tallest building in Sydney (309 meters high). The structure is not a broadcasting tower, it is just a popular tourist attraction. There are two observation platforms - stationary at an altitude of 250 meters, and retractable at an altitude of 268 meters.Also, for the convenience of tourists, inside the tower there are restaurants, cafes, shops, convenient places for recreation.
Fort Denison
A former prison where dangerous criminals were held awaiting execution. Later in the 19th century, defensive structures were erected here to protect against a possible attack from the sea (they were mainly feared by the American and Russian navies). Nowadays, the fort is included in the territory of the National Park, there are museum expositions inside.
Ms. Macquarie's Chair
A bench in a rock on the shore of the bay, where at the beginning of the 19th century the wife of the local governor, Elizabet Macquarie, loved to relax. This location offers the best views of Sydney Harbor, city centers and suspension bridges. The Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge are on one side, the picturesque mountains and quaint coastline of the bay on the other.
Taronga Zoo
The zoo is located in the suburb of Mosman in the north of Sydney Harbor. It arose in 1908 on an area of 17 hectares. Now the zoo is home to 2.6 thousand animals, which makes it one of the largest zoological gardens in the world. The rich fauna of the Australian continent and the southern seas is represented here: emu, kangaroo, platypus, wombat, wallaby, koala, leopard seal, sea lion, penguins and other animals.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Garden and city park located near the Sydney CBD. It is surrounded by landmarks: Sydney Opera House, National Library, Parliament Building. The history of the park began with a small agricultural farm organized in 1788 under the Governor of New South Wales A. Philippe. For several decades, gardeners were engaged in the arrangement of the territory, after which the Botanical Garden appeared.
Hyde Park
City Park, appeared in 1810 under the governor L. Macquarie. It has a rectangular shape and covers an area of 16 hectares. Several hundred trees grow in the park, gardens, flower beds and walking alleys are laid out. The place was named by analogy with London's Hyde Park, apparently to remind the colonists of their distant homeland, which remained far beyond the ocean.
Chinese Friendship Garden
A picturesque city park open to celebrate Australia's 200th anniversary. The Garden of Friendship is a classic example of the imperial landscape design of the Celestial Empire. The same plan was used in the past to create gardens for the rulers of China. There are no flower beds, flower beds and even lawns, but real corners of wildlife have been created, harmoniously diluted with bridges, gazebos and stone statues.
Sydney Harbor National Park
A nature reserve located in the as yet unoccupied areas of Sydney Harbor (Port Jackson). It includes the coastline, small islets and rocky peninsulas, which are generously strewn with the coast. In the park, you can go on a guided tour with an Aboriginal guide, enjoy water sports, view ancient indigenous rock paintings, or enjoy the beautiful beaches.
Manly Beach
The beach is located in the North East of Sydney. It is a wide strip of the purest golden sand and azure water. Manly is very popular with surfers, athletes and lovers of boarding from all over the world come here. A strip of hotels has been built along the coast; guests are served by restaurants, bars and cafes. The beach is municipal, so admission is free for everyone.
Bondi beach
The most popular city beach located in the suburbs. After the end of World War II, emigrants from Eastern Europe settled in this place, therefore, throughout the 20th century, Bondi was considered a working-class area. Not all of the beach area is safe for swimming, some parts are only open for surfing. Sharks often hunt in coastal waters in summer.
