Holidays to Sydney are your ticket to one of the world’s most thrilling cities. The capital of New South Wales boasts stellar sights, vibrant nightlife, superb shopping and an abundance of soft, sandy beaches ready to sink your toes into.
The perfect Sydney holiday combines the great outdoors with the city’s best attractions, as well as some of the finest dining on the planet. Starting at the historic quarter of The Rocks, take a walk around the harbour and get up close with the iconic Sydney Opera House.
End your day with a climb across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, soaking up some of the best views in the city, if not the world.
Nearby, the Coogee to Bondi Beach walk offers unparalleled vistas of the glittering Pacific, while a little further out lie the boundless Blue Mountains, the rolling dunes of Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. Sydney is a grand city cocooned in beauty.
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Sydney enjoys warm, sunny weather year-round. Even in winter, temperatures scarcely dip below an average of 12°C. Visit from September to November to make the most of the warmer, drier months, or in March when the sea is at its warmest.
Daytime temperatures can climb into the high 30°Cs during the summer months – though it can get quite a bit cooler at night – and there is little rainfall. It’s perfect for days on the beach – just be sure to use proper sun protection.
This magnificent city delivers enough history, culture and natural scenery to appeal to any traveller. Sydney holiday packages are your gateway to this perennially popular destination.
Take in the buzz of Barangaroo, Sydney’s newest harbourside precinct and a great place to base yourself for a city stay. Sandwiched between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, here you’ll find tempting cafes, a delicious range of restaurants and world-class hotels offering stunning harbour views. Connect with Aboriginal culture in Barangaroo Reserve or hop on a ferry to explore Sydney from the water. Tour with an Aboriginal guide and learn about the First Nations people that first inhabited the city and discover their fascinating culture.
Wind through the meandering cobbled lanes of The Rocks and you’ll discover a wealth of history hidden in the shadows of the Harbour Bridge. Tour with an Aboriginal guide and learn about the First Nations people that first inhabited the city and discover their fascinating culture.
Enjoy being serenaded by buskers as you amble around the open-air Rocks Markets. Afterwards, treat yourself to a visit to one of the city’s oldest gastronomic spots – this historic neighbourhood is full of them.
The Fortune of War, built in 1828, is the oldest pub in Sydney and a mainstay of what was Sydney’s first settled area. For local and international exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art has a vast collection.
Visit the world famous Sydney Opera House and see the result of the completed 10 year renovation project, upgrading the World Heritage-listed monument ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2023.
For those seeking a little more adventure, get strapped in and ready for a view you’ll never forget from the top of Sydney's world-famous bridge with this must-do family-friendly activity.
Special climbs are organised to mark annual events such as the Vivid Sydney lights show and public holidays. Visitors can now also choose to take part in the new BridgeClimb Burrawa Aboriginal Experience and immerse themselves in Aboriginal stories and landmarks across the harbour.
Located around 31 miles (50 kilometres) from inner Sydney, The Blue Mountains range comprises dramatic peaks and masses of forest, waterfalls and atmospheric caves. It’s a perfect day trip out of the city.
The Three Sisters sandstone formation is the focal point of the mountain range and is best overlooked from Echo Point.
Countless sheer cliffs line the walking trails to get there, offering plenty of perfect photo opportunities.
Port Stephens is a little over two hours from Circular Quay and is a celebrated surf spot along this strip of the Australian coastline.
Dolphins and migratory whales pass by the beaches here and you can hop aboard one of the sightseeing trips leaving the harbour. There’s hiking to be had at Tomaree National Park as the path winds its way up the titular Mount Tomaree. You’ll have the chance to spot rare sea birds and gaze out across the bay as you ascend.
Other great surf spots in New South Wales include Byron Bay, Newcastle and Gerroa on the South Coast.
Sydney is synonymous with its beaches, their laid-back atmosphere seeping into the city’s day-to-day vibe.
Make the most of a beach holiday in Sydney with a stay at the spacious Adina Apartment Hotel Coogee, just a five-minute walk down to the pristine waters of picturesque Thompson’s Bay (also known as Gordon’s Bay). It’s a snorkelling hotspot with gorgeous coral to explore.
All luxury holidays in Sydney should start at The Langham in The Rocks, its ornate chandelier capturing your attention as you enter. There are sumptuous suites, many with terraces, and a divine spa offering a range of treatments. It's also perfectly located for dining, shopping and sight-seeing, while there’s an indoor pool if you want to start your day with a splash.
A central location is ideal for a cultural honeymoon in Sydney as there's a dedicated arts scene waiting to be discovered. With the creative neighbourhood of Newtown, the varied galleries of Darlinghurst and the new Modern Wing of the Art Gallery of NSW, there’s plenty to unearth in this bustling city centre area.
Visit from late May to mid-June each year to experience Vivid Sydney, a huge festival of lights, music and ideas that sees creative light installations transform the city into a vibrant canvas.
The local currency used in Sydney is the Australian dollar (AUD). One dollar is made up of 100 cents. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels.
The main language spoken in Sydney is English, but this is a vibrant, multicultural city and many other languages are spoken too.
As Sydney has sunshine for most of the year, it’s advisable to take high factor sun protection with you – preferably with UV protection too.
Public transport in Sydney means the city is incredibly well-connected whether it’s by bus, train, ferry or water taxi. Car hire is also available on arrival.
Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley, is just a two-hour drive from Sydney. There are more than 150 cellar doors to visit, from long-established wine-making names to smaller, boutique operations. Plus, it’s a region rich in local cuisine, so excite your taste buds with a chocolate or cheese-tasting or head to one of the many acclaimed restaurants for delicious farm to plate dining. For something special, soar above the vines in a hot air balloon before touching down for a luxurious picnic breakfast.
On the north coast of New South Wales, discover bohemian Byron Bay. This beautiful coastal town has a thriving surf culture, so it’s a great place to kick back and soak up the Australian lifestyle on its golden sands. Relax and rejuvenate with luxurious spas, or explore boutique shops, independent cafes and small art galleries. For the best vantage point in town, head to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, situated on the most easterly point of mainland Australia, a great place to see the sunrise or spot migrating humpback whales from May through to November.
A three-hour drive north up the coast from Sydney is the beautiful bay area of Port Stephens. Renowned for its golden beaches, shifting sand dunes and resident bottle-nose dolphins, it’s a place to get outdoors and immerse yourself in nature. Hike to the top of Mt Tomaree at Tomaree National Park or explore from the water with a stand-up paddleboard. You can even get up close to cute koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
Abu Dhabi
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Hong Kong
An iconic skyline, Michelin-starred restaurants and an eclectic collection of wildlife fill this bustling destination that buzzes with culture and history.
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Bangkok
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