From Wikitravel

The City [1] of Sydney is at the very heart of the much larger Sydney Metropolitan area, consisting of the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) and immediately surrounding areas of harbour frontage and parkland. Stretching roughly between Circular Quay and Central Railway Station (north to south), and between the Domain and Darling Harbour (east to west), the area defies precise definition: if Sydneysiders say they are "going into town", "downtown" or "into the City", this is generally what they mean.... Travellers will have no difficulty recognizing the area: it is that part of the city that has the most skyscrapers!

[edit] Understand

Sydney City is primarily commercial in nature (hence the Manhattan-like skyline of skyscrapers and towers), although it is presently attracting an increasing number of prestigious high-density residential buildings.

The City represents the earliest site of European settlement in Australia (from January 1788), and is home - naturally enough - to many of Sydney's landmarks and sites of interest.

[edit] Get in

The easiest way to find available trains, buses or ferry is using the Transport Information Line. Pricing is also available from the Transport Info Line - people using public transport for a week or longer should consider a TravelPass, allowing unlimited use of buses, trains and ferrys in given zones. The Transport Information Line is accessible by telephone on 131500, within Australia only.

[edit] By train

The City lies at the hub of the Sydney Cityrail train service[2], with almost all routes passing through at least some of the city stations. These are collectively known as the City Circle, and lie mainly underground (the extent of Sydney's "subway") and run in both directions.

The city stations (running clockwise) are Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum. Each of these stations, and the first three in particular (also part of the North Shore line), are regularly serviced by trains. Most of the city is no more than ten or fifteen minutes walk from a train station.

Another city station, Martin Place, exists mid-town on the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line, running out through the Eastern Suburbs to Bondi Junction - it links directly with Town Hall and Central stations on the City Circle.

[edit] By bus

Many routes on Sydney Buses from parts of the wider city [3]link with the Sydney CBD at a variety of termini. These are often located close to the rail stations and can be found at Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central Station. A number of routes on private buses terminate in at least one or more of these termini.

[edit] By ferry

The most pleasant way to arrive in Sydney City is by ferry[4]. All Sydney Ferry routes (from 41 wharves around the harbor suburbs) go through Circular Quay, at the northern end of the CBD. From the Quay you can walk to the Opera House or the Botanic Gardens. At the Quay you can also connect with City Circle trains or city buses.

[edit] By monorail

A one way monorail loop links the southern half of the CBD with the adjoining area of Darling Harbour. Stations are at the World Square, City Centre and Galleries Victoria retail complexes. The last of these is opposite Town Hall station, with an underground passage linking the two. One ride will cost $4.80 per person with no discount for children. [5]

[edit] By car

The city is accessible to private vehicles; however, it can be quite congested and parking will cost upwards of $30 per day.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By Foot

Most of the attractions below are within a 2km radius, and is an easy walk to get around.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Landmarks

• Circular Quay is the hub of the Sydney Harbor and is a vibrant, bustling place home to many buskers, the ferry terminal, the Opera House, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Circular Quay, 02 9250 7111 (information) or 02 9250 7777 (ticket bookings) [6][7]. The Sydney Opera House in the north east of the city is one of Sydney's most beautiful and unusual buildings; its sail shaped structure is world famous. The Opera House is also host to most of Sydney's major classical music and opera events. Guided tours leave every 30 minutes and take about one hour. Depending on ongoing rehearsal or performances not all parts may be visited.
• The Strand Arcade [8] is a fine example of Victorian Architecture, and is one of the few remaining Victorian shopping arcades in the world. For the past 20 years or so it has been a major shopping destination, well known for the large number of Australian designers it showcases. Many well recognized Australian labels in fashion and jewellery are based here, such as Alannah Hill, Zimmerman, and Victoria Buckley Jewellery.
• Sydney Tower[9]. Towering above the city of Sydney since 1981, when it became the tallest structure in the city, the Sydney Tower (often called the "Centrepoint Tower") reaches a total height of 305 m - great views are available from the 250 m high viewing level. The tower is Australia's tallest free-standing structure and the second highest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere after the Sky Tower in Auckland).
• St Mary's Cathedral, St Mary's Road, across the road from Hyde Park's eastern edge, ph: 9220 0400, (fax: +61 (02) 9223 5208). The Catholic Sydney diocese's cathedral, built in 1868.
• The Queen Victoria Building ("the QVB"), George Street (north of Town Hall and Town Hall station) [10]. The site of a market place since 1810, its current Romanesque facade was completed in 1896 and was extensively restored in the late 1980s as a prestigious shopping center.

[edit] Museums and galleries

• The Australian Museum, 6 College Street Sydney (opposite Hyde Park), 02 9320 6000 [11]. Daily (except Christmas Day) 9:30AM-5PM, general admission adult $10, child / concession $5, family $17.50, temporary exhibitions attract an additional fee. With an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous studies research, community programs and exhibitions, the Australian Museum was established as Australia's first museum in 1827 with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artifacts.
• Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, ☎ 02 9225 1744, [12]. One of Australia's premier collections of Australian, European and Asian art.free.  edit
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), 140 George Street, Circular Quay, 02 9252 4033 [13]. Housed in a fabulous 1930s art deco building, former location of the Maritime Services Board and facing onto the western side of Circular Quay and Sydney Cove, the MCA has been dedicated - since its opening in 1991 - to showcasing great works of modern and contemporary art in all media.
• Museum of Sydney, Corner of Phillip and Bridge Streets, 02 9251 5988, (fax 02 9251 5966) [14]. Daily 9:30AM-5PM (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday), admission adult $10, child / concessions $5, family $20, members free (run by the Historic Houses Trust). Built on the site of the first Government House, erected in 1788 by Governor Arthur Phillip and demolished in 1846. The remains of the building were excavated after rediscovery in 1983 and the original foundations can now be viewed through glass floor panels in the museum. Fascinating changing exhibitions of art and photography, films and state-of-the-art technology spin stories of colonial life, Aboriginal culture, environment, trade, authority / law and everyday dramas and dreams in early Sydney.
• Justice and Police Museum, Corner Albert and Phillip Streets [15]. Adult $8, child/concession $4, family $17. Originally serving as a policy station to Court between 1856 and 1886, the museum has now been restored to its 1890s facade displaying its theme of crime and punishment.
• Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie Street [16]. Built 1818-1819. Adult $10, child/concession $5, family $20. Constructed by convicts and housed by them, the Hyde Park Barracks provided housing for convicts working in government employment around Sydny from 1819 until its closure in 1848.
• The State Library of New South Wales, Macquarie Street, [17]. Includes a large exhibition space with changing artistic, historical and cultural exhibits.
• Museum of Australian Currency Notes, Ground Floor, 65 Martin Place [18]. Open M-F 10AM-5PM (except bank holidays), free admission. Hosted by the Reserve Bank of Australia in its city headquarters, this museum displays Australian bank notes and currency from the earliest issues to the present day.
• Customs House, (Adjacent and south of Circular Quay). A large diorama of the Sydney area which you can walk over is on display in the foyer. Sydney City Library occupies the building. Free. edit

[edit] Parks and gardens

• Sydney Botanical Gardens, (through the gates east of the Opera House), [19]. Large gardens with stunning natural beauty and impressive views of the Harbor.Free.  edit
• The Domain, (Adjacent and south of the Botanical Gardens). Home to the popular Opera in the Domain, Jazz in the Domain, and Symphony in the Domain events in summer, as well as the Tropfest short film festival. If attending any of these events, arrive in the early afternoon to secure a picnic spot as upwards of 100 000 people attend.Free.  edit
• Hyde Park, (East of Elizabeth St, West of College St, next to St James Station). An extensive city center park, elongated in layout and containing a large fountain (Archibald Fountain) and the Anzac War Memorial - a favorite with city workers at lunchtime, joggers and sunbakers.Free.  edit

[edit] Architecture

• Sydney City is home to a large number of outstanding examples of Art Deco architecture[20], built during the 1920s and 1930s, when Sydney entered a new phase of confidence and investment in urban infrastructure.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Theatre

• Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street near the corner of George St and Hay St [21]. The Capitol Theatre is considered to be one of the finest theatres in Australia, with a rich history dating back 100 years.
• State Theatre, 49 Market Street between Pitt St and George St., 02 9373 6852 (fax 02 9373 6537)[22]. Hosts a range of events and performances, particularly international comedy acts and musicians. The building itself is heritage-listed, and has a lavish interior dating back to 1929.
• The Wharf, Pier 4/5 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. The Sydney Theatre Company's home base.
• Sydney Opera House, +61 2 9250 7111[23]. The Sydney Opera House is on of the most iconic 20th century buildings in the world. Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House also has dedicated theaters for drama including the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and The Studio.

[edit] Cinema

• George Street Cinemas, 505 George St (near Town Hall), [24]. The three big cinema franchises (Hoyts, Greater Union and Village) merged their neighboring cinemas here into one big complex. edit
• Dendy Cinema, (Between Circular Quay and the Opera House), [25]. Multi-screen cinema specializing in fringe and arthouse films. edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Central Business District of Sydney is the retail center of the city, having the largest range of shops and outlets in a variety of settings. Sydney's shopping is frequently concentrated within large city malls and arcades (heavily interconnected mid-town through a number of underground walkways). There are also a number of recognized shopping "strips" around town, which ensures that shoppers of all budgets are catered for.

• Pitt Street Mall. The city's main shopping strip. This consist of a pedestrian mall with many shops, arcades and shopping-centres on either side, such as the Imperial Arcade, Skygarder, Strand Arcade, Westfield, etc. edit
• George Street. The city's main street and a shopping strip between the Town Hall (Park St) to Wynyard (Hunter St). You will find here the Queen Victoria Building, Galleries Victoria, Myers, Westfield, The Strand Arcade, The Apple Store, etc. edit
• Westfield, (Southern end of the mall), [26]. Specialty stores, Myer and large food food halls across both sides of the mall. edit
• Imperial Arcade, (On the mall, adjacent and north of Centrepoint), [27]. Offers a wide selection of specialty stores. edit
• Skygarden, (Middle of the mall). Has a variety of top end and chain stores. edit
• Strand Arcade, [28]. The last of the Victorian arcades to be completed in Sydney, home to a number of shopping levels featuring design, fashion, antiques and jewellery (the arcade conveniently links George Street with the Pitt Street Mall). edit
• The Queen Victoria Building ("the QVB"), George Street north of Town Hall and Town Hall station [29]. The site of a market place since 1810, its current Romanesque facade was completed in 1896 and was extensively restored in the late 1980s as a prestigious shopping center.
• The Galleries Victoria, 500 George Street (opposite the QVB). Includes many fashion stores, and also Books Kinokuniya (level 2), with a broad range of English, Chinese and Japanese books.
• David Jones, 86-108 Castlereagh Street, 02 9266 5544, (fax 02 9267 7326)[30]. The city stores of this illustrious department store are on Elizabeth Street (main store, women's wear) and Market Street (men's wear). In operation since 1838, David Jones is not only Australia's oldest department store, but also the oldest department store anywhere in the world still trading under its original name.
• Castlereagh Street. Home to a large concentration of fashion houses and big names including DKNY, Cartier, Ferragamo, Gucci, Bvlgari, Stefano Canturi and Chanel.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Chinatown in the south of the city has large number of restaurants offering cheap and tasty Asian cuisine.

[edit] Budget

• Food Courts. All through the Sydney CBD there are food halls where the city workers flock to get lunch. A sit down lunch at these food courts will cost between $5 and $10. There are many, but to whet your appetite, try one of the following:
  • Westfield in Pitt St Mall.
  • Under Gateway Building or the AMP building at Circular Quay.
  • Australia Square (the tall but round building) at Wynyard.
  • Under the Westpact Building in Sussex Street.
  • In the Metcentre at Wynyard.

If you fancy an early dinner (or late lunch) many of the food halls sell off remaining items and discounted prices around 4pm in the afternoon.

• Summerrolls, Shop 4, Foodbase on Park, corner Elizabeth and Park Streets, 02 9283 7771. A favorite among city lunchtime crowds in the Hyde Park area, this innovative Vietnamese fast food outlet serves fresh rice paper rolls and Asian salads.

• BBQ King, 18 Goulburn St, Haymarket, 02 9267 2586 or 02 9267 2433. BBQ King is Haymarket's most famous Chinese restaurant, famed in particular (unsurprisingly) for the barbecued duck. Long but worthy waits on weekends.

• Pho Xic Lo, 215a Thomas St, Haymarket, 02 9280 1678. Serves tasty, fresh Vietnamese dishes with a minimum of fuss. Be sure to try their summer rolls and spring rolls entrees.

• Cafe Eos, 515 Kent St., 02 9264 0019. Cafe Eos is a friendly little cafe catering mainly to lunching office workers and is a good alternative to the crowded food courts for a unrushed lunch.

[edit] Mid-range

• Marigold Restaurant, Levels 4 and 5, 683-689 George Street, Haymarket, 02 9281 3388(fax: 02 9281 5051, email: mailto:info@marigold.com.au)[31]. The Marigold is a very good and very popular yum cha place. Although be warned, be prepared to wait a long time for seating.

• Makoto Sushi Bar 199 Liverpool St, (Cnr Pitt & Liverpool St), +61 2 9283 6767 Fax +61 2 9283 6775. Open 7 days, with dinner starting from 6pm. At a much higher quality than your standard sushi-bar, Makoto offers sushi, sashimi, along with a range of small cooked dishes. The service is authentically Japanese, and the cooks work in full view of the client, enclosed by the sushi conveyor.

[edit] Splurge

• Tetsuya's, 529 Kent Street, ☎ +61-2-9267-2900 (fax: +61-2-9262-7099), [32]. Tetsuya's, which serves fusion Japanese and French style food, is one of Sydney's most famous and highly regarded restaurants, generally named in the top three year after year. You should be able to get a weeknight booking (excluding Fridays) three or four weeks in advance, for weekends you may need to book a month or more in advance.Set menu for $190, wine list from $90 upwards.  edit

• Summit Restaurant, Level 47, Australia Square, 264 George St., 9247 9777, (fax 9251 2539)[33]. This revolving restaurant has excellent views of the city from the harbor to south Sydney and rotates every two hours.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Bars

• Bridge Bar, Level 10, Opera Quays 2 East Circular Quay, 02 9252 6800. Awarded the title of Australia's Cocktail Bar of the Year, by bartender magazine, the Bridge Bar is a tranquil and elegant venue suspended between the tenth floors of two of Sydney's most desirable apartment blocks at East Circular Quay. Fantastic views over Sydney Cove and Circular Quay to the Opera House and the Bridge - a real treat at sunset. Fantastic cocktail list (189 varieties), friendly staff, vibey lounge music and good bar food.

• Orbit Bar, Level 47, Australia Square, 264 George Street. 5PM-12midnight. Spectaular views over Sydney from this revolving bar at the top of the 1970s iconic Australia Square office tower, a stylish makeover of the old Summit Restaurant. Sip on designer cocktails in a non-smoking environment while the entire level revolves slowly over 90 minutes. Floor to ceiling windows means that you can gaze from your Kubrick-2001-inspired seating and decor to the city below. Consistently highly reviewed. Cocktails average $15 a glass.

[edit] Pubs

• 3 Wise Monkeys Pub, 555 George Street, (02) 9283 5855 [34]. The 3 Wise Monkeys is a very popular pub only a block south of Town Hall station. It has live music seven nights a week.
• James Squire Brewhouse, King St Wharf, 22 The Promenade, (02) 8270 7999. A new pub on King Street Wharf, the James Squire Brewhouse is a spacious bar with James Squire on tap.
• The Australian Heritage Hotel, 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, 02 9247 2229[35]. The Australian boasts a prodigious range of Australian beers, and very good gourmet pizzas (ranging from vegetarian to crocodile). Parties can reserve the parlor and the balcony.

[edit] Nightclubs

• Soup Plus, 1 Margaret Street, 02 9299 7728 [36]. Soup Plus is Australia's longest running jazz venue. Entry is $5 Monday to Thursday nights, $8 Monday to Thursday nights for big bands and special presentations, and $30 Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend charge includes a two course meal.
• The Basement, 29 Reiby Place, 02 9251 2797 [37]. The Basement is a music club specialising in jazz, a restaurant and a pub. Open 12pm - 3pm for lunch and 7:30pm until late on weekdays; and 7:00pm until late on Saturday and Sunday nights. General admissions tickets (standing only) range between $20 and $40 depending on the night and the performer.
• Century Theatre, 624 George Street, 02 9550 3666 (box office)[38]. Until recently known as the Metro Theatre, the Century Theatre is a major medium-sized music venue.

[edit] Gig guides

• The Drum Media [39] is a free, weekly music publication. You can find a copy at most music stores around the city and the inner suburbs.
• Metro is the Sydney Morning Herald's entertainment lift-out, published every Friday.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Nomads Maze Backpackers Hostel, 417 Pitt St, 1800 813 522 Nomads Maze Backpackers Hostel Sydney. Beds in a dormitory room from $21 per night, single room $45, double $60.
• Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place, +61 2 9281 9111 (fax +61 2 9281 9199, email sydcentral@yhansw.org.au) [40]. This YHA backpacker's hostel is right across the road from Central railway station. Beds in a dorm room are $28-33 per night, private rooms $82 or $94 with ensuite.
• Cambridge Sydney Hotel 212 Riley Street, +61 2 9212 1111 (fax 02 9215 5111, email reservations@cambridgeinn.com.au) [41]. Economy hotel in Surry Hills with easy access to Oxford Street and the Sydney CBD. Rooms cost approx $110 - $190 per night.
• Sydney Central on Wentworth, 75 Wentworth Ave Sydney NSW 2000 Australia, ☎ +61 (0)2 9212 1005, [42]. Sydney Central on Wentworth is situated close to all city attractions, amenities, shopping and transport. Situated in a landmark heritage building, the hotel includes 24-hour reception, coin-operated laundry, guest kitchen, free guest internet kiosk, and subsidized payment for parking in the nearby Wilson Car Park in Goulburn Street. Best rates on official website start at AU$38.  edit
• Nomads Westend Backpackers Hostel 412 Pitt St, 1800 013 186 Nomads Westend Backpackers Hostel. Beds in a shared dormitory room from from $23 a night, Doubles from $70.

[edit] Mid-range

• Menzies Sydney Hotel 14 Carrington Street, +61 2 9299 1000 (fax +61 2 9290 3819) [43]. Good value inner city hotel overlooking Wynyard Park. An easy stroll to Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay ferries and The Rocks tourist precinct. Rooms cost approx $175-$300 a night.
• Mercure Sydney Hotel 818-820 George Street, +61 2 9217 6666 (fax +61 2 9217 6888) [44]. 4 star Sydney hotel with 517 rooms, adjacent to Central Station. Easy access to Darling Harbour, Sydney's shopping and retail center and major attractions. Accommodation rates range between $149-$300 per night.
• Rydges Capitol Square Hotel Cnr George & Campbell Streets, 1300 857 922. [45]. Incorporated within the Capitol Theatre complex. Near Darling Harbour, the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Central Station and Chinatown. Rooms from $78-$120.

[edit] Splurge

• Four Seasons Hotel 199 George Street +61 2 9238 0000 [46]. The hotel is home to superstar couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes when they travel to Sydney.
• Intercontinental Sydney 117 Macquarie Street, +61 2 9253 9000 (fax 02 9240 1240, email mailto:sydney@interconsydney.com) [47]. Close to Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
• Jamison Sydney, 11 Jamison Street 1300 857 922 [48]. Jamison Sydney is located in the north of the CBD, close to The Rocks, Circular Quay, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Rooms from $200-$250.
• Marriott Hotel, 36 College Street, +61 2 9361 8400 [49]. Sydney Marriott is a luxurious hotel, filled with everything that can be expected from a hotel of its kind. The hotel includes renowned cuisine, various bars, 2 pools among many other features. The hotel also enjoys one of the best locations in Sydney. Approx $265-$405 per night.
• Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney (Radisson), 17 O'Connell Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, ☎ +61 2 8214 0000 (fax: +61 2 8214 1000), [50]. A very Scandinavian style refurbishment of an historic stone faced building. Good sized rooms, powerful showers and wide range of amenities. Concierges helpful. Breakfast OK but not sparkling. Hallways have stuffy air. around $300 a night, internet extra.  edit
• Sheraton on the Park 161 Elizabeth Street, + 61 2 9286 6000 (fax 02 9286 6686, email mailto:sheratononthepark@sheraton.com) [51]. The Sheraton on the Park is one of the nicest 5 star hotels in Sydney. It is located at the Hyde Park (ask for a Park view room) and the staff are really friendly. Rooms with one king sized bed: approximately $260 - $300 per night.
• The Westin, No.1 Martin Place, +61 2 8223 1111 [52]. Approx $325-$435.

[edit] Stay Safe

Sydney City is a busy location with high pedestrian activity, busy traffic, short blocks and frequent crossings. In addition Sydneysiders are chronic jaywalkers in the city, and the shortest break in the traffic will see swarms of people crossing the street. Even though it is a high pedestrian area cars legally travel at 50km/h and exceeding the speed limit is common. Cars often queue across intersections and pedestrian crossings. Buses often move fast in kerbside lanes, with wing mirrors that protrude.

At night common sense is necessary, as with any large city. Stick to popular areas and main streets. The areas that tend to have the most problems with some anti-social behaviour and some alcohol related violence are the areas around Kings Cross and around the Rocks. The cinema district on George Street near Bathurst street also has its share of problems at night. The business district of Sydney becomes very quiet at night as the office workers return to the suburbs.

On the CityRail network at night stay close to the guards compartment which is located by the blue light, in the 4th carriage of the train.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet

• The City of Sydney Library at Customs House currently offers free Internet Access and terminals. Currently no registration is necessary.

• A large number of Internet Cafes are located around the Town Hall Cinema Area' in the south of the city.

• Free WiFi is available at the State Library of New South Wales adjacent to the Domain. Get a free password at the circulation desk.

• Wifi is available for a charge at all Starbucks and McDonalds stores in the CBD, and adjacent to most public telephones. You can connect and enter your credit card details online.

• Many other cafes offer Wifi access.

[edit] Phone

• Public Phones are located extensively throughout the CBD. They accept prepaid cards and coins and international calling is available.