Sydney

Sitting on Port Jackson, offering some of the best harbor views, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city that is fast catching up with Manhattan. Across the world, it has a high recall value due to the iconic structures of Sydney Opera House as well as the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The hub for the economic activity of Australia, Sydney is an interesting tourist destination where the modern meets the neo-classical.

One of the reasons why Sydney is a travelers favorite destination is because it offers 300 days of sun. Summers in Sydney from December to February is the best time for outdoors and sunbathing on the beach while the winter is much cooler with an average temperature of 17 degree Celsius thanks to the rains.

Travel to and around Sydney

Once you are in Sydney, you can use one of the many transport options available. The options are:

Train: The best train service to Sydney is Countrylink or the Indian Pacific. Within Sydney, you can use the Metro Light Rail or the Sydney Monorail.

Car: If you are planning to drive down to Sydney then it will take you 9 hours from Melbourne and 11 hours from Brisbane. If you are driving around Sydney then avoid the peak hours and parking can cost you around $70 a day or even $25 an hour depending on where you park. Of course, the Taxi is a better option but, be aware that there are two meter rate systems- the day rate and the waiting rate.

Bus: Sydney is well connected by bus from all across Australia and different state capitals. Sydney has a free bus service (number 555), which runs on weekdays as well as weekends.

Flights: The best way to reach Sydney from anywhere in the world is by flying into the Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport. The airport is also connected to other cities in Australia. One of the important things to know while flying in is that the Sydney Airport is not open round-the-clock and is going to be closed between 11pm and 6am. From the airport, you can take the Sydney suburban train to reach the city center. Some of the other options include the Airport Link train service, local bus services, and Taxis.

Ship: You can travel into Sydney from anywhere in South East Asia or Asia Pacific by ship, which are normally docked at the International Passenger Terminal at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

Attractions in Sydney

The one attraction that really stands out is the Sydney Opera House but there are other attractions as well. If you are looking for adventure then visit the Sydney Harbor Bridge and climb the arch or take ferry services to Cockatoo Island, Fort Denison, Garden Island, and Shark Island. For beach lovers there is plenty of sun and sand at the famous Bondi beach but you can also check out other beaches at Coogee, Manly, Wattamolla or Cronulla, and the Northern beaches. One of the family favorites is whale watching for which you can get a boat from the Darling Harbor or the Circular Quay.

The best way to enjoy Sydney is by finding a good accommodation with family friendly staff. The motels are the place to be as they offer consistent & predictable quality.