The Essential Travel Guide to Sydney
Visiting Sydney as a domestic tourist or an international traveller? You’ll need a comprehensive travel guide to navigate NSW’s largest city.
You may have heard countless comparisons between Sydney and Melbourne. We won’t be the judge of which city does it better, but Sydney will welcome you with open arms, and delight you with its vibrant culture.
In terms of affordability, Sydney does have a reputation for being pricey, but there are a host of budget-friendly options for travellers too.
(By the way, if you’re wondering why neither Sydney nor Melbourne were selected as Australia’s capital city, their rivalry played a part!)
To help you plan your Sydney holidays, the team at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, has put together a comprehensive guide for your travels. It includes:
We hope you find this Sydney travel guide useful—here’s wishing you a happy and memorable stay!
Useful Information for your Sydney Holidays
If you’re new to Sydney, here’s what you need to know.
Language: English is Australia’s official language, but if you’re not accustomed to the accent and lingo, Australian English could well be a language of its own! For instance, you’ll quickly spot a difference in the way Australians enunciate the “i” sound, where “night” might sound like “noight.” To prepare yourself, you could read a guide to Australian English and get acquainted with some Australian slang terms. Or simply talk to locals for a crash course—Sydneysiders love a good conversation!
Money Matters: The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), which is divided into 100 cents. Dollar notes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100, while coins are in 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as AUD1 and AUD2. (As of August 2020, AUD1 is equivalent to USD0.72.)
You can use major credit cards and find ATMs easily in Sydney—here’s an ATM location guide should you need cash in a hurry.
Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted in Australia. If you do have American Express traveller’s cheques, you can use their exchange locator to find out where to redeem your cheques for cash.
Guests at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, can check out several currency exchange bureaus in the area. Visit one with positive reviews, or ask our concierge for a recommendation.
Tipping: This is not common practice in Australia, but if you wish to reward good service, simply add 10% to the bill.
Weather: For sunny weather, visitors should head to Sydney from late October to early April. Temperatures during this period are between 11 and 23°C. Sydney’s weather is more predictable than Melbourne’s (where temperatures can fluctuate wildly)—the flipside is that it can also be more humid here. So go ahead and dress light in the summer, with something to keep you warm at night.
Sydney’s winter months are from June to August, where average temperatures range from 8.8 to 17°C. There’s no need to don a winter jacket in Sydney, and in fact many travellers make do with a jumper or denim jacket. However, those accustomed to tropical weather may still want to layer up.
Drinking Water: Sydney’s water is filtered according to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, and it is safe to drink from the tap.
Electrical Plugs: You will need a Type I electrical plug in Sydney, which is the plug type used throughout Australia. (Check details here.)
Getting Around Sydney
When in Sydney, should you hire a rideshare service, take a train, or hop on a bus? We’ll help you to make sense of Sydney’s transportation options.
From Sydney Airport: Please refer to the Sydney airport page for a list of transport options to the city.
The estimated taxi fare to the city centre is AUD45 to 55 (USD32.67 to 39.93). For guests at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, an Uber ride (using the Uber fare estimator) will cost you about AUD50.48 (USD36.63). You can also download other rideshare apps such as Ola to compare rates.
For those on a budget and travelling solo, the AirportLink train service is a great option as it will only take you 13 minutes to reach the city. Note that train fares are AUD19.40 (USD14.08, adult) and AUD15.40 (USD11.17, child). If you’re travelling as a family or in a group, a cab or rideshare might be cheaper.
Modes of Transport in Sydney: If you plan to get around using Sydney’s public transport system (buses, trains, ferries, and light rail), you should purchase an Opal card at the airport, or from Opal retailers in the city. When the value in your card runs low, you can top up the card online, via the Opal Travel app, or at a retail counter or top-up machine.
You’ll probably use the trains most frequently, as this is the easiest way to move around the city centre and visit Sydney’s top attractions. The Transport for NSW trip planner will help you to find the most efficient way to get to Sydney places of interest.
Essential Services in Sydney
Below is a list of services that you may require during your Sydney stay. For guests at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, your every need will be well taken care of, so you can enjoy your Sydney holidays to the fullest.
Medical and Emergency Services: If you require emergency medical services while in Sydney, the number to call is 000 for the NSW Ambulance. You can also refer to Sydney’s Health Direct guide to locate the appropriate medical services for your needs. For guests at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, you can use Google Maps to locate nearby clinics and pharmacies.
Although Sydney is a generally safe city, we do advise you to insure your belongings. In the event that you are the victim of a theft, you will have a better chance of recovering your losses through insurance than by filing a police report. For guests at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, you can leave your passport and valuables in a safe deposit box before you head out for sightseeing. Should you require police assistance, here are some police stations within the city centre.
24-Hour Convenience Stores: For late-night supplies, Coles (store locator) and Woolworths (store locator) have city outlets that are open all night.
Self-Service Laundromats: For guests who like to travel light, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, has a guest laundry service where you can leave the items you’d like laundered for housekeeping staff to collect, and they will be returned to you on the same day. Or, if you prefer, you can view laundromats in the area.
Must-Have Apps for Travellers in Sydney
Download these essential smartphone apps while in Sydney.
Rideshare apps—Uber, Ola, and Didi: Uber is the most popular ridesharing app in Australia, while Ola and Didi are also commonly used. All three services have introduced Covid-19 safety measures, including suspending the accounts of riders or drivers who are suspected to have Covid-19.
Does a rideshare app always give a better deal in Australia, compared to taxis? From the accounts of travellers, rideshares are generally cheaper, or at least, knowing the fare upfront ensures you won’t be surprised by a hefty bill. And thanks to the ratings system, you are more likely to receive pleasant service by drivers who use a rideshare app.
Download Uber (App Store, Google Play)
Download Ola (App Store, Google Play)
Download Didi (App Store, Google Play)
Opal Travel: This is the official app for managing your public transport (trains and buses) travel across the Opal Network in Sydney and greater New South Wales. With Opal Travel, you can enable auto top ups, view your travel history, and access public transport information—all on your mobile phone. However, the app isn’t highly rated by users, and if you don’t mind shelling out a few dollars, you can download Tripview instead for a much better user experience. You can also look at the full spread of NSW public transport apps here.
Download Opal Travel (App Store, Google Play)
Download Tripview (App Store, Google Play)
EatClub: Hoping to dine at Sydney’s best restaurants, but keeping an eye on your travel spending? Download EatClub, an app that allows restaurateurs to quickly fill empty tables by posting discount offers. Restaurants using the app range from fine-dining establishments to casual chains, so there’s something for everyone!
Download EatClub (App Store, Google Play)
Beachsafe: If you’re in Sydney in the summer, hitting the beach should be a priority! Brought to you by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), the Beachsafe app locates beaches near you, with useful information such as the weather, surf conditions and hazards, plus the local facilities for all Australian beaches. More importantly, the lifesaving service for each beach is listed—SLSA recommends only swimming at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.
Download Beachsafe (App Store, Google Play)
COVIDSafe: While in Sydney, do support the Australian Department of Health’s efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19, by downloading the COVIDSafe contact tracing app. The app must run in the background on your phone, but you can use other apps at the same time.
Here’s how it works: COVIDSafe uses Bluetooth to look for other devices that have the app installed. It takes note of a contact when it occurs, through a digital handshake. It securely logs the other user’s encrypted reference code and the date, time, Bluetooth signal strength, and proximity of the contact on the user’s phone, and notes the phone model. This information is then encrypted and stored on your phone (but you will not be able to access the information).
COVIDSafe does not record your location, and it stores contacts on your phone for 21 days, which allows for the 14-day incubation period of the coronavirus, plus the time taken to confirm a positive test result. It automatically deletes contacts older than 21 days.
If you test positive for Covid-19, a state or territory health official will ask you to consent to upload your digital handshake information to the National COVIDSafe Data Store. If a child tests positive, the health official will ask the child’s parent, guardian, or carer for consent. The uploaded information enables state and territory health officials to call close contacts, to advise them on what to do.
When Australia’s Minister for Health declares the Covid-19 pandemic over, users will be prompted to delete the app from their phone. This will delete all app information on a person’s phone. The information contained in the National COVIDSafe Data Store will also be destroyed at the end of the pandemic.
Download COVIDSafe (App Store, Google Play)
10 Best Places for Sydney Photos
With so much to do in Sydney and so little time, where should you begin? Our team at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, recommends the best places of interest in Darling Harbour and throughout the city, which also double up as great Sydney photography locations.
1. Pyrmont Bridge
| Address | Pyrmont Bridge, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
Wondering where to take Sydney skyline photos? If you’re a guest at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, your first stop should be Pyrmont Bridge, which is a quick 10-minute walk away!
Pyrmont Bridge is now a pedestrian walkway, and it’s great for a leisurely stroll, while you attempt to capture a classic skyline shot for your collection. You won’t find many surviving electrically operated swing bridges around the world, so remember to take a photo of the bridge for posterity too.
If you have time, download the City of Sydney’s self-guided “Renewal Tour,” a two-hour history-themed walk that begins at Pyrmont Bridge, which will take you to historically significant industrial and maritime sites in the city.
Get directions to Pyrmont Bridge
2. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
| Address | Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9231 8111 |
Nature is always a pleasure to behold, which is why you are guaranteed Instagram-worthy shots at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Visit the park locations that wedding photographers rave about, such as Palm Grove, Macquarie Wall, and Tarpeian Lawn (for a photo with a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge). Use the official map to find your way around, and be sure to check the website before you visit, as opening hours vary.
Get directions to Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
3. Sydney Harbour Bridge
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
| Address | 1d Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Austr |
Milson’s Point
| Address | Milsons Point NSW 2061 |
Hickson Road Reserve
| Address | The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia |
Sydney Harbour Bridge
| Address | Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney NSW, Australia |
You can’t leave Sydney without a photo of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, and, preferably, one with you in it! Constructed from 53,000 tonnes of steel—about the weight of 350 houses—the bridge was officially opened in 1932, bringing cheer to a city then bogged down by the Great Depression.
To do justice to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, head to popular viewing points such as Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (particularly scenic at sunset) and Milson’s Point or Hickson Road Reserve (for angled shots). You can also walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for glorious views of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House.
Get directions to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (in Royal Botanic Garden Sydney)
Get directions to Milson’s Point
Get directions to Hickson Road Reserve
Get directions to Sydney Harbour Bridge
4. Sydney Opera House
| Address | Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9250 7111 |
It’s the obligatory social media shot, but the “grand dame” of Sydney deserves your attention. The beauty of the Sydney Opera House lies in its distinctive sail roof, which gives the structure energy and a sense of movement. This was the architect John Utzon’s vision when he designed the opera house:
“In the hot sun of the day it will be a beautiful, white shimmering thing—as alive to the eyes as architecture can make anything, set in the blue-green waters of the harbour. And at night the floodlit shells will be equally vibrant—but in a soft, more majestic way."
For a choice shot of the Sydney Opera House, head to the Overseas Passenger Terminal located next to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Get directions to Sydney Opera House
5. Hornby Lighthouse, Sydney Harbour National Park
| Address | South Head Heritage Trail, Watsons Bay NSW 2030, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9337 5511 |
Imagine a striking red-and-white striped lighthouse flanked by iconic views: Sydney Harbour to the west, Middle Head and North Head to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. It’s not hard to see why local portrait photographers adore the Hornby Lighthouse! Built in 1858 by colonial architect Alexander Dawson, it has the honour of being one of NSW’s oldest surviving lighthouses.
You can get to the Hornby Lighthouse via the South Head heritage trail. It’s an easy hike that leaves from Camp Cove at Watsons Bay, taking you past historic gun emplacements along the way.
6. St. Mary’s Cathedral
| Address | St Marys Road, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9220 0400 |
A 15-minute walk from PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney is St. Mary’s Cathedral, which is known as Australia’s “mother church,” because it marks the spot where the first Catholic chapel in Australia stood. Regardless of your religious affiliations, you should pay a visit here if you like architecture photography—the cathedral was designed in the Gothic Revival style, which brings to mind Europe’s great medieval cathedrals.
Get directions to St. Mary’s Cathedral
7. The Wormhole, Manly Beach
If you’re up for some excitement, culminating in a priceless photo opportunity, make your way to Manly Beach and locate its “wormhole.” This is a 50-metre tunnel at the north end of Manly Beach, which leads to a hidden gem beach strip known as Freshwater. (Detailed directions here.) Do note that the walk involves rocky and slippery terrain, so it may not be suitable for children or the elderly.
8. Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
| Address | Lavender Street, Lavender Bay NSW 2060, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9936 8100 |
Need a place to do a spot of thinking, while snapping a few souvenir shots on the side? You’ll find your space and creative inspiration at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. This is a storybook setting with a gripping tale of its own, because owner Wendy built the garden to heal from the tragic losses of both her husband and daughter. Perhaps, there is no better place than a garden to demonstrate how life and death are intimately intertwined—and it is a reminder to appreciate the beauty of the present, while it lasts.
While you’re here, make sure you get a photo that includes the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background!
Get directions to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
9. Street Art in Newtown
Street art lovers will be in seventh heaven in the artsy Newtown, known for its indie aesthetic and buzzy nightlife. You can easily do a self-guided tour to see the area’s most prominent murals (directions here)—this way, you’ll get to take as much time as you wish to frame your Instagramable pictures.
10. Blue Mountains
Need to populate your Facebook feed with out-of-this-world photos? Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains! And don’t be satisfied with a perfunctory shot of the “Three Sisters” sandstone formation, which practically every Blue Mountains visitor returns with. With some research, and if you’re willing to do an overnight stay, you’ll encounter sights that will take your breath away.
Recommended viewing spots include the Katoomba Falls, and for overnight visitors, Sublime Point at Leura and Govett’s Leap Lookout at Blackheath, which are best photographed at the crack of dawn.
Most visitors drive to the Blue Mountains. But for a stress-free, fuss-free ride with a view, you could take a train from the Central Railway Station.
Get directions to Blue Mountains
Top Local Experiences in Sydney
Sign up for these Sydney day tours to get an authentic taste of the city’s rich culture and heritage.
1. Taste Cultural Food Tours
With Taste Cultural Food Tours, you’ll get to know Sydney’s diverse population, including immigrants who have brought their food traditions to the city. Sign up for their Covid-safe tours, where you can explore different neighbourhoods to discover the flavours of Afghanistan, Greece, and Vietnam, just to name a few!
Here’s another compelling reason to choose Taste Tours: the organisation supports local and immigrant communities with training programmes and employment opportunities.
Book a tour with Taste Cultural Food Tours
2. Forage for Wild Food and Medicine
Discover the edible and medicinal plants of Sydney when you take a walk with expert forager Diego Bonetto. Bonetto grew up on a dairy farm in northern Italy, during a time when it was common practice to collect the wild produce of the land for personal use. Let him share his knowledge and stories with you, so that you too can realise the true value of what’s out there “in the wild.”
Book a tour with Diego Bonetto
3. Culture Scouts
To meet creative souls and explore art, cafes, shops, and bars, book a private walking tour with Culture Scouts. Let their local experts show you around Sydney, to reveal exactly what it means to be a “Sydneysider.”
Book a tour with Culture Scouts
Where To Eat in Sydney
Due to Covid-19, the dining situation is evolving—some venues may only offer take-out services, while others may continue to operate, but at a limited capacity and without a la carte options. Do contact restaurants ahead of time, and follow any guidelines that they may have. Your patience and support will be appreciated, as these are challenging times.
1. Where to Eat in Sydney
Restaurant Hubert
| Address | 15 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9232 0881 |
Ester Restaurant
| Address | 46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 8068 8279 |
Use Time Out’s updated lists of Sydney’s best restaurants and cheap eats to plan your restaurant visits. Highly rated Sydney restaurants Hubert and Ester are still open for business, so you might like to try those first!
Get directions to Restaurant Hubert
Get directions to Ester Restaurant
2. Vegan Restaurants in Sydney
Yellow
| Address | 57 MacLeay Street, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9332 2344 |
Lonely Mouth
| Address | 275 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9519 2465 |
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or would just like to have a meat-free day, there will be no shortage of options in Sydney! Try Yellow if you’re in the mood for fine dining, or Lonely Mouth (ramen) if you prefer to keep it casual.
Get directions to Lonely Mouth
3. Halal Restaurants in Sydney
Nawaz Flavour of India
| Address | 142a Glebe Point Road, Sydney NSW 2037, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9692 0662 |
Shaahi Tandoori
| Address | 200 Enmore Road, Enmore NSW 2042, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9557 9770 |
Shalom Indonesian Restaurant
| Address | Shop 3/4 /299 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9264 1144 |
Neptune Palace Restaurant
| Address | Gateway Building Level 1, Corner of Pitt and Alfred Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9241 3338 |
There is a sizable Muslim population in Sydney, so there will be enough Halal eateries for you to explore! Some of the better-rated Halal restaurants on Google include Nawaz Flavour of India, Shaahi Tandoori (Pakistani), Shalom Indonesian Restaurant, and Neptune Palace Restaurant (Chinese-Malay).
Get directions to Nawaz Flavour of India
Get directions to Shaahi Tandoori
Get directions to Shalom Indonesian Restaurant (3 minutes’ walk from PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney)
Get directions to Neptune Palace Restaurant
Where To Shop in Sydney
Show your love for Sydney businesses by bringing a souvenir home! Below are some of the best places in Sydney to go on a shopping spree. If you’re visiting smaller specialty stores, do call ahead in light of the Covid-19 situation.
1. Shop at Darling Harbour
For guests at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, a shopping paradise is practically at your doorstep! A 10-minute brisk walk will get you to Harbourside, which has over 100 stores, waterfront dining, and family entertainment. You can also check the Darling Harbour shop directory to see what’s available in the area.
2. Buy Tasteful Souvenirs
Museum of Contemporary Art Store
| Address | Level 1/140 George Street, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9245 2458 |
Spirit Gallery
| Address | Shop 8 The Rocks Centre, corner of Argyle and Playfair Street, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9247 5961 |
Visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia? Its in-house gift shop will turn up some classy finds. This is within the area known as The Rocks, where there are many more specialty stores to explore. Look out for Spirit Gallery, where you can purchase Aboriginal art or a didgeridoo, which is an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument.
Get directions to the Museum of Contemporary Art Store
Get directions to Spirit Gallery
3. Indulge in Guilt-free Ethical Shopping
The Cruelty Free Shop Sydney
| Address | 83 Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9660 9426 |
The Social Outfit
| Address | 188 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia |
| Phone Number |
+61 2 9550 3691 |
The Cruelty Free Shop Sydney has everything to help you ease into a planet-friendly life—vegan food, health and beauty products, homeware, and fashion.
Just a short drive away is The Social Outfit in Newtown. It’s worth a visit, as it’s a social enterprise that employs and trains refugees and new migrants to make and sell ethical fashion.
Get directions to The Cruelty Free Shop Sydney
Get directions to The Social Outfit
Welcome to Sydney! Need more travel help? Browse the room offers at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, or contact our friendly associates for assistance.
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Sydney NSW 2000,
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