Sydney

Orientation

Sydney is the oldest and the largest city in Australia that has a population of 3.6 million people from many ethnic backgrounds. The city's internationally famed landmarks are the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the stunning Sydney Harbour. It was also the host city of the Olympic Games in 2000.

City Facts

• Sydney Population: 3,665,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Australia Population: 18,838,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Currency: Australian Dollar (A$, AUD)
• Time Zone: GMT +10 hours (Daylight Saving is observed from last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March each year)
• Language: English
  

Weather

Weather Forecast

Climate

Since Sydney lays in Australia's temperate zone, it has four distinctive seasons. Summer runs between December and February, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 30°C (90°F). Temperatures in winter is usually between 12°C (53°F) to 24°C (75°F). Rainfall is the lowest in Sydney in spring (at 74 millimetres or 3 inches each month), while the city gets about 126 millimetres (5 inches) of rain each month during autumn.

Travel Tips

Arts and Events

As Australia's number one city, Sydney hosts a great number of annual events. The city rings in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display at the harbour, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as backdrop. Australia Day, 26 January each year, is national day for Australia which has now become an all-day all-night party. February sees the annual Gay, Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, which features the glamourous and colourful parade down Oxford Street. The Sydney Film Festival is held in June, while the Manly Jazz Festival is launched in early October. Boxing Day always marks the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, one of most celebrated and toughest competition in the yachting circle.

Dining

While “barbies and pavs” (barbeques and pavlova desserts) and traditional English-style roasts have been the local favourites, contemporary Australian cuisine now reflects the ethnic diversity in the country, especially the European, the Mediterranean and South-East Asian influences. Visitors can always expect high standards of food and service.

Tipping Advice

Tipping is becoming a more and more widespread practice in Australia. A 10% tip is now considered normal, while some restaurants now even include a service charge in their bills. Taxi drivers may not expect a tip, but rounding up taxi fares to the nearest dollar is normal practice. Porters and staff at larger hotels can be offered a tip for good service.

Transportation

Sydney's transport links are quite good, as the city has convenient air, road and rail infrastructures.

Arriving by Air

The Kingsford Smith Airport is the major airport that links Sydney with the rest of the world and other major regional cities.

Arriving by Car

Visitors driving from Brisbane should take the Pacific Highway (Highway 1); while visitors from Melbourne can travel via Canberra, the national capital, on Hume Highway, or the Princess Highway near the New South Wales south coast.

Getting Around Sydney

Most of Sydney's tourist attractions are located near the downtown area, so visitors can easily explore the city on foot.

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