\n[efstab title=”About”]
![\"may23-sydney-about\"](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/may23-sydney-about.jpg\")
<\/a>Sydney, Australia\u2019s oldest and largest city was founded in 1788 when Captain Phillip arrived in 1788 at Farm Cove, today just east of the Opera House, making it quite a young city. In 1901 Australia was federalized and Sydney became the capital of New South Wales, the state in which Sydney is situated. The city continued to develop throughout the 20th Century, enduring both World Wars and becoming an Allied military base during World War II.<\/p>\nDuring the 1970\u2019s Sydney underwent extensive urban redevelopment while today it has all the traits of a world class city: the population is approaching five million people, it has a CBD (Central Business District) with a skyline rivalling many of America\u2019s biggest cities and it played host to one of the greatest Olympic Games of modern times.<\/p>\n
It is based on one of the world\u2019s most spectacular harbours and a ferry ride at night time is one of the highlights of the city. Not many cities in the world have two of its most instantly recognisable landmarks right beside each other. You can\u2019t beat the experience of sipping a coffee outside Sydney Opera House while admiring the Harbour Bridge at the same time.<\/p>\n
Once the city becomes too much for you, and you feel like retreating to a more relaxed location, take your pick from some of the best beaches in Australia located in the eastern and northern suburbs.[\/efstab] Oxford Street in the city centre is where you can find some Sydney\u2019s best restaurants. Vietnamese, Lebanese, Italian, Indian plus more restaurants serving meals from the world over are dotted along this street from top to bottom. Other areas of the city which are worth checking out when eating out include Bondi, Manly and suburbs on the harbour like Balmain and Rose Bay.<\/p>\n Before leaving Australia\u2019s largest city do your very best to try out two things when eating out: be sure to eat in some of the city\u2019s Thai restaurants. Food served in these dishes rivals food served in some of Thailand\u2019s very own restaurants.<\/p>\n It is advisable to try some of Australia\u2019s native cuisine, widely known as Bush Tucker. Kangaroo, akudjura (bush tomatoes), pepperberry (fruit, seeds and leaves of the Tasmanian tree) and quandong (fruit of the Sandalwood tree). Some of the Australia\u2019s dishes might not sound the most appealing but take a chance when ordering your meal and you will be nicely surprised.[\/efstab] By air:<\/b> Sydney\u2019s Kingsford-Smith Airport, more often referred to as \u2018Mascot\u2019, lies just 8km south of the city. The Airport Link Underground Railway connects the airport to Central Station. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes, costs about $10 and trains depart every 7-10 minutes. Airport Express buses operate between the International and Domestic Terminals to the City Centre, Kings Cross and Potts Point. Buses run from 6.30am to 7.50pm. The #300 bus goes to the airport via Circular Quay the #350 bus goes via Kings Cross.<\/p>\n By train:<\/b> All interlink trains travelling from Australia\u2019s other cities arrive in Central Station in the city centre via Australia\u2019s Countrylink rail network. Nearly all train Sydney’s train lines pass through Central Station making it easy to get to other suburbs from.<\/p>\n By bus<\/b>: If you are travelling to Sydney from somewhere else Australia by bus the bus terminal is also at Central Station.<\/p>\n Getting Around<\/b><\/p>\n On foot:<\/b> Sydney city centre is very compact with all major attractions within walking distance of each other but other suburbs you may be visiting, particularly in the western suburbs of the city, can be a good bit out. Sixteen train lines, an extensive bus service and ferries operating from six wharfs make travelling around Australia\u2019s biggest city very easy.<\/p>\n By train:<\/b> Sixteen lines operate throughout Sydney, serving the majority of the city. Most trains pass through the city centre stations Central, Town Hall, Martin Place, Wynyard and Circular Quay. Other lines service northern and western suburbs. The train is the quickest way of getting around Sydney. Short journeys begin at $1.60 and get more expensive as your journey gets longer.<\/p>\n By bus:<\/b> For all areas not covered by the train, Sydney Buses serve them. Obviously, the bus can take longer than the train due to traffic but is the only mode of transport to some parts of the city. It is also cheaper than the train with fares starting at $1.30, getting more expensive the further you are travelling.<\/p>\n By ferry:<\/b> Ferries serve most of the bays dotted around Sydney Harbour along with other suburbs on the harbour. Don\u2019t leave without getting the ferry back from Manly at night time which is one of the highlights of the city.<\/p>\n By monorail:<\/b> The monorail circles Darling Harbour and also goes by Pitt Street in the city centre. It is a good way to get to Darling Harbour, but only for novelty reasons.<\/p>\n By light rail:<\/b> This city centre service is mainly for tourists as it operates from Haymarket in the city centre (down from the cinemas in Georges Street) through Chinatown and up to Pyrmont where the casino is. Just like a tram except quicker and runs 24 hours.[\/efstab]<\/p>\n [efstab title=”Things To See”] Down at Circular Quay, where all the ferries depart, is the Sydney Opera House and it\u2019s the best place in the city to view the amazing Harbour Bridge. The building of the Opera House was finished in 1973 after 14 years of construction. Today it is Australia\u2019s best known landmark along with Uluru (Ayer’s Rock).<\/p>\n While down at Circular Quay admiring the authenticity of the Opera House, you can\u2019t help but notice the monstrous bridge connecting both shores. The Harbour Bridge is the world\u2019s largest steel bridge and celebrated its seventieth year in 2002.[\/efstab]<\/p>\n [efstab title=”Entertainment”]The most common place to socialise in Sydney is in the pubs and bars. The majority of these are actually part of hotels, but they may as well be bars because they all look the same. With very liberal opening hours (most of the pubs stay open until 4am) you won\u2019t need nightclubs to go to.<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t mean that there isn\u2019t a good choice of nightclubs, of course. Over the last number of years, the club culture has become increasingly popular with Sydneysiders and there are more clubs in the city centre than ever before.<\/p>\n These clubs don\u2019t simply cater for dance music audiences. Hip-hop, r n b, disco and alternative rock nights are always taking place. Some clubs are bigger than others, particularly Home nightlclub in Darling Harbour.<\/p>\n Best news for those travelling to Sydney with their rucksack is that there are thousands of backpacker nights in the centre and surrounding suburbs. Travellers are well catered for and there are always theme nights with drink promotions making nights out very cheap and very cheerful.<\/p>\n Dendy Cinema,\u00a019 Martin Place,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n This basement bar has a 24-hour license and will close only when everybody goes home. 43 Goulburn Street,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n City centre Irish bar that\u2019s always packed – you are definitely guaranteed a laugh here! Scruffy\u2019s has a 24 licence and the Guinness lover will find their beloved black stuff served on tap.<\/li>\n Royal Sovereign Hotel,\u00a0306 Liverpool Street,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Popular meeting place with really comfy seats and sofas. Drinks here are relatively cheap with a mixed and unassuming crowd. Tends to close around midnight during the week and at 10 pm on Sundays.<\/li>\n Courthouse Hotel,\u00a0189 Oxford Street,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Overlooking Taylor Square, this place is open late most weekdays and at weekends. Don\u2019t go here until around 1am, however, when the place begins to start kicking. Popular mix of music played nightly.<\/li>\n 171 Victoria Street,\u00a0Potts Point,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Two bars in one in this trendy Kings Cross watering hole with the Soho bar downstairs and the lounge bar upstairs. The Soho Bar is very popular with backpackers, and if you are in the mood to chill out and play a game of pool you can pop upstairs. Open until 2am during the week and around 5am at weekends.<\/li>\n 96 Cumberland Street,\u00a0The Rocks,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Lively pub with a great rooftop beer garden and wonderful views. Located just opposite the entrance to the Habour Bridge so it is convenient for a drink after visiting the sites.<\/p>\n Mon\u2013Sat 11am\u201311pm\/midnight, Sun noon\u201310pm.<\/li>\n 77 William Street,\u00a0Woolloomooloo,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Popular student haunt with a great mix of music. Expect to pay between $5-10 depending on the night.<\/p>\n Open 11pm-5am Thur, Fri; 9pm-4am Sat; 9pm-2am Sun<\/li>\n 89 Georges Street,\u00a0The Rocks,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n This pub, one of the Rocks’ biggest, is very big and has live bands playing sometimes. Nice beer garden also for relaxing in during the summer months.<\/li>\n 24 Darlinghurst Road,\u00a0Kings Cross,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Extremely popular twenty-four hour American style bar and restaurant. Open every day, featuring a live band that plays from early evening to the early hours of the morning daily and serving a varied and reasonable selection of food including steaks, tex mex, seafood and salads.<\/li>\n 81 Lower Fort Street,\u00a0Millers Point,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Despite being extremely popular among visitors to the city, this pub has maintained its historical aura throughout the decades. One of the oldest pubs in the city, the iron shackles remain on the cellar walls as does the secret tunnel leading to the harbour which was once used by drunken soldiers to find their way back to sea.<\/li>\n 20 Bayswater Road,\u00a0Kings Cross,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Located right in the heart of the red light district, this bar and club packs them in every night of the week. Open until 6.00am daily, dress code is casual but neat (ditch those trainers for this one) and entrance fee is $5 from Sunday to Thursday and $10 at weekends. Also features the city\u2019s longest running club night, French Dressing, which takes place every Tuesday.<\/li>\n 34 Oxford Street,\u00a0Darlinghurst,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Located upstairs in the Exchange Hotel, this was once one of the top gay venues in the city but now caters for a relatively mixed crowd. A popular cocktail dispensing establishment, the Lizard Lounge has a happy hour every day between 6.00pm and 8.00pm and on Tuesday it is two for one drinks all night.<\/li>\n Cockle Bay Wharf,\u00a0Darling Harbour,\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0Australia<\/em><\/p>\n Sydney’s largest nightclub is always packed with clubbers dancing away into the early hours of the night. Plays hosts to some of the world’s top dj’s regularly.<\/li>\n
\n[efstab title=”Eating Out”]<\/a>Sydney is one of the best cities in the world for dining out \u2013 it’s cheap, the food is of the highest quality and you can bring your own (BYO) drink. These factors result in a great night out at a very affordable price.<\/p>\n
\n[efstab title=”Transport”]<\/a>Getting There<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a>Sydney\u2019s biggest attraction is its harbour and surrounding area. Port Jackson, where the harbour is situated, is one unrivalled by many for its beauty. This harbour divides the city into two, the north and south shores, with more of the best known attractions lying on the south end of the harbour.<\/p>\nEntertainments in Sydney<\/h2>\n
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Dendy Bar & Bistro<\/h3>\n
\nParticularly popular with students and twenty-somethings, there is regular live music and on Sunday night short films are shown on a big screen<\/li>\nScruffy Murphys<\/a><\/h3>\n
Darlo Bar<\/a><\/h3>\n
Judgement Bar<\/a><\/h3>\n
Picadilly Hotel<\/a><\/h3>\n
Glenmore Hotel<\/a><\/h3>\n
Club 77<\/a><\/h3>\n
The Orient<\/a><\/h3>\n
Bourbon & Beefsteak Bar<\/a><\/h3>\n
Hero of Waterloo<\/a><\/h3>\n
Sugareef<\/a><\/h3>\n
Lizard Lounge<\/a><\/h3>\n
Home Nightclub<\/a><\/h3>\n
Scubar<\/a><\/h3>\n