Why I love Sydney

“My visits to Sydney were becoming increasingly frequent before I moved there. Sure, it was the glitzy side that first attracted me – the sense that there was always something thrilling going on somewhere, and if you turned the right corner, you could be part of it. That sense remains, but I've discovered much more to love: the lively food scene, endless days at the beach and the way Sydney's Indigenous and convict...” Read More

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Peter Dragicevich
Writer

Top experiences in Sydney

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Recent articles

Australia's best summer festivals

There’s always a festival somewhere in a country as big and diverse as Australia, but it’s in summer, roughly from November to March, that things really kick off. Whatever you’re into, wherever you find yourself, you’ll find like-minded souls getting together to cheer on the good things in life.

From hedonistic three-day music festivals to sedate celebrations of wine and food and showcases of creative exuberance, there’s a time and place for every passion under the southern s
Hugh McNaughtan
Lonely Planet Writer

Experience Aboriginal Australia without leaving the city

Modern Australia is unflinchingly contemporary, but the land itself is ancient in geologic terms, with an Aboriginal history arcing back more than 50,000 years. You may think the best place to experience Aboriginal Australia is in the central deserts, Kakadu National Park or Arnhem Land, but Aboriginal Culture is the oldest living culture in the world, and as the times changed Aboriginal people have adapted whilst staying true to their unwavering connection to this land.

Performers at the Koorie Pride Festival, Melbourne. Image courtesy of Melbourne Museum
Charles Rawlings-Way
Lonely Planet Writer

Feast your way around Sydney's global cuisines

In multicultural Sydney, you can dip your tastebuds in other shores without ever leaving the city. The best dishes here were raised in migrant neighbourhoods where locals won’t put up with flavours less than authentic. Ready your tastebuds for steaming Malaysian pancakes, Korean barbecues, and a smorgasbord of flavours from Vietnamese to Portuguese. 

Get the world on your plate with a backdrop of Sydney's most iconic views. Image by Andrew Watson / AWL Images / Getty Images
Phillip Tang
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

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Sydney adventures

$34.54 Sightseeing tours

Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Explore Sydney and Bondi Beach on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour, which takes you by double-decker bus to 34 stops around the city including Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach and more. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded commentary on board. Simply hop off to walk around and sightsee in depth. Your ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours, so you can experience Sydney and Bondi's most noteworthy attractions, sights, and shopping and dining areas at your own pace.
$138.17 Sightseeing tours

Australia Multi-City Attractions Pass

Explore the best of what Australia has to offer with an Australia Multi-City Attractions Pass. See more and save up to 50% on admission to Australia's favorite attractions, tours, cruises and things to do, all on one easy-to-use card! You will receive either five, seven or ten tickets (your choice), loaded on a smartcard for entry to top attractions in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and destinations throughout Tasmania. Use your tickets all in one city, or spread them over as many cities as you can. You have an entire three months to use your tickets from the date of card activation.
$4499 Nature & wildlife

Explore Australia

Imagine getting to Australia’s greatest highlights in 12 legendary, stress-free days. From its world-class cities and sacred Red Centre, to the Great Barrier Reef and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this itinerary leaves no stone unturned. With meaningful cultural immersion, included internal flights, and a guided foodie walk through Melbourne, this is a trip down under you might wish to take again and again.
$191.13 Sightseeing tours

Thredbo or Perisher Weekend Snow Trip

Rip up the powder as you tear down the ski runs at Perisher, or work on your board tricks at Thredbo during an action-packed snow weekend from Sydney. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced skier or boarder, get set for a wild weekend of Snowy Mountain fun.Your weekend includes partying at the Snowy Valley Resort on Saturday night and two full days at the snow, as the bus departs the snow to return to Canberra or Sydney late Sunday afternoon.
$229.51 Sightseeing tours

3-Day Thredbo or Perisher Midweek Madness Snow Adventure from Sydney

Travel down to Jindybine from Sydney or Canberra with a coach load of new buddies and enjoy three full days of action packed snow fun at Thredbo and Perisher. Enjoy some Midweek Madness at the snow, thrashing out your snowboard on the half-pipe, or tearing down the ski slopes.You'll be taken to either Thredbo or Perisher, enjoy three full days at the snow including accommodation at the Snowy Valley Resort and breakfast daily.
$538.09 Small group tours

Blue Mountains Deluxe Overnight Eco Experience - Small Group (2-day)

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the beautiful and scenic Blue Mountains. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park and hand-feed kangaroos and emus, see stunning mountain views and travel through historic towns. Stay overnight at Lilianfels and enjoy a morning of exploring the countryside at your own pace.
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