Sightseeing in Sydney - what to see. Complete travel guide

Very bright and unforgettable, Sydney is one of the most exciting places in the world. In terms of size Sydney is among the leaders – even New York is smaller. It is located in "the most beautiful harbor in the world", as this place was described by the founder of one of first settlements Arthur Phillip. Today it is one of the most flourishing cities in the world. When you arrive in Sydney, you immediately forget about long and tiresome flight. This city has absorbed the rhythm and life energy of other large cities of the world, but at the same time Sydney remains itself and features the diversity of its unique urban values. This makes this city truly unforgettable.

Almost all the attractions of Sydney are located in one area, so there’s no need to spend extra time and apply efforts to get to them. Despite the huge territory of the city, a large share of it is occupied by Royal Botanical Park. Two grand buildings are considered the main symbols of the city. These are the opera house that looks like a ship with raised sails and Harbor Bridge, which is also an observation deck with amazing views of the harbor.

During the summertime everyone in Sydney tries to move closer to numerous beaches, harbors and bays. The most famous beaches of the city are Bondi, the favorite place for surfers, and Manley, which is located among huge pine trees. The second beach is home to wood parrots, in the evening penguins sometimes appear here. Sydney is blessed with many places to visit. Among the most notable places of interest are Blue Mountains – miraculous eucalyptus forests with wonderfully pure and fragrant air, Sydney Tower - the tallest building of the Southern Hemisphere, Chinese Garden of Friendship designed strictly according to the rules of the garden design of the V century, Sydney Observatory, and the most impressive Cathedral of St. Mary made of sandstone. In Sydney you can find entertainments to fit any taste - from visiting numerous museums and galleries to entertaining tastings of Australian cuisine. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Sydney Opera House
Together with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House is the most famous tourist destination of the city and one of its main symbols. The building was constructed by the Dutch architect Jorn Utzon. In 1957 he won the international competition dedicated to projects the Opera House. The building was started on May 2, 1959. In 1973, the construction was finally completed and the building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the fact that the contract with the architect was cancelled because of disagreements, Utzon was present at the grand opening.

The cost of the building works estimated 105 million Australian dollars in the end. This was much more than the initial cost of the project - 7 million. The complex consists of several different halls - the Concert Hall (2700 seats), which is also the location of a large organ, the Opera House (1500 seats), the Drama Theatre (550 seats) and the Chamber Music Hall (420 seats). Visitors are welcome to attend special 15-minute long excursions to the buildings that are organized every day.

Harbour Bridge
The towers of famous Harbour Bridge are, probably, the place from which one can enjoy the most beautiful panoramic view of the harbor and the city. By the way, locals call this bridge the "old hanger". The weight of the bridge is 61,000 tons, and the cost of its building estimated 20 million Australian dollars. The construction was completed in 1932. One can get to the bridge if he goes to a star-like construction in the historic Rocks district. The length of the bridge is 1150 m (only a few meters shorter than the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco), and it connects the northern and southern parts of the city. The width of its arc is 503 meters.

The Rocks Quarter
The Rocks is a historic part of the city that has been transformed into a gastronomic and shopping quarter. Here visitors will find numerous restaurants, located along the waterline and providing great views of the Opera House. The western shore of Sydney Cove right above the Rocks is the location of a part of the Harbour Bridge. The history of Australia starts from this place. The first colonists of the continent built their houses on the rocks between Sydney Cove and Walsh Bay, and then they started going deeper into the continent and conquering it.

Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is one of the most famous tourist areas of Sydney. It is located in the central part of the city. This is the place where visitors will find a huge shopping center, an aquarium, a ship that contains information about the Olympic Games and a famous monorail that was built to mark a big anniversary. The monorail was praised by the police and the administration of the city, but it caused a lot of controversy from the side of ordinary citizens. The monorail looks well in the futuristic setting of Darling Harbour, but does not really fit the cozy center of Sydney. The trip, which lasts approximately 15 minutes, will cost you 2.5 Australian dollars.

Large halls of Sydney Exhibition Centre regularly host major exhibitions, conferences and special events. During the Olympic Games, the hall even hosted some competitions. The Convention Centre, located nearby, is mostly involved in various organizing issues. This is the place where one can get a detailed schedule of all the exhibitions.

The multi-store Harbourside complex attracts attention from a distance because of its glass roofs. The complex is home to chic boutiques and discount shops, good restaurants and fast food cafes. The complex is especially crowded on weekends. The other side of Darling Harbour is the place where Sydney Aquarium is located. Here visitors will be able to see all major freshwater and marine fishes, corals, and even crocodiles that live in a large cage.

Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain
Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain Park are the best place for a nice break from noise and bustle of the big city. The park is located not far from the bustling center of Sydney. Together The Domain Park surrounding it, the gardens, which were laid out in 1816, form the oldest park in Australia. You will find it in the east from Central Business District. When you stay in this oasis of peace, it feels that the city is a million miles away. This is a popular picnic spot among Sydney residents, so on weekends the park is especially crowded. This wonderful park is also a perfect place to sunbathe, to jog or just walk around and enjoy a beautiful view of the harbor and the Sydney Opera House .

The edge of the park is the place where you will find a pool with cool water - Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool. Finally, the surrounding gardens named Herb Garden, Palm Grove and the Sydney Tropical Centre are truly great places to expand your knowledge of botany. Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain are located in Macquarie Street, to the right of Central Business District. It is easy to reach them on foot from the center.