The First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 to establish a penal colony, and Sydney became the site of the first British colony in Australia. Much of the early infrastructure was built using convict labour and some of it is still visible in the older areas. Many people don’t realise that Sydney is older than many of the world’s great cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles Washington, Los Angeles, Toronto, Johannesburg and Singapore.
It is a beautiful city with its harbourside location and caters for people of all ages. There are hundreds of different things to see and do, with a variety of festivals, shows and exhibitions being hosted throughout the year. Major international sporting events including the 2000 Summer Olympics and the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup have been held here.
Facts About Sydney
Sydney has a population of around 4.28 million people, which means that over 20 per cent of all Australians live here. It is situated on the south-east coast of Australia and has a temperate climate with more than 340 sunny days a year. Rainfall is spread throughout the year and it has warm summers and cool winters.
The Sydney Opera House and the iconic Harbour Bridge make Sydney Harbour one of the most recognisable places in the world. The city is built around Port Jackson, and Sydney is one of the world's most multicultural and multilingual cities. Over a quarter of Sydney residents speak a language other than English at home and it houses people from over 180 nations, speaking 140 languages.
Sydney Accommodation and Dining
Accommodation in Sydney ranges from budget range to 5 star luxury, and visitors can choose to stay in backpacker lodgings or in decadent opulence, with everything in-between. There are also a wide range of cafes, bistros and restaurants for every taste and budget, and an endless range of shops that encompass everything from top-end designer label boutiques to the colourful bargain-filled Paddys Markets.
Things to Do in Sydney
If you’ve never been to Sydney before make sure you visit the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Depending on your budget you can take a free Opera House tour or pay to see a performance of your choice. You can visit the Pylon Lookout of the bridge to take great photos over Sydney Harbour, or book a BridgeClimb which will take you to the top of the arches.
Other recommended Sydney experiences are taking a ferry or harbour cruise to see the city from the water, and visiting the famous Bondi Beach. Stroll around Sydneys Rocks area, walk on the ocean floor at Sydney Aquarium, picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens and play with the interactive exhibits at the Powerhouse Museum. No matter when you visit Sydney you will find it a vibrant city that has a lot to offer.
Australia's other capital cities are Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin. Canberra is also the National capital.
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