Best Places to Visit Around Sydney
Major Historical and Contemporary Attractions in Sydney, Australia
Mar 8, 2008
The city of Sydney offers plenty of sites to visit. Some are infamous, like the Sydney Opera House, but there are many other exciting places awaiting your discovery.
Darling Harbour
Close to Sydney's CBD (Central Business District), this beautiful harbour features outdoor restaurants, the Chineses Garden of Friendship, Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Wildlife World. Accessible by bus, train or the monorail.
The Rocks
It's Sydney's oldest part of the city featuring early colonial architecture, historic pubs, archaeological dig sites, fine restaurants, bars, hotels, galleries and shops. It's also just steps away from the Circular Quay train station and the Harbour Bridge.
Chinatown
This exciting bustling part of Sydney is located near the central business district and Darling Harbour. Tantalizing smells tease you as you walk around Dixon Street, a pedestrian mall filled with Chinese restaurants enclosed between two Paifangs (traditional Chinese archways). It's close to George Street, known for its affordable fashions, fast-food restaurants, movie theatres and entertainment centers.
King's Cross
When the sun goes down, Sydneysiders head out to 'The Cross' to party. It's the city's red-light district 'hot spot' for trendy restaurants, bars, strip clubs and late-night dancing clubs.
Sydney Opera House
Renowned for its exquisite architecture, it was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the best places to find world-class theatre, ballet and musical productions in the city.
St. James Church
Designed by the former convict and architect Francis Greenway and consecrated in 1824. It is the oldest church in the center of Sydney and an active site of the city's religious and social events. Open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sunday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free.
St. Mary's Cathedral
Designed in 1821, it was the home of Sydney's first bishop, John Bede Palding. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1865 and it took from 1998-2000 to complete its famous spires. Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Free.
Sydney Tower
More than 1000 feet tall, this major attraction features two levels of restaurants, an observation deck and holds 960 people at a time. The surprisingly fast cable lift takes only 40 seconds to travel from bottom to top. There's also a popular Skywalk across the glass-floored viewing platform with 360 degree views of Sydney for free. Open daily Sunday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Skywalk runs every 45 minutes daily 9:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. Closed on Christmas.
Victoria Barracks
This operational military barracks is open to the public. Built in 1841 from sandstone quarried by convicts, it's the oldest army barracks in Australia. Take a tour of the military prison which folk-lore has it, a resident ghost lives inside. Plus vie military costumes and weaponry. Open daily 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Christmas. Admission is free.
