Solo Travel Guide: Sydney, Australia

QUICK FACTS

Sydney is Australia’s most populous city, with a population of ~4.6 million
The city was founded on 26 January, 1788 (now celebrated as Australia Day)
Sydney’s Harbour is the largest in the world (562 million cubic meters of water)
Nicknames: Harbour City, Syd, Steak & Kidney, The Emerald City

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Spoken languages: Australian English (an acquired accent, featuring plenty of slang).
Best time to visit: from November to January (Sydney gets quite cold in the winter)
Arriving via airport: train is $15 AUD, bus is $12 AUD, taxi is about $40 AUD

WHERE TO STAY

For budget accommodations, look for hostels in the southern part of the CBD (Central Business District) and in Haymarket. Rooms in hostels start at about $25/night. Top-notch hotels can be found in The Rocks, Darling Harbour and at the heart of the CBD.

GETTING AROUND

Sydney has an extensive rail network, consisting of both skytrains and subway lines. Fares start at $3.20.
The city’s bus network features several free shuttle loop buses that will take you the most popular attractions. Bus fares start at $2.20.
Arguably the best way to see Sydney is by boat. There are numerous ferries between key points in the city, with fares starting at $5.80.

SYDNEY NIGHTLIFE

Drinking age is 18, no official last call (nightclubs start closing around 3 AM)
Hip scene: Darling Harbour is the place to be (some nightclubs stay open until 6 AM).
Out of town crowd: Bondi Beach is Australia’s most visited beach, and its bars/clubs will appeal to all.

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. A must-see.
Opened in 1932, the Harbour Bridge is the world’s tallest steel arch bridge (134 meters).
Darling Harbour is Sydney’s most popular tourist area, featuring restaurants, museums, parks and boardwalk activities.
The Royal Botanic Gardens cover 30 hectares and overlook the Sydney harbour. Home to over 7000 species of plants, the gardens make for a great picnic location.

INTERESTING WALKS

Go for a mid-day stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Darling Harbour is best seen mid-day, before the hoards of tourists arrive. Walk to the National Maritime Museum and check out the warships on display.
Balmain’s main street is packed with hundreds of cafes, shops, and restaurants. Take the ferry to east Balmain and walk west towards Rozelle along the famous Darling Street.

LOCAL WISDOM

Sydney’s traffic can be frustrating for pedestrians (traffic lights every 200 meters).
Where to find good cheap eats: hard to find in Sydney (one of the most expensive cities in the world). While cheap food is available (fast food), your best bet for a good meal at a reasonable price is to visit one of Sydney’s many gastropubs.
Dangerous areas: Sydney is generally very safe. One recommendation is to avoid crowds of drunk youngsters (while harmless, they can be very annoying).

RECOMMENDED SYDNEY GUIDE BOOKS

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days

Sydney Travel Guide