See Sydney and all it has to offer in the land down under
Set along the east coast of Australia, Sydney pulsates with energy, both on water and land. The city's harbor buzzes with activity, as ships sail under massive bridges and weekend adventurers turn the waterway into a personal playground. Book a Sydney vacation rental and spend your days and nights exploring a lively downtown, where countless restaurants, bars, and shops sit alongside skyscrapers. Parks, aquariums, and zoos help you connect with nature in the heart of this major metropolis, while sandy beaches give you the chance to work on your tan.
From the arts to aquariums, Sydney provides all kinds of fun
Dominating the city's skyline, the iconic Sydney Opera House is an arts center that stages operas, plays, music and dance, as well as offers guided tours. If you're looking for a big thrill, walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or climb its enormous arch. If you're staying in a Sydney vacation rental with kids, they'll love the Royal Botanic Garden, which features rose gardens and a dinosaur-themed children's garden. The Taronga Zoo, home to 340 animals, and Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, where more than 13,000 fish and sea creatures swim, are also nearby.
Surfing and shopping the day away in Sydney
Take just 1 step from your Sydney vacation rental and you'll discover a host of activities. Featuring white sand shores, Australia's beloved Bondi Beach offers excellent conditions for sunbathing and surfing the waves. It's also home to a waterfront public pool. Back on land, walkers and joggers can explore cliffside trails that offer sweeping panoramas of the landscape. Darling Harbour is Sydney's popular waterfront district, home to shopping centers, restaurants, bars, and casinos. The area also hosts farmers' markets, festivals, and concerts throughout the year.
Surf, sand, and sunshine… but not as much as you think!
Despite its reputation as a beach city with year-round sunshine, Sydney receives a lot of rain, averaging close to 50 inches each year. If you're visiting Sydney in February or April, the city's wettest months, make sure you bring an umbrella and galoshes. Winter (June through August) and fall (March through May) feature mild daytime temperatures in the 60s. Things warm up into the low 70s in the spring, which is September through November. By summer, December through February, the city nears the 80s and becomes very humid.
Hopping with excitement—kangaroos in nature
Water plays a big role in Sydney's landscape. Not only is the city surrounded by the world's largest natural harbor, the Sydney Harbor, but the Tasmanian Sea lies just to east. If you have time, book a boat ride in the harbor, and take in the sweeping views of the city's skyline. Blue Mountains National Park, 2.5-hours west of the city, is home to rugged mountains, towering waterfalls, narrow canyons, and craggy rocks. The mountains and foothills are also home to some of Australia's most famous residents—kangaroos, koalas, and dingoes.
Transportation to and around Sydney
Fly into Sydney Airport (SYD), the closest airport, located 5.3 mi (8.6 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you might consider flying into Shellharbour, NSW (WOL), which is 53.5 mi (86.1 km) away.
If you're traveling by train, Sydney Circular Quay Station, Exhibition Centre Station and Sydney Central Station are the main stations in the area. It's easy to get around Sydney by jumping on the metro at Martin Place Station, Wynyard Station or St. James Station.