Sydney

Best time to travel:

December to February is the summer high season and the peak time for visitors. This is the high season for Australian holidaymakers: schools close, so you’ll find major tourist attractions particularly busy with families. Pre-book any must-see sights or activities before you travel. Accommodation prices are steeper in the high season, and beaches can get a little crowded.

June to August is a quieter time to visit. Cool wintery days mean lower tourist numbers, so you’ll find rainy day attractions like Sydney’s many museums and art galleries are less crowded. You’re also more likely to get those rare restaurant bookings you would have missed out on in the summer peak season.

November is a great time to visit Sydney. It's usually the sunniest month, averaging nearly eight hours of rays per day, with temperatures warm but rarely scorching.

Suggest itineraries:

The most iconic icon of Sydney is the Sydney Opera House. Visually referencing a yacht's sails, it's a soaring, commanding presence that comprises five performance spaces for dance, concerts, opera, and theater. You can wander around the outside to your heart's content; the most obvious way to experience the interior is to attend a performance, but taking a guided tour is highly recommended (available in several languages).

You also have to visit Bondi Beach. Bondi is one of the world’s most famous beaches, with consistently good waves and warm sea temperatures. It’s also a great place to learn to surf—Let’s Go Surfing is a well-established surf school based in North Bondi, offering lessons catering to practically everyone.

If you’re feeling like exploring on foot, the iconic 6-kilometer Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk takes in five beaches and two bays and is one of Sydney’s most scenic seaside walks. With its string of sensational beaches, stunning ocean views, and fairly easy, enjoyable trail, it’s a Sydney must-do. To shorten the journey, stroll from Bondi to Bronte and back. Fitter folk can continue south three kilometers to surf beach Maroubra, or stroll to Coogee and back again in a day. Stop off and relax at parks, rock pools, and cafés along the way.

Lastly, be sure to cycle or walk across the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Dubbed "The Coathanger," Sydney Harbour Bridge is an incredible feat of design. The world’s largest steel through arch bridge, opened in 1932 after years of planning, it’s a vital artery, linking Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District) beside Circular Quay with the North Shore.

Things to pack: 

• Umbrella

• Warm pullover or light jacket

• Sunscreen

• Adaptor

• Towel

• Hat

• Walking shoes

• Swimwear

• Active clothing

• Chic clothing