Sydney holds a reputation worldwide as one of the world's most beautiful and liveable cities, brimming with historical associations and globally influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. The city is also home to many unique architectural styles, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on the planet.Sydney is a dynamic centre for Australian economic activity and one of the most important cities for finance in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sydney sprawls extensively around its Harbour in Port Jackson, extending up the Parramatta and Georges Rivers to the west, along the adjacent coastlines (both north and south) and across the surrounding Cumberland Plain to the Blue Mountains. The city and its suburbs (many of which are cities in their own right) form a vast metropolitan area.
In Sydney Australia (District)
Central Sydney
Sydney City : The Central Business District (CBD) of Sydney, the historical centre of government, retail, finance, culture and entertainment.
Darling Harbour : An extensive, enjoyable leisure and entertainment area immediately to the west of the CBD, this area is also home to many luxury hotels.
Kings Cross : Chic bars, blinding neon signs and hip night clubs, Kings Cross is also well known as Sydney's red light district.
The Rocks : Bordering Sydney Cove to the west, The Rocks includes the first colonial village of Sydney and the iconic Harbour Bridge.
Darlinghurst : Once the site of countless brothels and speakeasies, now filled with chic and stylish eateries and the heart of the gay community.
Surry Hills : On the edge of the CBD this area once famous for working mans terrace houses and garment manufacturing has transformed itself into the heart of Sydney's restaurant and bar scene.
Paddington : Ranging from the camp (Darlinghurst end) to the posh (Woollahra end), Paddington is a must for upmarket fashion addicts and drinkers.
Chinatown : Amazing Chinese culture and cuisine.
The Inner West : Sydney's original suburbs are now bohemian, but still affordable. Newtown and Glebe in particular are hubs of cheap eats, shopping and inner-city culture.
North of the Harbour
North Sydney : Located across the Harbour from the city centre, linked to the CBD by the famous Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel, a major business and shopping district.
The North Shore : Leafy suburbs stretching northwards from the Harbour, its inhabitants tending to be wealthy "well-to-do" middle-class families. The North Shore area includes a large number of the most expensive and prestigious private schools.
The Northern Beaches : From Manly to Palm Beach.
The Hills District is a largely residential area around 30 minutes to the North and West.
Heading West
Homebush Bay : Home of the Sydney Olympic Park, providing venues for sports and outdoor activities.
Parramatta : The historical core of Western Sydney, now a thriving commercial, tourist and retail center, around thirty minutes from Sydney by car, train or ferry.
The Outer West stretching from Parramatta out to the Blue Mountains and the South West with the centers of Liverpool and Campbelltown are a large swathe of residential and commercial Sydney containing over half its population.
Heading South
Southern Sydney : The area south of the CBD and north of the Georges River, including the area surrounding Sydney Airport and Botany Bay.
Sutherland Shire: Is the district to the far south and east of the city center including Cronulla.
Satellite towns
Some of the areas on the far western edge of Sydney developed long before the expansion of the suburbs to their doorstep, and are still considered to some extent separate towns:
Richmond.
Windsor.
Darlinghurst : Once the site of countless brothels and speakeasies, now filled with chic and stylish eateries and the heart of the gay community.
Surry Hills : On the edge of the CBD this area once famous for working mans terrace houses and garment manufacturing has transformed itself into the heart of Sydney's restaurant and bar scene.
Paddington : Ranging from the camp (Darlinghurst end) to the posh (Woollahra end), Paddington is a must for upmarket fashion addicts and drinkers.
Chinatown : Amazing Chinese culture and cuisine.
The Inner West : Sydney's original suburbs are now bohemian, but still affordable. Newtown and Glebe in particular are hubs of cheap eats, shopping and inner-city culture.
North of the Harbour
North Sydney : Located across the Harbour from the city centre, linked to the CBD by the famous Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel, a major business and shopping district.
The North Shore : Leafy suburbs stretching northwards from the Harbour, its inhabitants tending to be wealthy "well-to-do" middle-class families. The North Shore area includes a large number of the most expensive and prestigious private schools.
The Northern Beaches : From Manly to Palm Beach.
The Hills District is a largely residential area around 30 minutes to the North and West.
Heading West
Homebush Bay : Home of the Sydney Olympic Park, providing venues for sports and outdoor activities.
Parramatta : The historical core of Western Sydney, now a thriving commercial, tourist and retail center, around thirty minutes from Sydney by car, train or ferry.
The Outer West stretching from Parramatta out to the Blue Mountains and the South West with the centers of Liverpool and Campbelltown are a large swathe of residential and commercial Sydney containing over half its population.
Heading South
Southern Sydney : The area south of the CBD and north of the Georges River, including the area surrounding Sydney Airport and Botany Bay.
Sutherland Shire: Is the district to the far south and east of the city center including Cronulla.
Satellite towns
Some of the areas on the far western edge of Sydney developed long before the expansion of the suburbs to their doorstep, and are still considered to some extent separate towns:
Richmond.
Windsor.