Districts · Sydney
Sydney by district
A first visit sits on the south shore of the harbour in a line about 4 km long: Circular Quay and the Rocks at the water, the CBD grid south of them, and Haymarket and Chinatown beside Central Station. The Opera House and the Botanic Garden are east of the quay. The north shore, the eastern beaches and the Blue Mountains are trips from that base.A first visit sits on the south shore of the harbour in a line about 2.5 mi long: Circular Quay and the Rocks at the water, the CBD grid south of them, and Haymarket and Chinatown beside Central Station. The Opera House and the Botanic Garden are east of the quay. The north shore, the eastern beaches and the Blue Mountains are trips from that base.
About these names
- Circular Quay and The RocksseesleepSuits: A first morning of sights and harbour viewsFerries, sandstone lanes and the Discovery Museum; the Rocks Market runs on weekends. Cobbled slopes are hard with luggage.3 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Opera House and Botanic GardenseeSuits: Morning walks and photographsThe Opera House, the Royal Botanic Garden and the Art Gallery of NSW in the Domain.3 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- CBD and Martin PlaceseeeatSuits: Midday shade, shopping and cafesThe Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and the Pitt Street malls; quiet on weekends outside the shops.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Haymarket and ChinatownsleepeatSuits: A base by Central Station and cheap foodDixon Street, Market City and yum cha halls; a short train from the harbour.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Darling Harbour and BarangarooseeSuits: Waterfront walks and museumsA short walk west of the CBD; a mix of tourist attractions and restaurants.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Kings CrosseatSuits: Restaurants, cafes and nightlifeThe best cafes and small restaurants sit east of Central; Kings Cross is loud at night.District guide →
- Bondi and the eastern beachesseeSuits: A beach half dayA train and bus, or a ride-hail car; not a base for a short first visit.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Manly and the north shoreseeSuits: A ferry half dayThe classic ferry from Circular Quay; a beach, a coastal walk and an easy lunch.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Kings Cross, Bondi and the eastern beaches, Manly and the north shore. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Circular Quay and The Rocks: Ferries, sandstone lanes and the Discovery Museum; the Rocks Market runs on weekends. Cobbled slopes are hard with luggage. Suits: A first morning of sights and harbour views. Price band $$$.
- Opera House and Botanic Garden: The Opera House, the Royal Botanic Garden and the Art Gallery of NSW in the Domain. Suits: Morning walks and photographs.
- CBD and Martin Place: The Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and the Pitt Street malls; quiet on weekends outside the shops. Suits: Midday shade, shopping and cafes.
- Haymarket and Chinatown: Dixon Street, Market City and yum cha halls; a short train from the harbour. Suits: A base by Central Station and cheap food. Price band $$.
- Darling Harbour and Barangaroo: A short walk west of the CBD; a mix of tourist attractions and restaurants. Suits: Waterfront walks and museums.
- Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Kings Cross: The best cafes and small restaurants sit east of Central; Kings Cross is loud at night. Suits: Restaurants, cafes and nightlife.
- Bondi and the eastern beaches: A train and bus, or a ride-hail car; not a base for a short first visit. Suits: A beach half day.
- Manly and the north shore: The classic ferry from Circular Quay; a beach, a coastal walk and an easy lunch. Suits: A ferry half day.
- Sleep area Haymarket / Central: suits A base by Central Station and cheap food, price band $$.
- Sleep area The Rocks: suits A first morning of sights and harbour views, price band $$$.
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), about 9 km5.6 mi from the centre, 30–50 min by the usual route.