Considered the gateway city to Australia, Sydney is memorable far beyond its iconic landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. As one of Australia's oldest, largest and most beautiful cities, Sydney is surrounded by one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and a coastline sprinkled with golden beaches.
A vibrant city, renowned for its scenic beauty and cosmopolitan lifestyle, Sydney offers delegates the chance to experience the high life at a slow pace. From fine dining on the Harbour's edge, bush walks that uncover secluded bays and breathtaking views, sailing around the Harbour, weekend markets in the Historic Rocks precinct or visiting one of Sydney's 70 beaches, Sydney has something for everyone.
Restaurants
Sydney is one of the most eclectic food capitals in the world. Combining its fresh food produce, creative chefs and multicultural flair, Sydney prides itself on being a world class food destination.
Shopping
Shops are open from 0900 to 0530 Monday to Friday with late night shopping until 2100 on Thursday evenings. Shops are open from 0900 to 1700 on Saturdays and from 1000 to 1600 on Sundays.
Sydney Nightlife
Sydney's nightlife offers something for everyone. If you want to join the after-work crowds, stick close to the bars in the CBD. For a more chilled-out vibe, the bars and lounges of Circular Quay may be more your speed. The Cross always has a mix of hard-edge modernism with cosy, hidden retreats.
Click here to view a guide of Sydney's nightlife
Things To See and Do in Sydney
As one of Australia's oldest, largest and most beautiful cities, Sydney is a vibrant city, with many attractions, tours and activities on offer to delegates.
Relax in Sydney Harbour National Park. Protecting a series of foreshore lands and islands around Sydney's stunning harbour, the Sydney Harbour National Park is rich in Australian culture and heritage. The national park also protects a range of Aboriginal sites which include aboriginal rock engravings. A visit here will ensure you capture the natural beauty of our harbour.
Take a walking tour through the Historic Rocks precinct. You can discover and explore Sydney's heritage village with The Rocks Walking Tours. The historic streets, narrow alleyways, cobbled lanes, Sydney's earliest buildings and pubs and hotels once frequented by locals and sailors combine to provide a tour rich in the culture and history of Sydney's earliest days.
Catch a ferry across the harbour to Taronga Zoo. Only 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay, the Zoo has over 2,600 individual animals and approximately 340 species. Taronga Zoo is also home to 14 koalas and visitors can have a close encounter with one of Australia's national icons every day.
Soak up the atmosphere at Sydney's most famous beach, Bondi Beach. Bondi has all the elements – great surf, great food and great atmosphere and attractions to suit everyone, from the energetic south home to surfing, beach volleyball, roller balding to the fashionable northern end where you can sit beachside in any number of trendy cafes or restaurants. Why not sample the sights of Sydney's coastline as you take the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk and weave your way along one of Sydney's stunning coastal walks.
Transport
Sydney's public transport system allows easy travel for delegates around Sydney's central business district. Delegates can secure savings on travel throughout the city by purchasing a Day Tripper pass which allows travel on train, bus or ferry from AUD15.00.
Darling Harbour is linked with Sydney's central business district through a regular monorail and light rail service. Services depart every 10 – 15 minutes for the Light Rail and cost AUD2.90 per trip. Services for the monorail depart every 3 – 5 minutes and cost AUD4.00 per trip.
Taxis can be booked in advance through the hotel concierge or hailed from the street.