Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
Australia's oldest, largest and most famous city, Sydney stuns with natural beauty and iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The metro area is home to more than 150,000 residents, with four million in the greater region. The center sprawls over 26km2 / 16m2. Modes of public transport are many: bus, train, monorail, light-rail and ferry. But the topography delays and confounds travelers, so plan ahead.
New South Wales, Sydney's state, has the nation's most diverse, robust economy, controlling 33% of the GDP. Stable and competitive, Australia is undergoing a massive resources boom, fueled largely by China's growth.
Australia levies a flat tax, usually of 10%, included in the price tag. Tourists who spend $300 or more in one place and receive a single invoice may be able to recoup this. Refer to www.customs.gov.au for full details.
Holidays & Business Hours
Business hours are generally from 9am-5pm during the week. Most banks open from 9:30am-4pm, 5pm on Fridays. Many shops extend hours on Thursday nights, and trade from 10am-4pm on Sundays.
On public holidays, many services and stores close or observe shorter hours – essentials remain accessible. The school year runs from January to December, so the main, six-week summer break is over Christmas and New Year. Most people take their main holiday then, so businesses may reduce their hours.
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| January 26 |
Australia Day |
| Date varies |
Good Friday |
| Date varies |
Easter Saturday |
| Date varies |
Easter Monday |
| April 25 |
Anzac Day |
| Date varies (June) |
Queen's Birthday |
| Date varies (August) |
Bank Holiday |
| Date varies (October) |
Labour Day |
| December 25 |
Christmas Day |
| December 26 |
Boxing Day |
|
Coming & Going
Kingsford Smith airport, Australia's oldest, handles more than 29 million passengers a year. Surprisingly close to the city, it's only 8km / 5miles from the central business district (CBD). A two-minute train connects domestic and international terminals.
Check www.131500.com.au for public transport information. Trains run every 10 minutes and the journey to the city takes around 13 minutes ($12.20/adult and $8.40/child, one way). Many airport hotels provide shuttles, and buses connect to Burwood and Bondi Junction, among other places (www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au).
Taxis service all terminals and cost roughly $25 to the centre, $50 to Manly and $75 to Parramatta.
Making Your Way
Sydney was not planned like Melbourne and Canberra, so streets can be curvy, narrow and steep. Taxis are relatively expensive compared to many American cities; parking can also be costly and limited.
Public transport – already appealing – is further sweetened by a bus, train and ferry pass ($33-$55 weekly, depending on the zone). Deals also exist for day trippers ($15.40/ adult, $7.70/child), Blue Mountain Explorers and other tourist packages.
News & Views
The tabloid Daily Telegraph is the city's most popular newspaper, followed by The Sydney Morning Herald. The Australian is the only national broadsheet, published Monday to Friday with a weekend edition out on Saturday. The Sydney Star Observer is the country's weekly gay and lesbian newspaper.
Quirks & Curiosities
Strict non-smoking laws cover restaurants, pubs and clubs, as of July 2007. Smoking areas must be outside and no more than 75% enclosed.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is nicknamed "the coat hanger." Actor Paul Hogan was a rigger here before he found fame with the crocodiles.
Sydney follows Australian Eastern Standard Time, 15 hours ahead of New York. Daylight Savings leaps clocks forward an hour in November and back again in March.
"The Secret River" provides an astute and gripping insight into Sydney's history. Small wonder Kate Grenville's novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2006.
The electrical current differs from the US; travelers must carry converters and outlet adapters.
Sydney lies at a similar latitude to Los Angeles, Casablanca and Buenos Aires.
Getting Your Bearings
Visit www.sydneyvistorcentre.com or call: 1 800 067 676 (free within Australia) or +61 2 9240 8788 (from outside the country). The bureau also sells Youth Hostel (YHA) cards to international travelers.
Sydney Visitor Centre, The Rocks
Corner of Argyle & Playfair Sts, The Rocks
Daily 9:30am-5:30pm
Sydney Visitor Centre, Darling Harbour
33 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour
Daily 9:30am-5:30pm
Necessities - Post Offices
The central post office is at 1 Martin Pl, Sydney 2000. Most branches also have stationery shops attached. Hunt for locations via www.auspost.com.au, which also boasts a postage calculator. For general enquiries, call 13 13 18 from within Australia.
Common Courtesies
Tipping is customary, but not compulsory; the minimum wage is fairly generous compared to many countries. Ten percent is courteous for waitstaff and $2-$5 for porters. Round up to the nearest dollar for taxi drivers.
Weather
Sydney weather is generally mild and non-extreme. The Bureau of Meteorology provides forecasts on www.bom.gov.au.
Monday:
Wednesday:
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