If beautiful blue seas, coastal attractions and golden beaches are your idea of a good vacation, look no further than Sydney, capital city of New South Wales. Also known as the Emerald City, this tourist hotspot is overflowing with exciting things to see and do.
In this handy guide, we’ve compiled the very best experiences for tourists in Sydney and will explore how tourism affects the Australian economy – in particular, inflation rates.
An incredible 3.6 million tourists visit Australia every year, and you could be one of them by booking a flight today.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
This iconic bridge is one of the most recognizable in the world. It sits within the same class as Brooklyn Bridge in New York, Tower Bridge in London and the Golden Gate Bridge in California.
This majestic bridge overlooks Sydney Harbour – an expansive area of wildlife – and offers spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and the surrounding cityscape. You can walk or cycle across the bridge – just remember to stop and take in the remarkable view. For those interested in being a little more daring, there’s the option to climb to the very top of the bridge.
The Sydney Opera House
No list of Sydney’s best tourist experiences would be complete without the Sydney Opera House. Opened in 1973 by Australia’s former head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, this spectacular building welcomes millions of visitors. It’s a multi-purpose venue hosting over a thousand different events every year.
Visiting the Sydney Opera House is definitely an exciting experience to tick off your bucket list as it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are daily tours of this iconic building, and a bar inside promising unique views of the nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Bondi Beach
When you daydream about your next vacation, chances are you imagine yourself relaxing by a clear blue sea and soaking up the sunshine. On Bondi Beach in Sydney, your daydream can become reality as you live your vacation fantasy.
Expect to find local markets, public art, swimming pools, long stretches of sandy beaches, yoga studios, eateries and even a golf course.
Visitors to Australia will love the coastal walk that winds from Bondi to Bronte. It takes about 45 minutes to walk the route and it’s a great opportunity to see more of the area. If you visit in March, you’ll get to enjoy the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, which lines the coastal walk.
Chinatown
Sydney is home to one of the world’s largest Chinatowns. It boasts noodle bars where you’ll find tasty dishes, stores selling Chinese groceries and sweet treats, and fine-dining restaurants for special nights together.
Nearby this Chinatown, you’ll find the Chinese Garden of Friendship, which was gifted to Sydney in 1988. It’s a beautiful space that’s perfect for relaxing or catching up with friends.
The Australian National Maritime Museum
Boat travel has helped to define 21st-century Australia, and this is especially true of Sydney. At the Australian National Maritime Museum, you’ll discover the migration stories that have shaped modern Australia, and immerse yourself in vintage ships, navy vessels and Cold War submarines. You’ll also learn about the relationship between the Aboriginal people and the water.
A day out at the Australian National Maritime Museum is not to be missed – you’ll be surprised just how much there is to learn about the waters that surround this country.
Watsons Bay
To enjoy a more authentic vacation, it’s best practice to explore a few lesser-known locations. Watsons Bay in Sydney is one such place that tourists will love. Outside of the tourist hotspots of central Sydney, you’ll find this quaint village with heritage-listed attractions and a legal nudist beach.
On Australia Day, Watsons Bay hosts a unique event that has to be seen to be believed. Tourists will love the annual Every Man and His Dog event, where people and their dogs – on paddle boards – team up to race others.
How does tourism affect the Australian economy?
Tourism is an important source of income that most countries crave. That’s because the sector can help to boost economic prosperity. The more tourists you have entering your country, the lower your inflation rates can become.
Australia is uniquely positioned among its competitors for tourism because of its location. Those who visit the country tend to stay for longer periods of over a month – which sees them putting lots of money into the local economy.
A growing tourism sector also means that a government can charge a tourism tax to generate additional income, which is put back into local services and can help to stabilise the economy.