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This summer, more than 10 million overnight and day trip visitors are expected to visit Sydney
All photos and video credits: Destination NSW unless otherwise stated
Well it is hardly surprising as there are so many things to do in Sydney! Over the six month period of October – March Sydney will receive 18 million visitors, with 10 million of these expected to visit during Summer*. Last year, tourists to Sydney stayed around 29.2 million nights during the three months of the popular, warm season.
10 million visitors is more than double the population of New Zealand of approx. 4.5 million, and equivalent to:
• 20,661 Qantas A380s full of passengers (based on 484 passengers per flight) • 8,695 of the largest Freshwater Class Ferries, full of passengers • 217 Sydney Cricket Grounds, at full capacity • More than the number of cars that drive over Sydney Harbour Bridge every 60 days • 44 times the number of English words in the Oxford English Dictionary.
With so many people beaches in Sydney, we are spoilt with choice. Having lived in Manly for many years my only beef is the amount of litter that gets left on a hot day, it really is a disgrace. So if you are visiting please remember to take your rubbish with you.
The top activities for visitors to Sydney are eating out, shopping, sightseeing, and attending events. To help plan holidays, Destination NSW, the State Government’s tourism and major events agency, has developed a list of some of the top things to see and do whilst in town this Summer.
Where to eat: Waterside dining is one of Sydney’s essential experiences. Visit LuMi Bar & Dining in Pyrmont for a two-hatted meal, and enjoy Turkish meze treats at Anason in Sydney’s newest waterfront development, Barangaroo. Head to Paddington’s newest restaurant, Fred’s, and head to the Light Brigade Hotel just down the road for a rooftop beverage. When in Western Sydney, book at meal at Vela Dining & Bar along the Parramatta River, or enjoy the 180-degree river views on the deck at Port Bar. For a truly iconic experience, enjoy a sunset drink at Opera Bar, along the Sydney Opera House promenade, looking at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Where to shop: Sydney is a hotspot for shopping that caters to lovers of high-end fashion, international labels and local, boutique designers. Visit hundreds of stores in Sydney’s iconic Queen Victoria Building, The Strand, bustling Pitt Street Mall and Westfield Sydney which is full of luxury designer brands. For a boutique outdoor shopping experience, spend some time in Paddington exploring Oxford St, William St and the popular Intersection, known for its collection of Australian designers.
Photo D.Carr
Sightseeing musts: The world famous Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and Manly are all absolute musts, especially for first-time Summer visitors. A walk around the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Centennial Parklands and visits to Taronga Zoo, SeaLife Manly and Sydney Aquarium are also popular.
Events to plan around: Sport fans, culture lovers, and history buffs are taken care of in Sydney’s Summer calendar. The Coates Hire Sydney 500 car racing (2-4 December 2016), the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (from 3 January 2017), APIA International Sydney tennis tournament (8-14 January 2017), HSBC Sydney 7s rugby fix (3-5 February 2017) and Australian Open of Surfing (25 February – 5 March 2017) are all on offer. For celebrity spotters, the 6th AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel will see the stars of Australian film and television walk the red carpet in Sydney (7 December 2016) and is a great excuse to frock up. Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives will feature cutting-edge technology that reveals the secrets of mummies from the British Museum in a world premiere exclusive at the Powerhouse Museum (from 10 December 2016). Sydney Festival runs for just over three weeks (7-27 January 2017) and offers hundreds of ticketed and free events including The Beach, NUDE LIVE, and Symphony Under the Stars. Finally, New Year’s Eve and Australia Day are incredibly special times to be in Sydney to enjoy the fanfare and fireworks.
*Based on Tourism Research Australia data, with further modelling from Destination NSW based on annual travel trends.
For more information visit sydney.com
