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    Tourist Attractions in Sydney

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Sydney. Photos and a brief description.

    Sydney
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    About Sydney

    Modern and prosperous Sydney, located on the shore of a picturesque bay of the Tasman Sea, used to be a city of convicts and daring adventurers exiled to the ends of the world. And now it has turned into a corner of the well-fed Western world on the farthest inhabited continent of the planet.

    Sydney is business districts like in the City of London and magnificent beaches like in Rio de Janeiro, it is cosmopolitanism and trendy mix of cultures. City streets, parks and promenades attract tourists from all over the world. Here you can visit the best oceanariums in the world, take a cruise and admire the rugged shores of Port Jackson or sunbathe on the well-equipped city beaches. In the evenings, the city comes to life and opens the doors to nightlife. Hundreds of bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs are waiting for visitors and offer a wide variety of menus and show programs.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Sydney

    Port Jackson

    The very first European colony on the Australian continent was founded on the shores of Port Jackson Bay. The bay consists of three bays: Middle Harbor, North Harbor and Sydney Harbor. The coastline is intricately indented, which is very convenient for navigation. Since the establishment of the first port, Port Jackson Bay has played a key role for Sydney. Nowadays, a national park is organized on part of the natural territory of the bay.

    Port Jackson
    Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Opera House

    An outstanding example of modern architecture and one of the symbols of Australia. The roof of the building resembles flying sails or giant seashells. The architects wanted to convey the image of a frozen melody through these unusual forms. The opera house is built in the middle of the water on stilts, the roof is supported by powerful metal cables. The building is listed as a UNESCO heritage site during the lifetime of its creator J. Watson.

    Harbour Bridge

    The structure is considered one of the largest arch bridges not only on the continent, but also in the world. It was built in the 30s of the XX century in order to connect the northern districts of Sydney with the central ones. There is an observation deck on the bridge, which offers views of the picturesque Sydney Bay and the city landscape. The Harbour Bridge is designed for automobile, pedestrian and railway traffic, before opening it was tested for strength with the help of heavy trains.

    Rocks District

    Rocks District

    The oldest area of Sydney, the former haven of adventurers and desperate adventurers. At the beginning of the XX century, this place had a rather bad reputation, nowadays Rocks is a prestigious area with fabulous real estate prices. There are many galleries, museums, historical residential areas, pubs and restaurants. The area is quite popular with tourists.

    Darling Harbour area

    One of the central districts of Sydney, there are the best restaurants, luxury hotels and modern skyscrapers. Darling Harbour has many offices, so it is considered the business center of Sydney. However, the area is also perfect for recreation, as there are many city attractions on its territory.

    Darling Harbour area
    Sydney Aquarium

    Sydney Aquarium

    The best oceanariums, as a rule, are located in coastal cities. So the Sydney Aquarium can boast of the size, variety of marine life and incredible scale of the exposition. It seems that all the inhabitants of the world ocean are represented here. A huge number of fish of unimaginable color, reptiles, sharks, seals, octopuses, rays, sea urchins, crabs and many others.

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    The museum's exposition tells about the history of the Australian Navy. Here you can see the vessels of local aborigines, modern warships, weapons, as well as surfing devices. Ships and a submarine are moored near the building. One of these ships is a copy of the ship of J. Cook, on which the discoverer sailed to the Australian continent.

    Australian National Maritime Museum
    Art Gallery of New South Wales

    Art Gallery of New South Wales

    The museum opened at the end of the XIX century. It exhibits samples of European, Asian and Australian art. The collection is located in a building of classical architecture, built at the beginning of the XX century. In the Gallery you can see the works of Australian painters of the last two centuries, as well as works of art created by Monet, Rodin, Picasso, Rubens and other masters.

    Australian Museum

    The oldest museum in Australia, which conducts active research and scientific activities. One of the priority areas is the study of the culture and history of the indigenous peoples of the continent. The museum also has scientific institutes that study evolutionary processes, environmental protection, and a variety of biological and geological species.

    Australian Museum

    Queen Victoria Building

    Former market rows, and now a modern shopping center. The building was built at the very end of the XIX century in the classic "Victorian" style, popular at that time in the metropolis. The structure is crowned by a large patterned dome, the walls and facade are decorated with arched spans, stained glass windows, the floor is tiled with mosaic tiles. In front of the building there is a monument in honor of Queen Victoria.

    Sydney Town Hall

    The building of the Sydney Town Hall in the "Victorian" style, built of sandstone. The city administration is located here. This is the only historical civil structure that has completely preserved its appearance since the XIX century. Before the appearance of the Sydney Opera House, the Town Hall housed the city concert hall. The building is listed as a national monument of Australia.

    Sydney Town Hall
    Sydney Observatory

    Sydney Observatory

    The observatory of the middle of the XIX century, where the oldest telescope in the country (manufactured in 1874) is located. In the 80s of the XX century, the observatory turned into a museum, where the latest instruments for studying the starry sky are exhibited. There is also a 3D cinema and a lecture hall on the territory of the observatory. The observatory building itself is of historical value and is considered a national monument.

    Sydney Fish Market

    The trading platform was founded in 1945. In terms of size and variety of seafood delicacies, it is second only to the fish market in Tokyo. Here you can taste products in a cafe or immediately buy something for yourself at home. Delicious dishes are prepared right in front of customers. In addition to fish and sea reptiles, you can buy wine, cheese and various sauces in market shops.

    Cathedral of the Virgin Mary

    Cathedral of the Virgin Mary

    The Cathedral Catholic Cathedral of Sydney, which has the status of a "minor basilica". The construction of the temple began in the first half of the XIX century, and was completed only in the 2000s. The cathedral is a typical English church in the Gothic style. Until 1820, Catholics were forbidden to profess their religion, but after the declaration of religious freedom, the efforts of the local community laid the foundation stone of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary.

    St. Andrew's Cathedral

    Anglican church, built in 1868. The architectural style of the building imitates the medieval English manner. The cathedral really looks against the background of modern buildings as if it was erected several centuries ago. The temple is the oldest in Australia. Inside there is a huge organ, which is considered one of the largest in the world.

    St. Andrew's Cathedral
    Sydney TV Tower

    Sydney TV Tower

    The tallest building in Sydney (309 meters in height). The structure is not a broadcasting tower, it is just a popular tourist attraction. There are two viewing platforms – a stationary one at an altitude of 250 meters, and a retractable one at an altitude of 268 meters. Also, for the convenience of tourists, restaurants, cafes, shops, and convenient places for recreation are located inside the tower.

    Fort Denison

    A former prison where dangerous criminals were held while awaiting execution of a death sentence. Later in the XIX century, defensive structures were erected here to protect against a possible attack from the sea (mainly the American and Russian fleets were feared). Nowadays, the fort is included in the territory of the National Park, museum expositions are located inside.

    Fort Denison
    Mrs. Macquarie's Chair

    Mrs. Macquarie's Chair

    A bench in a rock on the shore of the bay, where the wife of the local governor, Elizabeth Macquarie, liked to rest at the beginning of the XIX century. This place offers the best views of Sydney Harbour, the central quarters of the city and suspension bridges. On the one hand, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge appear to the eye, on the other – the picturesque mountains and the quaint coastline of the bay.

    Taronga Zoo

    The zoo is located in the suburb of Mosman in the north of Sydney Harbour. It appeared in 1908 on an area of 17 hectares. Now the zoo is home to 2.6 thousand animals, which makes it one of the largest zoo gardens in the world. The rich fauna of the Australian continent and the South seas is represented here: emu ostriches, kangaroos, platypus, wombat, wallaby, koala, sea leopard, sea lion, penguins and other animals.

    Taronga Zoo
    Royal Botanic Gardens

    Royal Botanic Gardens

    Garden and city park, located near the business center of Sydney. It is surrounded by attractions: Sydney Opera House, National Library, Parliament Building. The history of the park began with a small agricultural farm, organized in 1788 under the Governor of New South Wales A. Philip. For several decades, gardeners have been engaged in the arrangement of the territory, after which a Botanical Garden appeared.

    Hyde Park

    The city park appeared in 1810 under Governor L. Macquarie. It has a rectangular shape and covers an area of 16 hectares.Several hundred trees grow in the park, gardens, flower beds and walking alleys are laid out. The place was named by analogy with London's Hyde Park, apparently to remind the colonists of a distant homeland that remained far across the ocean.

    Chinese Friendship Garden

    Chinese Friendship Garden

    A picturesque city park opened on the day of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the formation of Australia. The Friendship Garden is a classic example of the imperial landscape design of the Celestial Empire. According to the same plan, gardens were created for the rulers of China in the past. There are no flower beds, flowerbeds and smooth lawns, but real corners of wildlife have been created, harmoniously diluted with bridges, gazebos and stone statues.

    Sydney Harbour National Park

    A nature reserve located on as yet unoccupied sections of Sydney Bay (Port Jackson). It includes the coastline, small islets and rocky peninsulas, which are generously strewn with the coast. In the park, you can take an excursion with an Aboriginal guide, do water sports, look at ancient rock paintings of indigenous peoples or enjoy relaxing on beautiful beaches.

    Sydney Harbour National Park
    Manly Beach

    Manly Beach

    The beach is located in the Northeast of Sydney. It is a wide strip of golden purest sand and azure water. Manly is very popular with surfers, athletes and board enthusiasts from all over the world come here. A strip of hotels has been built along the coast, restaurants, bars and cafes serve guests. The beach is municipal, so the entrance is free for everyone.

    Bondi Beach

    The most popular city beach, located in the suburbs. After the end of the Second World War, emigrants from Eastern Europe settled in this place, so throughout the XX century Bondi was considered a working-class area. Not all of the beach area is safe for swimming, some parts are open only for surfing. In summer, sharks often hunt in coastal waters.

    Bondi Beach