World Guide

Sydney

City in Australia

Sydney
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sydney is a city in Australia with a population of about 5.5 million in 2023. Located 248 km from Canberra, it draws visitors with sights like the Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo.

What to see

Travelers can explore several notable landmarks and cultural sites across the city. Key attractions include the UNESCO-listed Sydney Opera House, Cockatoo Island, and Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney. Visitors also frequent the Sydney Tower, the Queen Victoria Building, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. For recreation and transport heritage, points of interest feature Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Botany Bay, Taronga Zoo, Stadium Australia, Sydney SuperDome, and the Central railway station, Sydney.

When to go

Temperature highs range from 16 °C in June, July, and August to 24 °C in January and February. Lows drop to between 11 °C in July and August and 20 °C in January and February. Monthly rainfall varies, with the lowest precipitation occurring from July to September at 61 mm to 76 mm across 6 rainy days per month, and higher rainfall recorded in February at 131 mm over about 13 days and April at 119 mm over about 9 days.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, located in Sydney (Mascot), Australia, at a distance of 9 km.

Top sights in Sydney

  1. Sydney Opera HouseUNESCOSydney Opera House
  2. Stadium AustraliaStadium Australia
  3. Botany BayBotany Bay
  4. Sydney SuperDomeSydney SuperDome
  5. Taronga ZooTaronga Zoo
  6. Sydney TowerSydney Tower
  7. Central railway station, SydneyCentral railway station, Sydney
  8. Circular QuayCircular Quay
  9. St Mary's Cathedral, SydneySt Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
  10. Art Gallery of New South WalesArt Gallery of New South Wales
  11. Queen Victoria BuildingQueen Victoria Building
  12. Darling HarbourDarling Harbour
  1. Cockatoo IslandUNESCO
  2. Hyde Park Barracks, SydneyUNESCO

Weather by month

The warmest month is January, with an average high of 24 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C242423211916161718202123
Average low, °C202019171412111113151719
Rainfall, mm90131100119112103767261819480
Rainy days141315978667101010

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Sydney (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

  • Anzac Memorial
  • Auburn Gallipoli Mosque
  • Australian Museum
  • Australian National Maritime Museum
  • Bare Island
  • Chinese Garden of Friendship
  • Hyde Park, Sydney
  • Kamay Botany Bay National Park
  • Lane Cove National Park
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
  • Old Government House, Parramatta
  • Powerhouse Museum
  • Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
  • Sydney Observatory

Other cities in Australia