Sydney

Sydney, the largest and one of the most vibrant cities of Australia is the capital of New South Wales. situated on the south-east Australian coast it covers approximately an area of 1120 square kilometres and is the sixth largest city in the Southern Hemisphere.

It was established in 1788 as the first British colony by Arthur Phillip. Historical records suggest that people have been living in Sydney since 30,000 years. It is believed that almost 8000 indigenous people, the Aboriginals, lived in Sydney before the arrival of the British. Though Sydney has the highest aboriginal population in Australia the aboriginal heritage of the city has mostly been side-tracked by Australia’s white history.

Sydney is the financial and economic hub of Australia. Also known as the harbour city Sydney is a haven for outdoor activities with its semitropical summers and mild winters. Visitors can take a dip in the ocean at Bondi beach, go for a stroll along the coast to Coogee, kayak around the harbour or go for bushwalking in one of the national parks.

Sydney has a number of attractions for the tourist with its museums, galleries, shopping centres, buzzing cafe culture and nightlife, restaurants and adventure sports. It also has two of Australia's most iconic structures -- the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

For history lovers there are the Rocks that mark the beginning of the city as a British penal colony as well as the downtown Victorian structures that are juxtaposed with modern monoliths.

The city has hosted many sporting events including the 2000 Summer Olympics and the finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup and is one of the Alpha cities of the world. This harbour city is sun soaked with its golden beaches and world class surf, thus epitomising Australia’s “surf, sand and sun� tagline.