Sydney is Australia’s first city, made up of famous landmarks, amazing shopping and beaches as well as several ‘hotspot’ suburbs students can enjoy. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of the CBD, Ultimo or Haymarket; the laidback coastline from Bondi to Coogee; or the historic buildings around the rocks – there’s something for everyone in this iconic city.
The city centre is home to the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, which should be on the ‘to-do’ list of every student. If you visit in May/June the Vivid Sydney Festival will have these landmarks lit up and looking even more spectacular than they do during the day. Another key location is Hyde Park, home to the St Mary’s Cathedral. Pitt Street Mall is also a must see; you’ll find department stores and clothing chains, as well as fashion boutiques and amazing food. New Town and Glebe are home to the University of Sydney and amazing coffee. Bondi offers the perfect beach to relax and unwind in the sun and is also home to the Bondi Markets.
Things To Do
Nothing beats a free walking tour to get your bearings in a new city. Explore Sydney city further with Sydney Culture Walks app to learn more about Sydney’s fascinating history.
Get your head out of the books and into the fresh air. Visit one of Sydney’s favourite attractions, The Royal Botanic Gardens. Entry is free.
History meets shopping. The Queen Victoria Building is popular not only for its historic architecture, but also for its boutiques and shopping arcade.
Get out of the city and head to Coogee beach for a great spot to chill, with a relaxed restaurant/bar and ‘the Pav’. If you’re feeling adventurous you can take the Coogee to Bondi walk, a must-do on a summers day.
Manly is where you’ll find gorgeous views, amazing food and lots of activities including sailing, diving, kayaking, or snorkelling – the choice is yours.
A Sydney local favourite for students is Spice Alley, where you’ll find extremely well-priced Asian eateries and desserts in a cute alleyway lit up by lanterns.
Two Wolves eatery and bar is not to be missed. It’s run by volunteers and serves Mexican food. Bring your friends; the serves here are quite large!
Farmers markets are abundant around Sydney and the Carriageworks Farmers Markets are one you should visit. The markets are open 10.00am-6.00pm daily.
The Urban List is a great resource to find local (and cheap) places to eat in and around Sydney.
When you dine at Manjit’s you will be taken on a culinary journey of fragrant delicacies, subtle flavours and exotic aromas. Experience spicy flavours of Southern India whilst ordering a royal banquets typical of the North.
Chinatown is always a good option for a huge range of cheap and amazing food.
‘Student Mondays’ are a must at the Randwick Ritz Cinema when tickets are only $6. Alternatively, you can become a member to secure $10 movie tickets every day! The Randwick Ritz also offers an amazing happy hour every night of the week: selected beer, wine and spirits are just $5 or you can grab one of their signature cocktails for $10.
Check out this guide to the best student pubs and bars in Sydney if you want a cheap drink and or somewhere to dance.
If you’re more of an afternoon socialiser, one of the best places to go is The Courthouse Hotel in Newtown where the beer garden is always busy. You can order a jug and sunbake all afternoon.
Looking to treat yourself? 360 Bar and Dining is the place to be. With breathtaking views over the city while you enjoy a meal and a drink – you won’t want to leave.
We mentioned it earlier, but it’s our favourite Sydney event. The Vivid Sydney Festival is held from late May to June. This is one you won’t want to miss.
If you can’t make it to NYC for a white Christmas, head to the Parramatta Winterlight Festival where you’ll find rides, theme nights and Sydney’s biggest open-air skating rink.
Secret bars and live music sound good? Put the Sydney Fringe Festival in your calendar. Running throughout the month of September, this festival welcomes local, regional and international visitors to the streets of Sydney, transforming the city with experiences you won’t see throughout the rest of the year.
Sculpture by the Sea is another event not to be missed. Catch it at the end of October through to early November in Bondi, or Cottlesloe in March. It’s been running 22 years and it’s free!
Things To Know
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the 5th longest spanning-arch bridge according to Guinness World Records. It’s also the widest long-span bridge and tallest steel arch bridge in the world.
The Harbour Bridge is known by the locals as “The Coat Hanger” due to its distinct shape.
Australia’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibit, “Sculpture by the Sea”, began at Bondi Beach in 1996.
George Street is the oldest street in the whole of Australia.
University of New South Wales
University of Sydney
UNSW Global
University of Technology Sydney
Macquarie University
Summer runs from December to February and average temperatures range from 18.6-25.8°C (65.5-78.4°F). Head to the beaches when water temperatures rise to 21.9-23.7°C (71.4-74.7°F).
Autumn lasts from about March to May. Autumn temperatures fall between 14.6-22.2°C (58.3-72°F). Autumn is awesome for enjoying the coastal walks in and around Sydney, especially Coogee to Bondi.
Running from June to August, winter is obviously Sydney’s coldest month. Average temperatures range from 8.8-17°C (47.8-62.6°F). Winter brings rain in June, when rainfall is the highest. July is the coolest month with an average daytime temperature of 13°C.
Spring averages temperatures of 11-23°C (51.8-73.4°F) with some warmer days, but you’ll still need a jumper in your bag for the cooler mornings and nights.
You’ll need an Opal Card to travel on public transport in Sydney. It’s a prepaid card, much like a debit card, where you load money onto it at the station or other store and use it to tap on and off public transport as you travel (you can find out where to buy and add credit to your Opal Card on their website). The fares are based on how far you travel. If you don’t have an Opal Card, you’ll need to pay per ride, and cash fares are generally higher than those on the Opal.
Buses are the best option for travelling around Sydney and arrive every 5-15 minutes in the city centre. There are plenty of options heading out of the city too. Make sure you take note of the bus number – some are express and don’t stop at all stops along the way. Ask the driver if the bus will stop at your destination.
If you live on the harbour, ferries are also an option for you. Sydney’s ferry route extends all the way out to Parramatta. They’re more expensive than buses and trains, however, they offer an attractive way to get around the city and view the scenery.
Uber is legal in Sydney. Simply log in via their app and order one to drive you around, much like a taxi. Uber is often cheaper than a cab and you can confirm the fare before you take off, meaning you will know an approximate price before confirming the ride. Uber is also a great way to meet some locals who know their way around the city.
Bikes are a super cheap and healthy way to get around the city. They can save you a lot in transport fees and are a great option for the environment. Please remember: it’s illegal to ride a bike without a helmet or a bell. You must also have a light on your bike to ride at night time. Stick to the designated bike lanes and learn the road rules, then you’re ready to go!
Taxis are another option and can be reasonably priced if you share the fare (especially on a night out). Local taxi companies include Yellow Cabs (13 19 24), Silver Service (13 31 00) or Legion Cabs (13 14 51).
Public transport – International students are generally not entitled to transport concessions in New South Wales unless study is fully funded by specified Australian Government scholarships. Find out more here.
UNiDAYS – Use your student email account to sign up and receive 10-25% discount on a huge range of stuff. Visit their website for more info.
ISIC – The International Student Identity Card (ISC) is the most internationally-recognised student ID offering amazing discounts on products and services throughout Australia and the world. It’s also handy if you need official proof that you’re a student. View their website to see if you qualify for the card on their website
