Sydney Opera House.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales (NSW) on the south-east coast of Australia, is a destination in itself, with the iconic Opera House, Harbour Bridge and The Rocks’ heritage buildings among top 10 lists of things to see.
Then there are the parks like the Royal Botanical Garden, F&B hotspots, sunrise experiences, panoramic views from Sydney Tower and attractions such as Taronga Zoo, Sea Life Aquarium and museums.
Making the best of its position as a coastal metropolis, there are harbour cruises, which some say is the best way to get an overview of the city plus nearby islands, hidden beaches and waterfront abodes.
In certain seasons there are whale or dolphin watching excursions,while just 10km from the city centre is Bondi and its famous beaches, breathtaking coast and laidback feel.
The city can also serve as a hub for other interests.
In the arts and culture scene, for example, the final quarter of 2024 sees showcases of young local artists, First Nations choir and Old Master works while a weekly music class offers the chance to play with strangers as long as you bring your own instrument.
On a wider scale, 2025 opens with the annual Sydney Festival offering everything from contemporary and classical music to dance, circus, comedy and visual arts while Vivid Sydney returns in May for its 15th edition of lights, music, food and innovation for 23 days and nights.
Other events in the year include the city’s festivals encompassing film, fringe entertainment, world writers and international women’s jazz music, while street fiestas include the weekend music-and-F&B Spring in the Streets as well as Oktoberfest in The Rocks.
In the pantheon of sport, the city hosts events encompassing everything from cricket, rugby and football to surfing and sailing, with the world-class Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race taking centrestage at the year-end.
Running around also seems to be hot with Sydneysiders, thanks to wide pavements and connectivity between the city’s main sights, plus a plethora of community activities such as parkruns.
In September it’s time for Sydney Marathon, which is aiming to become the seventh World Major, after Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
The prestigious 40,000-strong race takes in the best of the city and in that time of the year, capitalises on the early spring weather conducive for some great running.
If you’re into nature, the world heritage wilderness of the Blue Mountains is about 60km from the city, where a weekend hike takes in the breathtaking views over the 50 million-year-old valley.
Then there are national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and wine tours accessible via self-drive.
If you’re keen to be on the road, Sydney may also be a great spot from which to travel to other parts of Oz.
Heading north will take you to the Gold Coast near Brisbane, with its moderate weather year-round, plus theme parks, wineries, beaches and wildlife jaunts both on land and sea.
Some 800km from Sydney, a leisurely drive up Pacific Highway takes on the best of coastal views towards a sun, sand and surf paradise.
Southward takes on Grand Pacific Drive, a 140km scenic coastal trip with stops including lush rainforests, seaside towns, F&B breaks and too many beaches to mention.
Further on and you’ll hit the Sapphire Coast to explore secluded beaches, pristine estuaries, more national parks and ancient landscapes.
Crossing the border into Victoria will take you on to Melbourne, the vibrant epicentre of cultural heritage, sport, cinema, street art, live music and theatre scenes.
From Victorian era laneways and buildings to adrenaline-pumping sporting events such as Formula One, Australian Open to start the tennis Grand Slam journey for the year, and Melbourne Cup, the 1,000km journey from Sydney may be worth the time and effort to experience the best of Australia in one go.
AirAsiaX flies daily with additional flights during peak periods to Sydney.
To get the best out of the eight-hour ride, you can opt for the Premium Flatbed category, which includes 40kg check-in baggage allowance, priority boarding, pre-flight lounge access and onboard meals. — By EZANOR MK
