Sydney is a cosmopolitan harbour city that is both a feast for the senses and a major commercial, artistic and industrial centre. The city is endlessly fascinating in its beauty and diversity, matched by the friendly, relaxed nature of its people.

The harbour and beaches play a major role in the leisure and sporting lives of Sydneysiders - yachting, surfing, sail-boarding, swimming, boating, fishing and waterskiing are all popular activities. Many national parks and areas of natural bushland surround the city.

The Sydney Opera House, with its graceful 'sails', has become the city’s cultural centre. It is home to the Sydney Symphony, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Ballet and the Sydney Theatre Company. Adjacent to the Opera House is the Botanic Gardens. A short stroll along the harbour foreshore takes you past world-class restaurants and galleries and leads to the 'Rocks' precinct – which has many historic buildings and locales. It is now a bustling hub for shopping, cuisine, and weekend craft and food markets.

Some Sydney facts...

• There are 37 beaches along Sydney's coastline, from Palm Beach in the north, to Cronulla in the south.
• The Sydney metropolitan area covers 4,000 square kilometres. That's the same size as London and double the size of New York City.
• Sydney Harbour has enough water to fill 504,000 Olympic swimming pools.
• The Mint on Macquarie Street is the oldest building in Sydney's CBD. It was built in 1815.

An easy two-hour drive from Sydney will transport you to the heart of the beautiful Blue Mountains (west), the vineyards and artisans of the Hunter Valley (north) and the rugged coastal beauty and beaches of the South Coast.