The Open Road Travel

Choosing the best areas to stay in Sydney can be quite a challenge. This is because it is Australia’s largest and most populated city, as well as the capital of the most visited state, New South Wales.

The state is home to the famous Hunter Valley wine region and also the magnificent Blue Mountains. This vibrant city is located right on the east coast and offers the best of both beach and city attractions.

You can find an incredible variety of attractions in the city, along with sandy beaches, iconic sights, and enticing day trip destinations just outside of Sydney. So, if you want to ensure your trip to "The Emerald City" is everything you dreamed of, I highly suggest reading on.

Sydney is made up of 658 suburbs and it's residents are known as "Sydneysiders". The city's population is around 5 million, meaning that Sydney is home to over half of the New South Wales population.

Despite it being one of the most expensive cities, Sydney frequently ranks in the top ten most liveable cities in the world.

Sydney is a destination not often missed in travellers’ itineraries when they travel to Australia and with good reason.

With so much to keep you entertained and the city being surrounded by iconic beaches and world heritage sites, Sydney is a destination you don’t want to skip.

Generally, Sydney is a great city to visit at any time of the year, but keep in mind that seasons in Australia are a little different from what you may be used to.

Seasons are at opposite times to those in the northern hemisphere, meaning that the summer months are December, January, and February.

With this being said, the few months prior to these and the ones following are generally the best time to visit Sydney. This way you will avoid the very hot temperatures of mid-summer and the school holiday crowds, while hotel rates are usually lower as well.

Being such a large city, it can be overwhelming deciding which of the many districts would best suit your needs. That's why today, I will be showing you what each area has to offer and helping you choose the best area to stay in Sydney to make the most of your trip.

If it is your first time visiting Sydney, you may want to consider staying in the Rocks and Circular Quay area. It is home to several of the top tourist attractions in the city, including the Sydney Opera House and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Not only a great location if sightseeing is a top priority of yours, the Rocks and Circular Quay area in North Sydney is also the best area to stay for first-time visitors, as it is perfectly positioned on Sydney Harbour.

This is an ideal spot for making sure you get to see all the main attractions.

The famed Sydney Opera House is the major attraction in this area. The opera house is probably one of the most well-known and recognisable locations in all of Australia, and you simply cannot visit Sydney without catching a glimpse of it.

Sydney Opera House is best viewed from across the harbour but, if you get the chance, why not attend a performance there for an unforgettable experience.

To reach the opera house, you will have to walk right by the Royal Botanic Gardens. The garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and a heritage-listed, 74-acre botanical garden.

The huge gardens boast so many activities and attractions, including themed gardens, educational centres, a pool, and an open-air cinema. This attraction is excellent for all ages and is open every day of the year, with entry being free.

In addition to the expansive Botanical Gardens, you can also enjoy a stroll through the lovely Observatory Hill Park. The park has panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and the surrounding city and is a charming little park to relax in.

You can enjoy some amazing views from Pylon Lookout on Dawes Point. This observatory provides a view of all of Sydney, and you will even be able to see as far out as the Blue Mountains.

Right beside the pylon is the historic Dawes Point Battery. Visit this 18th-century former artillery fortification and view the cannons and original floors still in place.

There are plenty of open spaces and opportunities to enjoy nature in the Rocks and Circular Quay area. One of these being the Barangaroo Reserve.

This waterfront park offers walking and cycling paths with beautiful scenic views. After a few busy days exploring Sydney, why not enjoy a stroll or a relaxing picnic in Barangaroo Reserve on a sunny afternoon.

If you fancy being on the water instead of just viewing it from a distance, head over to Circular Quay Ferry Terminal. Here you can take a nice ferry ride to various destinations around Sydney Harbour and along the Parramatta River.

If you would prefer to be situated a little further out from the crowds, the districts of North Sydney and Milsons Point are just across the Sydney Harbour Bridge yet are still close enough that you can even stay in a hotel that has a view of the opera house.

With so many top attractions and iconic views, hotels in this area can be expensive. Therefore, if you are working with a small budget, you may be better off staying elsewhere and travelling into this district.

Stay In The Rocks and Circular Quay If:

• It is your first stay in Sydney
• Seeing all the major attractions is a priority
• You’re not on a budget
• You want a central area with lots of open space
  

Under a 10-minute walk from the Sydney Opera House, the Sir Stamford Circular Quay is an upmarket hotel in a prime location.

The hotel features a sundeck that overlooks Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay, plus its award-winning restaurant has views of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The spacious, sophisticated rooms and suites offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, marble bathrooms with double vanities, plus mahogany executive work desks, and tea and coffee making facilities. Some of the rooms also have balconies with stunning city views.

The Dining Room offers modern Australian cuisine in an elegant and intimate atmosphere and the Highlander Whisky Bar serves a gourmet bar menu and a wonderful selection of fine whiskies, liqueurs, and cocktails.

Breakfast can be served in the restaurant or in your room, plus there is an on-site fitness room and a sauna, as well as an outdoor heated pool with a sundeck.

Darling harbour is just west of Sydney's Central Business District and is a great family-friendly location that has something for everyone.

With so many fun attractions within easy walking distance, the wonderful waterside location is the best area to stay in Sydney for families with children.

Two of the most popular attractions in Darling Harbour are the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, which has the world’s largest collection of Australian aquatics, and Wild Life Sydney Zoo, where visitors can get up close to native animals, such as koalas and kangaroos.

A short walk from these two attractions is Tumbalong Park. This park features spacious grassy areas, along with a large play area with water elements and a beautiful Chinese garden. It’s a great spot for kids to spend some time outdoors and run off some energy.

If you fancy a spot of shopping, you should head to the Harbourside Shopping Centre. The multilevel complex boasts over 100 stores and overlooks the water for a scenic shopping experience.

The Harbourside Shopping Centre is also an excellent place to stop for a bite to eat. The mall is full of upscale restaurants with waterside dining terraces, plus several stylish cocktail bars throughout the mall and along the waterfront.

These are the perfect spots to spend a relaxing evening with a few drinks while you watch the sunset or the weekly firework show over the harbour.

For another magnificent sightseeing experience, hop on to the iconic Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel. At an impressive height of 35 metres, the ferris wheel is crowned as one of Australia’s best Ferris wheels.

Passengers can even manually control the rotation of the fully enclosed gondolas to enjoy breath-taking 360-degree views of Sydney’s skyline and harbour. Choose to ride on the Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel and you are guaranteed a view of a lifetime.

As Darling Harbour is so close to the city centre, it’s a very popular location. For this reason, this area has its share of pricier accommodation. However, there are still plenty of affordable options too, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to shop around a bit.

Stay In Darling Harbour If:

• You are travelling with family and children
• You want to stay close to the city centre
• You want to witness the weekly fireworks show
• You don’t mind staying in a busy, touristy area
  

With views of Darling Harbour and the city skyline, the ParkRoyal Darling Harbour is in a very central location and is an excellent choice for families.

This modern, upscale hotel offers guest rooms and suites with work desks, a large, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a safety deposit box, and an en-suite bathroom.

In regards to dining, the spacious Barkers Restaurant serves a delicious buffet breakfast daily, which caters well for children, and the ABODE Bistro and Bar offers modern Australian cuisine made using locally sourced ingredients.

The bar has a good choice of wines, craft beer, and signature cocktails. There are also tea and coffee making facilities in the rooms and, if you prefer it, the hotel offers in-room dining.

On-site is a fully-equipped fitness centre fitted with state-of-the-art training equipment including weights and yoga mats, plus plasma-screen TVs.

Facilities at ParkRoyal Hotel include 24-hour room service, self-parking, overnight valet parking services, and a tour desk.

Located in East Sydney, Bondi Beach is probably the most famous beach in the city, and the surrounding neighbourhood is extremely popular with tourists. It has very little high-rise development and offers laid-back cafes and boutique shops.

It's laid-back coastal lifestyle and eclectic community makes Bondi Beach perhaps the best area to stay in Sydney for backpackers.

If a relaxing beach holiday is what you’re looking for, Bondi Beach is an ideal spot to set up base.

Bondi Beach itself has plenty of things to do, whether you want to spend your time relaxing on the golden sand or in the water enjoying the various water sports on offer.

One of the most popular water sports in Bondi is surfing. The conditions in the area and the reliable waves draw surfers to Bondi Beach. If you have never tried surfing before but want to give it a shot, visit one of the surf shops or schools along the length of the beach.

If that doesn’t sound like your thing or you’re not a strong swimmer, there are saltwater sea baths at either end of the beach.

For travellers that enjoy walking, the Bondi Beach area is known for having some of the best coastal walks in the region.

A particularly popular walk is the route that leads from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. This pleasant, cliff-top walk offers stunning ocean views the whole way along.

There are lots of cafes to stop at along the way if you need to stop for rest or a bite to eat. The parks and beaches on the route also offer a place to chill out or cool off in the sea.

Coogee Beach is another very popular location. Being fairly close to Bondi Beach, but away from the pricier, more crowded main town, it’s especially popular with backpackers. Coogee Beach is slightly more sheltered than Bondi, so is a great beach with calm surf.

Another advantage to staying near Bondi Beach is the proximity to Sydney Airport. With the airport just a few kilometres away to the west, you can avoid the often dreadful city centre traffic.

Being such an iconic location, hotels and apartments in Bondi Beach can get quite expensive. There are some affordable options a little further inland, and these cater to the booming backpacking community.

In particular, Coogee Beach offers affordable hotels, apartments, and hostels.

However, if you don’t mind paying a little more, there are some wonderful luxury hotels in Bondi Beach where you can enjoy stunning ocean views.

Stay In Bondi Beach If:

• You want to be by the best beaches in Sydney
• You are interested in surfing or learning to surf
• You prefer not to be right in the city centre
• You want to stay closer to Sydney Airport
  

Established in 1919 and located just across the road from Bondi Beach, Hotel Bondi offers a carefree atmosphere with minimalist rooms.

All the hotel’s air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, and a private bathroom with toiletries. Some rooms have a balcony with sea views and suites feature a kitchenette and sofa beds.

The bustling bistro is overlooking the beach and is the heart of the hotel. It offers mouth-watering dishes, including pub classics, made using local and seasonal ingredients, and a vast selection of local and imported beer.

Next to the bistro is the lively beer garden and the Curlewis Bar. Featuring entertainment, draught beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails, it’s the perfect spot to end the evening.

Room service is available at Hotel Bondi and guests are free to relax on the shared balcony.

Surry Hills and Newtown are two neighbouring districts that make up a larger area comonly referred to as a single locale.

Surry Hills is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Sydney. Bursting with creative energy and full of hip eateries, coffee joints, and fashionable shopping, this location is popular with Sydney’s younger crowd.

If you want to escape the crowds but keep close to the main attractions of the city centre, you might want to consider staying in Surry Hills.

Quirky boutiques, trendy pubs, and art galleries give a distinct hipster vibe to Surry Hills. The area has a great collection of chic restaurants and cafes to choose from, as well plenty of cafes offering the best of Sydney’s coffee scene.

If you enjoy strolling around markets or want to do a bit of shopping, the monthly Surry Hills Markets are a must-visit.

Selling everything from vintage fashion to antique decor, as well as handmade ceramics and obscure items, the markets showcase the suburb’s unique diversity to locals and visitors alike.

One particular perk to staying in Surry Hills is how close it is to Sydney’s largest train station.

Sydney Central Station offers links all over the city as well as to the districts outside of Sydney. For this reason, Surry Hills is the best area to stay in Sydney without a car.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to stay closer to the airport, you may want to consider staying in Newtown. Newtown has a similar vibe to Surry Hills but is a bit further out from the city.

Newtown is a neighbourhood packed with character. Full of thrift stores and secondhand bookshops, this location is the ideal spot for lovers of all things vintage or bohemian.

Newtown also has some of the most diverse food choices in the city. Whatever cuisine you are craving, you’re likely to find a great restaurant serving it here.

Evenings in Newtown are quite energetic. From live gigs to avant-garde cinema, there is plenty of nightlife options to keep you entertained.

One spot in particular, Enmore Theatre, offers a diverse lineup of live music, theatre, and comedy shows. Built in 1908, it is one of Sydney’s oldest live music venues.

The theatre has played host to some of the biggest bands in the world, including The Rolling Stones and Oasis.

You Should Stay In Surry Hills And Newtown If:

• You want to stay in an area with a trendy but laid back feel
• You love vintage and second-hand shops
• You want to keep close to the city centre but away from crowds
• You enjoy live music and shows
• You want to stay close to transport links
  

Located just a five-minute walk from Central Station, this fashionable, boutique hotel offers 92 chic, air-conditioned rooms with 1970s disco-inspired accents.

Each room offers a large flat-screen TV, as well as in-room iPads and iPhone docks. The rooms also have free Wi-Fi, a personal safe, hairdryer and ironing facilities. If you’d like one, a refrigerator or minibar is available on request.

Glass-enclosed bathrooms feature a rain shower and complimentary toiletries.

A complimentary breakfast of pastries, muesli bars and fruit is served every morning and the hotel has a 24-hour espresso bar, which serves a variety of Nespresso coffee and tea.

57 Hotel is just a 30-minute walk to Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The location is also perfect walking distance from many cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Situated in the heart of Newtown, The Urban Newtown Hotel offers stylish boutique hotel accommodation with industrial-style décor.

The hotel is just 2 minutes walk from the famous Enmore Theatre and just under 5 miles away from Sydney Airport.

The studio rooms come with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV, as well as a kitchenette featuring a microwave and refrigerator. The private bathroom offers a rain shower and free toiletries.

If you fancy upgrading, you could stay in a suite which adds living areas with sofa beds or bunk beds, or there are 2-bedroom apartments if you’d prefer.

The hotel has no on-site restaurant as rooms come equipped with kitchens, but if you’d like to give cooking a miss, there are plenty of boutique eateries within walking distance, offering some of the best food and coffee around.

There's also an indoor lobby garden, guest laundry, and underground parking.

Sydney is a wonderful destination, and you can find tons of excitement in the city. With so much to pack into your stay, you will of course want to find the best area to stay in Sydney to maximise your enjoyment of the trip.

I hope this article has given you a few ideas of where to stay to suit your needs so that you can have a perfect Australian vacation. You are sure to have a great time in this city no matter what district you stay in.

Once you have decided which area is the ideal one for you, all that’s left to do is start planning your getaway.