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We have many guests from the USA join us on our private Sydney tours, with a surge in Americans visiting Australia and New South Wales (Sydney’s home state) in recent years. So, as local tour guides, we wanted to share some top tips for US travellers planning a vacation to Sydney. And many of these tips will be helpful to those of other nationalities looking to visit Sydney too.
Along with your valid US passport, you’ll need a visa known as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Subclass 601 to enter Australia which allows US visitors to stay in the country for up to three months at a time, with the ETA valid for 12 months from the date of issue (or for as long as your passport is valid during that time). You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want in that 12 months, and you can use the ETA as a tourist (including cruises), to visit family or friends, or as a business visitor.
It can be applied for via the Australian ETA app for which there is an $AUD20 (around $USD14) charge to use, the only charge for the ETA. Airlines and some travel agents in the United States can also apply for ETAs on your behalf. In most cases you’ll find out the result of your ETA application immediately, and every person wishing to visit Australia (e.g. every family member) needs a separate ETA. For more information on visiting Australia, see the US State Department’s website.
And as an aside, we’d strongly suggest you take out travel health insurance as you’ll be personally liable for any healthcare costs while in Australia.
We like to say that there’s never a bad time to visit Sydney (we are biased, after all!). But that’s backed up by Sydney being a fairly temperate climate, making it more likely to be pleasant most of the year round.
That said, southern hemisphere summer (December – February), particularly the end of the year prior to Christmas through to New Year’s, is the most popular time to visit Sydney, what with the sun-kissed weather, daylight savings time that extends daylight to around 8pm, and one of the most famous New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. But being the busiest tourist season, it’s good to factor that into your thinking when planning your Sydney vacation.
And though it may be tempting for our US visitors to Sydney to want to escape the northern hemisphere winter for some fun in the southern hemisphere sun, and understandably so, there are benefits to visiting Sydney in off-peak Australian seasons. Namely, less crowds, more reasonable flight and hotel prices, but still enjoyable weather.
Our autumn (or fall), is a great time to visit Sydney, running through March to May, with weather below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), though the hot weather has been known to extend through some of March. Daylight savings time is also still in effect until early April. The cooler weather is also ideal for more comfortable sightseeing – in summer, temperatures in Sydney can reach above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity in the 80-90% range (so be sure to bring your hats, sunscreen and sunglasses if you’re here in summer). Autumn is also an ideal time to take a day tour out of Sydney to destinations like the Blue Mountains or Southern Highlands where you’ll be among the vibrant colours of the season.
Meanwhile, winter (June – August) temperature averages between 9-19 degrees Celsius (48-66 degrees Fahrenheit) and spring, 12-24 degrees Celsius (54-75 degrees Fahrenheit). There’s also the advantage of visiting Sydney during the American summer break as it occurs during off-peak months in Australia.
For more on the best time to visit Sydney, see our previous blog post, and at Your Sydney Guide, we’ll warmly welcome you any time of the year for Sydney City private day tours and day tours from Sydney.
If you’re sticking to the city, we’d generally advise using public transport, ubers or taxis, or taking a Sydney city day tour. Nothing against driving in Sydney, but it’s simply easier not to, especially if you’re unfamiliar with city streets, traffic conditions and road laws. But if you do decide to drive, just remember we drive on the left side and it’s right-hand drive in Australia.
In general, Sydney has a good public transport system, although if an incident occurs on the main train network it can at times cause significant delays, though this is not too common. The addition of the Metro train system has brought the city closer to international standards when it comes to fast train travel, the light rail is a great way to get around the city, a must-ride on our iconic ferries will get you to your harbour destination with ease and we have a pretty reliable bus system.
Public transport in any new city takes some getting used to, but once you are it’s not too hard to navigate in Sydney. The trip planner section on the Transport NSW website is a great way to plan your public transport journey around the city.
Of course, Sydney is also a great city to discover by foot so you can get plenty of your daily steps in and in spectacular surrounds. But with Australians driving on the left, take care when stepping out on to the road. Also, beware of walking across bike lanes when crossing roads, as well as e-bikes which have become a hazard, and food courier bikes that can zip through crowds at speed on sidewalks. Keep an eye and ear out for light rail when crossing roads too as they’re pretty quiet, apart from the signal bell.
Your Sydney Guide prides itself on our strong relationships with some of Sydney’s best hotels so we can truly recommend only the best too. Sydney is home to exceptional hotels like the Park Hyatt, Hilton, InterContinental, Four Seasons, Shangri-La, Langham, Fullerton and Capella.
Of course, your choice will likely be guided in part by location, location, location. For some stunning Sydney Harbour views and 5-star hotel luxury, it’s hard to beat the Park Hyatt Hotel in the historic Rocks district. Its prime location is right on the harbour foreshore, opposite the iconic Sydney Opera House, and in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and in close proximity to the city’s ferry terminal, Circular Quay.
Also in The Rocks is the Four Seasons and Shangri-La hotels, both high rises with the possibility of amazing birds-eye views of Sydney and the harbour.
Offering harbour views in an opulent setting is The InterContinental Sydney, an elegant example of mixing old and new and set within the heritage-listed neo-classical architecture of the former Treasury Building, first constructed in 1851. It’s in a great position, situated opposite the Royal Botanic Garden and a short walk to the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay.
Just a few streets over on Loftus St in the Sandstone Precinct, is beautiful The Capella, one of the most exciting entries to Sydney’s hotel scene in recent years. Housed inside the heritage-listed Department of Education building, it’s an artful example of fusing heritage and contemporary design, mirrored in its program of Sydney cultural experiences. In close proximity to major attractions like Circular Quay, The Rocks and The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and right near restaurants, bars and museums, The Capella is a great way to immerse yourself in both historical and modern Sydney.
If shopping and being in the heart of the city (downtown) are your priority, then the Hilton, Fullerton and Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park are all excellent choices with close access to local hotspots like The Queen Victoria Building and Pitt Street Mall, as well as an array of high-end luxury labels and boutiques.
For something a little different, the eclectic W Sydney in Darling Harbour is a great option, with its striking architecture known as ‘The Ribbon’. Take in the spectacular waterfront views from the 2-level rooftop bar or heated infinity pool in a 5-star hotel conveniently located a short walk to thriving restaurant precinct, Darling Square, and the city centre.
See our blog post for more on choosing the best hotels in Sydney.
Australian cuisine is much more than just meat pies, lamingtons, and Vegemite (though we do love them). Modern (or contemporary) Australian fine cuisine is a versatile, broad recipe defined by bold, cutting-edge creativity. Elements include Indigenous ingredients you won’t find anywhere else, multicultural fusion, seasonal and local ingredients, fresh seafood and quality meats (including our Coat of Arms stars, the emu and kangaroo), and sustainable foods. And Sydney, like Australia in general, is a cultural melting pot so you can pretty much try all flavours of the world here. You’ll also find a good selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
Some of the prime food precincts and a few restaurant suggestions:
Sydney Harbour: Aria, Bennelong, Café Sydney, Luna LuSydney CBD: Eleven Barrack, Rockpool Bar & Grill, Aalia, LuMi DiningBarangaroo: A’mare, Nobu, Woodcut, The Meat & Wine CoDarling Square: Haidilao Hotpot, Nakano Darling, Holy BasilChinatown: Ho Jiak, Porkfat, Royal Palace Seafood, The EightSurry Hills: Firedoor, NEL Restaurant, Bastardo, The White HorsePaddington: Saint Peter, Ursula’s, Fred’s, PorcinePotts Point: Cho Cho San, Yellow, Fratelli Paradiso, The ApolloBondi: North Bondi Fish, Bondi Icebergs, Sean’s, Hurricane Grill & BarNewtown: Café Paci, Ante, Firepop, Kolkata Social
You’ll also find other restaurant suggestions on our Sydney Travel Ideas page.
And a note that the legal drinking and gambling age in Australia is 18, and you’ll likely be asked for ID if you’re around this age.
The important thing to remember is that, while tipping has become more popular in recent years in Australia, it still isn’t necessarily expected (that said, it won’t be knocked back if offered!). This is partly because wages are, generally, considerably higher than the US, so staff aren’t relying on tips to subsidise their wages. In general, whether restaurant or any other service, consider it more a courtesy or appreciation of service rather than a “must”.
If you are to leave a tip, the percentage you leave is really up to your discretion. And it’s up to your discretion whether you leave a tip at all, it’s ok not to. For some Australians, it all depends on the level of service provided or the cost of the food for example in the first place. Some may as a practice always tip, others may sometimes, others may not at all.
Sydney’s got all the big luxury brands on your shopping list, and some of the best local designers too, with many of the top luxury international names conveniently located in Sydney’s CBD. Some of the brands on offer for retail therapy on your Sydney vacation: Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Hermès, BVLGARI, Chanel, Dior, Boss, Jimmy Choo, Polo Ralph Lauren, Versace, Balenciaga, Fendi, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Givenchy, and Prada.
The main luxury shopping Sydney hotspots are the city’s main street, George Street, Westfield in Pitt Street Mall, the majestic Queen Victoria Building opposite Town Hall on George St, historical precinct The Rocks (the home to several of Sydney’s best opal stores), and in inner-city suburbs Bondi, Paddington and Newtown for hip boutiques.
We can also factor in some shopping into any of our Sydney city private tours and direct you to all the best places while on your Sydney vacation. For more, see our bumper luxury Shopping guide.
Australia uses the metric system, so distance/length is measured in kilometres, metres, centimetres and millimetres over miles, yards, feet and inches, weight/mass is kilograms, grams and milligrams versus stone, pounds and ounces, temperature is Celsius rather than Fahrenheit, and volume is sold in litres and millilitres as opposed to gallons, quarts or pints. We’d recommend downloading a conversion app so you can easily calculate any necessary measurements.
Australian appliances typically run on 230 volts and use Type I plugs which have two flat, angled pins and one vertical pin (imagine a face perpetually shocked, as it were), so you will need a travel power adapter. You may also need a voltage converter for some appliances such as hair dryers as US voltage is 120 volts, much less than Australia’s.
When we talk about Australian language, primarily we’re referring to typical Aussie terms and phrases (rather than the range of languages you may hear in our very multicultural city). Here are some common ones you may hear during your Sydney vacation.
Arvo: afternoonBarbie: a barbeque. Made famous by the ‘80s US tourism campaign in which iconic Aussie ambassador Paul Hogan immortalised the phrase, “throw another shrimp on the barbie”.Bottle-O: a bottle shop to buy alcohol.Brekky: breakfast.Brolly: an umbrella.Bum Bag: our version of a “fanny pack” (but still worn at the front rather than the back). Fanny also means something VERY different in Australia. But we’ll leave that one right there.Choc-a-block: full.Chook: a chicken.Cold one/Coldie: a beer.Cuppa: a cup of tea.Dunny: a toilet.Fair dinkum: a phrase, often used in frustration, meaning “honestly!”.Hotel: means the obvious but can also refer to a bar or pub.It’s my round: it’s my turn to buy a round of drinks.Lollies: candy.Maccas: McDonald’s.Middy: half a pint of beer.Mozzie: a mosquito.No worries: no problem.Pub: a bar.Rellies/Rellos: relatives.Servo: short for “service station”, our term for gas stations.She’ll be right, mate: it’ll be ok.Stubby: a bottle of beer.Sunnies: sunglasses.Surfie: a surfer.Swimmers/Togs: swimwear. Men’s swimwear has the most colourful variety of slang names, from “boardies” (boardshorts) to “budgie smugglers” (Speedos). We’ll just leave that one there.Tea: dinner, but also just means “tea”.Thongs: means something VERY different in Australia. It’s what we call flip flops or slip-ons, rather than underwear. Although we do have those types of thongs too.Tucker: food.
If we can assist you as you plan your vacation to Australia, or for any further information on our tours, please drop us a line on our contact page.
We’d love to say G’day to our friends from the USA soon!
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