Sydney, Australia HyperLocal City Guide featuring Neighborhoods, Zip Codes

Australia’s oldest and largest city, Sydney oozes confidence, causing many visitors to think it’s the national capital. Canberra may be the official capital, but Sydney boasts Australia’s most famous icons.

Sydney Harbour is the city’s heart. The majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge towers over its waters — stroll the pedestrian walkway or scale its heights with BridgeClimb. Nearby, the Opera House is renowned for its quirky architecture and performing arts.

Centrepoint Tower’s observation deck gives soaring water views. Try a harbour cruise or ferry ride — routes from Circular Quay go to beachside Manly and to Taronga Zoo for koalas and wallabies.

Sydney Harbour National Park offers coastal vistas as well as Aboriginal rock engravings. For nature in the city centre, try the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Centennial Park.

Entertainment precincts entice those who love the urban buzz. Nestled under the bridge, the Rocks is Australia’s oldest European settlement and houses galleries, shops and restaurants owned by Australia’s fashionable chefs — enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Rocks Market and Neil Perry’s Rockpool.

Darling Harbour is a modern waterside precinct and home to Sydney Aquarium’s 11,500 animals, including seals, crocodiles and sharks.

Bohemian life is found in Newtown, including retro clothing, cutting-edge galleries and emerging designers. Sip Lebanese coffee of savour Thai food in between fossicking.

Paddington exudes understated chic. Find up-and-coming artists and designers at the Paddington Markets and Australia’s favourite young designers on Oxford Street, including Akira Isogowa and Alannah Hill. Dinosaur Designs crafts jewellery and homewares from rainbow-coloured resin. Relax over Italian food at Buon Ricordo and cakes at La Gerbe d’Or.

Double Bay’s elite streets burst with high-end fashion and splendid shoes. Try coffee at the popular Bar Indigo and The Cosmo, and meander past grand harbour-side homes.

Bondi is Australia’s most famous beach. Frolic in the ocean, take the Bondi to Coogee Walk — six kilometres (3.7 miles) of cliffs and ocean pools — or lounge at Lamrock Cafe or Eastern Hotel.

Major hotel chains operate in Sydney, as well as: the budget BIG Hostel and Springfield Lodge; the self-contained Harbourside Serviced Apartments and Pacific International Apartments; and the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel.