Sydney is Australia's oldest city and arguably is its most beautiful. With a plethora of beautiful white beaches, cerulean harbours and a dazzlingly bright night-time vista, what exactly is there not to love?

The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney is located on Australia's south-eastern coast. The city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, leading to Syndey's nickname, "the Harbour City".

Sydney's metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks and contains a multitude of bays, rivers and inlets. The city's popularity has led to it hosting a wide range of international sporting and cultural events including the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

As there are many flight offers waiting to be snapped up, visitors would do well to find flights online and book that last minute holiday straightaway before they all vanish this summer.

Traditions and culture in Sydney

Sydney is a truly diverse and multicultural city made up of many different cultures. Waves of immigration from countries such as Greece, Italy and scores of regions in nearby Asia Pacific have made the city a veritable mosaic of different ethnic backgrounds and traditions.

Sydney also boasts a vibrant artistic culture brimming with musical and theatrical activity. The Sydney Symphony is internationally renowned and frequently performs at the Sydney Opera to public and critical acclaim.

Meanwhile, Jazz and new music has found a home in places like The Basement. Sydney is also famous for its alternative rock scene and many Australian rock bands such as INXS, Midnight Oil and AC/DC started out in the city.

Things to do in Sydney

One of the best ways to see Sydney Harbour is definitely from the water. There is a wide range of water-based activites tourists can enjoy including sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. For those who aren't afraid of getting a little wet, Spit Bridge and Balmoral are the best places to hire equipment.

Any self-respecting Aussie will tell you that one of the best activities to do at Sydney's beaches is surfing. The best beach sites for surfing include Bondi and Tamarama on the south shore and Narrabeen, North Avalon and Palm Beach on the north.

Diving is also a popular pastime in Sydney. The best shore dives in the city are the Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail, north of Coogee; Shark Point, Clovelly and Ship Rock, Cronulla. Popular boat dive sites include Wedding Cake Island, off Coogee around the Sydney Heads.

Weather in Sydney

Sydney has a temperate climate - summer temperatures average at around a comfortably warm 25 degrees C (77 degrees Fahrenheit). However, summer days can get as hot as 40 degrees C (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Torrential downpours are common between October and March, while winters are cool rather than cold.

Destination checklist for Sydney

Sydney has a population of around 4.4 million.

The official language is English but over 30 different languages are spoken from Greek and Italian to Chinese and Hindi.

The Australian dollar is the official currency in use.
Sydney is ten hours ahead of GMT.

The city's international dialling code is +61.