Do I need a visa for Australia?+
Travelers need an eVisitor (subclass 651), a free electronic travel authorization processed online via the Australian immigration department's website or app. It's valid for a year and allows stays of up to three months per entry. Processing usually takes a few days, so apply well in advance.
How many days for Sydney?+
Three to four days for the city itself, with the beach, the harbor and one trip to the Blue Mountains. Add Hunter Valley and Royal National Park for five to six days. Sydney is often the start or end of a longer Australia trip, which is worth planning for at least three weeks given the long flight.
Is Sydney expensive?+
Yes, it's among the most expensive cities in the world, especially for accommodation and restaurants. Transport is reasonable thanks to the daily fare cap and cheap on Sundays. A lot is free — beaches, coastal walks, the Botanic Garden, galleries and walking across the bridge. You'll save by eating at Asian food courts and shopping at supermarkets.
Where can you swim in Sydney?+
At the ocean beaches — Bondi, Coogee, Bronte and Manly — only between the red-and-yellow flags, where lifeguards are on duty; rip currents are dangerous. Calmer options are harbor beaches like Shelly Beach in Manly or Balmoral. The ocean pools carved into the cliffs, such as Bondi Icebergs and Bronte, are safe and excellent.
When is New Year's Eve in Sydney?+
The fireworks over the Harbour Bridge go off at midnight on 31 December, with an earlier, family-friendly show at 9 pm. The best harborside spots fill up from the morning, and some, including parts of the Botanic Garden, charge entry. Hotels with a view sell out a year ahead. It's one of the first major fireworks displays in the world each year.
Are there dangerous animals in Sydney?+
Barely, within the city itself. Spiders such as the Sydney funnel-web are rare, and antivenom exists. Sharks are uncommon near the beaches, which have nets and patrols. The real risks are the sea itself — currents and waves — and the sun, with a UV index over ten. Bluebottle jellyfish give a painful sting in summer.
How does transport work in Sydney?+
Trains, the metro, buses, light rail and ferries are all paid for with an Opal card or a contactless card tapped on the reader when boarding and alighting. The daily cap is around seventeen dollars, the weekly around fifty, and Sunday fares are very low, making Sunday the day for ferry trips around the harbor. The TripView app shows departures.
When is the best time to visit Sydney?+
Spring, from September to November, and autumn, from March to May — warm, fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer, from December to February, is best for the beach but expensive and crowded. Winter, from June to August, is mild and sunny, too cold for swimming, but brings the Vivid light festival and whale watching offshore.
