Widely regarded as the most significant city in the southern hemisphere, laid-back Sydney offers visitors more star attractions than you can fit into the average holiday. Fortunately, the majority of this city’s highlights are concentrated in a walkable area surrounding its magnificent harbour. Despite its reputation for being relaxed, visitors to Sydney may find themselves exhausted at the end of each day from trying to see and do all the rewarding activities on offer.

The ‘Emerald City’s’ most iconic district is located around the harbour. Architectural wonders such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge anchor the area which is covered in trendy cafés, buzzing bars and boutique shops. The Rocks is the nexus of all this indulgence, and the best place to start your explorations of Sydney. Darling Harbour is another fabulous district which has become a magnet for residents and visitors alike. The wining and dining around its Kings Wharf and Cockle Bay neighbourhoods is superb. This is also where you’ll find the superlative Sydney Aquarium and numerous art galleries and museums.

But there’s more to Sydney than its urban scene. More than 20 beautiful, clean beaches are strung along the city’s shoreline and around the harbour including legendary spots like Bondi Beach. The sea and sand are an integral part of daily life in this city. Don’t be surprised to see a bronzed cyclist carrying his surfboard through the streets of downtown. It’s this inseparable fusion of nature and cosmopolitan chic which makes Sydney so desirable and intoxicating.

In addition, there are dozens of great daytrips are just outside the city. Rent a car and explore the Hunter Valley’s wineries, hike through the magical Blue Mountains, or watch for whales at Port Stephens.

There are plenty of accommodation options for every budget in every corner of the city. The seaside towns of Manly and Bondi make a good base if the beach is your priority. Otherwise, check out the central business district’s luxury hotels or those at Darling Harbour. For mid-range lodgings, Inner West, North Sydney and the North Shore are all favourite spots. Food and transport is surprisingly affordable in Sydney, which helps to attract a wide range of travellers.

The Aboriginals arrived in the Sydney area around 20,000 years ago. There were nearly 3,000 of them living around Botany Bay when the British sea captain James Cook first arrived in 1770. The land looked so inviting that England sent the First Fleet back in 1787, planting their flag of colonisation at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. This day is now marked and celebrated as Australia Day.

First established as a penal colony, battles over land, power-sharing and business emerged as the original convicts served out their sentences and joined the community with free the settlers. Sydney began expanding outwards to accommodate the rising population, and occasional conflicts such as the 1808 Rum Rebellion proved that life was not always peaceful in the settlement.

When gold was discovered in 1851 in nearby Bathurst, thousands of prospectors poured into the area, eventually settling in Sydney as the gold frenzy moved to Victoria. This short period of prosperity saw many of the city’s grand buildings and institutions constructed. The International Exhibition of 1879 put Sydney into the global spotlight, attracting even more immigrants looking for a slice of paradise.

When the six colonies formed a commonwealth in 1901, Sydney became the capital of New South Wales (NSW). The city was considered progressive for its time, offering voting rights to women and demonstrating a tolerant attitude towards society. WWII was a tense period for its residents, as Japanese submarines bombed the waterfront towns of Rose Bay and Bondi. After the war, Sydney experienced another massive wave of immigration from Europe.

Recent decades have seen continuous development change the face of the city, with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games seeing the arrival of many new facilities. Despite its modern side, historical sites like The Rocks remain to remind the residents of Sydney’s rough and tumble origins while grassy areas in which to relax are still plentiful.

Sydney has some of the best weather in Australia. Conditions in the city never get too hot or too cold, and all four seasons are represented. Since Sydney is in the southern hemisphere, its summer season falls between November and March. This is the most popular time of year for visitors to come as the daytime temperatures hover around the mid 30s (°C) and the skies are generally bright and clear. The shoulder months of March and November are particularly ideal, when the weather cools off a bit.

Winters in Sydney aren’t too bad either. The period from June to August sees plenty of pleasant days with temperatures in the low 20s (°C). But skies can be damp and grey during the winter, so you’ll need to bring a sweater and warmer clothes for nights. The winter season has the advantage of having the fewest tourists, though the city rarely hits a lull. No matter what time of the year you visit, however, remember that the sun ‘down under’ is very strong so pack your favourite hat and sunglasses.