Sydney to get swamped with 10 million flooding the city this summer

Sydney, Australia - December 25, 2014: A surf lifesaver wearing a pair of reindeer horns on Christmas Day talks on his phone.

More than 10 million overnight and day trip visitors are expected to visit Sydney to revel in the city’s summer fun line-up.

Over the six month period of October – March, 18 million visitors will bundle into Sydney, with 10 million of these expected to visit during Summer.

Last year, Summer-loving tourists stayed around 29.2 million nights during the three months of the popular, warm season.

“Summer is an absolutely magical time to visit Sydney and make the most of the city’s famous coastal lifestyle with more than 90 beaches on offer,” NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said.

“Last Summer, we welcomed more than 9.2 million visitors who spent more than $4.9 billion in Sydney, meaning tourists are taking advantage of the endless entertainment, dining and major event options after a day on the beaches.

 

The top activities for visitors to Sydney are eating out, shopping, sightseeing, and attending events.

Where to eat: Waterside dining is one of Sydney’s essential experiences. Visit LuMi Bar & Dining in Pyrmont for a two-hatted meal, and enjoy Turkish meze treats at Anason in Sydney’s newest waterfront development, Barangaroo. Head to Paddington’s newest restaurant, Fred’s, and head to the Light Brigade Hotel just down the road for a rooftop beverage. When in Western Sydney, book at meal at Vela Dining & Bar along the Parramatta River, or enjoy the 180-degree river views on the deck at Port Bar. For a truly iconic experience, enjoy a sunset drink at Opera Bar, along the Sydney Opera House promenade, looking at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sightseeing musts: The world famous Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and Manly are all absolute musts, especially for first-time Summer visitors. A walk around the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Centennial Parklands and visits to Taronga Zoo, SeaLife Manly and Sydney Aquarium are also popular. 

Events to plan around: Sport fans, culture lovers, and history buffs are taken care of in Sydney’s Summer calendar. The Coates Hire Sydney 500 car racing (2-4 December 2016), the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (from 3 January 2017), APIA International Sydney tennis tournament (8-14 January 2017), HSBC Sydney 7s rugby fix (3-5 February 2017) and Australian Open of Surfing (25 February – 5 March 2017) are all on offer. For celebrity spotters, the 6th AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel will see the stars of Australian film and television walk the red carpet in Sydney (7 December 2016) and is a great excuse to frock up. Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives will feature cutting-edge technology that reveals the secrets of mummies from the British Museum in a world premiere exclusive at the Powerhouse Museum (from 10 December 2016). Sydney Festival runs for just over three weeks (7-27 January 2017) and offers hundreds of ticketed and free events including The Beach, NUDE LIVE, and Symphony Under the Stars. Finally, New Year’s Eve and Australia Day are incredibly special times to be in Sydney to enjoy the fanfare and fireworks.

 

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