The City Centre

The Central Business District, in the Heart of Sydney, is home to major shopping centres, hotels and entertainment venues, and many important financial and business institutions.

The city is also rich in history, sporting some of Sydney’s oldest buildings, such as the Hyde Park Barracks and the St James Church. Martin Place, in the heart of the city, features a number of historic buildings and the famous Cenotaph, the focus for ceremonies commemorating Anzac Day.

Take a walk along the harbour front from the Sydney Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, then on to historic Macquarie Street, or explore the city’s retail history walking from James Street Station to the Queen Victoria Building.

Pitt Street Mall boasts nine retail centres and over 600 specialty stores, featuring something for every style and budget. Nearby, the Queen Victoria Building and the David Jones and Myer department stores off a massive range of products. Martin Place, Castlereagh and King Street also boast a wide range from supermarkets through to the finest in international designer labels.

The city is sprinkled with green spaces, providing a cool respite from the rush of the city. Popular parks include Sydney’s most historic park, the formal Hyde Park, Cook and Philip Park’s wide open spaces and the wonderful expanse of the Domain.

Explore the self-guided Sydney Sculpture Walk, a meandering circuit that winds through the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain, Cook, Philip and Hyde parks and the streets of the CBD. The walk showcases the imaginative work of contemporary artists, including the striking ‘Passage’ by Anne Graham, a unique piece that uses a fine mist to give the illusion of a ghostly house.

The city offers a range of cuisines in a number of food courts and dining precincts. Lunch at the Queen Victoria Building or dine at the MLC Centre or the GPO building in Martin Place. A number of the tourist attractions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Australian Museum, boast exceptionally good cafes for a quick coffee and a bite to eat. For a range of decadent, mouth-watering delights, head to the foodie’s paradise at the David Jones foodhall.