Ways to get around the City!
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Train
Sydney’s City Rail Loop, also known as the City Circle, is an underground train circuit that loops through key stations within the CBD. It connects Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum Stations. Trains run in both directions clockwise via Town Hall and Wynyard and counter-clockwise via Museum and St James . It links major train lines, offering easy access to shopping, business and tourist hubs.
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Light Rail
Sydney’s Light Rail network offers a convenient and accessible mode of transportation, connecting key areas across the city and its suburbs. The Light Rail operates daily from 5.00am until 1.00am. The service provides access to several major destinations, including:
Central Station, Darling Harbour, Sydney CBD (George Street), Moore Park, Randwick and University of New South Wales.
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City E Bikes
Sydney offers a variety of e-bike rental options to suit different needs, whether you’re exploring the city or working. Some top providers are:
Sydney Ebike Rentals, Move Bikes, E-Monster Bikes, Zooma and Manly Bikes.
Each provider offers unique benefits, so consider your specific needs, such as rental duration, included accessories and location when choosing.
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Ferry
Sydney Ferries are an iconic and scenic way to travel across the city’s stunning harbour. The ferries connect key suburbs and attractions via the harbour, offering both locals and tourists a relaxing and practical transport option. Popular routes include: Circular Quay to Manly, Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo, Rivercat to Parramatta, Circular Quay to Watsons Bay, Rose Bay and Neutral Bay.
Fancy Restaurants
(a selection of favourites)
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Neptune's Grotto
Neptune’s Grotto is a seductive escape where ocean-fresh flavours, bold cocktails and coastal cool collide in effortless style.
Cuisine: Italian
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Good Luck
Good Luck is a vibrant playground of bold bites, killer drinks and electric energy, where every night feels like a celebration.
Cuisine: Pan Asian
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Clam Bar
Clam Bar serves up old-school charm and coastal swagger, with pristine seafood, cold martinis and a timeless Sydney buzz.
Cuisine: Seafood & Meat
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Bistecca
Bistecca is a hidden gem. This is a moody, fire-lit temple to steak, wine and late-night indulgence, where every bite feels like a secret worth keeping.
Cuisine: Meat
Casual Dining
(relaxed, but still with a vibe)
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The Grounds
The Grounds of the City is a 1920’s style cafe and brasserie in Sydney’s CBD, offering a vintage escape with polished timber, antique details and a menu of elevated classics like lobster omelettes, buttermilk pancakes and artisian coffee.
Cuisine: Contemporary Australian
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Alfie's
Alfie’s is a bold reinvention of the classic steakhouse, offering a fast-paced, no-nonsense dining experience in Sydney’s CBD. The venue channels the edgy underbelly of East London, featuring loud art, a red-lit dry-aging room, and a DJ booth, creating an energetic atmosphere that sets it apart from traditional steakhouses.
Cuisine: Meat
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Uncle Ming's
Uncle Ming’s is a hidden gem in the CBD. Think moody, basement bar with a 1930’s Shanghai vibe. Dim red lighting, vintage Chinese posters and paper lanterns set the scene for a sensory escape. The menu features a selection of dumplings, barbecue buns and chicken wings.
Cuising: Asian
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Esteban
Esteban is a stylish Mexican restaurant tucked away in Sydney’s Temperance Lane, offering a fresh take on regional Mexican cuisine with a modern Australian twist. The menu features inventive dishes and spans over two levels offering a lively atmosphere coupled with a moody setting.
Cuisine: Modern Mexican
Sydney’s coffee culture is vibrant and fast-paced, with an unwavering passion for high-quality beans, expertly brewed espresso and cafe creativity. From sleek inner-city cafes to hidden laneways, it’s a city that takes its coffee seriously, every cup is an experience.
Great Coffee
(Sydney’s great past time)
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Batch Coffee
Brewed to perfection, various locations scattered around the CBD.
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KAHII
Delight in Sydney's beloved Japanese café, Kahii, tucked away in the lobby of the heritage-listed building of 364 Kent Street.
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Normcore Roasters
A CBD coffee haunt run by two award-winning baristas. Serving up 'hardcore' blends for its lineup of single-origin black coffee and Normcore blends for customers who prefer their cuppa on the milkier side.
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Skittle Lane
Tucked away behind King Street, Skittle Lane Coffee features New York-inspired interiors, with the cafe’s high ceilings and large steel windows demanding attention. Behind the machines, the friendly Skittle Lane crew is serving some of Sydney’s best coffee.
Bars & Cocktails
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Old Mate's Place
This hidden rooftop locale is one of Sydney’s best CBD bars for a few reasons. First, the lush palm-lined outdoor deck is perfect for those seeking a sun-soaked retreat in the city. Alternatively, head back inside to find a series of timber-lined rooms that serve opulent library realness.
Then you’ve got the impressive drinks lists where cocktails reign supreme.
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The Marble Bar
Marble Bar is a luxury basement bar featuring iconic marble archways, a frosted glass ceiling and a beautifully repaired mahogany bar. Enjoy the Victorian Gothic vibes combined with speakeasy energy as you sip on a glass of sparkling or stunning cocktails at this heritage-listed underground bar and music venue in Sydney’s CBD.
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Dean & Nancy on 22
Sip some of the world’s best cocktails from 22 stories up, thanks to the cocktail bar inside the A by Adina Hotel. Cocktails here are phenomenal, plus they change regularly, meaning you can keep coming back and find something new just about every time.
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Maybe Sammy
With the collective experience of an award-winning bartending team hand-selected from some of the best bars in the world, enjoy the level of service you’d expect from a high-end hotel bar. Boasting an interior influenced by 1950s Hollywood and Vegas glamour and a cocktail list that oozes elegance, Maybe Sammy is one of Australia’s most innovative and awarded cocktail bars.
Shopping
(a select few, there are many many more)
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QVB Building
The Queen Victoria Building is a grand heritage shopping destination in the heart of Sydney. With it’s stained glass windows, marble floors and soaring arches, QVB offers an elegant shopping experience that’s as much about the architecture as it is about retail.
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Pitt Street Mall
Pitt Street Mall is a bustling retail heartbeat - an iconic pedestrian strip stretching from Market to King Street with over 600 specialty stores. It’s a vibrant mix of international and Australian brands, from high-end fashion to streetwear.
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Bondi Westfield
Westfield Bondi Junction is a large iconic shopping centre in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. It's a major destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a diverse range of luxury and high-street brands, along with dining and entertainment options.
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The Rocks Precinct
The Rocks offers a unique shopping experience in Sydney, blending historical charm with modern retail and markets. It's known for its diverse range of artisan goods, Australian crafts, and unique gifts. The Rocks Markets, held weekends, feature stalls with handmade items, artworks, and local fashion. During the week, you can find galleries, Australian clothing, and opal shops