Working in Sydney Australia
Sydney and New South Wales
From the Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, Manly Beach to Bondi and countless sights and sounds in between, Sydney Australia is one of the world’s most recognisable cities. Its iconic location on Sydney Harbour means that over time, Sydney has collected some of the most memorable structures and waterfront vistas in the world.
But Sydney is more than just a pretty place. It has a vibrant cultural heartbeat, excellent shopping and dining experiences and is a jumping off point from which to explore not only New South Wales, but also the whole of Australia. Starting your journey in Sydney is a great way to ease into the Australian culture and climate before tackling any of the other places on your Australian “must see and must do” list.
When in Sydney you can visit the enchanting Botanical Gardens, take a pleasant stroll through Hyde Park then pass through the Opera House on your way to the Harbour Bridge. Once there you can explore the cafes and shops of the “Rocks” and even climb the bridge for a one-in-a-lifetime vista.
Crossing the Bridge leads you to attractive inner suburbs like Mosman and Neutral Bay. Don’t forget to check out Luna Park while you’re there.
Once back on the Circular Quay-side of the Harbour you can wend your way through more local cafes and restaurants before ducking into the city centre to explore its vibrant CBD. Darling Harbour is also well worth a look as are China Town and the Strand Arcade.
Once you’ve finished your time in the CBD you can head to Bondi or Manly – two of Australia’s most famous beaches. Bondi is a “must see” and getting to Manly involves taking a ferry across the harbour, which combines a great short trip with a great destination.
When you’ve baked in the sun and frolicked in the sea you should head inland to the majestic Blue Mountain, explore the Hunter Valley and even think about making your way up (or down if you prefer) the coast.
No matter which way you turn, Sydney will welcome and amaze.
- Airport
- Railway station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport is the main airport in New South Wales and is the busiest passenger airport in Australia. As it is located only 8km to the south of the city centre, arriving at Sydney Airport means that you’re just a short hop from the city itself. The airport is one of the oldest continuously operated airports in the world and sees over 35 million passengers pass through its terminals each year.
While you can get to the city centre from Sydney Airport are via train, bus, shuttle bus or taxi, the CityRail train service is excellent and probably the easiest option. There are stations immediately beneath both the International and Domestic terminals. These are part of the Airport Link service and will get you into the heart of the city in about 12 – 15 minutes. Once at Sydney Central station you can change to any of the other train lines and easily get to wherever you need to go.
Taxis are also a good option, but much more expensive than catching the train.
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There are shuttle transfer services to most hotels so check and see if your hotel offers this complimentary service.
Railway station
No trip to Australia is complete without a railway journey through the outback. In Sydney you can pick up the Indian Pacific railway, at the Pacific end, and take one of the word’s most remarkable railway journeys across the Blue Mountains and into the heart of the Australian outback. From there you will cruise across to Adelaide before traversing the dry and dusty Nullarbor Plain on your way to Perth and the Indian Ocean. For rail-travel enthusiast, the Indian Pacific is most definitely in the top ten on the bucket list.
In the city itself, CityRail operates the rail network and there are trains that run throughout the city as well as to surrounding suburbs. The network is colour-coded and very easy to use. The main station in Sydney is Central Station and in addition to being a hub for CityRail, it is also the place where you can catch Countrylink services to outlying communities as well as places like the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and the South Coast.
Transportation
Sydney has a great public transport system comprised of ferries, buses, trains and taxis. Getting into, out of and around the city is easy on any one of these options.
CityRail trains are prolific throughout the city and provide easy access within and around the CBD. The Metrobus network provides the primary bus service for the city. There are free shuttle buses in the city centre as well, which is very handy for getting to and from Circular Quay. The City Explorer is a hop-on hop-off service that provides a great tour of all of Sydney’s key destinations.
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Metrobus in the city is pre-pay only during weekdays from 7am -7pm so make sure to buy your ticket before you board.
There are plenty of taxis in Sydney and are an excellent option if you are not able to make use of the bus or rail services.
Cost of Living
In comparison to other parts of the world, the cost of living in Australia is generally higher. The Australian dollar is relatively strong against other currencies, the Australian economy is also strong and the cost of moving goods into and around Australia is significant. All of these factors combine and put pressure on local costs, but smart travellers can still find plenty of budget-friendly options
According to the online database, Numbeo (www.numbeo.com) prices for typical items in Sydney are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | 15.00 A$ |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | 80.00 A$ |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | 6.00 A$ |
| Coke (330mL) | 3.00 A$ |
| Milk (1 litre) | 1.50 A$ |
| Loaf of bread | 3.50 A$ |
| Eggs | 4.00 A$ |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | 4.00 A$ |
| Monthly pass | 120.00 A$ |
| Petrol (1 litre) | 1.50 A$ |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | 2,300.00 A$ |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | 4,150.00 A$ |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | 35.00 A$ |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | 550.00 A$ |
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Moneyconverter.com is an excellent resource for converting any local currency to that of your home country. This is a great tool for budgeting and stretching your “hard-earned” cash.
Accommodation
Sydney offers a range of accommodation options. The particular type of accommodation that you choose is really a matter of personal preference and budget. Once you have decided what kind of accommodation you are seeking, then it is simply a matter of finding something that suits.
You will have to make some decisions about whether you are seeking short or longer-term options. For short-term accommodation, backpacker hostels and the less expensive hotels are always an excellent option.
Across some different price brackets, options in Sydney include:
Budget
Nomads Westend Backpackers
Bounce Sydney
Sydney Central YHA
Mid-range
Capitol Square Hotel Sydney
Ibis Sydney King Street Wharf
Y Hotel Hyde Park
High-end
Fraser Suites Sydney
InterContinental Sydney
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
Shopping
Sydney offers a range of great shopping destinations. From Pitt Street and King Street in the centre of town to Oxford Street in Paddington and Crown Street in Surry Hills, there is a place to shop for everyone.
Oxford Street offers a mix of traditional retailers and local, boutique designers, while Crown Street is all about mixing contemporary design with vintage style. Pitt and King streets are trendy city centre locations that offer an eclectic mix of stores.
Don’t forget to do some beachwear shopping if you’re in either Manly or Bondi as many of the best-known Australian surf wear and swimwear brands have shops within easy distance of two of Australia’s most well know beaches.
As with many Australian cities, Sydney also offers a great variety of markets and stalls with the Paddington, Glebe and Bondi markets among those that are not-to-be missed. Be on the lookout for that unique little treasure that lies just off the beaten track; in a laneway or tucked in an unexpected nook.
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Time your shopping to coincide with either the post-Christmas sales or the end of financial year sales in June. Many Australian retailers offer significant discounts at these two times of year.
Emergency
Emergency telephone numbers
Police, Fire and Ambulance 000
Insurance and Healthcare
A number of countries have signed reciprocal health care agreements with Australia. Check out www.humanservices.gov.au to find out if your home country is one. Regardless of whether you qualify or not, you should still consider taking out some form of additional cover – especially if you are on a working holiday and intend to be in Australia for 12 – 24 months.
Taking out private health cover while in Australia is well worth the investment. Any visitor to Australia can take out Overseas Visitors Health Cover. This type of cover will essentially bring you up to par with the basic coverage that all Australian residents have as part of their Medicare entitlements. Overseas health cover should ensure that you are covered for hospital admissions as well as a portion of any doctor’s fees.
Many Australian doctors will offer a bulk billing service meaning that they only pass on to the patient the costs that are not reimbursed to them by the Australian Government. If you can find a doctor that “bulk bills” you will achieve excellent savings in regards to your basic medical costs.
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Some insurance policies will have waiting periods and exclusions. Make sure you fully understand the limitations of your cover before signing up.
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As with any travel experience, before heading off to Australia for holiday or work, you should confirm the specific health-care services that will be available to you and also consider taking out your own, personal travel insurance.