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History & Evolution
The Sydney Harbor originally known as Port Jackson was home to Aboriginal tribes for 40,000 years. The evidence of these settlements is still available as rock carvings in several locations.

Hardly anything interesting happened in the history of Sydney till 1770, when the European interest arose in the city with the sighting of Botany Bay. First came the Arthur Phillip in 1788 under the British government. Phillip originally named the colony "New Albion", but later the name was changed to "Sydney", after the British Home Secretary, Lord Sydney who issued the charter authorizing Phillip to establish a colony.

After Britishers came the French expedition in 1789, led by La Perouse. These European settlements had a disastrous impact on the local Aboriginal people mainly due to the advent of catastrophic epidemic diseases like measles, chicken pox and smallpox. The results were catastrophic too, due to which the Aboriginal population of the Sydney was reduced to only 10 percent of the 1788 estimate.

Nevertheless, after much of hardships, droughts and diseases the situation of Sydney soon improved. Now the colonial government became more military oriented and was reliant on the army named the New South Wales Corps (also known as ‘Rum Corps’ due to their monopoly on the importation of alcohol). Soon due to the conflicts between governors and officers of the Rum Corps, an open rebellion named the Rum Rebellion arose in 1808. In this rebellion the Rum Corps ousted Governor William Bligh (known from the Mutiny on the Bounty).

With the discovery of gold in Bathurst (150km west of Sydney) in 1851, Australia experienced a number of gold rushes. Due to this large numbers of immigrant miners poured into Sydney resulting in increased demand for infrastructure to support the growing population. Further the subsequent economic activity led to massive improvements to the city's railway and port systems throughout the 1850s and 1860s.

Consequently came the industrialization that further led to rapid expansion of Sydney and by the early 20th century its population well exceeded one million. The Great Depression hit Sydney badly though during this era the Sydney Harbor Bridge was completed in 1932.

Throughout the following century, the city continued to expand with various new waves of European and (later) Asian immigration, resulting in its highly cosmopolitan atmosphere of the present day.

Site-Seeing
Sydney is rich with beautiful and entertaining sights. From symbolic Sydney Bridge and Opera House, range of museums and art galleries, serene parks (Centennial Park, the largest in Sydney) to interesting and world famous harbors; Sydney surely is a perfect holiday destination.

Bordered by water on many sides, the city possesses different aspects of several harbors, with their own fishing markets, theme parks and water-worlds. There is also this Rocks area where the first settlement in Australia took place and that still offers a wonderful insight into the way things were a long time ago.

Full of surprises and contrast, Sydney is a must visit.

Sydney Harbor Bridge:
Locally known as the ‘Coat Hanger’, Harbor Bridge is one of the most famous and iconic landmarks of Sydney as well as of Australia. The bridge is 503m (1,650ft) long and 1,150m (3,772 ft) high offering excellent harbor views during a 30-minute stroll from one end to other.

Along with pedestrian walkways, the bridge also accommodates two railway lines and an eight-lane road. It further provides an adventurous experience wherein the visitors can climb to the top of the bridge for breathtaking views.

A 285ft (87m) high Pylon Lookout above the water reached by 200 steps further provides fantastic views of the city with three levels of exhibits on the way up depicting the history and construction of the bridge.

Location: Cumberland St 2000

Sydney Opera House:
Situated on Sydney harbor at Bennelong Point, this intriguing white-sailed landmark is unique both architecturally and culturally. A factor further adding to its distinctiveness is that unlike other famous specimens say Taj Mahal or Great Pyramids, the Opera House is a fully functional performing arts center in constant use.

This full-scale performing-arts complex houses five major performance spaces including the Concert Hall, which is the biggest and grandest with best acoustics in world while the Opera Theatre is smaller accompanied by the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, the Boardwalk and much more.

Location: Bennelong Point

Darling Harbor:
One of the most famous icon and gateway to Australia, Darling Harbor is a separate tourist destination in itself. Situated right in the heart of Sydney at a walking distance from central business district, the harbor provides postcard view of the city skyline.

What makes the Harbor doubly attractive are the innumerable entertainment and shopping facilities including museums, carnival rides, restaurants and shops. For example, Australia’s largest cinema screen- the Imax Theatre, the magnificent Chinese Garden, the huge Star City Casino and the Sydney Entertainment Center.

Some of the other must-see are the Sydney Aquarium (one of the world's best aquariums), giant plexi-glass room, an impressive re-creation of the Great Barrier Reef, the Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum.

Location: Darling Harbor Visitor Center, Darling Harbor

Bondi Beach:
Another world famous icon of Sydney, Bondi Beach is well known for its great sandy shores as well as its surf. Besides number of cafes and restaurants, the beach is backed by attractive parkland where you can relax, play games or take a walk making it a popular place amongst rollerbladers and skaters.

The ‘Coogee walk’ through a mild slope along the beach side offers great coastal views and more beaches and cafes.

Location: Campbell Parade, Bondi

The Rocks:
Situated at a 19th century village at southern end of Sydney Harbor Bridge, which was the site of Australia’s first European settlement in 1788, The Rock is considered to be the birthplace of Australia. Therfore also the best place to start exploring Australia’s oldest city, Sydney.

The main features of the area are cobbled streets and squares, gas lamps, craft shops and small restaurants. Enhancing its historic value are the several historic buildings like Cadman’s Cottage (since 1816) and two of Sydney’s oldest pubs, the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo.

Further not to be missed is its neighbourhoods and many other attractions like museums, view sites, markets and monuments.

Location: The Rocks, Sydney Harbour