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About Sydney

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Sydney is located southeast of the Australian coast and is the state capital of New South Wales (NSW).

About Sydney

Sydney is a stunning and vibrant city built around one of the most beautiful bays in the world with sparkling beaches and easy access to the heart of the city. With an approximate population of 4.5 million inhabitants, Sydney is the largest and oldest city in Australia. The first settlers arrived in 1788.

Facts about New South Wales (NSW)

NSW has the highest population of any state in Australia, with 8,153,000 residents as of 30 June 2022.
Nearly a third of all Australians live in NSW, with most living in the Greater Sydney region.
About 66% of the state’s population lives in Greater Sydney. Greater Sydney spans 55,000ha and includes metropolitan Sydney and surrounding areas up to and including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollondilly and Sutherland areas.
NSW has the fastest growing population in Australia growing by roughly 59,000 people annually (0.7%). Greater Sydney has 423 people per square kilometres.

Learn more facts about NSW here

Sustainable Sydney

In Australia, the inextricable link between nature and culture makes sustainability a key priority for New South Wales and Sydney alike. In 2016, Sydney was ranked equal first for sustainability and the natural environment in PWC’s Cities of Opportunity. In 2018, the Sydney Opera House was certified carbon neutral. Now, the city is on a mission to redefine Australia’s sustainability credentials and BESydney is a supporter in driving this initiative forward.

At SIGGRAPH Asia, we consistently strive to improve our sustainability practices. Click here to find out more.

Accessibility in Sydney

Sydney is Australia’s most accessible city. Whether travelling in from inter-state or overseas, when you land at Sydney Airport, the city centre is only 8km (5 miles) away via your choice of taxi, train, airport shuttle bus, or private transfer, whichever you prefer. When you get to the city, there’s a range of accommodation to choose from, from the city centre to the coast and hinterlands. Click here for more information on the locations and countries of flights arriving in Sydney.

There are also plenty of options for making your way around while you are here, with affordable and accessible public transport that includes trains, light rail, buses and ferries, as well as active transport options with easy walking and cycling routes, about which you can find more information on the City of Sydney website.

Entry to Sydney (VISA Requirement)

All visitors, except New Zealand nationals, require a visa before arriving in Australia. The purpose of your visit and in some cases, your nationality will determine which visa you require. Check the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website before you arrive in Australia to check which visa you require and be aware that some visas can take a while to process. 

Click here for more info regarding your travel to Sydney.

COVID-19 Information to Travellers

Travelers arriving in NSW are not required to test for COVID-19 before departure or after arrival.
Masks are not mandatory in airports, cruise terminals, or on public transport in NSW.
There are no restrictions on interstate travel to NSW.
For arrivals from overseas, read the NSW Health information for international arrivals before you travel so you know how to protect yourself and the people around you from COVID-19.

Time in Sydney

The local time in Sydney, Australia is UTC/GMT +11 hours.
Click here to see the time now in Sydney

Weather Information

The temperatures in Sydney in December are comfortable with a low of 17°C and high up to 28°C.
You can expect about 3 to 8 days of rain in Sydney during the month of December. It’s a good idea to bring along your umbrella so that you don’t get caught in poor weather.

Electricity & Power Socket

In Sydney, the electrical socket or plug used is Type I, found mainly in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and China:
  • Voltage of 230V
  • Frequency of 50Hz