Sydney is famous around the world for being Australia''s Harbour City. The largest and oldest city in the country, it is renowned as a beautiful place to live and to visit. To many it is known for its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge; to others it is a major centre for finance in the Asia-Pacific region. Whether you want to surf in the azure waters on the edge of the city or immerse yourself into a rich culture, you''ll be sure to enjoy all that Sydney has to offer.

The world-famous sights are the ones we all know, and they make a great place to start. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is something you are bound to want to visit, crossing the harbour from The Rocks to North Sydney. You can walk or cycle across the bridge, picnic beneath it, or even climb over it.

The Sydney Opera House nearby is a fantastic piece of architecture, instantly recognisable wherever you may come from. Elsewhere Darling Harbour offers tourists a wide range of shops and restaurants to pass some time inside, whilst at the Sydney Olympic Park you can lose yourself in the lush green parkland on the site where the 2000 Games were held.

The Sydney Tower is the tallest building in the city, and is a great place to go and eat whilst gazing out over the cityscape. Just around the corner you can go and explore the main Catholic cathedral in the city, St Mary''s Cathedral. Along every highway in Sydney there really is something there for everyone.

If you want to explore Australia''s fascinating history, a visit to the Australian Museum will be worth your while as an old-style natural history museum where special exhibitions are often held. The National Maritime Museum and the Powerhouse Museum are other great places to visit near Darling Harbour, reminding you about how Australia has grown.

Galleries such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of NSW offer a range of art, from classical to modern and aboriginal work, for visitors to explore. The eastern part of Sydney is also very popular among art lovers for its range of smaller chic galleries.

If you want to see the koalas and the wallabies which make Australia''s identity to so many people around the world, then even in a big built-up city like Sydney you''ll be able to enjoy the experience. You can visit the Taronga Zoo, the Koala Park Sanctuary and the Sydney Aquarium to see the region''s wildlife in captivity. However you can even witness some of the extraordinary creatures in the wild by going whale watching or visiting the area''s national parks.

Sydney is a wonderful city, and Australia a magical place. An English-speaking country we know well from the television and films, we may think we know what it has to offer. In fact, it offers visitors amazing new experiences at every turn. It is most definitely worth the trip.

HILDEGARD SULLIVANT is a freelance travel writer with a love of Australasian travel. They recommend Flight Centre for flights to Australia http://www.flightcentre.co.uk/info/special/_australia/flights-to-australia.