Districts
Sydney has a compact city centre surrounded by sprawling suburbs, forming a vast metropolitan area.

Central Sydney

City Centre
The busy centre of government and finance, but also home to many famous attractions, fine restaurants, and shopping. 
 The Rocks
Just to the west of Circular Quay, now a cosmopolitan area, The Rocks includes the first colonial village of Sydney and the iconic Harbour Bridge. 
 Darling Harbour
An extensive leisure and entertainment area immediately to the west of the Central Business District (CBD). See restaurants, boardwalks, aquariums, wildlife, and museums by foot or above by monorail. 
 City South
The Haymarket, Chinatown and Central Station area is home to markets, cafes, Chinese culture and cuisine, and some cheaper accommodation and shopping. 
 City East
Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo and Moore Park. Busy nightlife, and coffee shops, fashion and entertainment by day. 
 City West
An early morning trip to the fish markets, exploring the Powerhouse Museum, finding a maritime pub or hitting the Star City Casino.

Greater Sydney

Sydney is a vast sprawling city, and the suburbs in the city metropolitan area spread for up to 100km from the city centre. The traveller visiting the suburbs will find less crowded beaches, parks, cheaper shopping, commercial centres, cultural festivals, and hidden gems.

Eastern Suburbs
Between the City and the sea, includes the world-famous Bondi Beach and other city beaches, which are strong drawcards for visitors and residents in the city during summer. 
 Southern Sydney
The area south of the CBD and north of the Georges River, including the areas surrounding Sydney Airport and Brighton Le Sands on Botany Bay. 
 Inner West
Sydney's original suburbs are now bohemian and are a hub of cheap eats, shopping and inner-city culture. Also contains Sydney Olympic Park, the home of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, parks, cycling, and events. 
 Lower North Shore
Over the Harbour Bridge are leafy residential areas stretching northwards. The North Shore also has major commercial and retail areas at North Sydney and Chatswood, many smaller boutique shopping areas, and many parks and gardens, and Sydney's famous Taronga Zoo. 
 Upper North Shore
Includes leafy residential areas, national parks and waterways. 
 Northern Beaches
From Manly stretching North along the coast to Palm Beach. 
 North West
Contains the Northern Districts with includes Sydney's Silicon Valley at Macquarie Park, the northern side of the western reaches of Sydney Harbour, and the the largely residential area of the Hills District in the north-west of the city. 
 Parramatta
Sydney's "second" CBD, with history, shopping, eating, all just 30 minutes from the city centre. 
 Sutherland Shire
The district to the far south and east of the city centre including Cronulla and Captain Cooks Landing Place. 
 South West
Contains the centres of Liverpool and Campbelltown are a large swathe of residential and commercial Sydney. 
 Outer West
Stretching from Parramatta out to the Blue Mountains 

The Hawkesbury is a semi-rural area to the northwest of the city, centred around the Hawkesbury River. Its main towns are Richmond and Windsor.