Sydney Corporate Traveller Guide

Sydney, Australia

Sydney is Australia’s largest city and the eastern coastal capital of New South Wales. Migrant arrivals to Australia are in the hundreds of thousands and increase every year, with Sydney, alongside Melbourne and Brisbane, driving mass overseas migration to the country. Renowned for glorious weather, iconic beaches, and globally recognisable landmarks, it’s no wonder Sydney is such a popular relocation destination.

You may know Sydney for its Opera House, world-class surfing, and expansive harbours, but here’s all the rest you need to know before settling down under.

Sydney Key Information

Weather in Sydney

Throughout the year, daily temperature max doesn’t drop below 15°C. Australian summer is December to February and temperature averages 27°C, while the winter spans June to August and averages around 17°C. Enjoy a consistent comfortable humidity here and around 10-15 rainy days per month.

Currency in Sydney

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Sydney deals in the Australian dollar - you will be able to pay by both cash and debit/credit card at most places, or by Australian EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of sale). Tipping is discretionary but standard tips at restaurants and cafés can be 5-15%.

Health & Well-being in Sydney

Sydney’s climate is ideal for scenic hikes and runs. Enjoy the scenery on popular routes between Bondi and Coogee beaches, Harbour Bridge and Lavender Bay, and Pyrmont and Darling Harbour. Or make the most of the various exercise classes on offer like Retrosweat dance workout, 9 Degrees bouldering and AerialFit suspended Pilates.

Data in Sydney

Sydney has one of the lowest average data costs in Oceania. SIM cards can be purchased from Telstra, Optus and Vodaphone stores as well as many grocery shops and airports. Data plans range from $6-$300, the more costly ones can be valid for as long as a year.

Free Wi-Fi can be found in many shopping centres and libraries, and even some beaches and on the ferry.

Plug Type: Type I

Cuisine in Sydney

Sydney enjoys a diverse cuisine, but classic Aussie snacks include vegemite on toast, TimTams and cruffins (a croissant muffin). The famous phrase ‘put another shrimp on the barbie’ is also not entirely untrue as both Sydney’s seafood and Australian meat offerings are a must-try.

Green Spaces in Sydney

Experience the varied landscape at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, floral oasis of Royal Botanic Garden and Centennial Park inner-city escape. Taronga Zoo, Luna Park and SEA LIFE Aquarium should also feature in your family-friendly itinerary.

Language in Sydney

The Aussie twang is stereotypically associated with phrases like ‘g’day mate’ but there are plenty of others reminiscent of their own version of Cockney rhyming slang. Expect to hear a lot of these classics around Sydney:

A $5 dollar bill, or fiver, is nicknamed Pam Shriver. While a tenner is known as an Ayrton Senna.

Strewth, crikey, blimey  are used to convey amazement or dismay.

Bloke  and Sheila  is the Aussie way of saying man and woman.

At a cricket match, you might hear ‘having a bonza’ or ‘playing a blinder’ if a team is having a good game.

Have a Captain Cook: have a quick look – in honour of the first Brit to discover eastern Australia on the HMB Endeavour.

What’s the John Dory?: What’s the story? This one is in honour of a fish found in Sydney Harbour.

Get your laughing gear round that is an Australian’s way of telling you to eat something.

Transport in Sydney 

Citymapper is your one-stop-shop app for all things public transport: plan your routes, track timetables and receive live travel alerts.

As well as being able to pay for public transport using contactless, The Opal card is another easy way to pay for travel as you go in Sydney. You can purchase an Opal card at airports and most convenience stores such as 7-11. Pay as you go on single trips for trains, ferries, buses or use it as much as you like within a weekly or daily fare cap.

Sydney buses serve the entire city and even offer a NightRide service between midnight and 4:30am when trains don’t operate. There are hundreds of routes, and fares range from $3-$6 dependent on distance.

Sydney has a metro as well as trains, intercity trains and light rail. The primary station is Central Station at Railway Square - there are 8 train lines and 1 metro line. There are also 9 ferries within Sydney’s many bays and are a great way to enjoy the sights while on board.

Sydney Map

Now that you’re armed with all the necessary knowledge for your stay in Sydney, browse our selection of Sydney serviced apartments and get in touch to book today.

SilverDoor boasts a large and varied portfolio of serviced apartments in Sydney. From the top five long stay serviced apartments Sydney has to offer, to a fascinating whistle-stop tour of historic Sydney, you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning your next business trip to Sydney with SilverDoor.