CBD
The Central Business District runs from the rocks area at the harbour down towards Haymarket in the south of the city. The CBD is a mixture of shopping, entertainment and business areas. Shopping comes in the form of many department stores and malls that are scattered around the city. With malls like the Queen Victoria shopping centre housing up to 180 shops, you can find anything your heart desires. The skyline is dominated by the Sky Tower that provides visitors with an awe inspiring view. 

Rocks
The Rocks area of the city takes in the majority of Sydney’s world famous sights, a very popular destination for tourists who hop on and off ferries at Circular Key to see the harbour bridge and the opera house from the water. There is also a huge concentration of bars that fill up in the evening making the Rocks one of the liveliest entertainment areas in the city. The Rocks is most backpacker’s choice to watch the famous Sydney New Year fireworks display where they are joined by thousands of party revellers searching for the best view. 

Haymarket and Around
A Backpackers dream, Haymarket is situated to the south of the CBD around central station. There are numerous backpacker hostels to cater for your accommodation needs with excellent deals to be found. Staying around Haymarket means you have everything you would want on your door step including a vibrant nightlife, cinemas, excellent transport links, China Town and a little further west Darling Harbour. There is so much to do and see in the area that it is often described as the best location to base your self to discover Sydney.

Kings Cross
There is always something going on in Kings Cross, located east of the CBD approximately a 20 minute walk from the Rocks but also serviced by Sydney's rail system. Kings cross boasts a huge concentration of bars and clubs that pump out music till the early hours. There are also many backpacker hostels scattered around Kings Cross where you can find some of the cheapest rates in the city. The major downside is that much like its UK namesake, Kings Cross is also Sydney's unofficial red light district, meaning backpackers of late are seeking alternative areas for accommodation and just visiting Kings Cross for its nightlife.

Bondi
If you’re after sun, sea and sand the world famous Bondi is the place for you. One of Sydney's eastern beach suburbs Bondi is home to the Australia's famous Bondi beach. However, Bondi has much more to offer the traveller backpacking Australia than just a beach. Bondi is a hive of cafes and bars that wind their way along the main street and deep into the back alleys. There is ample backpacker accommodation to suit all your needs and Bondi has some excellent shopping, including funky boutiques and numerous surf shops.

Coogee
Another of Sydney's eastern beach suburbs, Coogee is much smaller and less well known than Bondi but has much to offer the backpacker in Sydney. Coogee beach is beautiful and provides the visitor with stunning views of the NSW coastline. The beach is edged by a park that becomes alive with activity during the summer months, with ball games and families enjoying picnics cooked on the communal barbeques. Coogee is home to some of the liveliest backpacker hangouts in the city and has a great choice of backpacker accommodation. The shopping is limited but the café culture means there is no shortage of places to grab a coffee or a snack.

Manly/North Shore
Sydney's North shore stretches for miles to the north of the city taking in numerous beaches starting at Manly, and ending with Palm Beach. Each town and beach along the north shore holds its own charms and hidden treasures. Manly is by far the most populated and well known of the Northern beaches. The town has much to offer including fabulous beach, shopping, nightlife, restaurants and a plentiful supply of affordable backpacker hostels. The renowned Manly to Sydney ferry also provides a great transport link to the main city. Further up the coast you find quaint little towns like Mona Vale, which has some great shopping and Avalon whose beach is to die for, and a tiny shopping area with a fantastic fish and chip shop. At the end of the north shore lies Palm Beach, site of the famous Home and Away television soap.