About Sydney

Sydney is a cosmopolitan, vibrant and multicultural city, made up of a series of precincts each with its own unique character and appeal to both national and international visitors.

Central Business District (CBD)

The CBD is home to Sydney’s major shopping centres, hotels and entertainment venues, as well as many of its important financial and business institutions. The architecture ranges from contemporary chic to important historical buildings.

Chinatown

Sydney’s original Chinese community settled at The Rocks but moved to the Haymarket area in the early 1900s. The precinct today is filled with restaurants, market stalls, and an exciting Chinese New Year festival in the summer. Nearby on Liverpool Street, Sydney’s growing ‘Spanish Quarter’ is peppered with Tapas bars and Latin dancing.

Darling Harbour (including Cockle Bay Wharf, King Street Wharf)

Once a busy harbour and industrial region, the Darling Harbour precinct was redeveloped in 1988 with shops, restaurants, bars, museums and entertainment. Many Sydney cruises leave from Darling Harbour, and the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre fronts its waters. Cockle Bay and King Street Wharfs are home to a number of premium Sydney restaurants.

Taxes in Sydney

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is included in the price of all goods and services sold in Australia. It is automatically charged, so you do not need to add this to your bill.

If you leave Australia within 30 days of buying goods in Australia, you may be exempt from paying GST. You can take advantage of the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) to claim back the GST you have paid, and also claim back any Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) you paid. TRS only applies to goods that you can carry as hand luggage, and other conditions do apply.

Tipping

Sydney does not operate on a tipping culture. You may tip to show your appreciation for good service, but it is not a requirement anywhere. As a guide, a tip of 10% in restaurants would be an indication that you were very happy with the service you received.

Hilton Sydney, located right in the heart of the city's shopping and entertainment district is also adjacent to the business district. Located across from Sydney's famous Queen Victoria Building, the hotel is a short walk from Darling Harbour, where the spectacular Sydney Aquarium and Maritime Museum can be found.