Australia is a country and continent with population of 23 milions, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities − Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide − are coastal. Its capital, Canberra, is inland. The country is known for its Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, a vast interior desert wilderness called the Outback, and unique animal species like kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.
When you compare the land size of Australia vs. the land size of the contiguous 48 states, Australia is only slightly smaller at 7.692 square kilometers. Many people think of Australia as a small country but really the only thing small is the 23.13 million population compared to the massive land size.
There are over 200 languages spoken in Australia including 45 different indigenous languages.
Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs
Sydney is a stunning and vibrant city built around one of the most beautiful bays in the world with sparkling beaches and easy access to the heart of the city. With an approximate population of 4.5 million inhabitants, Sydney is the largest and the oldest city in Australia. The first settlers arrived in 1788.
Sydney Harbor
Sydney Harbour technically, is a ”drowned river valley” sometimes called a Ria. When the first fleet arrived in Port Jackson, there were 13 islands in the Sydney Harbour − now only 7 remained. The Harbour is home to many inlets, bays and island.
Darling Harbour was the Australia’s largest seaport during 19th Century. Later on during the decrease in commercial activity, it became an unused area. In 1984 the government decided the area should be redeveloped ad as part of Australia’s Bicentennial celebration, Queen Elizabeth II opened the renovated Daring Harbour, a stunning recreational and tourism destination, home to hotels, bars, restaurants, museums, shops and the beautiful Chinese friendship gardens.
Sydney Harbor bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in March 1932 providing an alternate transport route between the Southern and Northern shores.
Now nicknamed the ”coat-hanger” (due to it’s arch share), during construction it was called the ”Iron Lung” as it kept so many people employed and alive during the great depression. The widest longspan bridge is the world (49 m wide, 1149m long), the Sydney Hargour bridge is built with 52,800 ton nes of steel − 39,000 of which are in the arch.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.
Sydney Opera House creation started in 1950’s when a worldwide competition for the design was announced. Two hundred and thirty-three designs were submitted from all around world. The winner was Danish architect Jorn Utzon who started to work on the plans with the help of an English engineering firm.
In February 1966 the project reached a crisis point. Jorn Utzon resigned from the project, never to return to see his creation. The project grew controversial, and public opinion turned against it for a time. Construction continued until September 1973, and the Opera House finally had its grand opening on October 20, 1973.
Sydney Tower
Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.
Sydney tower stabilized by 56 cables, long enough to stretch from Sydney to New Zealand, the tower also features a 162,000 litre water tank. This is the primary damping system which also acts as a stabilizer for the entire building.
Sydney Tower is Sydney’s tallest structure.
Sydney is great, so enjoy a few more camera captures....
So long Sydney and thank you for watching
