Sydney is known as the shining star of the southern hemisphere.

The stunning Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy of the city, but there's so much more to see.

Sydney experiences four distinct seasons with summer running from December to February and winter from June to August. Average temperatures range from around 12 degrees Celsius (53 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter to 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer with occasional days exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

As Sydney is close to the ocean, hot days are often accompanied by cooling sea breezes. In the spring, rainfall is approximately 74 millimetres (three inches) per month and in the autumn approximately 126 millimetres (five inches) per month.

Time: GMT +10 (end March-end Oct), GMT +9 (end Oct-end March)

Flights to Sydney

Sydney offers everything from Opera House performances to street shows and theatres, making it one of the world's favourite spots for visual and performing arts.

Sydney is said never to sleep.

In daylight hours the city buzzes with life and it doesn't close down when workers leave their offices. All-night pubs and modern dance clubs should provide an evening full of fun.

If you fancy a late-night meal or coffee why not visit Oxford Street running between Darlinghurst and Paddington? Or perhaps the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Surry Hills, the quay or the Rocks.

The sparkling harbour is the jewel in Sydney's crown. Surrounded by golden beaches and bushland and dotted with islands, it is the host of one of the most famous bridges in the world.