Sydney

Aboriginal people have lived around Sydney Harbour for tens of thousands of years; the Gadigal and other clans of the Eora nation are its traditional custodians. In 1770 James Cook charted the east coast, and in 1788 the First Fleet arrived from Britain carrying convicts, founding a penal colony at Sydney Cove. Colonisation brought disease, violence and dispossession to the Aboriginal population. Convict transportation to New South Wales ended in 1840, and gold rushes in the 1850s brought rapid growth. In 1901 the Australian colonies federated into a nation. The Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932 and the Opera House in 1973. Sydney hosted the Summer Olympics in 2000 and is now Australia's largest and most diverse city.

Sydneysiders live outdoors: early-morning swims in ocean pools, weekend barbecues, beach cricket and surfing. Coffee culture is serious, and the flat white is a local favourite. The city's food reflects its multicultural population, from Vietnamese in Cabramatta to Lebanese in Lakemba, alongside fresh seafood from the Sydney Fish Market. Many events begin with an Acknowledgement of Country, paying respect to the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land. Remember to swim between the red and yellow flags, where lifeguards patrol.