Things to do in Sydney CBD

Rydges World Square is perfectly located for shopping, dining out and exploring the sights of Sydney’s CBD.

For shopping, the World Square precinct is right on the doorstep with more than 90 specialty retailers offering a unique selection of fashion, homewares, gifts and lifestyle items. It’s not far to Pitt Street Mall for one of the busiest shopping strips in the world. There’s Sydney City Plaza and Westfield Sydney with four floors of designer brand fashion as well as the department stores, Myer and David Jones. While here you can take the lift up to the Sydney Tower Eye for an amazing view of the city from the Observation Deck.

To combine architecture and old world charm with terrific contemporary shopping options, head to The Strand Arcade and the beautiful QVB (Queen Victoria Building). The Strand opened in 1892 and was named after London’s famous shopping street. The QVB takes up a whole block, is wonderfully grand and full of atmosphere – it is home to more than 200 specialty shops and it worth the window shop stroll just to soak in the ambience.

For a relaxing walk or somewhere just to sit away from the city hustle, Hyde Park is always rewarding. This delightful, green heart of the city covers 16 hectares. It is Australia’s oldest public parkland and there are grassy expanses and hundreds of huge leafy trees. The park is divided by the appropriately named Park Street. The north side of the Park (to Macquarie Street) is home to the Archibald Fountain. The south (Rydges World Square side) is home to the Anzac Memorial and the Pool of Reflection. At various times the park hosts concerts, festivals and food & wine fairs.

Darling Harbour is a jewel in Sydney’s crown and it is an enjoyable stroll from Rydges World Square. There are many attractions like the Chinese Garden of Friendship, Madame Tussauds, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, the Powerhouse Museum, the Wildlife Sydney Zoo, IMAX Theatre and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The Australian Museum (across Hyde Park on the corner of College and Park Streets) is architecturally stunning and home to many treasures, especially in the areas of natural history and anthropology. It opens every day except Christmas Day and is a really interesting sojourn. It is a short walk from here (down College Street with Hyde Park on your left) to St Mary’s Cathedral, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and The Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens. Nearby Macquarie Street is also rewarding and is home to The Mint, the NSW Parliament, the State Library and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

The bottom of Macquarie Street leads to Sydney Harbour with the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks and one of the city’s best attractions, BridgeClimb.

For dining out close to Rydges World Square there are plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants a short walk away. Dixon Street and Chinatown are just across George Street on the way to Darling Habour where there are also many options (head to Cockle Bay).