Sydney

Chic and cosmopolitan with a dynamic sense of diversity, Sydney is one of the world’s great capitals. The city was founded in 1788 when a fleet of 11 ships arrived in Australia from England with a contingent of convicts and free settlers. They came ashore at Sydney Cove, now known as Circular Quay and the site of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Successive waves of immigrants from many countries have had a defining influence on the culture and personality of the city, now with a population of over four million people.

As a business centre, Sydney is the driving force of Australia and an important hub of the Asian-Pacific region. For recreation, the city pulses with a vibrant social scene and inspiring possibilities for outdoor adventure. Few cities of such urban sophistication can also claim 37 beautiful beaches. Legendary Bondi Beach is an easy 20-minute drive from downtown.

Four Seasons is situated in the oldest and most desirable area of Sydney – the historic district of The Rocks. Lined with cobblestoned streets, the neighbourhood offers fascinating shops, a weekend market, outdoor cafés, and galleries of Aboriginal arts and crafts. Nearby, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, tropical flowers bloom in the heart of the city. The hotel is just a short walk from major shopping and business areas, and is equally close to great museums, theatres and the Sydney Opera House. Ferries whisk you across the water to key attractions, such as Taronga Park Zoo and the renowned Sydney Aquarium.

January

The Sydney Festival, held in January, is Australia's most important arts festival. Australian and international artists in modern dance, ballet, opera, theatre and symphony, as well as indigenous dance troupes, make Sydney a vibrant and exciting place to be during Australia's summer holidays. Events take place primarily in the city's major theatres.

March

Mardi Gras is a celebration of gay pride, with a week-long calendar of activities and events culminating in a parade. It has become one of Australia’s biggest festivals.

April

The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales is responsible for staging Australia's largest annual event: the Royal Easter Show. Attracting about 1 million people each year, the show has become the mecca for Australian agriculture, helping to inspire interest and understanding of the rural sector. Known as the "Australian Muster," the show brings together everything that is Australian – from country to city and from agricultural excellence to the latest in entertainment.

May

The largest festival of light, music and ideas in the world, Vivid Sydney is an annual event that transforms Sydney into an outdoor gallery of colourful lights and displays. It is a period where technology, art and commerce all intersect to celebrate Sydney as the creative hub of new ideas. It takes place each year from late May to mid June.

July

Held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Archibald Prize is an exhibition that features paintings by emerging and prominent artists from across Australasia. It is regarded as the most important portraiture prize in Australia. The exhibition is on display between July to October.

October

Good Food Month showcases the best of Sydney's cuisine scene.

Sydney International Motor Show at Darling Harbour has on display the very latest in motoring from across the globe.

Sculpture by the Sea is the largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition that turns the popular Bondi to Tamarama walk to a two kilometre long temporary sculpture park with more than 100 sculptures on display each year. The annual exhibition runs from late October to early November.

November

On the first Tuesday afternoon in November, at 3:00 pm, Australia stops to watch the most famous horse race in the world, the Melbourne Cup, run at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

December

Over the past 55 years the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has grown from a club race between a group of friends to one of the world's great ocean races. It features some of the world's best yachts.

Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.