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A Coastal City Like No Other
Sydney’s CBD sits at the edge of the breathtaking harbour, close to the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and the iconic Opera House. Our spectacular beaches, national parks and year-round sun continue to attract visitors from all over the world.
Jumpstart Your Career Connections in Our Business Capital
Sydney isn’t just a pretty face. As the financial capital of Australia, our international city is home to many global firms and offers countless opportunities to gain experience, meet people and build your networks.
It’s no wonder Sydney ranked the 11th best city in the world to live and work in by the Mercer Quality of Living Survey in 2019.
A Diverse Student City
Sydney is an international city, ranked as the 9th best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities Index 2019. As part of our global community of students, you’ll benefit from Sydney’s unique blend of outdoor and metropolitan lifestyles. With world-famous beaches at your doorstep and a thriving arts, music, and food scene full of cultural communities to immerse yourself in, our coastal city is not just a destination, but a life experience.
The Best of the Beach & the City – Your New Home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
UNSW is the closest of Sydney’s universities to our famous beaches. There’s a reason the sunshine and coastline of Sydney’s ‘Eastern Suburbs’ attract so many visitors, and UNSW’s Kensington campus sits right next door. Explore some of these suburbs below and discover the places you could call home.
Bondi Beach (30 minutes by bus)
Bondi is Sydney’s most famous beach. With its white sand and quality surf, it’s no wonder Bondi is full of so many residents, backpackers and students from all over the globe. It’s the perfect spot to spend the day at the beach, grab a coffee with friends, check out some markets or unwind at one of its renowned pubs or bars.
Coogee Beach (less than 10 minutes by bus)
The closest beach to UNSW is the beautiful Coogee, a wide bay-style beach that’s perfect for swimming. On sunny days, expect to see families, tourists and locals walking along the beachfront and enjoying free access to barbeques. In the right season, you can watch whales from the headlands as they migrate.
Centennial Park (5 minutes by bus)
Centennial Park is inner Sydney’s biggest park. There are tracks for bike riding, horse riding, jogging and sports fields as well as beautiful lakes full of swans.
Kingsford and Randwick (3 minutes by bus)
The surrounding suburbs of Kingsford and Randwick are just a short walk from UNSW's main campus. The area is full of affordable, international food options and a variety of local bars and cafes.
There’s Something for Everyone
Get ready to embrace everything that living in a new city has to offer. From music and sport to food and coffee, Sydney offers many opportunities to build new communities and experiences based around your passions.
Art & Culture
- Sydney Festival - presenting inspiring and ground-breaking new Australian art
- Sydney Writers’ Festival - more than 400 events showcasing the finest Australian and international writers
- Sculpture by the Sea - one of the largest free public sculpture exhibitions in the world on the coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama
- Galleries and Museums - there are plenty to choose from including the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Australian Museum and the White Rabbit Gallery
Entertainment
- Vivid Sydney - a festival of light, music and ideas
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks - possibly the most famous fireworks display in the world
- Taste of Sydney - an annual festival celebrating food and culture
Sport
- City2Surf - the world's largest fun run, which raises money for charities
- Sydney Cricket Ground - the home of cricket and AFL, Australian football, which is also known as 'Aussie Rules'
- Sydney Cycleways - a wonderful way to see Sydney
- Water sports - swimming, surfing, snorkelling, paddleboarding or kayaking
World-Famous Attractions
Visit the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, Bondi Beach, the Botanic Gardens, Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Fish Markets. You can also go further afield to the spectacular Blue Mountains and the rugged coastline of the Royal National Park.
Weather
The Australian summer is from December to February, autumn (Fall) is from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November. Sydney has a comfortable temperate climate; the hottest months are January and February and the coldest months are July and August.
Love Sydney for Less
You can enjoy so many of Sydney’s best elements without spending too much money. From sightseeing to picnics in the park and walks along the beach to enjoying cheap eats with friends, there are many sides of Sydney to discover on a budget. These are some of the best ways our students make the most out of living in Sydney, for less.
Eating
UNSW’s Kensington campus is full of affordable international food options and plenty of coffee spots to keep you going while you study. Off-campus, spots like Spice Alley and China Town are great for cheap eats and are just a short bus ride away.
Sightseeing
Visit the Harbour Bridge South Pylon Lookout for spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, wander along the waterside through Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, or walk a coastal path past some of Sydney’s famous beaches.
Getting Out & About
Find the best swimming, snorkelling and surfing spots or watch a film at the local Randwick cinema – one of the cheapest in Sydney. Ride a bike around Centennial Park, stop for a picnic, or enjoy an Aussie BBQ with new friends.