The Aussie City Crowned Condé Nast Traveller’s Best For 2024

Why Sydney?

From the towering sails of the Sydney Opera House to the golden sands of Bondi Beach, it’s a city that blends cultural and outdoor experiences like nowhere else.

It’s impossible to mention Sydney without imagining its world-famous harbour. No matter if you’re catching a ferry to Manly or climbing the Harbour Bridge for a panoramic view of the city, the harbour is the heart of Sydney’s appeal.

Sydney Harbour with skyline views and Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour is world-renowned.

Sydney’s food scene

Sydney’s dining is another key factor that helped it land on Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious list. With a fusion of flavours influenced by diverse cultures, Sydney is a paradise for food lovers. Whether you’re sipping a flat white in Surry Hills, indulging in fresh seafood at Circular Quay or dining at world-class restaurants, the city’s culinary offerings are nothing short of spectacular.

Outdoor lifestyle

Sydney’s love affair with the outdoors is another element that draws in global visitors. The coastal walks, like the Bondi to Coogee walk, offer jaw-dropping ocean views, while surfers, swimmers and sun-seekers can explore Sydney’s beaches, from Cronulla to Palm Beach.

A trip to Bondi Beach is iconic.

The global appeal of Sydney

Sydney isn’t just a tourist destination – it’s a thriving, multicultural metropolis. The city has something for everyone, from exploring local markets or enjoying the vibrant nightlife at hidden bars across the city or at the incredible old pubs in The Rocks.

On top of that, Sydney is a major hub for international events. Vivid Sydney is just one of the many events that attract travellers from around the world.

Sydney has something for everyone.

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park — Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay — A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento — Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

Playing there

an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse — Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

Eating there

Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.

The Aussie city crowned Condé Nast Traveller’s best for 2024!

With its iconic landmarks, vibrant culture and unbeatable lifestyle, here’s why this Australian city tops the global list.

Why Sydney?

Sydney’s food scene

Outdoor lifestyle

The global appeal of Sydney

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Mornington Peninsula’s storied past: war, shipwrecks and a runaway convict

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Playing there

Eating there