InterContinental Sydney Is A Stylish City Sanctuary

Historic beauty meets modern luxury at the InterContinental Sydney, a stylish sanctuary for the most discerning of travellers.

The InterContinental Group is renowned for creating some of the world’s sleekest hotels, and their Sydney outpost lives up to the hype. Poised by Sydney Harbour, this five-star hotel offers respite from the outside bustle with its serene interiors, luxurious amenities and breathtaking vistas.

Location

InterContinental Sydney is a 20-minute drive from Sydney Airport. Centrally located on Macquarie Street in the iconic Circular Quay, the hotel is within close proximity of Sydney’s icons including the neighbouring Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Opera House which is a short 10-minute walk away. Circular Quay Station is a four-minute walk away and Wynyard Station is an eight-minute walk away for those who are keen to explore other areas of Sydney.

Style and character

Residing in part of the former Treasury Building that dates back to 1851 as well as a 32-level tower, the InterContinental Sydney exudes heritage meets modern charm in spades.

Revered architecture studio Woods Bagot was called upon to sensitively refurbish the hotel in 2019 as part of the $120 million transformation where guestrooms and suites, public spaces, wellness areas, the club lounge and the dining venues were updated. This extensive re-imagination saw the space retain its heritage features while bringing it into the 21st century, drawing inspiration from the Australian landscape, Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the revamp was the creation of the contemporary rooftop bar.

The heart of the hotel is the light-filled atrium, which serves as a gathering space and thoughtful meeting point between the two buildings’ architectural styles. Here you’ll find a large curved marble bar and seating that mimic the arched balconies above, lush palm trees and plush seating. A palette of calming greens and oceanic blues carries throughout the entirety of the hotel in the form of marble, furnishings and wallpaper.

Facilities

The InterContinental Sydney has wellness and leisure facilities including a premium gym and an indoor heated pool that overlooks the harbour and Opera House. On the ground level, there’s also a Vera Wang bridal boutique providing personalised service to find the perfect wedding gown.

Rooms

The 509 light-filled guestrooms and 28 luxe suites are generously sized, calm and quiet. All accommodations feature comfortable window-side chaises, InterContinental Cloud Beds, marble-clad bathrooms with covetable Byredo bathroom amenities, and outlooks of either the city skyline, Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Opera House.

Ultimate luxury can be experienced in one of the Signature Harbour Suites and Elite Suites which boast the best outlooks. The palatial Presidential Suite is a roomy 245 square metres and features a separate lounge room, a 14-person dining room, a butler’s pantry, a workspace and a grand piano.

Food and drink

There are four dining venues to work your way through during your stay: The Conservatory Restaurant, The Treasury, Pont Dining Room and Aster.

The buffet breakfast at The Conservatory Restaurant gives other hotels a run for their money. The elevated spread offers a bounty of breakfast options from continental classics to steamed dim sims and mouth-watering pastries.

Feeling peckish during the day? The Treasury bar on the ground level presents an all-day dining menu. Park yourself under the antique domed atrium at the curved central feature bar or plush banquette seat and treat yourself to dishes such as saltbush and pepper squid with lemon myrtle aioli or lamb shoulder with heirloom carrots, eggplant puree and braised figs. Quench your thirst with a glass of Australian wine or cocktail like the ‘Harvest Punch’ with Los Arcos tequila, BarSol Pisco, strawberry, mango, verjuice and condensed milk.

InterContinental Sydney The Treasury Bar — The Treasury Bar is clad in green marble.

Come nightfall, step into the intimate Pont Dining Room – a celebration of the diversity of Australia’s culturally rich landscape. Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Kanishka Amunugama, enjoy dishes such as Skull Island prawns with red curry butter and lime, Bangalow pork belly with chorizo jam, and pineapple aniseed myrtle with coconut cream, ginger crumb and candied desert lime.

Our tip? Don’t skip the kimchi-fermented potato fries with gruyère sauce.

InterContinental Sydney Pont Dining Room — Pont Dining Room features a whisky bar.

Aster Bar is a must-visit for those staying at the hotel as it arguably has the best views of any venue in Sydney and is one of Australia’s best rooftop bars. Head up to level 32 and sit on the terrace marvelling at the 270-degree vistas of the city.

InterContinental Sydney Aster — Sit on the terrace and admire the panorama.

Sip on classics with a twist like the ‘Tropical Old Fashion’, a delicious concoction of Plantation dark rum, Woodford Rye, coconut, banana and bitters, or bespoke tipples like the ‘Renaisance 60’ with Michter’s 10-Year bourbon, Mancino Bianco, Ruby Port and Grand Marnier. The drinks menu is to be enjoyed alongside modern Australian bites such as half-shell Hervey Bay scallop ceviche with finger lime and seaweed and Hasselback potatoes with sour cream, Yarra Valley salmon caviar and chives.

Does InterContinental Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

All rooms are accessed via a lift, and easy-access rooms are available.

Is InterContinental Sydney family-friendly?

InterContinental Sydney offers a Family Getaway Package which includes: A spacious four-person room, buffet breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 years old, parking for one car, $100 restaurant and bar credit and late check out.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, families, and design-savvy travellers.

Address: 117 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW

Phone: (02) 9253 9000

Cost: From $457 per night.

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

InterContinental Sydney boasts the city’s most spectacular views