Home / About Sydney / City Localities / CBD

CBD

Click Map for a larger view.

The heart of Sydney, the Central Business District (CBD) is home to major shopping centres, hotels and entertainment venues, and many important financial and business institutions.

Much of Sydney’s commercial history is reflected in the CBD’s buildings – from imposing banks and historic structures, such as Victorian shopping arcades and the old GPO in Martin Place, to ultra modern high-rises. SomeofSydney’s oldest structures are here, such as the 1819 Hyde Park Barracks and 1822 St James Church.

Indeed, the CBD is a fascinating place to live, work, shop and visit!

Leisure

Parks & Open spaces

To book a City park or open space:
Tel: 02 9265 9550 / 9265 9946 / 9246 7805
Email: openspacebookings@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Cook + Phillip Park

Providing a wonderful green space in the heart of the city, this park features 3.4 hectares of open space with more than 400 trees, grassed terraces, flowering gardens and the superb forecourt to St Mary’s Cathedral.

Hyde Park

A favourite city recreation area since 1792, Hyde Park is Sydney’s most historic park. Today it remains a popular place for a lunch time picnic.

Martin Place

One of the city’s premier public spaces, with many historic buildings and the famous Cenotaph, the focus for ceremonies commemorating Anzac Day.

Wynyard Park

Adjacent to the Wynyard train and bus interchange, this inner city park is popular oasis. Ideal for a quick lunch or an afternoon nap in the sun.

Other parks

The Domain

A wide and wonderful expanse of parkland in the middle of the city, this open space was set aside for public recreation in 1810. Today it remains a popular place for sports, public events and outdoor concerts.

Walking

Harbour Walk

Sydney’s waterfront from the Sydney Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, then on to historic Macquarie Street.

Historical Walking Tours

The City’s self-guided historical walking tours – Commerce (exploring Sydney’s retail history, from St James Station to the QVB) and Community (departing from the Town Hall) – will introduce you to the area.

Brochure
Download a brochure or pick one up from any Council Location for this inside look at Sydney's commercial history.

Sydney Sculpture Walk

A major City initiative, this self-guided walk showcases the innovative work of our contemporary artists, brochures are available.

Tel: 02 9265 9333

Cycling

Over 200 bicycle parking rings have been installed onto the City's ‘Smartpole’ street lighting system. Locations include King, Macquarie, Market, George, Park, Bridge, Phillip, Wynyard, Elizabeth and College Streets. A limited number of longer-term bike lockers are available in the Domain Parking Station free of charge, and U-rail parking is available at:

Clarence Street – east side between King and Barracks Streets
Town Hall House, Kent Street – near the One Stop Shop
Town Hall – on the Druitt Street side of the building
Cook + Phillip Park – adjacent to the aquatic and fitness centre

Swimming pools

Andrew (Boy) Charlton Swimming Pool, The Domain
Tel: 02 9358 6686
Email: abc@belgravialeisure.com.au

Mrs Macquaries Road,
The Domain NSW 2000

Season: 1 September 2007 – 4 May 2008

Non Daylight Saving
Monday to Sunday: 6am to 7pm

Daylight Saving
Monday to Sunday: 6am to 8pm

The centre is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
More Info >>

Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Sydney
Tel: 02 9326 0444
Email: info@cookandphillip.com.au
Fax: 02 9326 0599

4 College Street, Corner William Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 7am to 8pm

The centre is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
More Info >>

Gyms

The closest City of Sydney gyms are:

King George V Recreation Centre, The Rocks
Tel: 02 9244 3600
Email: kgv@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 02 9244 3613

Cumberland St
The Rocks NSW 2000

Main Centre
Monday to Friday: 6.30am to 9pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Fitness Centre
Monday to Thursday: 6.30am to 8.30pm
Friday: 6.30am to 7pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: Closed
More Info>>

Tennis

The closest tennis courts are:

Kent Street Tennis Courts, Sydney
The Observatory Hotel
Tel: 02 9256 2222

96-108 Kent Street
Millers Point NSW 2000
More Info >>

Library

State Library of NSW
Macquarie St
Tel: 02 9273 1414

Email: library@sl.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Entertainment

Museums, Galleries & Attractions

Movies

George Street Cinemas

Theatres and performance venues

Shopping

With nine retail centres and over 600 specialty stores, Pitt Street Mall is Australia’s most cosmopolitan shopping precinct, with something for every style and budget.

Also in this area, the Queen Victoria Building and the David Jones and Myer department stores all offer a fantastic range of products. Nearby, there is everything from supermarkets and food stores to international designer labels around Martin Place and Castlereagh and King Streets.

Web: www.sydney-shopping.com.au

Dining

The CBD has numerous ‘Eat Streets’, offering a great range of cuisines. The Pitt Street Mall area, for example, features many food courts, restaurants and the wonderful David Jones Foodhall, while there’s plenty of choice at Martin Place‘s GPO building and the MLC Centre.

Other dining areas are scattered about the CBD, but there are some great pub dining rooms, restaurants and cafes around George, King and York Streets, and the Queen Victoria Building is another good option, particularly for daytime dining.

Web: Sydney Dining

Did You Know?

Martin Place was once much shorter than it is today. Starting at George Street, it was made progressively longer from 1923 until 1935, when it was finally extended to Macquarie Street.

Tunnels around St James Station were the secret headquarters of American General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.

In the early days of European settlement, Hyde Park marked the outskirts of Sydney Town and was later fenced by Governor Macquarie and used for horseracing and cricket matches.

Last Updated: Tuesday 6 November, 2007