A student guide to Sydney, Australia 

Sydney. The largest city in Australia, famous for its beaches, nightlife and sport. As a student, what more could you want? 

According to University Reviews, Sydney is home to over 300,000 students across multiple universities. One of these is the Sydney campus of the University of Newcastle. Located in the heart of the CBD. The campus and accommodation are perfectly placed for enjoying your time here, and is close to all the attractions you could need during your studies. This is also the location of the brand-new GIS Sydney campus, where our new degrees are offered in partnership with the University of Newcastle.

One of the first places on the doorstep of the campus is Martin Place, an iconic pedestrian mall considered the civic heart of the city. It’s also has been the location of filming for world-famous films such as Superman Returns and The Matrix.  

Sydney is a cultural melting pot, and it’s so diverse that there is something for everyone. According to the 2016 census, only 17% of people living in Sydney were born in Australia! This diversity is reflected in its cuisine, with a wide array of restaurants and cafes, from outdoor street-food markets to high-end fine dining. Students can discover flavors from all over the world without having to travel. An example is the popular tradition of having Yum Cha in Chinatown. Café culture is also embedded in Sydney’s suburbs, with many independent coffee shops and bakeries for you to explore. This is why Sydney is one of the world’s number-one destinations for international students, and GIS Sydney provides another opportunity for them.

The same can be said for activities, with an endless list of things to do as you get to know the city. Whether you’re new to the city or have been a lifelong resident, The Rocks has been a social hub for years. Located on the southern shore of the Sydney Harbour, this suburb is the perfect place for students, with Irish pubs hosting live music being a great option to meet new people. 

As well as this, the city-surf lifestyle is what Sydney is all about. Home to Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world, a standard weekend for students could involve heading to the beach to catch the sun, swim, and enjoy the many cafes, bars, and clubs the area has to offer. Away from the hustle and bustle of Bondi, Coogee Beach is another option. Or, for an even more relaxed scene, a short ferry ride across the harbour to Manly, followed by a bus ride, could take you to the Northern Beaches.

As for day-to-day life, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active. You can go for a run along Bondi Cliffs or use one of the city’s state-of-the-art gyms. A post-workout shop could take you to Westfield in Bondi Junction, the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or find some upgrades for your room.

Finally, you can’t talk about Sydney without mentioning professional sport. Home to nine NRL teams, the New South Wales capital is a hub for the (arguably) nation’s favourite sport, and you can catch any of them play throughout the (admittedly warm) winter months. The summer is then time for cricket and AFL season, and the Sydney Cricket Ground is the perfect host for the full Australian sporting experience.

The Sydney Cricket Ground is also one of the facilities of GIS Sydney, alongside the modern Allianz Stadium next door.

Learn more about this campus and how you can study a master’s degree in sport on-campus in Sydney with GIS, in partnership with the University of Newcastle here.

Article by Zak Anani