20 Reasons for Working Holiday Makers to pack their bags and move to Sydney in 2017

Sydney is a city like no other. It's home to beautiful beaches, iconic buildings, historic landmarks, award-winning restaurants, and a vibrant culture. With a buoyant economy and warmer weather, Sydney could just be the oasis British Working Holiday Makers are seeking to escape the cold UK winter.

Here are 20 reasons to consider working, living, and visiting Sydney and NSW in 2017:

1. The world’s best beaches will become your backyard

Sydney is blessed with many beautiful sandy beaches perfect for an afternoon swim. Relax on fine white sands, tranquil bays and coves in Sydney Harbour or enjoy the waves at world Bondi Beach.

2. The weather is on point

Sydney’s weather is spectacular and pleasant year round. Move here and you’ll quickly grow accustomed to lengthy summers, mild winters and sunny days. Average Sydney winters are sometimes as warm as the UK Summer.

3. Catch a ferry to work

Going to work will become a breeze when you can start your day with a ferry ride across the Harbour and snap photos of your sunny commute to friends back home on the Tube. All aboard.

4.Sydney serves the best coffee

When it comes to coffee, Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice, whether it’s a perfectly executed, smooth flat white in a rustic setting, or an exotic, fusion-inspired creation at an outdoor café. Coffee stores in Sydney are blending taste and atmosphere to create the perfect cup of caffeinated happiness, and 

5. Instagram photo opportunity.

Sunrises and sunsets will take your breath away. Join the Sydney sunset club in 2017 and make your friends jealous with stunning #nofilterrequired pics of the sun setting over the city’s icons.

6. Have your pick of fresh seafood everyday

Sydney is home to Sydney Fish Market, the largest fish market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Here retailers offer a wide variety of fresh seafood, including the locally grown Sydney rock oysters to buy for dinner or enjoy a fresh seafood meal on the wharf overlooking the water. Sydney Seafood School is also located at the market and holds a variety of seafood cooking classes including some hosted by Australia’s leading chefs.

7. Get up close and personal with the city’s icons

In Sydney the icons are not just to be looked at. You can climb the arches of the Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney, grab a drink under the sails of the Sydney Opera House at Opera Bar, and even scale the Sydney Sky Tower.

8. The road trip possibilities are endless

Crisscrossed by a network of well-kept highways and scenic, winding roads, New South Wales makes for some of the best road trips in Australia whether heading north, south, east or west. For a coastal idyll, follow the Grand Pacific Drive from Sydney’s Royal National Park south to the city of Wollongong. Ocean pools and beaches abound on the way, alongside fishing villages and the well-known Sydney Hangliding Centre at Bald Hill Headland Reserve

9. Whether it’s ice cream, gelato, sorbet or soft serve, Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious icy treats. 

N2 Extreme Gelato is adored for its indulgent flavours like Milo Crème Brulee, Pash Me Pavlova and Chocolate Peanut Butter Sorbet. Cow and Moon in Enmore was awarded World’s Best Gelato for its Mandorla Affogato variety in the Gelato World Tour competition in 2015.

10. Sydney’s beautiful outdoor pools provide a magnificent way to relax and stay fit

Along with its glorious coastline and famous beaches, Sydney has a superb collection of ocean pools and swimming baths. Whether you’re a lap swimmer or out for a leisurely dip, you’ll love the dazzling Sydney Harbour views or the splendid ocean panoramas from the pools.

11. Gardens, greenspace and National Parks are scattered all over the city

Sydney’s idyllic parks have garnered international attention for their natural beauty and unspoiled old world feel. Whether you’re visiting an inner city space such as Hyde Park or Royal Botanic Garden Sydney or biking and bushwalking your way through the Royal National Park or Ku-rin-gai Chase National Park, no trip to this city is complete without relaxing somewhere green and taking in the view.

12. The arts and cultural calendar in Sydney is everything

From the Sydney Festival to the fabulous light displays of Vivid Sydney, there’s a multitude of awesome arts and cultural events in Sydney each year, as well as great galleries, museums, gigs and performances.

13. You’ll get to see some of the best sporting events in the world

With thriving sporting facilities throughout the city, Sydney plays host to some of the most thrilling international sporting events in the world, along with some of Australia’s top domestic sporting competitions. Join the electric atmosphere at ANZ stadium in July when English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal plays two back-to-back matches against local sides Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers.

14. Every year Sydney hosts the largest festival of light music and ideas Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney is a unique annual event of light, music and ideas, featuring an outdoor ‘gallery’ of extraordinary lighting sculptures, a cutting-edge contemporary music program, some of the world’s most important creative industry forums and, of course, the spectacular illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails. Light up your 2017 and discover the magic of the world’s largest festival light, music and ideas from 26 May to 17 June.

15. Sydney is the gateway city to start your adventures exploring the rest of NSW

There’s plenty of options for day trips and weekends away from Sydney and there are some beautiful places to explore, many even accessible by public transport; which makes for a budget- friendly day out. Head to the stunning Blue Mountains for bushwalks and to see the Three Sisters rock formation, spend a weekend on the South Coast exploring its stunning beaches and national parks, or sign up for a wine tour of the Hunter Valley. All are within a couple of hours’ drive of the city and well worth the trip. Image:

16. Meet the wildlife

Annie the platypus, Rex the crocodile and Wuru the dugong are just some of the amazing animals you’ll meet in Sydney’s famous zoos and aquariums. Australia has many unique animals including koalas and kangaroos, and Sydney is a great city to see them up close at Taronga Zoo, WILD LIFE Sydney and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

17. Sydney has some of the best roof top bars and beer gardens to soak up the sunshine.

From the harbour, to the northern beaches, to the western suburbs you’ll never be short of a picturesque outdoor bar to have a drink with friends. The Newport set on shores of stunning Pittwater in Sydney’s north has an expansive beer garden with a fantastic seafood focussed menu.

18. The city is a shopaholics dream

Shopping in Sydney has it all, from international labels and innovative local designers to buzzy markets and tours of hidden gems and discount outlets. The beautifully restored Queen Victoria Building in the city centre is an arcade full of splendid boutiques. Outdoor markets are brimming with stalls, from fresh produce to the next big fashion name.

19. Sydney is a city you will fall in love with

From the outgoing and friendly people, to the outdoor healthy lifestyle Sydney will steal your heart. The multicultural food offering including Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, African and Chinese will also win over your taste buds.

20. Flight specials mean you’d be silly not to book now

Student Universe have flights to Sydney from London under £500 visit student universe. STA also have great one-way and return flight deals on offer here.

More information about living and working in Sydney can be found at http://www.sydney.com/workstudyplay