Visiting Sydney | SXSW Sydney

72 Hours In Sydney’s Iconic Precincts

Immerse yourself in all the best Sydney has to offer by visiting some of the city’s most iconic precincts over three days. Explore Sydney’s sights and sounds during the day by heading to the CBD and surroundings for shopping and sightseeing, then come back at night to see the city in a different light. Feed your mind by visiting the Gallery of New South Wales, and find your zen at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Venture out to the inner-city Surry Hills for our world-renowned coffee scene, independent creators and art. Then, hit up the inner-west through Enmore and Newtown for cocktails and live music from top-class bartenders and local acts.

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Sydney’s Culture Trails

While you carve a path through Sydney’s food and drink scene, feed your cultural curiosity with the best this city has to offer from nature to art and history with these cultural trails. Explore Sydney’s icons by taking the Botanic Garden Trail: a 10-stop journey through Sydney’s artistic and natural highlights, including the Opera House, Australian Museum, Art Gallery of NSW and of course the Botanic Gardens themselves. Or, explore inner-city Chippendale; 6 stops from the Frank Gehry-designed Dr. Chau Chak Wing, White Rabbit Gallery and Carriageworks for a look at Sydney through a more cultural lens.

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30 Of The Best Brunch Spots In Sydney

If you’ve ever been out on a Saturday morning around Sydney, you’ll quickly find out that it is definitely a brunching city. Whether it’s the CBD, Inner-West or even further afield, there is no shortage of delicious spots to feast on your brunch favourites. If you’re feeling something different, head to Chinatown for traditional Yum Cha from some of Sydney’s greatest Chinese institutions. If you have a sweet tooth, you can head further into the CBD for the fluffiest pancake sandwiches at Gram. Head out of the city to Bondi and visit culinary superstar Bill Granger’s world-famous Bills for some ricotta pancakes, or head south to The Grounds in Alexandria for a feast for all your senses.

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Best Small Bars In Sydney

From laneways, and beer gardens to speak-easy jazz joints, there is no limit to the bar scene in Sydney and its surrounding precincts. Each offers its own unique flavour to your night out, we’re talking world-class cocktails, food and good vibes anywhere you go. Start off with a Mezcal concoction at Cantina OK in the CBD, then head to Surry Hills for a boozy rye number at Shady Pines, surrounded by heavy wood and antiques. Heading out of the city, get New York vibes by the beach from Donny’s in Manly or expertly curated whiskey flights in the west at Heritage Lounge, Parramatta. Sydney, so to speak, is your oyster.

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Frequently asked questions

What is SXSW Sydney?

South By Southwest dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW Sydney is heading out of America for the first time to Sydney, Australia. The harbour city will host a collision of creativity and culture for changemakers near and far.

Held across 7 days and 6 nights from October 14-20, 2024 — you’ll see the convergence of innovation, music, screen, tech, games and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, SXSW Sydney features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities – proving that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.

How are you addressing and representing First Nations peoples at the event?

SXSW Sydney acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land where the event will take place. Representation is important to us and with the guidance of local Traditional Custodians, we are working to ensure the event recognises and respectfully upholds inclusive cultural protocols.

This year, SXSW Sydney has partnered with Awesome Black – a First Nations founded creative agency – to provide curatorial consulting and guidance across the entire SXSW Sydney program.

Awesome Black is a staunchly strengths-based and future-focussed organisation, dedicated to highlighting the innate power and talents of First Nations peoples and communities. Committed to cultivating partnerships with organisations that advance and empower their mission, Awesome Black has supported the SXSW Sydney team to ensure increased First Nations representation in all areas of the program.

What events can I expect from SXSW Sydney?

Bringing together inspired thinkers, creators and innovators in Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen from across the world – SXSW Sydney will host a series of festivals, a conference and an expo, parties and more. Anything from 1:1 mentoring workshops to keynote speakers, interactive panels to networking lounges, film screenings to live music performances, tech demos to art installations, and of course – plenty of surprises.

How does the Sydney event differ from the Austin event?

SXSW Sydney is an extension of the Austin event (and the first time the festival’s leaving home soil), delivering a program and experience that honours the original spirit while bringing Sydney’s own unique flair. As the gateway to Asia-Pacific, expect a whole host of innovation and creativity from the region that you won’t find anywhere else, plus Sydney’s harbourside view and sunny-side attitude! The event will take place across one week – so we’ll be packing a mighty punch. If you’re a SXSW maestro, you’ll notice some of our event formats and badge structures have been tweaked, and for our inaugural event, we won’t be including SXSW Edu. And while Tech and Innovation will still be major driving forces within the SXSW Sydney event, they won’t sit under the “SXSW Sydney Interactive” banner.

How can I learn more about SXSW Sydney?

The SXSW Sydney website at www.sxswsydney.com is your first stop for information on the event, including news, the event’s history, and detailed information on the conference, festivals, and exhibitions. Check out the website footer to sign-up for our newsletters – you’ll be the first to know about any important updates about the event. For fresh content and highlights, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin under “@SXSWSydney”.

What topics does the SXSW Sydney Conference cover?

The SXSW Sydney Conference will discuss all things Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen through multiple tracks. Each track has been designed for the SXSW Sydney community to experience the latest in forward-thinking ideas within their industry, and unlock the unexpected discoveries made possible when a diverse range of topics converge on stage.

Head to our Conference page for a breakdown of each of the 19 tracks we’ll explore during SXSW Sydney 2024. Expected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.

Are there age restrictions on attending the event?

Unless specific age restrictions are stated in the SXSW Sydney Online Schedule, all SXSW Conference and Festival programming may be attended by properly credentialed persons, however venue specific restrictions may apply. Please check with the venue to avoid disappointment.

Children under the age of 15 may attend if accompanied, at all times, by a properly credentialed adult over the age of 18. To ensure the enjoyment of all attendees, it’s important that adults accompanied by children respect the right of all to participate in SXSW Sydney without disruption and without concern for the safety of children.

We ask that adults concerned about age admission policies and age-appropriateness of specific programming use common sense and rely on the online schedule for guidance. SXSW Sydney attendees are subject to the age restrictions of each venue, including clubs and bars.

Why is SXSW coming to Sydney, Australia?

SXSW Sydney has built a world-renowned brand across its 35-year history in Austin, TX.

By combining its globally recognised profile with a highlighted focus on the incredible creative strengths of the Asia Pacific region, SXSW Sydney reserves a newly rejuvenated position on the global major events calendar; as 2024’s must-attend city conference for discovery by creators and innovators worldwide.

Will there be a SXSW Sydney Online in 2024?

No, SXSW Sydney 2024 will be a completely live event.

When and where does the SXSW Sydney Conference take place?

SXSW Sydney is about discovery, networking and fun – all within a walkable footprint across Central Sydney and surrounding neighbourhoods. From Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Ultimo, to Chippendale and beyond – the city’s best museums, cinemas, parks, bars and restaurants will transform into a vibrant interconnected hub of future-focused ideas, parties, unique events and networking opportunities to uncover on every street corner.

What Covid-19 safety measures will you have in place at SXSW Sydney 2024?

Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our community. To ensure that we keep everyone as safe as is reasonably possible, SXSW Sydney will adhere to health regulations and COVID Safety protocols that are in place at the time of the event. These requirements may change based on advice from NSW Health, so please be sure to visit this page for the latest information.

Experience Sydney At SXSW Sydney.

SXSW Sydney Exclusive Accommodation

72 Hours In Sydney’s Iconic Precincts

Sydney’s Culture Trails

30 Of The Best Brunch Spots In Sydney

Best Small Bars In Sydney

Discover the best of Sydney

SXSW Sydney Exclusive Accommodation

Frequently asked questions

BECOME AN INSIDER?

Experience Sydney At SXSW Sydney.

SXSW Sydney Exclusive Accommodation

72 Hours In Sydney’s Iconic Precincts

Sydney’s Culture Trails

30 Of The Best Brunch Spots In Sydney

Best Small Bars In Sydney

Discover the best of Sydney

SXSW Sydney Exclusive Accommodation

Frequently asked questions

BECOME AN INSIDER?

Experience Sydney At SXSW Sydney.