10 Unwritten Rules to Know Before Visiting Sydney

17.12.2024 - 23:21 / cntraveler.com

Sydney's sun-blasted image as being laid-back has been well exported, so first-time visitors might be surprised that the coastal city has a lot of rules by which Sydneysiders tend to abide. There are the obvious ones, like no littering or speeding (spoiler: you will get fined), but there are more than a few unwritten rules visitors should be aware of. The city may be famous for its coffee, for example, but you might get a blank stare if you ask for a black filter. Catching your own fish can be controversial. And then come the questions: How far is too far from the beach to wear a Speedo? What is swimming etiquette? Why can’t you get a glass of wine on the sand? To tip or not to tip? Plus, you’ll be surprised to read where open-toe shoes are banned.

To help travelers look less like first-time tourists and more like laidback locals, here are our 10 unwritten rules to keep in mind when visiting Sydney.

Sydney is an early-morning city and breakfast is as much an event as dinner. Cafes are packed from 7 a.m. and a round of avocado-on-toasts, smoothie bowls, and a couple of coffees can cost you as much as dinner out. Regarding coffee—we do them all and we do them well—lattes, piccolos, cappuccinos, cold brews. But we don’t do filter coffee, and most cafes stop serving coffee at 2.30 p.m. when they power down the coffee machine and the barista goes home.

Sydney doesn’t have Michelin stars but rather ‘hats’ which are part of the Good Food Guide. So for those who want up-to-the-minute advice, recommendations, listings—download the app. Dinner reservations at most places are required, and if you want more than a two-hour slot, best to ring the restaurant and ask. It’s not uncommon for last orders to be called at 9 p.m. As for tipping in a restaurant? Sydney has a high minimum wage, so tipping isn’t so much about paying to supplement someone’s wage but showing appreciation. Never feel obligated but if you’re at a nice restaurant and the service has been good, 10% is appreciated. As for cafes or pubs, a few coins in a tip jar is always thoughtful, but not expected, and you would never be expected to tip on a takeaway.

If you’re dining or drinking al fresco, you might notice the lack of ashtrays. This isn’t an accident. Sydney is intolerant to smokers and strict rules apply. There's no smoking/vaping in restaurants or beer gardens (even outside). In fact, to get technical, you can’t light up at public transport stops, outdoor train platforms, and stations; and chunks of the city-center are outdoor smoke-free zones. Also, smoking and drinking is banned on all public beaches. Surprising addendum: there is not one beach club in Australia, and don’t even think about bringing booze to the beach or ocean pool—all