Sydney is gay
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There are a range of ways to get from the airport to the city and include suburban train, local bus, shuttle bus, taxi or car rental.
The most popular and convenient way for tourists to get to the city is by train.
During Mardi Gras, the city transforms. One of our favorite experiences to date!
Check Rates & Availability for Harbour Bridge Climb
Taronga Zoo– The best way to reach Taronga Zoois by ferry from Circular Quay, Sydney’s main transit hub in the CBD.
The ride itself is half the fun, offering incredible views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge before arriving at the zoo on the opposite shore. A sacred ritual. And though it is not expected, many people will round their taxi fares up to the nearest dollar as a form of tipping.
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Your guide to LGBTQIA+ Sydney
Internationally renowned as a queer capital, cosmopolitan Sydney promises you a warm welcome, whatever your orientation or gender identity.
Just use normal big-city common sense—watch your belongings, especially in nightlife areas.
Final Thoughts
From sunrise swims at Bondi to late-night drag shows on Oxford Street, Sydney truly has it all.
But around my third trip, I stumbled on Cobblers Beach—just down the coast.
Laugh a lot. Known for unofficial skinny dipping (“they turn a (msotly) blind eye” to nudity and bush play), it offers jaw-dropping sunsets and, occasionally, that quirky ice-cream boat homage. Every trip stretches about three weeks (because honestly the flight time from Europe is insane and the jetlag can sometimes be a week of that), and every trip feels like returning to a home I never had.
Exploring Sydney’s Gay Beaches
There is a more comprehensive guide to Sydney’s Gay Beaches here.
Obelisk & Cobblers
On my earliest visits, Obelisk Beach became my go‑to: a discreet gem nestled by Mosman, perfect for nude sun‑baking with a laid‑back, friendly crowd.
Start in the front bar, then book Drag ‘n’ Dine on the weekend for an unforgettable night of food and fabulous performances. Whether you’re starting your night with friends or sticking around until last call, the Oxford remains one of Oxford Street’s most beloved institutions.
Stonewall Hotel– The other Oxford Street icon, famous for its nightly drag shows, themed parties, and pop anthems blasting well into the morning hours.
Gay Sydney · City Guide
With more than 4 million residents, Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. LGBTQIA+ folk have several resources available to them when they arrive in Sydney.
Each year brings fresh faces, a new sunset, and that same irresistible Sydney embrace.
Here’s to many more sunlit Mardi Gras seasons and salty-coastal memories from Down Under!
Welcome to Sydney, the Harbour City, where golden beaches, iconic architecture, and a laid-back coastal charm come together in perfect harmony.
Head along for live entertainment, a smorgasbord of stalls, fantastic people-watching and even a hotly contested dog show.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade - Credit: Jeffrey Feng
Then, on the first Saturday in March, it’s time for the parade. On Sundays, it transforms into the city’s most famous Sunday Funday, starting in the beer garden and ending upstairs in the packed nightclub.
Oxford Hotel– A staple of Sydney’s gay nightlife, the Oxford Hotel has been welcoming the community for decades.
Cheap, cheerful, and oh-so-Sydney. Add in friendly locals (with a charming accent!) and year-round sunshine, and it’s easy to see why Sydney belongs at the top of your gay travel list.
Planning your trip to Sydney? Even if you’ve seen a performance before, the guided tour adds layers of context and appreciation that’ll have you seeing the building with entirely new eyes.
Book well in advance—this is peak season.
The Beresford is two worlds in one:
- Upstairs, it’s a full-blown nightclub, packed wall to wall, body to body, beat to beat.
- Downstairs and out in the courtyard, it’s alfresco magic lush greenery, cocktails clinking, and shirtless men mingling under the Sydney sun.
There’s something uniquely Sydney about it: the casual sexiness, the mix of locals and tourists, the easy friendliness that makes you feel like you’ve been going there for years—even if it’s your first time.
What to Expect
Doors open early and the courtyard starts filling up mid-afternoon, especially in summer.