Summary and History 2000

2000

Crowds at Telstra Stadium - Photo: Sydney Olympic Park Authority
  • Sydney 2000 Olympic Games attracts record visitor numbers and are declared the "best ever Olympics" by the International Olympic Committee.
  • Darling Harbour hosts five Olympic sports - boxing, judo, wrestling, weightlifting and volleyball. A temporary beach volleyball stadium is erected at Bondi Beach proving to be quite a hit with the Olympic fans.
  • Tourism New South Wales and the ATC operate a successful media centre at Darling Harbour to assist visiting media covering the Games. Kings Street Wharf opens as a leisure and entertainment precinct.
  • McCafferty's Coaches purchases Greyhound Pioneer Australia forming the only national coach operator in the country.
  • A rail link opens from Sydney Airport to the city, and a new railway station opens at Homebush Bay. International visitors can reach the Olympic site within an hour of getting off a plane.
  • The Blue Mountains is World Heritage Listed, recognised as an area of outstanding natural value and international importance. The honour brings with it greater responsibilities to preserve and conserve the area for future generations.

2001

  • Media attention and international interest continues in Sydney post Olympics enhancing opportunities for tourism, events, business, trade and investment.
  • Post-Olympic development continues in Sydney with conversion of historic harbour wharves into residential and entertainment complexes at King Street, Jones Bay and Walsh Bay.
  • Sydney Olympic Park is transformed from the home of the 2000 Games to a popular new entertainment and recreation centre.
  • Tourism New South Wales launches a new "Feel Free" brand for its domestic marketing campaign.
  • May - Its website (www.visit.nsw.com.au) notches up one million hits.

2002

  • The year is celebrated as the Year of the Outback. Celebrations took place over the twelve month calendar across the state including the Big Wide Outback River Regatta, the Silver City Outback Band Festival and Shear Outback.

2003

Nighttime view of King Street Wharf, Sydney - Photo: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
  • Sydney successfully hosts the Rugby World Cup, when 20 countries take part in the third largest sporting event in the world. The event receives international media attention with an estimated television audience of 4 billion. During the event there is a 30% increase in visitors to Sydney from the United Kingdom.
  • Some of Sydney's top harbour cruise companies relocate to King Street Wharf while Darling Harbour is the centre for celebrations during the Rugby World Cup. The King Street Wharf development boasts 12 new bars and restaurants.
  • April 14 - BridgeClimb welcomes its one-millionth climber.
  • Tourism NSW is integrated with the Department of Tourism Sport and Recreation.

2004

  • Sydney icon Luna Park reopens. The redevelopment combines the unique identity and heritage of the site with new entertainment, social and tourism facilities.
  • Sydney is ranked number one city in the world for a record ninth time in the US Conde Nast Traveller magazine Readers' Choice Awards at a star-studded event in New York.
  • Tourism NSW launches Sydney's first stand alone brand campaign - "There's no place in the World like Sydney"
  • Sydney wins US Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best City Award for the 3rd time in a row bringing the wins up to 7.

2005

Christopher Schenkel, 1.5 millionth Sydney Bridge climber, June 9, 2005 - Photo: Sydney Bridge Climb
  • Tourism New South Wales celebrates 100 years.
  • The Hilton Sydney reopens after two years with a $200 million facelift and a five-star rating. It is the largest single site investment made by the Hilton International Group to date and becomes the largest convention hotel with meeting space for 3,000 delegates.
  • World Square becomes Sydney's newest commercial, residential and retail precinct. The area encompasses an entire city block bounded by George, Liverpool, Pitt and Goulburn streets. World Tower is Sydney's largest residential building.
  • Bridgeclimb celebrates its 1.5 millionth climber.
  • Sydney wins US Travel + Leisure magazine's World's Best City Award for the fourth consecutive year. In its ten year history, Sydney has won the award eight times.
  • In January, Tourism NSW launches its biggest ever regional advertising campaign featuring five adverts which include NSW North Coast, NSW South Coast, NSW Outback, NSW High Country and Heart of Country NSW.
  • Sydney visitors love interactive experiences and learn to surf, take cooking classes, visit markets and take part in movie and ghost tours.
  • Health retreats and day spas become increasing popular throughout the State. Peppers Guest House in the Hunter Valley celebrated 20 years in operation with major upgrades to including the addition of a health spa. Elysian Golden Door Resort at Cypress Lakes opens as the first purpose built spa retreat in Australia. Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains undergoes major refurbishment.
  • Sydney is ranked number one city in the world for the tenth time in the US Conde Nast Traveller magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.
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