Climate change is affecting the region of Metropolitan Sydney, and understanding the region’s vulnerability is key to adaptation.

Metropolitan Sydney, situated on the country’s eastern coast, is one of the largest cities in Australia, and not just that, it holds some historical importance too for the continent. The word metropolitan suggests a large city or constituting a mother country from a colony; it is called metropolitan because it covers a larger area, including Sydney.

If you are looking from a bird’s view, the landscape might seem simple, but the closer you go, the more intricate it gets with the boundaries of Sydney City, the state capital of New South Wales.

As the historical evidence points out, Sydney is the oldest city in Australia or, even the Ancestor of the whole continent. Lieutenant James Cook first landed at Silver Beach and got in contact with a clan named Gweagal; they came from Europe, which was the first recorded encounter between the Australians and the Europeans.

These people were called “Eora” (from this place) and their fellows by James Cook. The people who inhabited the city were Indigenous Australians who migrated from the Northern part of Australia and lived in clans.

Looking at the area on the map and even politically, Greater Sydney has some local government areas, which Metropolitan Sydney does not even though they seem to be within the Metropolitan area. It can be said that the former sheets the latter, but they are not the same.

1. About Metropolitan Sydney

Metropolitan Sydney is on the state’s eastern side and includes the city of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas. It covers the area till Hornsby in the north and Sutherland Shire in the south. On the west side, it goes to the Blue Mountains.

Metropolitan Sydney has 33 local government areas and is further divided into suburbs.

Local government areas within the NSW state are sorted by region in clusters. There are 658 Suburbs in the Sydney metropolitan area. They comprise regions such as Metropolitan Sydney, Murray, The Riverina, Southeast region, Central West, Northwest, and many more.

A look at the map of the metropolitan region will reveal further how these LGAs in clusters form the region. To clarify what makes up metropolitan Sydney, we will divide the area into directions.

• The eastern coastal side covers the inner west council, Northern Beaches, Sydney City, Woollahra, Bayside council, and others.
• The northern side spreads over Hills Shire and Hornsby.
• Penrith City and Liverpool are on the western side of local government areas.
• The Southern area includes Sutherland Shire and Campbelltown.

Like its boundaries, you would find little intricacy within regions as some areas overlap with the state capital.

2. Difference Between Metropolitan Sydney and Greater Sydney Region

As the name suggests, Greater Sydney covers a larger area than the Metropolitan. From the Hawkesbury to the Northern Beaches regions (the Northern Beaches regions are different from North Beach) in the North to Wollondilly, and Sutherland regions in the bottom and going further south. The Blue Mountains are on the west, and the Central Coast is on the eastern side. Wollongong and The Shellharbour are the southernmost LGAs of the Greater Sydney region.

Even though the Greater and the Metropolitan Sydney are different, they overlap on the Physical Map to some extent, but not politically.

3. Some Tourist Spots in the Metropolitan Sydney Area and Nearby

Sydney is also called the “Emerald City” or “Harbor City,” it is home to two famous places, the “Harbor Bridge” and the Sydney Opera House. The Harbor Bridge looks like a coat hanger, and sometimes, the residents of Sydney call it the hanger bridge or coat hanger. Another well-known place is the Sydney Opera House.

These two famous tourist spots are situated at Sydney Harbor, which is naturally formed by the inlet of the Tasman Sea. One of Its main tributaries is the Parramatta River. A look at the map will show how this estuary enters Sydney and has its mouth as Port Jackson.

When viewed geographically, the Ocean surrounds the continent in the southern hemisphere; when you explore closely, you will find the rich biodiversity it offers.

3.1. Famous Parks and Places

• The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is one of the world’s heritage sites. It has deep valleys, canyons, waterfalls, and bushwalking tracks, which are easy to go through. This region is one place that adds to the state’s charm. It is located about an hour from Sydney.

• Sydney Harbor National Park

Sydney Harbor National Park is in Greater Sydney; it features Islands, Bays, and Foreshore. Not just that, you will explore some sites here of historical importance, lookout points, and secluded beaches.

If you enjoy mild activities like going for a picnic and walking, this park has perfect spots such as bushwalking tracks. Sydney Harbor Is under the supervision of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

• Royal National Park

Royal National Park is located in the Sutherland Shire. It is the oldest national park in Australia and the second oldest in the world. It shares a perfect spot from a historical perspective, and even its name has a history behind it. The features of these parks are coastal heath, waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and beaches.

• Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

The park is famous as a weekend destination for Sydneysiders and tourists. It features rainforests, rock cliffs, lookout points, Mangroves, Beaches, and many picnic areas; if you enjoy biking, it has biking trails, too.

• Hyde Park

This 16.2-hectare rectangular-shaped park is well-known in Australia. It is the oldest public parkland in Sydney and one of the world heritage sites.

It is 20-25 minutes from Bondi Beach, a surrounding suburb in Sydney and one of Australia’s most visited tourist sites.

Sydney offers many natural spots and waterways, such as the Hawkesbury River, national parks, and gardens within the city centre and the CBD areas.

4. Endemic Species in Area

When we think of nature, it’s not just the scenic beauty or pretty geological features but the precious fauna that complete the ecosystem.

If you are a nature lover in Australia, do not miss the opportunity to visit the various animals; some are only found in Australia.

• Kangaroo

Kangaroos are a member of the mammalian infraclass Marsupialia and have distinctive features such as carrying their young ones in a pouch, and hoping. Hoping is not only a unique way of movement but an energy efficient one. Theirs uniqueness is possibly due to the rough terrain of their habitat.

• Koala

Koalas are sometimes called koala bears. Because they look like bears with their bushy ears, a long nose, and a mouth that seems to be smiling at you. These tree-dwelling marsupials can be found in eastern and southern Australia. They mostly eat eucalyptus leaves.

• Platypus

They have the appearance of a duck’s bill at first glance, the feet of an otter, and waterproof fur, allowing them enough time in the water. It is called a monotreme, like a mammal that lays eggs and is also one of the very few venomous mammals.

The males are known to have a spur on their hind foot, which can kill a smaller animal and cause extreme pain in humans.

Rounding Up

Metropolitan Sydney is home to over 5 million people, which makes it Australia’s largest city. The city has many perfect spots for tourists; it is a hub of cultural and economic activity, which significantly contributes to the country and continent.

However, the region is vulnerable to climate change, which greatly affects it through sea level, bushfires, flooding, urban heat islands, and heat waves due to increased temperature. Understanding this vulnerability is key to resilience and adaptation.

Last Updated on May 13, 2024 by Arnab