Ever leave a taxi with a hole burning in your pocket? You’re not alone – Sydney has been named one of the world’s most expensive cities to catch a taxi.
Every Sydneysider has had the experience of feeling ripped off in a taxi. For me, it was only the other week. I completed my trip and was told the card machine wasn’t working. No worries, I had cash. But, rather conveniently, the driver then said he didn’t have change. My only option was to hand over a crisp $20 note for a ride that metered $12.
Small potatoes, perhaps, compared to what others have experienced: earlier this year, one taxi driver was fined $2,000 for charging an overseas family $188 for a 13-kilometre trip from Sydney Airport to the CBD.
Sydney has been named the 14th most expensive city in the world to catch a taxi. (Image: TkKurikawa/Getty images)
Now, data is backing up the fact that Sydney taxi prices are sky high. A study by the Deutsche Bank Research Institute ‘s ‘mapping the world’s prices’ ranked Sydney the 14th most expensive city to catch a taxi out of 69 world cities. The study put the average cost of a taxi at approximately $28.67 AUD per five kilometres. Zurich topped the list at a whopping $42 AUD per five kilometres, and Paris came in second with $40.85 per five kilometres. Interestingly, the study also noted that their data for taxi fares were volatile, with “price differentials all over the place". These disparities hint at pervasive price gouging and overcharging, which would be par for the course when it comes to the taxi networks in Sydney and other Australian cities.
This volatile pricing has become such a rampant issue that the NSW government is trialling capped airport taxi fares to the CBD. From November 3, taxi drivers will only be able to charge a flat fee of $60, and will not be able to pass on any additional toll charges to passengers.
The NSW government had introduced capped fares from the airport in a bid to curb chronic overcharging. (Image: Getty Images/Janwell)
Last year in Victoria, things came to a head outside a Matilda’s game, when groups of taxi drivers conspired together in an attempt to price-gouge passengers. Multiple taxis queued at the rank refused to turn on their meters and demanded fares upfront that were almost three times the standard rate. The prevalence of overcharging has been exacerbated by laws that allow independent drivers to work without belonging to a taxi network, meaning there is often very little recourse for passengers who do find themselves overcharged. This also means that even if drivers do face consequences from their taxi network for bad behaviour, they can simply continue operating under an independent license. With any luck, measures like capped fares will curb overcharging, with the potential to be rolled out across more routes.
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.
You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.
All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.
1. Stockton Sand Dunes
Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.
Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.
Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)
2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk
A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.
History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.
Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)
3. Watch out for whales
You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.
And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.
Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)
4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.
Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.
See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)
5. Diving Port Stephens
Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.
Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.
At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.
Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)
6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.
Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.
Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)
7. Fish the estuaries
Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.
If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.
Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)
8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours
With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.
Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.
Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.
Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)
