Kate Middleton

10 things you need to know ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit with Prince George

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Next stop Sydney: Prince William, Kate and George

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will jet off for their Australia and New Zealand next month.

William and Kate will cover the length and breadth of the country in just 18 jam-packed days.

One of the undisputed highlights of the trip will be the royal couple's visit to Sydney, where they will spend four days in total.

They will attend a reception at the world-famous Sydney Opera House, they will take some of the bushfire-damaged areas of the Blue Mountains, as well as attending the Royal Easter Show.

On April 20 they will visit Taronga Zoo where the bilby enclosure is being named after Prince George.

The tour will of course represent George's first official royal engagements and he is expected to be shown off at least once in each country.

Here are 10 things you need to know about Sydney ahead of the royal visit...

1. Australia's biggest city

Sydney is the biggest and most populous city in Australia, boasting around 20% of the total population at around 4.6 million people.

The city was the site of the first British colony, being set up in 1788. Despite all that though, contrary to popular opinion, it is not the capital city - Canberra is.

Biggest and best: Sydney is the most populous city in Australia

2. Beaches

Australia boasts some of the finest beaches in the whole world and Sydney is no different. Coogee, Manly and the world-famous Bondi will give you everything you beach-lovers need.

Bondi holds the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit photo shoot with over 1,000 women posing in bikinis in 2007.

3. Opera House & Harbour Bridge

While the beaches are an undoubted draw the undisputed highlight of the city is its glittering harbour, complete with the majestic Harbour Bridge and iconic Opera House.

The bridge is the fifth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and is known locally as "The Coat Hanger" due to its unique shape.

4. Tourism

The unique sites coupled with the favourable climate and the glittering nightlife see legions of people jet in from around the world to immerse themselves in it.

Back in 2012 Sydney received a total of 10.5 million international and domestic visitors, which in turn helped inject $11.7 billion AUD into the New South Wales economy.

5. Blue Mountains

While the city itself is a thriving urban metropolis, the surrounding flora and fauna and remarkable landscape are also a must too.

The Blue Mountains provide a stunning location for walks and wildlife spotting while in the winter doubles as a popular snow sports destination.

Recently much of the region was devastated by the raging bushfires, prompting William and Kate to visit next month.

6. Sport

As with all of Australia sport plays a major role in Sydneysiders' everyday lives. Cricket is the most popular summer sport, with the world-famous SCG hosting Ashes test matches every four years.

In winter rugby league dominates with a myriad of NRL teams calling Sydney their home including 2013 Premiers the Roosters.

With the harbour only a stone's throw away at any time sailing is also hugely popular - the annual Australia Day regatta is the oldest continuously-conducted annual regatta in the world.

Good sports: The Roosters are one of the main attractions in the city

7. Climate

Most see the postcards and the holiday snaps and assume Sydney is all sun, sea and more sun.

Obviously it sees its fair share of sunshine but what you may not know is that it gets pretty wet too. In fact, Manchester - known the world over for its rainy weather - receives less annual rainfall than Sydney.

Sunny disposition: Plenty of rays, and surprisingly plenty of rain, are common in the city

8. Wildlife

Much like the rest of the country Sydney has its fair share of wildlife, some more friendly than others. Taronga Zoo and various koala parks allow you to see some of Australia's iconic animals.

And if Kangaroos, galahs and koalas don't do it for you, a pantheon of scary spiders and slithering snakes, and even sharks and crocodiles, are never too far away ...

9. Famous faces

Actors X Man Hugh Jackman and Gladiator Russell Crowe and actresses Sixth Sense's Toni Colette and Pitch Perfect's Rebel Wilson all hail from Sydney. Former sports stars Allan Border and Ian Thorpe also call it home as do models Miranda Kerr and Elle Macpherson.

10. What else is there to do?

Visit the classy end of town with a top in Darling Harbour, or the Strand Arcade filled with coffee shops. If William and Kate get bored they can always have some R and R in the famous Westfield shopping mall or brave the Harbour Bridge walk - not for the faint-hearted though.

Or how about a 10km hike through scenic Manly? Completed by a return by the famous ferry as the sun goes down behind the Opera House - a must.

Full tour itinerary NEW ZEALAND April 7 - Wellington: Arrive to ceremonial welcome. April 8 - Rest. April 9 - Wellington: Meet parents and their babies at Government House, hopefully with George. April 10 - Blenheim: Events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. Wellington: State Reception where William will unveil a portrait of the Queen. April 11 - Auckland: Meet serving air force personnel and their families. Race each other across Auckland Harbour in Team New Zealand Americas Cup yachts. Ride on a Sealegs craft - boat that can be driven into and out of water. April 12 - Waikato: William views an aircraft factory while Kate goes to a children's hospice. Both travel through Hamilton town centre and meet Olympic athletes and open the new velodrome. April 13 - Dunedin (Travel away from George for one night): Maori tribal welcome, visit cathedral then watch and participate in a Rippa Rugby tournament - non contact rugby. Queenstown: Wine tasting, travel on the Shotover Jet - 50mph white water ride. April 14 - Christchurch: Ceremony for those who died in 2011 earthquake. Watch a 2015 Cricket World Cup event, later visit air force museum and memorial wall. April 15 - Rest. April 16 - Wellington: Visit a police training college, sign the city's visitor book then depart.

AUSTRALIA

April 16 - Sydney: Arrive and attend reception at the Sydney Opera House. April 17 - Sydney: Fire-ravaged street in Blue Mountains. April 18 - Sydney: Attend the Royal Easter Show, visit a children's hospice before watching a demonstration by surf life-saving volunteers. April 19 - Brisbane: RAF base visit then reception for Queensland's young people. April 20 - Sydney: Cathedral service then visit Taronga Zoo where the bilby enclosure is being named after Prince George. April 21 - Rest. April 22 - Uluru (Ayres Rock) (Second night away from George): Visit the National Indigenous Training Academy, view Aboriginal art display then walk round part of the rock. April 23 - Adelaide: View young people's music workshop and watch skateboarding display. April 24 - Canberra: Visit the National Portrait Gallery, attend a reception at Parliament House, plant a tree at the National Arboretum. April 25 - Canberra: Attend ANZAC Day March, lay a wreath and plant a 'Lone Pine' tree in the Memorial Garden. Depart for home.

Check out the best pics from the royal couple's last tour to Asia and Indonesia below.

View gallery

For all the latest on William and Kate's tour click here.