A dazzling vibrant city built around one of the world's most beautiful harbour, with scores of sparkling beaches near its cosmopolitan heart - that's Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. Australia's biggest and oldest city where settlers first landed in 1788. Population 4.3 million. See Sydney Tourism for more information.

City Highlights

Of course, you must cruise the Sydney Harbour. The Jetcat Express Ferry or quaint old English Ferries leave Circular Quay for Taronga Zoo, Watson's Bay and the seaside harbour suburb of Manly. Sydney's famous Opera House can be visited on the Quay where you can see the Harbour Bridge from a close vantage point. Daily tours are available.

The former wharf area, Darling Harbour in the inner city has been revitalized. The centre has shops, restaurants, the Sydney Aquarium, Imax Theatre, Sega World, The National Maritime Museum, the Convention Centre and Chinese Gardens. A cost saving pass is available to all attractions. Take the 10 minute monorail ride from the city centre.

Just a short walk from the city centre is The Rocks. Explore the history of Sydney in this harbourside village where European settlement began in 1788. Elegantly restored buildings house a wide variety of retaurants, entertainment venues and speciality shops.

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art at the Sydney Observatory

Adjacent to the Royal Botanical Gardens is Macquarie Street which has many fine examples of colonial and convict built sandstone buildings.

Visit Hyde Park Barracks, the Mint Museum, Parliament House and St James Church. Close by is the Museum of Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the library.

Sydney offers great shopping venues such as the Pitt Street Mall, Strand Arcade and the Queen Victoria Building. Paddington, especially along Oxford Street and Double Bay to the east, Neutral Bay and Mosman in the north, are elegant suburbs to shop for designer clothing. Try the weekend markets of the Rocks, Paddington and Paddy's in Chinatown or visit the Sydney Fish Markets.

Outdoor Fun

To the north and south of the city, you will find white sand beaches minutes away by bus, ferry or taxi. Within the harbour are Nielsen Park, Balmoral and Camp Cove. For surfing, there's Bondi, Bronte or Coogee in the south; Manly, Collaroy or Palm Beach in the north. Between Mcquarie Street and the harbour are the Royal Botanic Gardens where 74 acres of lawns, gardens and exotic Australian plants are established on the site of Australia's first farm.

Hyde Park, featuring the Anzac Memorial, is located in the city centre and provides a restful scene of shady trees, flowers and fountains amid the city bustle. Sydney Harbour National Park, around the harbour forshore, offers many scenic walks and picnic spots.

View Australia's wildlife at Taronga Zoo, The Australian Wildlife Park, Waratah Park and the Koala Sanctuary.

Restaurants and Pub Eateries

Nightlife

Enjoy Sydney's lively theatre, dance, opera, concert and pub and club entertainment. The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Chinatown and Darlinghurst have pubs and restaurants. Kings Cross offers all night entertainment in bars and discos. George Street and the southern part of the city are the places for cinema complexes, concerts and fast food outlets. Choose from one of the many harbour dinner cruises offering entertainment and superb scenery or try your luck at the Star City Sydney Casino.

Vacation Australia's favourites

For singles, the Bondi Beach Hotel is where everybody meets. Delicious king crabs, Sydney rock oysters can be devoured at Peter Doyles Seafood Restaurant, especially at the harbourside tables over water on the jetty. There are far too many classy little Pubs and clubs to mention but if you get an invite to a the Sydney Rugby Leagues Club, be sure to go as you will enjoy.

Sport

Australian Rules Football, national and international Rugby League, interstate and international cricket, The Australian Open tennis, dog, trotters and horse racing at the Royal Randwick Racecourse, what more could you want. Australians also play real squash raquets and about any other sport you like to mention. Horse Racing is very popular as is golf and Sydney offers a number of world rated golf courses open to international visitors.

Go to Sydney and Regional Private & Resort Golf Courses

Beyond the City

Day tours to the Blue Mountains should not be missed. This mountain range with resorts and small villages is surrounded by the Blue Mountains National Park. About 90 minutes from the city, accessible by train and car, the mountains provide sweeping views of the bushland and valleys, eucalypt forests, waterfalls, sheer cliffs and dramatic scenery. Vist the Koala Wildlife Sanctuary and ride the flying fox across deep gorges.

While you are in the Blue Mountains, stay overnight at the Jenolan Caves Lodge and in the morning, tour a network of the extraordinary Jenolan limestone caverns.

Two hours drive north from Sydney is the diverse Hunter Valley, featuring the sparkling waterways of Lake Mcquarie and Port Stephens, rugged mountains and forests of the Barrington Tops National Park and historic towns such as Newcastle, Maitland and Scone. If you enjoy good wine, don't miss a tour of the Hunter Valley wineries.

The Snowy Mountains are 327/526 kilometres south west of Sydney where many of Australia's best ski resorts are to be found. Summer activities are bushwalking and fishing in the magnificent Mt Kosciosko National Park which is usually a blaze of colour with spring wildflowers.

If you are interested to see Australia's national capital, a trip to Canberra can be made from Sydney by car or short flight. Go to Canberra.

Getting Around

Public Transport: Buses and trains operate in the city and suburban areas. Ferries link harbourside suburbs and Circular Quay. The monorail links the city with Darling Harbour.

Sydney Harbour is easily explored by ferry, sailing boat, cruiser or by express Jetcat hydrofoil to the north head suburb of Manly.

The Sydney Explorer bus follows a 17 mile/28 kilometre route stopping at 22 attractions.

The Bondi and Bay Explorer Bus travels on a 22 mile/35 kilometre route, visiting Bondi Beach and other beautiful harbourside suburbs. Day tickets and a 3 day Sydney Pass providing unlimited Sydney bus and ferry travel, limited rail travel, special harbour cruises and journeys on the Sydney Explorer Bus, Bondi & Bay Explorer and the airport Express Bus over any 8 day period are available. 5 and 7 day passes are also available.

See Sydney Pass  CityLink  CountryLink and Great Southern Railways for Australia's great train journeys

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