Sydney is a friendly, cosmopolitan city of over four million people on the south-east coast of Australia. It is the largest and oldest city in Australia and is beautifully situated on Sydney Harbour. Sydney is the
gateway to Australia and principal port of call for international airlines. People from many lands have been attracted to live in Sydney, giving it a diverse multicultural
population. Tourist Attractions· Sydney Harbour and Harbour Bridge · Opera House · Botanic Gardens · Weekend markets · Performing arts scene · Galleries and museums ·
Outdoor cafes and restaurants · Beaches · Wildlife reserves
The most famous of the icons, the Sydney Opera House, offers Opera House Guided Tours. Or for a fantastic view of the
harbour, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, with BridgeClimb--bookings are essential. AMP Tower (Centrepoint) spire, also offers guided tours of its 360 degree panorama. There are also two revolving restaurants at the top.
If time is of the essence, take a full-commentary harbour cruise. Captain Cook Cruises is aptly named, since Captain Cook was the first Englishman to discover the spectacular beauty of these
waters. Tours are well priced, well organised and depart regularly from Circular Quay. Whilst Explorer Bus Services offer a flexible way to get around town. A day pass, travels from Kings Cross to Bondi and beyond. You can disembark whenever you like, because another bus comes along every 15 to 30 minutes.
Alternatively, take a tour into Sydney's past, with Rocks Walking Tours (The). These 90-minute tours visit the streets and alleyways built by convicts.
On a shoestring
If you are on a budget, then for AUD5, you can climb to the top of the South-Eastern Pylon to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout for an exhilarating view. Alternatively, you can walk across the bridge on the railed-off pedestrian lane. Or head down to Circular Quay, and take your pick of harbourside ferry destinations. Manly is
the most popular, but other routes, like McMahons Point/Balmain or Rose Bay/Watsons Bay are just as scenic. Peak hour will see you share the deck with the thousands of commuters who travel to work by water.
Sydney has some beautiful historic houses such as Elizabeth Bay House, Rouse Hill Estate, and Vaucluse House. You can purchase the Ticket Through Time” which includes entry to all 11 properties, including the Museum of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks Museum and the Justice & Police Museum. Tickets are valid for
three months, and available from any Trust property.
Walking through the regal, glass-domed 19th century Queen Victoria Building (QVB), provides an alternative form of retail therapy. Guided tours depart from the customer service desk, on the ground floor, at 11.30am and 2.30pm daily. Whilst the sandstone columns of the Art Gallery of New South Wales guard paintings by Australian
masters Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin and Sidney Nolan. The hour-long guided tours are a great way to learn more about the gallery's local and international collections, and they are free.
Behind the scenes
Sydneysiders really do throw shrimp on the barbie”, and the Sydney Fish Market is where they come to buy their seafood. An early morning breakfast tour of the market, and the docks, where you can watch thousands of tonnes of fresh fish be unloaded, costs AUD49 per person, and includes a cooking demonstration and breakfast. Other cooking classes, such as "Thai It" and "Paella", taught by leading seafood chefs, are also available.
Sydney's Fox Studios is the location for the filming of Star Wars II and III and The Matrix II. There is plenty to see at Fox-a fabulous collection of shops and cinemas, restaurants and cafes, and a great weekend market. For a touch of real movie magic, take the Fox Backlot Tour.
The Tarmac Tours of Sydney's airport provide great insight into the workings of this busy international hub. If you have ever harboured dreams of being a pilot, this tour is for you. Or for an evening of history, convicts and murder most foul, join the Rocks Night Walk tour, and relive Australia's infamous past. Another captivating tour is Sydney Aboriginal Discoveries. Australia's indigenous heritage is part of Sydney's fabric, and Aboriginal guides trace their culture's historical roots on this tour. Or take a day trip to Cabramatta, also known as Little Vietnam. Day Trips to Asia operate organised tours to this amazing part of the city. Great food, great shopping, all for AUD90.
