A city surrounded by water, Sydney is a fusion of spectacular architecture and white beaches. Set amongst native bushland and lush national parks, the key to this city's identity is its harbor.
Central Business District
The central business district is a pastiche of quarters and boroughs. The multi-cultural nature of this city and its inhabitants ensures an authenticity that is at the heart of its liberal and embracing spirit.
West of Circular Quay, discover the quirkily named
When locals use the term "the city centre," they are referring to
In the southwestern corner of the city, Chinatown is a feast for the senses. This district is home to
Built to commemorate Australia's bicentenary,
On the Eastern side of
The Eastern Suburbs
Oxford Street is the main artery in this district. This elongated street runs from the central business district in Darlinghurst and works its way into Paddington, past the sprawling
At the lower end of Darlinghurst is
The East's harbourside suburbs of Elizabeth Bay, Double Bay and Rose Bay culminate at Watson's Bay, which offers stunning views of the city. Savour the view from the nearby world famous
The South
The first fleet landed at Botany Bay, and the suburbs between here and
The Inner West
Glebe and Newtown are the main suburbs in this district. The inner-west is crammed with restaurants offering international cuisines, new and second-hand bookshops, backpacker hostels, health food shops and traditional pubs.
Further west is Leichhardt, also known as Little Italy. Wander past Norton Street's bookshops, art-house cinemas and delicatessen-shops, which sell a selection of cheese, imported espresso machines and ceramic tiles.
The Greater West
Homebush Bay, the centre of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is situated in the Greater West. Telstra Stadium and a host of sporting facilities are all close by. Neighbouring Parramatta is the major transport and commercial hub of the west. Between Parramatta and the Blue Mountains (Sydney's western boundary) is Cabramatta—Sydney's Little Vietnam, and it is worth the trip for the great shopping and culinary experience.
The Upper North Shore
Sydney's northwest corner intersects at The Hills District—a semi-rural region that is fast developing into a residential quarter. The leafy Upper North Shore is one of Sydney's wealthiest areas.
The Lower North Shore
Everything below Chatswood is the Lower North Shore. Some of the prettier spots are
The Northern Beaches
From beautiful
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Sydney has a vibrant, world-renowned arts scene, with a diverse range of contemporary, classical and experimental performances. Many of the city's sports venues, such as the Aussie Stadium, Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium are also utilized as arts and entertainment venues.
Performing Art Centres
One of Sydney's major centres is the Opera House, where Australia's pre-eminent companies perform ballet, opera, music and theatre. The nearby Wharf, is home to the Sydney Dance Company, the Bangarra Dance Company and the Sydney Theatre Company.
Cinema
The city movie-strip is located near the Sydney Town Hall, with a cluster of Hoyts and Greater Union locations. Oxford Street's Chauvel, features independent releases, and Reading Cinemas in Chinatown offer Hollywood hits and cheap tickets. Another cinema is Cinema Paris. The IMAX Cinema boasts the world's largest screen, showing specially formatted film. For a summer evening under the stars, take a picnic to Centennial Park for the Moonlight Cinema, or Excite OpenAir Cinema, by the harbour at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
The Arts Scene
The city's selection of traditional theatres include the Theatre Royal, and the dazzlingly baroque State Theatre. The renovated Capitol, is all gold and Grecian statues and is the venue for long-running musicals. Nearby is the Lyric Theatre and the glitzy Showroom in Star City Casino. Popular Belvoir Street in Surry Hills, and The Ensemble, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Kirribilli, feature well-known Australian actors. For something alternative, try The Stables, Old Fitzroy Hotel and the Performance Space. From ballet to contemporary, the Opera House and the Wharf are headquarters of Australian movement. Other venues include The Bondi Pavilion, Enmore Theatre and Seymour Centre. The City Recital Hall in Angel Place, and the restored Customs House are welcome additions to the music scene. Enjoy international concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Another live band venue is The Rose of Australia in Erskineville. For jazz, head to the Basement at Circular Quay, or to Pontoon on Sundays.
Museums
The Australian and Powerhouse Museums are fun and educational. The National Maritime Museum has naval ships to explore, and Hyde Park Barracks houses the ghosts of former convicts and a history museum. The State Library of New South Wales is a treasure trove, whilst the natural history Macleay Museum exhibits 9,000 stuffed birds and Charles Darwin's flea!
Art Galleries
The Art Gallery of NSW, overlooking Woolloomooloo Bay, is one of Australia's premier institutions, with a collection of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander works, as well as Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art. The Museum of Sydney has an innovative approach to educating visitors about colonial and indigenous history, and The Museum of Contemporary Art's international collection is housed in an imposing art deco building. In Surry Hills, the Brett Whiteley Studio Museum, was once his paint-spattered workshop. Jump on the ferry to The Manly Art Gallery & Museum to see approximately 800 paintings and displays tracing the history of beach culture.
Clubbing
The club scene is a moveable feast, with venues coming and going like fashion. One of the hippest is Home at Darling Harbour. Oxford Street is bustling with places frequented by a relaxed and friendly crowd. UN, Q Bar, Goodbar and Rogues are pumping until dawn.
Bars & Pubs
Some of the best bar and pubs include Longrain in Surry Hills and the Grand Pacific Blue Room on Oxford Street. Business types should head to SlipInn, Aqua Luna Bar and Jacksons On George. Oxford Street has Gilligans and the Burdekin Hotel, with the cool Dugout Bar underneath. A downhill stroll along Crown Street brings you to East Village, a happening little spot, with restaurants and bars. Popular venues include the Centennial Hotel, Golden Sheaf and the Beach Road in Bondi.
Gay & Lesbian
Sydney is like San Francisco, a gay capital of the world. The scene is in Oxford Street and its surrounds. Nightclubs like Midnight Shift and sometimes Stonewall are best left for men, but it is a happy, mixed crowd on the dance floor at ARQ nightclub. Get down to the Albury, Exchange and Flinders pubs and the Imperial in Erskineville for some drag. Other popular spots Judgement Bar. For a happening Friday night, visit the friendly Bright 'n' up Bar. The lesbian scene changes regularly, so check local press. Favourites include girl's night at ARQ.
Sydney is a city that enjoys good food and entertainment. The city's restaurants and cafes truly reflect its multicultural influence and diverse population. The choices read like an atlas, so enjoy authentic flavors and cooking styles from across the world.
Australian Cuisine
Traditional Australian fare is reputedly a meat pie and a can of beer, and in keeping with tradition, legendary locations like Harry's Café de Wheels provide the best pies. Meanwhile bush-tucker, which reflects the Aboriginal flavors of Australia—is only now featured on a handful of menus. It was not until 1993 that restaurants were allowed to serve Kangaroo meat.
Seafood
Being a harbour city, seafood is a main dining feature, and the Sydney Fish Market ensures a fresh and plentiful supply of barramundi, snapper, mussels, prawns, calamari and octopus. Restaurants such as Fishface and Five Dock Seafoods Cafe serve only fish. The seafood-serving king Doyles, is not only one of the oldest fish restaurants in town, it also has a fantastic view from its beachside location in Watsons Bay.
Italian Cuisine
The city's booming cafe culture has an overtly Italian influence. To sample some of the best coffee, head for Bondi Beach. Bar Coluzzi, bills, La Buvette and Tropicana are just some of the hip coffee spots. There are some central-city cafes also worth discovering, such as MoS Café. If you prefer tea however, then pay a visit to Sejuiced in Bondi Beach and the Tea Centre of Sydney.
The pick of Italian restaurants includes Gelbison and Mezzaluna. Norton Street in inner city Leichhardt, is also known as Little Italy, and if you have a passion for pasta, this is the place to go to.
European Cuisine
The European influence does not stop with Italy. Bistro Moncur and Sel et Poivre offer some excellent French cuisine whilst Mykonos on Crown and Capitan Torres reflect the Mediterranean flavours of Greece and Spain, respectively. Sample Eastern European cuisine with a visit to Corner 75.
Asian Cuisine
Asian cuisine is also very popular in Sydney. Chinatown in Haymarket, and the newer version in Chatswood, ensure a constant supply of excellent Chinese eateries. From massive yum cha (dim sum) restaurants such as Marigold Restaurant, to the Chinese Noodle Restaurant, aficionados of chop suey and roasted duck are spoilt for choice. Sydney's Asian cuisine also includes Malaysian, Thai, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Filipino, Indian, Iranian and Cambodian, to name but a few. Establishments such as The Malaya, Chinta Ria, Lebanon & Beyond and Blue Elephant offer oodles of noodles, a suffice of rice, free tea and flavors to be savored.
Japanese Cuisine
Then there is Japanese…with well-established trade links, Japanese food has a long-held tradition in Sydney's eating culture. Sushi, sashimi, noodles, tempura and teriyaki—it is all here. Sushi Suma, Shimbashi and Raw Bar are some of the recommended venues.
Restaurants Per District
In terms of restaurants per district, this is the basic rule—the western suburbs offer plenty of Cambodian and Turkish, whilst in the south, there is Greek and Lebanese. Head north for Indian, African and Japanese, and east for Indonesian and European. Dine with a view at The Boathouse, Catalina, and The Summit. Go vegetarian at Govinda's or Harvest, and be seen in the trendiest spots like Bayswater Brasserie Restaurant and Hugo's. To top it all, unique features such as Bring Your Own wine (BYO), cook your own steak, milk crate seating on the pavement, and harbour views, simply add to what is already an exceptional dining experience.
Smoking
In accordance with the New South Wales Smoke Free Environment Act 2000, smoking is prohibited inside Sydney restaurants.
Drinking
Rulings in the late 1990s, allowing gambling in drinking establishments, have seen many pubs stripped of their traditional identity. Some pubs do, however, manage a mixture of everything, for example the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay offers gambling, pool, live music and a great outdoor drinking and eating area. There are still some traditional pubs, as well as some very trendy, modern ones. Also note—many pubs are called hotels—some offer accommodation, others are just drinking establishments.
Hotspots in Sydney
For a taste of traditional drinking visit Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, as well as the Fortune of War Hotel, The Dry Dock and Mercantile Hotel. Whilst Scruffy Murphy's, and Cock 'N' Bull are testament to the fact that Irish pubs are everywhere. A city centre favourite is Jackson's On George. Many pubs also serve great food. The Slip Inn has a noted restaurant, as does The Australian Heritage Hotel.
Something For Everybody
There are pubs dedicated to sport and pubs with beer gardens and beach or city views like The Coogee Bay Hotel. There are bars in swanky hotels, like the Lobby Bar at the Swiss Grand, and modern, gleaming bars with harbourside locations such as Pontoon. There are live music venues, such as Bat & Ball Hotel, lesbian bars like the Lava Lounge and pubs for lounge lizards including Burdekin Hotel. For that extra something, sip a margarita at the 25th Floor Cocktail Bar or enjoy some of the best Australian wines in the Grace Wine Bar.
So the list is endless, and whatever your poison—however you like to drink it, the Sydney scene offers a liquid for all tastes.
As you enjoy all that Sydney has to offer, catch a glimpse of Sydney's skyline at sunset to complete your stay. The breath taking views may lead you to consider relocating down under.
Sydney Opera House The most famous of Sydney's icons, the Sydney Opera House, offers Opera House Guided Tours. Known as a masterpiece of late modern architecture, it is no wonder why this opera house is a symbol of both Sydney and Australian culture. The Sydney Opera House has superior acoustics, light-filled spaces, and contains the Utzon Room to honor its esteemed architect. In addition, the opera house is featured on the World Heritage List as of 2007 for its creative design, earning Utzon the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest award.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Get ready to set your eyes on a fantastic view of the harbor. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, with BridgeClimb —bookings are essential. Centrepoint spire also offers guided tours of its 360 degree panorama. There are also two revolving restaurants at the top.
For those on a budget, a good option is to climb to the top of the South-Eastern Pylon of the Harbour Bridge to the 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 harborside ferry destinations. Manly is the most popular, but other routes, like McMahons Point/Balmain or Rose Bay/Watsons Bay are just as scenic. Peak hours will allow you to share the deck with thousands of commuters who travel to work by water.
Parliament House For a crash course in Australian politics, visit the Parliament of New South Wales. Free public tour are conducted on the first Thursday of each month. Learn about the Legislative Assembly and the role of Parliament within the democratic government of Sydney. The tour will also lead you to historic parts of the building, including the restoration of the old Surgeon General's Quarters.
Historic Homes 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 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 daily from the customer service desk on the ground floor. Also, be sure to check out the sandstone columns of the Art Gallery of New South Wales guard paintings by Australian masters Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin and Sidney Nolan. Guided tours are a great way to learn more about the gallery's local and international collections; and they are free.
Sydney Fish Market Sydneysiders really do "throw shrimp on the barbie," and the Sydney Fish Market is where they go to buy their seafood. Guided tours of the market and the docks are available, where you can watch thousands of fresh fish be unloaded.
Fox Studios Sydney's Fox Studios is the location for the filming of such blockbuster hits as the Star Wars prequels and The Matrix trilogy. There is plenty to see at Fox—a fabulous collection of shops and cinemas, restaurants and cafes, and a great weekend market.
Whether you walk, fly, sail, or drive around Sydney, you are bound to experience Australian culture at its best.
Walking Tours The Rocks Walking Tours ( +61 2 9247 6678/ http://www.rockswalkingtours.com.au/ )
Bike Tours Easy Rider Motorbike Tours ( +61 2 9247 2477/ http://www.easyrider.com.au/ )
Bus Tours Murrays Canberra Day Tour ( http://www.murrays.com.au/ ) WonderBus ( +61 2 9630 0529/ http://www.wonderbus.com.au/ ) Explorer Bus Services ( +61 2 9245 5644/ http://www.sydneybuses.info/tourist-services/sydney-explorer.htm/ )
Fly Over Sydney Sydney Harbour Seaplanes ( +61 2 9388 1978/ http://www.seaplanes.com.au/ ) Cloud 9 Balloon Flights ( +61 1300 55 5711/ http://www.cloud9balloonflights.com/ ) Great Australian Pub Crawl ( +61 2 9637 4455/ http://www.sydneyhelicopters.com.au/tours-pubtours.html/ )
Sailing Adventures Captain Cook Cruises ( +61 2 9206 1100/ http://www.captaincook.com.au/home.asp/ ) Bounty ( +61 2 9247 1789/ http://gtvideo.com/australia/sydney/bounty/index.htm/ ) Hawkesbury Riverboat Postman ( 61 2 9985 7566/ http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/activities/442.html/ ) Imagine, Port Stephens ( +61 2 4984 9000/ http://www.imaginecruises.com.au/ )
Shopping Tour Worldwide Shopping Tours ( http://www.worldwideshoppingtours.com.au )
Get Out of Town AAT Kings Sydney Day Tours ( +61 2 9700 0133/ http://www.aatkings.com/us/ )
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