There's a lot of cool stuff to do in Sydney. I stumbled across www.sydney100.com and its pretty comprehensive, but here's just a few ideas of ours:
1. Walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge (http://www.bridgeclimb.com.au/): book well in advance and make sure you turn up on time (otherwise you lose your spot - no refund) and are 100% sober (seriously - they breath-test everyone). Between AUD169 and AUD249 (between USD132 and USD195, between GBP68 and GBP100).Time: 3.5 hours.
2. If you're not brave enough to climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge you can climb the south-east pylon (http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/).There are good views, and it only costs AUD9 / USD7 / GBP4 and there's no need to book in advance.You can then continue afterwards and walk across the bridge to the north side of the harbour.Time: 2 hours.
3. Do a VIP Aussie Gold Tour atTaronga Zoo (http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/ : warning, this is also the website for Western Plains Zoo which is NOWHERE near Sydney).Tours are at 9.15am and 1.15pm daily (the earlier time is better if you can drag yourself out of bed).Make sure you allow yourself time to get there (about 30 minutes in a taxi - not recommended, or a ferry leaves from Circular Quay every half-hour at 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the hour, from Wharf 2).AUD77 / USD60 / GBP31.Time: 1.5 - 2 hours (but you're free to stay at the Zoo after the tour for the whole day).Other Zoo tour options are available including standard entry.
4. If you want koalas you'll get them at the Koala Park Sanctuary(http://www.koalaparksanctuary.com.au/).Its not really especially convenient for guests staying in central Sydney as its a bit of a trek, but for those wanting maximum koala and kangaroo petting opportunities, this is the best bet (see the photos in the Photo Album section of this web site).At just AUD19 / USD15 / GBP8 you can afford to take the long taxi ride there (be sure to book a taxi in advance for your return).Time: 3 - 6 hours (depending on how much cuddling of the animals you wish to do).
5. Sydney Fish Market (http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/): there are two options: (a) just turn up any time and buy some sushi / oysters / beer-battered Barramundi and sit in the sun and eat it (you'll have to battle the crowds and the seagulls but that's all part of the experience - this is a real working fish market, not a tourist attraction), or (b) get up really early and join the behind-the-scenes tour starting at 6.55am on Monday and Thursday for AUD20 / USD16 / GBP8.You must wear closed-toe shoes and the auction floor can be a bit icky, so wear solid but expendable shoes.Those with a good sense of direction can walk from the City centre in about 30 minutes, otherwise its a short taxi ride.Time: 1 - 1.5 hours (for the tour).
6. Manly Beach (http://www.manlyweb.com.au/) is Sydney's second-most famous beach.It is really a string of beaches stretching from Shelley Beach to South Steyne to North Steyne to Queenscliff.The best way to get there is to catch a ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 3 every 20-30 minutes.Go for the swimming (remember to swim between the flags and liberally apply sun cream) or go for the people-watching and cafe-scene.
7. Bondi Beach (http://www.bondivillage.com/) is Sydney's most famous beach.It is not especially straightforward to get to for the Sydney novice.Consider catching a taxi (about 20 minutes, depending on traffic) or jump on the train to Bondi Junction (but note that Bondi Junction is still about 1 mile from Bondi Beach so you'll have to walk down the hill (the down is easy)), catch a bus, or just get a taxi for the last little bit of the journey.The cafe scene, and the more heavily-tourist end is the southern end.I prefer the northern end as its a bit quieter and definitely has a more local feel.On the southern end try a meal or drink at the world-famous Bondi Icebergs (http://www.icebergs.com.au/) - its a members club but international guests get a waive-in free-of-charge, or try the upmarket bar Ravesi's (http://www.ravesis.com.au/index.html) ... note that depending on the time of day they can get a bit snooty about "proper dress" which generally means no flip-flops or board shorts.Go for the swimming (remember to swim between the flags and liberally apply sun cream) or go for the people-watching and cafe-scene.
8. Royal Botanical Gardens (http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/royal_botanic_gardens/garden_features) are Sydney's answer to New York's Central Park and London's Hyde Park and really are one of the highlights for international guests.Give yourself 2-3 hours just to wander around.Be sure to go to Mrs Macquarie's Chair and visit the Rose Garden.Other than that just enjoy the peace and serenity and great views.You might also end up close to Wooloomooloo - stop by the Finger Wharf which was one of the working wharves and has been redeveloped into a hotel / apartments / string of restaurants (all a little bit pricey and "average" for my liking but they're okay) / and bar.You deserve a drink so pop into the bar and have one (inside the Blue Hotel).You might even bump into Russell Crowe (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/09/1049567738145.html).
9. The Rocks (http://www.therocks.com/) is "old Sydney" full of wonderful architecture, great pubs, and plenty of good stuff for the tourist.I highly recommend The Rocks Markets which are held on George Street North (they close the road) every Saturday and Sunday, and is a great place to get genuine Australian gifts for friends back home.If you get thirsty make the effort to find the Glenmore Hotel (pub) at 96 Cumberland Street ... the pub and the food it serves isn't that great but it has a wonderful roof-top terrace with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.Buy a beer and just kick back.If you want to eat pub food try The Australian Heritage Hotel which is just down the road at 100 Cumberland Street
- it has great gourmet pizzas.
10. The Sydney Aquarium (http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/): sharks, fairy penguin, Steve Irwin exhibit (no, not really!).This is a surprisingly good tourist attraction for young and old alike.
Day (or 2-Day) trips from Sydney
A. Blue Mountains (http://www.visitnsw.com.au/Destination.aspx?DProductID=9017079) ... at the far western reaches of Sydney you'll find the Blue Mountains and the main town Katoomba.While its feasible to do in 1 day you'd have to start early to make it worth your while.There are two options to get there: train which is about 90 minutes, or car which is probably about the same.Must do is the walk from Echo Point down the Giant Staircase past the Three Sisters, along the Jamison Valley floor then up the steepest train track in the world.
B. Hunter Valley (http://www.winecountry.com.au/) ... wine country about 2 hours drive north of Sydney.Tastings are almost always free and there are a number of very good quality restaurants and accomodation in the area.Beware: drink-driving is taken very seriously in the Hunter Valley so plan accordingly.
- Bather's Pavilion (http://www.batherspavilion.com.au/): great location right on one of Sydney's harbour beaches (as opposed to ocean beaches) so make sure you plan for a swim after lunch (or even a moonlight swim after dinner!).Its not real easy for the Sydney novice to get to so consider catching a taxi (about 20 minutes, depending on traffic).
- Catalina (http://www.catalinarosebay.com.au/): consider catching a taxi (about 15 minutes, depending on traffic) ... this is where the wedding reception is being held, but it is a great restaurant.
- Tetsuya's (http://www.tetsuyas.com/index.html): this must be good because try as we might we've never been able to snag a booking.Book well in advance.
- Cafe XXII (22), 22 Union Square, Pyrmont (Phone +61 (0)2 9552 3093).This is a real "sleeper".Good food in good surroundings and very well-priced.Its directly behind Sydney's huge casino (http://www.starcity.com.au/dir013/internetpublishing.nsf/content/intro), so great for before or after a bit of Blackjack or Craps.
- Harbourside Indian Restaurant (corner Walker and Lavender Street, Lavender Bay, NSW, 2060Phone: +61 (0)2 9922 2787): a reasonably-priced out-of-the-way Indian on the north side of the harbour with really great harbour views.Its small, it can get crowded, and to be honest the food is good (but not great), but it is a good standby if you're hankering for some curry.
- Kingsleys (http://www.kingsleyssteak.com.au/): there are several locations ... go to the King Street one (29a King Street, halfway between Kent and Sussex Streets), which is housed in Australia's fourth-oldest building (originally a candle factory).
- The Australian Heritage Hotel (http://www.australianheritagehotel.com/) in The Rocks is a traditional pub serving great gourmet pizzas.A great choice for lunch.
- La Renaissance (http://www.larenaissance.com.au/contact.html): a lovely little French patisserie in the heart of The Rocks with a wonderful garden.Great for breakfast or a coffee.
Restaurants to avoid (in our opinion only):
- Quay
- Rockpool
Places to grab a drink
- Glenmore Hotel (pub) at 96 Cumberland Street: great roof-top terrace for a beer
- the Lord Nelson Brewery (http://www.lordnelson.com.au) in The Rocks is a traditional pub who brew a wonderful selection of their own beers
- The Establishment (http://www.merivale.com/establishment/estbar): whether its over-priced cocktails or over-priced beers, you'll be drinking with Sydney's beautiful people here so look good
- Cruise Bar (http://www.cruisebar.com.au/): in the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay you'll find a great outdoor drinking venue
Flight Times / Travel Distances (note: distances are most-direct road route distance)
Sydney to ...
... Alice Springs (for Ayers Rock / Uluru): 3 hours / 2,800 km / 1,750 mi.Ayers Rock / Uluru is one of Australia's treasures but for the first-time visitor it is a long way to go for just this one attraction.
... Brisbane: 1.5 hours / 940 km / 580 mi
... Cairns: 3 hours / 2,400 km / 1,500 mi.Cairns itself is a fairly unremarkable city but it the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and myriad other wonderful attractions.
... Canberra:50 minutes / 290 km / 180 mi.Australia's capital city ... a bit sleepy, but Parliament House (which is open to the public) is well worth a visit.
... Melbourne:1.5 hours / 880 km / 550 mi.Sydney's rival where the joke is that you get four seasons in one day (it's true).While Sydney is more flash, Melbourne is more refined.
... Perth: 5 hours / 4,000 km / 2,500 mi.On the far western coast of Australia Perth is a really beautiful city with much to do and see.But it's a long way from Sydney (think NY to LA distance).
... Auckland (NZ): 3 hours.New Zealand, where vowels are strangled and sheep are scared.Actually to be quite truthful, New Zealand is a beautiful place and its people are very friendly.For my money the pick of New Zealand's cities is Queenstown which is a ski resort in winter but has some wonderful summertime activities too.Whereas Australia's dominant landscape is flat and dry, New Zealand's is mountainous and green.
