Sydney Travel
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Sydney is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city.
It is hard to believe that it is just over 200 years since the British started building a colony for deported convicts in Sydney. Today this prison colony is a very multi cultural city that attracts people from around the world.
Sydney Harbour is the perfect backdrop for the city. I don't think it matters where you come from, everyone agrees that it is spectacular. There are numerous cruises that you can take on the harbour but the cheapest way to enjoy it is just to get a normal ferry. You still get the million dollar views but without the pricetag.
Sydney is very spread-out. However the Central Business District, CBD, is very compact and easy to get around by walking. This is the area in front of Circular Quay with the Opera House and the historic Rocks area, where the tall buildings make an impressive sight.
The inner-city suburbs to the east of the City, like Darlinghurst and Paddington, with its long Oxford Street, have some of the best shopping, pubs and entertainment. It is also known as a relaxed and gay friendly area. North of Sydney harbour, on the North Shore, is Manly with its restaurants and beach life. Glebe is another inner suburb.
In fashionable Double Bay the houses are expensive and the shops exclusive. The opposite is to be found, among other places, in Redfern, poor and largely populated by aborigines.
Sydney has a beautiful spot, right on the harbour and it enhances the city's many attractions.
Visit the Sydney Destination Guide for more information on this fantastic city.
Sydney’s Opera House at Bennelong Point is like the USA’s Grand Canyon in the way that mere pictures do not convey its beauty. Where there were once tram depots, there is now one of the 20th century’s finest structures and Australia’s most renowned symbol.
It was inaugurated in 1973, after a planned building time of five years turned into 16 years and a budgeted cost of eight million dollars became 102 million. The Opera House comprises five principal auditoriums, each holding between 300 and 2700 seats for opera, films, theatre and concerts.
The Rocks is the oldest part of Sydney, where the colonists settled in the 1780’s. What was once dark, dirty dockland is now very picturesque and very much a tourist hot-spot. Several of the city’s best hotels and restaurants are situated here. ******************************************************** The Sydney Visitor, is a podcast that is all about Sydney Australia. Too many people visit Sydney and only ever see all the tourist attractions. They leave without experiencing a fraction of what Sydney has to offer.
To listen to Part 1 of my interview with Garry from The Sydney Visitor, just click play.
To listen to Part 2, just click play.
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The Royal Botanic Gardens, is 27 hectares with over 400 species of tropical plants sloping down towards Farm Cove - a wonderful park with winding walkways among flowers and palms. It is One of Sydney’s major sights. Perfect for picnics.
Sydney Tower, also called AMP Tower Centrepoint. You can’t get any higher in Sydney - the tower stands a total of 305 metres high. A lookout point where you can see for yourself that the residential suburbs stretch literally as far as the eye can see. There is also a rotating restaurant here.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). Australia’s leading museum for domestic and foreign contemporary art, housed in a magnificent art deco building. Large themed exhibitions as well as individual exhibits, painting, sculpture, installations and multimedia.
National Maritime Museum. The sea has always played a major role in Australian history. The exhibits reflect many different eras, from the large sailing ships - including Cook’s "Endeavour" - to warships, submarines and refugee boats.
Museum of Sydney. An imaginative and interactive museum offering the visitor a journey back to the origins of Sydney.
Oceanworld. See the underwater world from a fish-eye view! It is located at Manly, a lovely ferry ride from the city centre.
Sydney has everything from old-fashioned pubs to cool cocktail lounges. In Sydney everyone can find a favourite from among the watering holes. Jazz clubs, rock clubs and night clubs are to be found just about everywhere.
Sydney offers fantastic shopping opportunities. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, you will find it here. Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Paddington and Woollahra. Designer shops, galleries, tattoo parlours, bookstores, furniture shops plus an abundance of cafés.
Pitt Street Mall right in the centre of the city - at Sydney Tower - leads to several large shopping centres, such as The Strand, Centrepoint, Mid-City Centre, Sky Garden and Sydney Central Plaza with the city’s largest food court.
You must visit the Queen Victoria Building, an elegant shopping and restaurant mall in a palatial one-time vegetable market dating from 1893 which now houses designer clothes and quality souvenirs. Galeries Victoria, in George Street, is one of the newer shopping centres. There is also Myer and David Jones.
Central Sydney is compact and is best seen on foot. The monorail, with 7 stops between City and Darling Harbour, also provides a fine sightseeing trip. The Light Rail will take you to among other places, Star City and the Fish Markets. Trains from Central Station go to any destination you would want to visit. Circular Quay is a central point for ferries and buses.
Sydney International Airport (the official name is Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport) lies 8 km to the south of the city. The Airport Express bus departs every 10-30 minutes to the city and the journey takes about 30 minutes. Sydney Airport Rail Link leaves approximately every ten minutes to the city centre and the journey takes only 13 minutes.
Sydney certainly has something to interest everyone. A city well worth a visit from you.
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