The famous Sydney Opera House

Sydney NSW 2000 (Pop 4 340 000)

Picture: Famous Sydney Opera House

Sydney, found on Australia’s South-East coast, is the state capital of NSW and site of Australia’sand Guring Aborigines. The city was built around Port Jackson which includes Sydney Harbour and is the country’s largest financial and economic centre. Major industries include tourism, manufacturing, property, business, media and community services. Residents are known as Sydneysiders. It is one of the world’s most multicultural cities and Australia’s most expensive. Sydney sits in a coastal basin bordered by the Pacific Ocean (east), Blue Mountains (west), Hawkesbury River (north) and Woronora Plateau (south). Sydney Harbour is the world’s largest natural harbour and Sydney boasts over 70 harbour and ocean beaches including famous Bondi and Manly Beaches. The Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932) linked the city with the North Shore.  Sydney hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics in spectacular fashion. Amongst the numerous annual festivals and social/cultural events are the Sydney Festival (Jan), Australia Day Celebrations (Jan), Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (Mar), Royal Easter Show, Archibald Prize (art portraits) (June), Sydney Film Festival (June), City to Surf (road running/walking race) (Aug), Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (Dec). Sydney City markets include Paddy’s, The Rocks, Opera House and Sydney Fish Market. Suburban markets include Sydney, Paddington, Entertainment Quarter, Surry Hills, Parklea, Glebe, Balmain, Rozelle and Bondi markets.

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Popular nightspots include Kings Cross, Oxford St. Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, The Rocks. Inner city restaurants, cafes & pubs found at Newtown, Balmain, Glebe, Leichhardt, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Annandale. Museums include Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Museum, Sydney Jewish Museum, Sydney Mint, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Tramway Museum, Sydney Observatory, Art Gallery of NSW, Australian National Maritime Museum, Hyde Park Barracks Museum and The Rocks Discovery Museum. Attractions include the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, Sydney Chinatown, Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo, Queen Victoria Building, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney Tower, Darling Harbour, Centennial Park, Fort Denison, Hyde Park, The Domain, Parliament of NSW, St. Mary’s Cathedral and Chinese Garden of Friendship.

Nearby:
Blue Mountains (including Blue Mountains NP) (100 km west) spectacular sandstone cliffs, bushland gorges, mountain villages, Aboriginl cave art, walking trails and adventure activities. Hunter Valley (160 km n-w) Australia’s oldest wine growing area with over 60 wineries around the Cessnock area. Hawkesbury Region includes Ku-ring-gai Chase NP  (26 km north) and Wollemi NP (100 km n-w) as well as many small and larger towns of the Central Coast. Southern Highlands (approx 120 km south) an abundance of historic towns, manicured parks and gardens, pretty rural scenery and many B&Bs and guesthouses. South Coast begins from Royal NP (32 km south) home to stunning sandstone cliffs, rugged bushland and rainforest followed by the major city of Wollongong famous both for its iron and steel production as well as picturesque coastline, superb beaches and scenic hinterland.

Visitor Information Centres: 106 George St, The Rocks. Tel (02) 9240 8788 or 1800 067 676. Palm Grove, Darling Harbour. Tel (02) 9240 8788 or 1800 067 676. Sydney Airport Tel (02) 9667 6050. Olympic Park Tel  (02) 9714 7206.

Airport:
Sydney International Airport – Kingsford Smith (SYD) Airport Dr, Mascot. Tel (02) 9667 9111. (17 km s-w).

Hospital:
Sydney Hospital, Macquarie St. Tel (02) 9382 7111.