Sydney

Sydney

Sydney's laid-back outdoor lifestyle and physical allure make it one of the world's top cities to visit and live in. The stunning harbour provides a dramatic backdrop for the city's famous icons - the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydneysiders are a friendly, energetic bunch with a positive approach to life. Sydney is Australia's only global city. It's a city with a genuine sense of style, a love of sport and celebrations including New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, the Sydney Festival, and the Sydney International Art Series. You'll find plenty of things to see and do in Sydney. Sydney Harbour is a natural playground, and the views are world-class. There's a wide-ranging cultural life, a dynamic food scene and vibrant cityscape of outstanding contemporary and colonial architecture. Iconic beaches - most notably Bondi and Manly - and five major national parks deliver unforgettable outdoor experiences.

Attractions

With its rich natural environment, Sydney is the ultimate outdoor playground. One of the best ways to enjoy Sydney's stunning natural attractions is on a coastal trail such as the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. This walk isn't just a great workout; you'll discover secret nooks for picnics, grab a coffee at a beachfront cafe along the way or sit down and take in the views. Leafy Centennial Parklands is an idyllic spot for cycling, walking, rollerblading and horseriding with plenty of room to move - 360 hectares, in fact. The Royal Botanic Gardens in the heart of the city is peaceful and beautiful; lie back under a shady tree and watch the world go by. Sydney Harbour is the gateway to a world of natural attractions. Navigate your way around the inner-harbour islands by ferry, or why not hire a kayak and paddle your way to a secluded harbour beach for a swim and a picnic? A short drive from the city reveals more beauty. The world's second-oldest national park, the Royal National Park, lies to the south of the city, while the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is a scenic 90-minute drive west of the CBD. Both popular tourist attractions, these pristine natural environments come alive in spring and summer with wildflowers and wildlife, and are fantastic destinations for a range of outdoor activities ranging from bushwalks and hiking to camping, mountain biking, abseiling and canyoning. You'll discover wetlands, eucalypt woodlands, rugged bushland, lush rainforests and sandstone gorges; there are photo opportunities at every turn, and you'll come away feeling refreshed and invigorated. If all that activity has you working up a sweat, cool off with a swim in a crystal-clear stream or waterhole, or under a tumbling waterfall.

Activities

Iconic venues, such as the Sydney Opera House, the State Theatre, the Sydney Theatre Company's home base at Walsh Bay and the Belvoir St Theatre in Surry Hills, play host to an array of theatre and unique shows. Carriageworks runs a range of exciting events and exhibitions. Or see Illuminate at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the next inspiring show in the Sydney International Art Series. Sydney has a diverse range of art galleries, from major collections to small artists' studios in the city centre and suburbs, including Balmain and Bundeena, Paddington and Palm Beach. Plan your visit to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and other major public galleries including the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and the Museum of Sydney. Cutting-edge private galleries worth a visit include Object Gallery, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, The Hughes Gallery and White Rabbit Gallery.

Shopping

Be prepared to discover your own sense of style at Sydney's best shopping destinations. From window-shopping along shady streets to immersing yourself in vast shopping malls, it's no wonder shopping is one of the most popular things to do in Sydney. In the city centre, historic city arcades are surrounded by slick new fashion centres, including Westfield Sydney on Pitt Street Mall. Make sure you also pop into the beautifully restored Queen Victoria Building, with its vast array of high street fashion, designer-style, jewellery, antiques and art. The Strand Arcade is the place to go for young Australian designers and handcrafted jewellery. You'll also find plenty of home-grown fashion talent in David Jones and Myer department stores and at The Intersection in Paddington. Find inspiration in the creative inner city hubs of Surry Hills and Paddington, while Balmain offers a unique mix of fashion, homewares and cafe-culture. Also in the inner-west, Newtown with vintage fashion, funky homewares and quirky boutiques.Nearby, Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre at Drummoyne has some great designer labels at up to 70 per cent off regular retail prices. Snap up deals on Witchery, Laura Ashley, Ksubi and Oroton.To the north of the city, stylish Mosman has chic boutiques and cafes. Browse Sydney's many outdoor markets at any time of the year. Paddington Market, held every Saturday, is probably Sydney's most popular market shopping destination - many Australian designers made their breakthrough with a Paddington market stall. Other weekend markets are in Balmain and Rozelle, Surry Hills, Kirribilli and The Rocks.

Currency

Australian currency ($A) is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and JCB.

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