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Stunning natural beauty meets celebrated modern luxuries, creating an unforgettable experience in Sydney, Australia.
As the state capital of New South
Wales, Sydney is Australia’s oldest and largest city. It provides visitors and
its residents with a thriving business centre and arts scene, a blooming café
culture and a vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene.
As the first city to be established in
Australia, it was originally settled by the British in 1788. Therefore Sydney
exudes a history that no other Australian city has, epitomised in The Rocks old
quarter of the city.
Of course one of the main attractions
everyone thinks of when you mention Sydney is its breathtaking harbour with its
iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Its natural location is stunning and
topped off by the dramatic mountains of the Great Dividing Range that rise to
the West of the city.
Sydney’s growing popularity as a
holiday destination can also, in part, be associated with its hosting of the
2000 Olympics. This momentous sporting event was epitomised by the construction
of the Stadium Australia.
To visit Sydney truly is to experience
the great outdoors. Its semitropical summers and mild winters mean that the
need to find attractions indoors is rare. Visitors enjoy a cooling dip in the
ocean at the world famous Bondi Beach or a coastal stroll to Coogee. You can
even learn to surf like a true Aussie at Manly, kayak round the harbour or
experience the bush in one of the national parks.
Whatever you are looking for, you will
find it in Sydney. It is a modern, vibrant city but one that still offers a
sense of history.
Sydney’s subtropical climate and mild
winters make it a great destination any time of year. However the most popular
time is the summer season (November to March) when temperatures have been known
to reach 35°C. The winters can also be warm but can also occasionally be damp
and chilly.
The average monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Ag |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
26 |
26 |
25 |
23 |
20 |
18 |
17 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
24 |
26 |
|
Night |
19 |
19 |
18 |
15 |
12 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
The main designer areas of Sydney are
Castlereagh and Elizabeth Street (home to Sydney’s largest department store,
David Jones). For the more affluent tourist try the Woollahra area for antiques
and expensive eclectic boutiques. Double Bay and Elizabeth Bay are also places
where top names attract top prices.
For those with a more modest budget try
the Central District especially Pitt and George Street. For intimate and
individual shopping, Paddington is a great area to explore especially Oxford
Street
Much of the best shopping is in the
large inner and outer city centre mall complexes. These include The Centrepoint
Mall (Market Street), The Harbourside Centre (Darling Harbour), The Chifley
Plaza Mall (corner of Phillip and Hunter Streets) and The Queen Victoria
Building (city centre).
The Rocks historic area has a market
every weekend which sells all manner of Aboriginal crafts, glassware and cheap
clothing. Also worth a look is the trendy Paddington market (weekends) and the
largest market, Paddy’s which is held every Thursday to Sunday and sells
discounted mainstream items.
There is a vast amount happening in
Sydney in the entertainment world so you are sure to find something that suits
your tastes.
The best way to find out what is
happening where, is to check out the Sydney
Morning Herald, and the free weekly entertainment guides Drum Media or 3D World (available in bookshops and record stores).
If you enjoy classical music and opera
the best venues are the Sydney Opera House and the Recital Hall (Angel Place).
For modern music, check out the Metro Theatre (George Street), Entertainment
Centre (Darling Harbour) or The Basement (Circular Quay).
If you enjoy the theatre, other than
the Sydney Opera House, The Wharf Theatre (The Rocks) is a great venue to catch
a play. Of course, being Australia this section on ‘entertainment’ wouldn’t be
complete without mentioning sport. In the harbour you can enjoy sailing, you
can learn to surf at Bondi Beach and go diving. If you prefer to spectate, you
can catch some cricket, rugby or Aussie Rules Football at Sydney Cricket
Ground, Stadium Australia or Sydney Football Stadium.
When the sun goes down if you enjoy
clubbing to the early hours there are plenty of venues to choose from. The
trendiest venues are at Kings Cross, Darling Harbour and Darlinghurst. Local
knowledge is always the best for finding the best places so ask at your hotel
for local recommendations. Here are a few names to get you started.
·
Ivy, George Street, Darlinghurst
·
Ruby Rabbit, Oxford Street,
Darlinghurst
·
Trademark Lounge, Bayswater Road, Kings
Cross
·
Home, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour
·
The Establishment, George Street
· The Chinese Laundry, Slip Street
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Although there is a wealth of
attractions within Sydney itself, you may want to take the opportunity to
explore more of what this part of Australia has to offer. Your hotel will be
able to provide you with details of local excursions and tour operators, but
below are a few ideas to get you started.
·
Blue Mountains
·
Hunter Valley Wine Region
·
Central Coast
·
Manly Beach
·
Canberra
·
Nelson Bay
·
Port Stephens
The tap water is safe to drink in
Sydney and remember to drink plenty of it. The sun is very harsh so dehydration
can be a problem. Also make sure you are safe in the sun by using plenty of
high factor sun cream, a hat and sun glasses and cover-up.
Healthcare standards are very high and
therefore very expensive. Doctors and hospitals will require immediate payment
for any treatment provided to overseas tourists. There is a reciprocal
agreement that means emergency hospital treatment is free to UK residents.
However you have to apply for the waiver after receiving treatment.
Any non-essential medical attention
(such as ambulance transport and prescription drugs) will be charged for
therefore you are strongly advised to ensure you have sufficient medical
insurance in place before travelling.
Sydney is a safe city but you should
still exercise the usual precautions with your belongings when in crowded areas
and on the beach.