Sydney, Australia
There should be a rule for all first-time Sydney visitors: you should only be allowed to land in the daytime when the sun is shining and the sky is clear. Only then do you truly appreciate how beautiful this city really is. A night time landing is impressive—lights bouncing off the water of the serene harbor, the cityscape rising sleepily skyward, and the darkened national parks to the north, south and west silently diffusing their eucalyptus scent to their extremities. But daytime is when Sydney's brightness truly radiates. Sydney's airy glow was probably not lost on its early British settlers when they set up camp in 1788, with many choosing to stay rather than return to their homeland. This was the beginning of foreigners investing their own lives in the city that's now often mistaken as Australia's capital. Today, people from the world over live in Sydney, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. The impact of foreigners, along with the city's natural beauty and attractions—beaches, bays, waterways, bush and parkland—has significantly shaped the Sydney of today. It's a city whose residents may work hard but who are equally passionate about playing. Consequently, Sydney is a Mecca for cultural and popular pursuits that include going to museums, art galleries, operas, ballets, concerts, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs. And if you don't like watching a sporting contest, don't care to participate in surfing, swimming, hiking and walking, or you dislike boating and sunning yourself on the sand, Sydney probably isn't your kind of place. The city boasts some fine examples of Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian architecture. It's also home to buildings by famous contemporary Australian and international architects, including Walter Burley Griffin, Harry Seidler and Renzo Piano. Sydney's two unmistakable icons, the Sydney Harbour Bridge (the world's largest steel span bridge) and the Sydney Opera House (designed by Danish architect Joern Utzon and completed in 1973), are stand-outs.
Sydney 's restaurant scene continues to be one of the most innovative in the world. The creation of Oz-modern cuisine by luminaries including Neil Perry (Rockpool (fish)) and Tetsuya Wakuda (Tetsuya's), ensures dining out is a real treat. (Reservations at Tetsuya's are essential, as the restaurant is booked months in advance). Like its restaurants, Sydney offers an abundance of accommodations in all shapes and sizes, and with a price range to suit all budgets. The Sofitel Wentworth, just up from Circular Quay and The Rocks, is at the upper end of hotels. It recently underwent a major refurbishment that invested it with a more modern, sleek and stylish look and feel. The Rocks area, closer to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, offers a variety of hotels suitable for budget-conscious guests as well as affluent visitors. Boutique properties in the inner-city suburbs of Paddington and Darlinghurst are said to be favored more by visiting celebrities from the fashion, music and film worlds. Sydney is a city made for exploration, and the local travel infrastructure has been geared around this fact. To make the most of a short stay, a three-day $A110 Sydney Pass (www.sydneypass.info) will give you access to two airport transfers, unlimited bus, train and ferry services and includes three Harboursights cruises (Sydney Explorer, Bondi Explorer and Paramatta Explorer, which can also be purchased separately). The Explorer passeHi s provide multi-stop tours covering the whole of the city and bayside attractions that allow you to get off and re-board wherever and whenever you like. So what are you waiting for? DAY 1
From your hotel, walk to where the First Fleet dropped anchor in 1788 at the historic Rocks, situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of Sydney's foreshore and offering exquisite views of the harbor. This area, with its historic buildings, cobbled streets and green parks, is the perfect spot to spend a morning. Make a stop at the Sydney Visitor Centre, located on the corner of Argyle and Playfair Streets. Be sure to ask about any special events. You could spend the whole morning here just exploring historic buildings or visiting the many fine art galleries that focus on Aboriginal and contemporary art. If you're here on a Saturday, The Rocks Markets—filled with local artworks and curios—will be in full swing. The Museum of Contemporary Art offers complimentary tours of its current exhibitions each day. Stroll along the boardwalk at Campbell 's Cove (adjacent to the Park Hyatt Hotel) and you'll reach a lovely grassy area with park benches where you can contemplate one of the city's most breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch at one of Sydney's heritage pubs or one of the many cafés in the area. After lunch, consider a visit to the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, both only a short stroll away. Thrill seekers may want to do the famous 2 1/2-hour BridgeClimb. Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, BridgeClimb gives participants one of the most unique views of Sydney from high above the water. BridgeClimb now offers two different climbs, so if you really enjoy your first attempt then you can have a completely different experience the following day or on a return visit. Another option is to walk down to Circular Quay, follow Writers' Walk to Bennelong Point, and take a tour of the Sydney Opera House. For those with the time to spend, it offers packages that include a tour of the Opera House, a performance and a drink or meal.
Holders of the Sydney Pass can board one of the red Sydney Explorer buses ($A39 for a daily ticket) at the foot of the Opera House steps and then alight at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair (Stop 5) for another panoramic view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Jump on again, this time getting off at the restored Queen Victoria Building—dubbed "the most beautiful shopping center in the world" (Stop 14). Here, right in the center of Sydney's prestigious shopping precinct, you can browse and shop for the rest of the afternoon in the chic boutiques of George and Castlereagh Streets and the beautiful Strand and Imperial Arcades. Right around the corner is Pitt Street Mall, chockfull of fashion, food, buskers, bookstores and more. Don't forget to stop for coffee at Martin Place in one of the cafés in the monumental General Post Office building. Built in 1865 in the Italian Renaissance style, it was totally refurbished and converted into a mega food emporium in 1999. Check out the stylish Westin Hotel, which shares its lobby, lobby bar and café with the General Post Office building. The Sydney Town Hall at 483 George St., built in high Victorian style of local sandstone with its wood-lined concert hall and impressive pipe organ, is another of Sydney 's best loved icons and well worth a visit. Later, have a drink at the Orbit Lounge Bar (open from 5 p.m.) at The Summit. At this revolving restaurant on the 47th floor of the Harry Seidler-designed Sydney Tower, you can enjoy a 360-degree bird's eye view of the city. You might want to stay for dinner or you can try the cuisine of one of Sydney's top chefs at Billy Kwong, in trendy Surry Hills. Here, night owls can groove till the early hours of the morning in one of many pubs, bars and clubs—the Basement at Circular Quay, the Bridge Hotel on Victoria Road in Rozelle, the Newtown RSL or the cool Soho Bar on Victoria St. Kings Cross. The Establishment on George Street is always pumping, while The Argyle in The Rocks has five bars to choose from. For those who want to experience the sights and sounds of trendy Kings Cross, check out the cocktail lounge, deck bar, supper club and disco at The Lincoln.
(Updated: 06/11/08 HC) |
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