Australian Museum
Established in 1827, Australia's first museum has a remarkable reputation in the
field of natural history and indigenous studies. Here you can check out spiders
and other creepy crawlies, dinosaurs, fascinating studies on Aboriginal life,
art and more. Trace 4 million years of human history with the Tracks Through
Time and Skeletons exhibit.
6 College Street. 61 (02) 9320-6000
Australian National Maritime Museum
Displaying all things maritime for the world’s largest island and surrounding
seas, this museum’s wharfs allow some exhibits to be seen from a floating
vantage point. Among scene-stealers is a cannon jettisoned by Captain Cook’s
Endeavor on his 1770 voyage along Australia’s east coast.
2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour. 61 (02) 9298-3777
Blue Mountains
Rising from the coastal plain about 50 miles from Sydney are the famed Blue
Mountains, creating a backdrop almost as spectacular as the harbor. Eucalyptus
trees by the thousands constantly release fine droplets of oil into the
atmosphere, reflecting blue light rays to create the azure haze. Blue Mountains
National Park is surrounded by resort villages for longer stays, yet mere
day-trips from Sydney can be rewarding. Trains for the mountains leave several
times daily from Sydney’s Central Railway Station.
Bondi Beach & More
Tan, swim or surf along famed Bondi Beach, renowned for bronzed skimpily clad
bathers, and only minutes from Sydney’s center. To the north are more calming
beaches with names like Dee Why, Manly and Curl Curl.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
This horticultural and architectural masterpiece, designed by specialists from
Guangdong Province, is the largest and most elaborate outside China. A two-story
pavilion serves a hub for lakes, waterfalls, tranquil walkways and bridges. A
dragon wall symbolizes the bond between New South Wales and Guangdong, and a tea
house is open daily serving traditional Chinese tea, cakes and other
refreshments.
Darling Harbour. 61 (02) 9281-6863 Darling Harbour
Viewed as the greatest urban redevelopment project in Australian history,
Darling Harbour, on the western dockside region, is a scenic entertainment
complex filled with shops, restaurants, museums, gardens, promenades, and more,
all connecting to downtown via monorail.
Flight & Lunch to Cottage Point Inn
About 20 minute’s flying time from Sydney Harbour lies the Cottage Point Inn
within Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. After arrival at this secluded tranquil site,
flight-lunch package participants enjoy a three-course a la carte meal in the
restaurant before reboarding the aircraft for a journey back to Sydney that
includes a circuit of the Harbour near the famed bridge and Opera House.
Art Gallery Road. 61 (02) 9371 7605
Government House
Constructed between 1837 and 1845, Government House is the most sophisticated
example of a Gothic Revival building in New South Wales. State rooms house an
extensive collection of 19th and 20th century furnishings.
Macquarie Street. 61 (02) 9931-5222
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Constructed between 1817-1819 by convict labor, the barracks is among the finest
works by colonial architect Francis Greenway. This landmark, once a
government-run mental asylum, also was from 1848 to 1886 an Immigration Depot
for single females seeking work as domestic servants, and has housed convicts
and Irish orphans, as well as ill, impoverished women.
Queens Square, Macquarie Street. 61 (02) 9223-8922
Justice & Police Museum
Originally the Water Police Court (1856), Water Police Station (1858), and
Police Court (1886), this museum charting Sydney’s criminal history has been
restored to 1890s character with spiked gates, winding steps and a corridor of
cells to reinforce themes of law and order Aussie-style. Inside are a gallery of
mug shots, spine-chilling weapons, and relics from notorious crimes including
the Shark Arm Murder, the Pyjama Girl Case, and the Graeme Thorne Kidnapping.
Mock trials in an authentically restored Magistrate’s Court allow booked groups
to participate. Guided tours also are available.
Albert and Phillip Streets, Circular Quay. 61 (02) 9252-1144
The Mint
The mint was constructed between 1811-1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney
Hospital, known as Rum Hospital since it was built by private contractors in
exchange for exclusive license to import rum. This first branch of the Royal
Mint outside England opened after gold surfaced in New South Wales. The wing was
converted to quarters for the Deputy Mint Master and a coining factory was built
at the rear using prefabricated cast iron columns, girders and roofing
components imported from England. The Mint operated until 1926, when the new
Commonwealth Mint opened in Canberra, and now the coining factory is being
redeveloped as a public library and resource center.
10 Macquari Street
Paddington Street Market
The Paddington Street Market, unfolding on Saturdays around Paddington Church,
typically yields more than 250 stalls with a notable array of flea market finds
from bowls made of Australian timber or labels from emerging designers to
chemical-free fruit, veggies, and nuts from organic farms.
395 Oxford Street. 61 (02) 9331-2923
The Rocks
With grim origins as a penal colony, The Rocks today serves as nirvana for
anyone appreciating cobbled streets and waterfront warehousing transformed into
shops and galleries. The Rocks Market, with more than 170 stalls, unfolds
weekends at the northern end of George Street. The Rocks is within easy walking
distance to hotels such as the Regent Sydney and Circular Quay, the city’s major
transport hub for bus, train and ferry services.
George Street. The Rocks Visitors Centre, 61 (0)2 9255 1700
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Southern Cross Seaplanes
Taking off from Rose Bay at Sydney Harbour, Southern Cross Seaplanes head to the
world famous Bondi Beach, then back in the Harbour for a circuit in front of the
famed bridge and Opera House. On descent to Rose Bay, the skilled pilot points
out homes of the rich and famous before a gentle splashdown.
Art Gallery Road. 61 (02) 9371 7605
State Library of New South Wales
Collections valued in excess of $1.5 billion include manuscripts, art,
photography, oral histories, rare books and more at this free resource providing
a an excellent springboard for planning a stay and gaining insight into
evolution of the harbour city. Major subject strengths are Australian history,
culture and literature including Aboriginal studies, Antarctic exploration,
family history and genealogy, applied science, biography, health and law. Maps
date from the 15th century. The library building, dating to 1826, was designed
by Walter Bunning.
Macquarie Street. 61 (02) 9273-1414
Sydney Cricket Ground
Spiked boots echoing with hallowed action spring to life during Coca-Cola
Sportspace Tours, where participants prepare for the big game in dressing rooms,
run down the Aussie Stadium Players Tunnel, monitor crowds from the Security
Control Room and experience the panorama from an Aussie Stadium Private Suite.
After the action, take in refreshment at the Pump Café.
Driver Avenue, Moore Park. 61 (02) 9380-0383
Sydney Fish Market
Count on seeing huge quantities of fresh fish and more in mind-boggling variety,
from John Dory (a bottom-dweller caught on the southern continental shelf) to
barramundi, pink-fleshed Tasmanian salmon, Coffin Bay scallops, Australian black
lip abalone, and that’s only for openers. Locals buy here, so it’s a great place
to browse and feel like a Sydneysider. If you don’t mind cleaning and gutting,
the Sydney Seafood School, at the market, has hands-on classes in specialties
such as Seafood Barbecue and Chili Crab.
Corner of Pyrmont Bridge Road and Bank Street.
Sydney Harbour & Bridge
Secluded beaches, quiet coves and soaring headlands predominate this harbor, one
of the world's most beautiful. The world’s largest (but not longest) steel arch
bridge spanning the harbour hosts eight vehicle lanes, two train lines, a
footway and a cycleway. Reserve 3.5 hours for the climb of your life to the top
of this engineering achievement with BridgeClimb.
5 Cumberland Street, The Rocks. 61 (02) 8274-7777
Sydney Jewish Museum
Considered among the best of its type worldwide, exhibits relate to the
Holocaust and Jewish culture (particularly as it pertains to Australia),
accompanied by a resource center, theater, museum shop and a kosher café.
148 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst. 61 (02) 9360-7999
Sydney Observatory
On a hill next to Harbour Bridge, this magnet for star gazers, dating from 1858,
is an ideal place for visitors from the northern hemisphere to expose themselves
to wonders of the southern sky. The Observatory also has a state-of-the-stars
3-D Space Theatre where viewers with 3-D specs go on a virtually-there tour of
our solar system, planets and galaxy.
Watson Road, Observatory Hill. 61 (02) 9217-0485
Sydney Opera House
Opened in 1973 after taking 17 years and $102 million to build, the city's
signature landmark with its famous shells has become the most frequented
performing arts center in the world and quite possibly the most photographed as
well. Companies performing regularly at four venues within include Opera
Australia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and the Sydney Theater Company.
Bennelong Point and Macquarie Street. 61 (02) 9250-7777
Sydney Tower & OzTrek
Sydney Tower stretches 1,000 feet skyward where the city’s highest observation
deck offers 360-degree views. Tickets include OzTrek, a virtual adventure ride
across Australia with 3D holograms, 180-degree cinema screen, surround-sound,
and real-motion seating.
Corner of Market and Pitt streets. 61 (02) 9333-9222
Taronga Zoo
Apart from koalas and meerkats to dingos and more on some 75 acres of bushland
park, the hillside Taronga Zoo (a short ferry ride from Circular Quay) has a
spectacular view of Sydney Harbour. Check out the platypus house or the
rainforest aviary. The underground building turns day into night for observing
Australia’s nocturnal creatures in action. Try taking the Sky Funicular to the
top and working your way down to the pier.
Bradleys Head and Military roads. 61 (02) 9969-2777
Vaucluse House
Surviving as one of Sydney’s only 19th century harbourside estates with house,
kitchen wing, stables and outbuildings, the elegant sandstone Vaucluse House was
built in 1803 and was once owned by William Charles Wentworth, father of the
Australian constitution. He lived here with his wife Sarah and their 10 children
from 1827 to 1853 and again in 1861 to 1862.
Wentworth Road. 61 (02) 9388-7922
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Enjoy collections of Australian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Asian
art among other works at this world-class fine arts museum, also serving as a
venue for chamber music concerts.
Art Gallery Road. 61 (02) 9225-1700
Powerhouse Museum
Displays in this converted power station, including a half-dozen aircraft
suspended from the ceiling along with trains and autos, represent a combination
of arts, science, technology and social history. The museum is regarded as the
continent’s largest, most exciting complex.
50 Harris Street. 61 (02) 9217-0100
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