 Visit the City of Sydney NSW
Sydney Harbour: The glittering, emerald expanse of waterway which makes up Sydney Harbour is Sydney's focal point. It splits the city in two and is crossed by the famous Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel.
From the ocean you enter the harbour through The Heads, dramatic cliff portals between Circular Quay in the city and the beachside suburb of Manly. The tops of The Heads are covered by Sydney Harbour National Park, which stretches along the rugged harbourside for kilometres. This haven for native plants and birds really surprises visitors.
 Visitors are also struck by the harbour's beauty, especially at night when the high-rise towers around Circular Quay, the girders of the Harbour Bridge and the 'sails' of the Opera House are all lit up. It's then that the harbour waters take on a magical swirl of reflected colours - red, blue, green.
City Centre
Sydney's Central Business District is home to some of the city's best shopping arcades and malls. There are over four hundred specialty stores in eight major retail centres in Pitt Street Mall alone, where you'll find the contemporary department store Myer. It's hard to miss Australia's tallest structure, Sydney Skytower, where you can travel to the top to take in spectacular 360-degree views of Sydney.
 Bondi Area
Classic Australian beach culture... with attitude. Home to Bondi Surf Bathers, the oldest life saving club in Australia established in 1906, Bondi's beach-centric reputation is long established. With its lifesavers, surfers, sun worshippers and barefoot locals Bondi is a definitive example of Sydney's city beach culture.
Enjoy the outdoor dining scene and watch the passing parade of roller bladers, skateboarders and exercise fanatics pounding the promenade from the comfort of your chair. Take the Bondi to Bronte scenic cliff walk and reward yourself with fish and chips or a fresh mango whip at the Bronte end. Learn to surf with the locals. Swim in the newly renovated Bondi Icebergs surf pool. Enjoy seafood or perhaps a gelato at the famous Bondi Pavilion.
 Coogee Area
A vibrant beach atmosphere promoting a relaxed lifestyle Coogee beach's bay-like tranquillity is popular with families, couples and travellers alike. It also attracts joggers, swimmers, cyclists and roller bladers who all appreciate working out in Coogee's easy-going atmosphere.
Don't miss the chance to go on an invigorating coastal walk along sandstone platforms, checking out Maroubra Beach in the south and Clovelly, Bronte and Bondi Beach in the north. If you fancy conquering the waves a surf school operates from Maroubra Beach. Or you can swim in the protected marine reserve of Gordons Bay, just north of Coogee Beach, a haven for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Macarthur area
Rich in colonial history and outdoor experiences. Sydney's Macarthur region lays 50km south west of Sydney centre and is renowned as the birthplace of Australia's wool, wheat and wine industries. Macarthur contains numerous picturesque rural towns including Camden and Picton. Campbelltown's Queen Street is lined with excellent examples of mid-19th century architecture.
 Australiana farm Gledswood Homestead at Catherine Field is set in six acres of historic gardens and dates back to 1827. Belgenny Farm is an historic site where you can witness re-enactments of Rum Corps drills at the homestead of John Macarthur, after whom the region is named. Nature lovers shouldn't miss the Georges River Nature Reserve, which offers spectacular sandstone scenery and is a well-known koala habitat.
Feeling adventurous? Macarthur offers a wide variety of adventure activities. Cycling in the Cycle Friendly town of Bargo. The skydiving centre at Wilton is the jump off point for parachuting. Scenic flights, hot air ballooning and very well established glider clubs cater for aviation adventure from Camden airport. There are a number of excellent horse riding centres located in the Campbelltown area as well as indoor and outdoor abseiling. There is canoeing down the Nepean river and Georges river. Bushwalking in the Burragorang Valley or along the Georges River as well as Appin, Kentlyn and Tahmoor.
 Sydney Olympic Park area
The home of the 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush Bay continues to offer a world-class destination in Sydney's geographic heart. You can join one of the popular tours of venues including Telstra Stadium, an Olympics focus point and now host to premier sporting events. Or go swimming at Sydney Aquatic Centre where you can compete with family and friends in the same pool used by champion record breakers. The Sydney International Tennis Centre, too, is a world-class venue, used not only for state, national and international tournaments, but also for training and hire by the public.
A great way to get to Sydney Olympic Park is via RiverCat along the Parramatta River to Homebush Bay Wharf. When you arrive make the most of your visit by contacting Sydney Olympic Park Visitor Information Network Centre for information and assistance on attractions, tours, accommodation, transport and services for the area and its surrounds.
Kurnell, Cronulla-Sutherland area
The Kurnell Peninsula in the Botany Bay National Park marks the place of first contact between Aboriginal Australians and Lieutenant James Cook, who landed here in 1770, paving the way for the establishment of a British Colony in Port Jackson in 1788.
Located south of Sydney is the Sutherland shire stretching from Kurnell to Boat Harbour, Cronulla, Sutherland and the world class Royal National Park where you can explore rugged coastline and lush Australian bush.
The relaxed beachside suburb of Cronulla is well known for the surfing. A ferry across the Port Hacking River offers access into the Royal National Park where short walks or extended hikes are available to explore the rugged coastline and lush Australian bush.
H awkesbury Valley area
Approximately one hours drive north west of Sydney City lies the charming Hawkesbury Valley. The country atmosphere at the historic towns of Windsor, Richmond and St Albans, and the quaint rural settlements of Kurrajong, Bilpin, Lower Portland, Ebenezer, Pitt-Town, Colo & Wisemans Ferry make up this picturesque area.
The western end of the Hawkesbury River forms a peaceful boundary for the Sydney region, winding its way through the valley, dotted with charming hideaways and B&B's for that relaxing weekend away. Join a tour of the nearby glow warm caves, or for the more adventurous try abseiling or canyoning with one of the local tour operators.
|
e
