Sydney is the largest Australian city with a population around 4.5 million. It offers much for the traveller and is one of  Australia's major business centers.

Sydney has one of the worlds most beautiful harbours, and the central city is on the south shore. Like most big cities, parking is at a premium and we suggest if you drive, leave your car at the hotel and use public transport as the city is well serviced by local metro trains, busses, taxis, water taxis, a raised monorail connecting key areas of interest from the red light district of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross, to the inner city, Chinatown and The Rocks which is one of the older parts of the city, and now home to bustling markets. 

As with every world-class city, arts and culture are well catered for with superb galleries, theaters, museums, and of course, the Opera House. After the 2000 Olympic Games, the city was transformed into a more exciting and vibrant world class city, one that her people are rightly proud of.

There are so many things to see and do within the city limits and outskirts that you need many days to enjoy it all. The shopping is superb and there are a number of shopping paradises that are well worth visiting - Queen Victoria Building, Harbourside, Pitt Street Mall, Chatswood, Birkenhead Point, Paddy’s Market… just to name a few.

The renowned Sydney Harbor is an attraction itself. Climb the harbor bridge, drive over it, or sail under it. Across the harbor bridge is the commercial district of North Sydney and an expanse of suburbs, go on to Manly and the northern beaches, or Tauranga Zoo.

Café culture is a part of Sydney’s life style. There is a culinary delight awaiting you around every corner in the city. From wharf side dining to the eat streets of Sydney, all are unique and must do experiences. And most of all, don’t forget the Aussie Pub for some great Sydneysider experiences.

Leisure activities are also many and varied – from soaking up the sun on world famous beaches; Bondi Beach, Cronula Beach, Manly beach to name a few… and to enjoy the game of cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground or rugby at Stadium Australia, just twenty minutes away from the city, either travelling by train or by bus.

Catching a ferry from Circular Quay Wharf to Taronga Zoo will only take twelve minutes where you can enjoy the Koala encounters, backyard bush, kidzoo, reptile keeper show, free flight bird show, capral seal show, penguin keeper, SC Johnson Sky Safari a must see especially with the whole family.

The Northern beaches are served by an extensive bus system including Palm Beach and neighbouring Whale beach for surfing, swimming, or just soaking in the sun or fishing, golf, walks and excellent cafes. You can discover Sydney’s glorious Northern Beaches which are blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, region-less than an hour from the city and .

With golden sandy beaches, sparkling waterways, unspoiled bushland and a relaxed friendly village lifestyle, this truly is Sydney’s favourite outdoor playground. From Manly to Palm beach. A cruise on Pittwater or the majestic Hawkesbury river is a must. Parks and Bushland. Tear yourself away from the beach to explore the unspoiled bush, enjoy the natural bushland and water views of Ku-ring-gai Chase, Garigal or Sydney Harbour National Parks. Go bushwalking, and keep a look out for wildlife. See some of the area’s Aboriginal carvings and also take a lakeside walk in Narrabeen’s Jamieson Park or around Curl-Curl Lagoon.

To the east, and ten minutes on the metro, is Bondi Junction, a busy and popular shopping mall, and another five minutes to Bondi Beach, renowned as one of not only Australia's best beaches, but one of the best in the world. In summer the beach has thousands of sunbathers and swimmers. If you are prudish, head for the north end, as the in the south end,  the women's bathing costumes are barely noticeable. Other interesting beaches are Tamarama and Coogee just south of Bondi. Sydney also has some totally nude beaches. next page

To find your way, get Streetwize Sydney Map.
Revised yearly, STREETWISE is the best-selling map of SYDNEY, with coverage from Cleveland Street to North Sydney. Points of interest such as museums, parks, and popular sites are highlighted and fully indexed. Localities covered are Glebe, Redfern, Paddington, Darlinghurst, Pyrmont, Rushcutters Bay, and The Rocks. Laminated for durability, accordion folded to fit in your pocket or purse, STREETWISE gives you SYDNEY in a clear, concise, and convenient format.