| Most visitors to Australia commence their | | | | views in Australia. On your right, is the |
| travels in Sydney. This is not surprising. | | | | Opera House and Circular Quay, in the middle, |
| The beautiful harbour city is Australia's | | | | the harbour, stretching to the Pacific Ocean |
| premier holiday destination. | | | | and on your left is north shore and |
| | | | Kirribilli, home to Australia's Prime |
| Here are 7 of its top attractions. | | | | Minister. |
| | | | |
| SYDNEY HARBOUR. | | | | When you reach Milson's Point on the north |
| | | | side of the bridge, why not buy a takeaway |
| To really appreciate the natural beauty of | | | | meal, walk to the water's edge and enjoy the |
| Sydney, take a train and alight at Circular | | | | views of the Sydney skyline, the bridge and |
| Quay station. Circular Quay is the gateway to | | | | the busy activity with ferries, yachts and |
| the harbour and the visual impact is | | | | cruise ships. |
| stunning. There in front of you is the broad | | | | |
| expanse of water, Sydney Harbour, stretching | | | | A short waterfront walk eastwards takes you |
| from "the heads" where it enters the South | | | | to Kirribilli Point and more spectacular |
| Pacific Ocean, to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. | | | | views. If you don't feel like the walk back |
| Taking the escalator down to Circular Quay, | | | | over the bridge, take the train back to the |
| you have a number of choices. Here are some | | | | city from Milson's Point station. |
| suggestions: | | | | |
| | | | BRIDGE CLIMB. |
| FERRY TO MANLY. | | | | |
| | | | It's expensive, but if you have a sense of |
| This is a great introduction to Sydney. It | | | | adventure and aren't afraid of heights, try |
| passes many of the major Sydney attractions | | | | it. You will be rewarded with spectacular 360 |
| including the Opera House and Fort Denison. | | | | degree views. The Bridge Climb check-in is |
| The journey takes less than half an hour. It | | | | located at The Rocks, a short distance from |
| is worthwhile spending 2 or 3 hours at Manly | | | | the stairs leading to the bridge walkway. |
| enjoying the village atmosphere and if the | | | | |
| weather is warm, enjoying a swim at one of | | | | OPERA HOUSE. |
| Sydney's top beaches. If time permits, take a | | | | |
| bus to some of Sydney's northern beaches and | | | | Enquire about the guided tours, conducted |
| the beautiful inland waterway, Pittwater. | | | | regularly during the day. In the morning, you |
| | | | may witness concert practice for evening |
| On the return ferry journey, try to time it | | | | concerts. The tours are comprehensive and a |
| so that you arrive at Circular Quay just on | | | | "must see" for your visit to Sydney. It is |
| sunset. The outline of the bridge, with the | | | | well worth booking for an evening concert, |
| setting sun in the background, is a magic | | | | just to experience the atmosphere of the main |
| holiday moment. | | | | concert hall. The outside promenade area is a |
| | | | great place for viewing the Sydney skyline |
| TORONGA PARK ZOO. | | | | and the bridge. |
| | | | |
| Take the ferry from Circular Quay to visit | | | | ACCOMMODATION. |
| Australia's best zoo. You will have the | | | | |
| chance to see some of the wild life unique to | | | | Sydney offers a wide variety of quality |
| Australia, including koalas, wombats, | | | | accommodation from 5 star hotels to |
| kangaroos and the very shy platypus. The | | | | backpackers. Many of the top hotels are |
| views over the harbour from Taronga Park are | | | | located in The Rocks and Darling Harbour |
| stunning. | | | | areas, most with spectacular views. A number |
| | | | of 3 and 4 star hotels are located at King's |
| THE ROCKS. | | | | Cross, a popular area for restaurants and the |
| | | | "nightlife" hub of the city. |
| A brief walk west of Circular Quay takes you | | | | |
| to the original site of convict settlement in | | | | Sydney is a popular destination with |
| Australia. It boasts some of Sydney's best | | | | backpackers. They love the night life, |
| restaurants. The Rockscontains many old | | | | shopping, beaches, scenery and climate. |
| restored buildings and is a popular market | | | | Backpackers of all age groups from 20 to 80 |
| area. It is worth a visit at any time but a | | | | are looking for clean, cheap and safe |
| "must see" on Sunday mornings with the | | | | accommodation and youth hostels are the |
| popular Rocks Market. The area comes alive | | | | answer. When I visit Sydney, I always stay in |
| with hundreds of street stalls selling food | | | | YHA Australia accommodation. There are 3 main |
| and a wide range of gifts. It is an ideal | | | | hostels in Sydney and I have stayed at Sydney |
| place to purchase unique Australian | | | | Central and Glebe. Both are clean and |
| souvenirs. | | | | convenient. Sydney Central is conveniently |
| | | | located just a few minutes' from Central |
| BRIDGE WALK. | | | | railway station. My daughter aged 22 stayed |
| | | | in both on a recent visit to Sydney and she |
| Start from The Rocks, alongside the south | | | | commented on the friendliness of the staff |
| portal of the bridge. Take the stairs to the | | | | and how she felt "safe". This is important |
| walkway across the bridge and enjoy this | | | | for women traveling solo, in many cases, a |
| spectacular free walk with some of the best | | | | long way from home. |