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Sydney Maps & Attractions Guide
Sydney maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Sydney
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Sydney
Attractions - Things to do
1. Harbour Bridge
BridgeClimb starts at 5 Cumberland Street, The Rocks.
Entry to the Pylon Lookout is from the pedestrian walkway on the
Eastern side of the Bridge from the city; use the ?Bridge Stairs'
in Cumberland Street
www.bridgeclimb.com |
What is it? One of Sydney's most famous landmarks, the
Harbour Bridge (known locally as the 'Coat Hanger') was completed
in 1932 after claiming 16 lives during its construction. The bridge
spans the 1,600ft (500m) gap from the north to the south shore,
which was previously only accessible by ferry, and accommodates
pedestrian walkways, two railway lines and an eight-lane road.
Visitors can experience the bridge in an adventurous way by
climbing to the top as part of an organised group for breathtaking
views and a feeling of personal achievement. For the less daring
200 steps lead to the Pylon Lookout for equally fantastic views at
285ft (87m) above the water, with three levels of exhibits on the
way up depicting the history and construction of the
bridge.
Hours of Operation: Pylon Lookout: daily 10am to 5pm. BridgeClimb
operates daily at 10-minute intervals from early morning to
evening
Phone:BridgeClimb: (0)2 8274 7777; Pylon Lookout: (0)2 9240
1100 |
2. The Rocks
www.therocks.com |
What is it? The best place to start exploring Australia's
oldest city is at The Rocks, a restored 19th-century village at the
southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was the site of
Australia's first European settlement in 1788, and is therefore
considered to be the birthplace of the nation of Australia. The
area features cobbled streets and squares, gas lamps, craft shops
and small restaurants. Here too are several historic buildings,
including one of the city's oldest, Cadman's Cottage, built in
1816, and two of Sydney's oldest pubs, the Lord Nelson and the Hero
of Waterloo. It is recommended that visitors seek information and a
map from The Rocks Visitor's Centre (in George Street) in order to
make the most of the neighbourhood and its many attractions, which
include museums, view sites, markets, monuments and buildings. From
The Rocks it is also possible to access the Pylon Lookout on the
famous Sydney Harbour Bridge for an amazing view of the harbour and
beyond.
Hours of Operation: Office Hours: 8am - 6pm (Monday to
Friday)
Phone:(0)2 9240 8500 |
3. Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney Harbour
www.sydneyoperahouse.com |
What is it? It may not be an ancient monument, but the
architecturally distinctive Sydney Opera House epitomises the city
as much as does the Great Pyramid in Cairo or the Acropolis in
Athens. Situated on Sydney harbour at Bennelong Point, this
intriguing white-sailed landmark is no white elephant. It is a
fully functional performing arts centre in constant use. The
complex consists of a massive Concert Hall that seats more than
2,500 people and has the finest acoustics in the world; a smaller
Opera Theatre, also used for ballet performances; a Drama Theatre,
seating about 500 people; the smaller Playhouse; and the Boardwalk
dance and music venue. The building, designed by Joørn Utzon, was
completed in 1973 and cost over $100 million, most of which was
raised with a series of national lotteries. There was so much
controversy involved in its construction that the Danish architect
returned home without ever seeing his finished product. Free
performances of various types are given outside on the boardwalks
around the Opera House on Sunday
afternoons.
Hours of Operation: Guided tours daily 9am to 5pm (one hour); Box office
for tickets to performances open Monday to Saturday 9am to 8.30pm,
on Sundays two hours before the scheduled performance
time
Phone:(02) 9250 7111 (general information) |
4. Royal Botanic Gardens
Mrs Macquaries Road
www.rbgsyd.gov.au/royal_botanic_gardens |
What is it? Sydney's 'green lung' is the 30-hectare
botanical garden, established in 1816 and containing more than
7,500 species of plants. Australia's very first farm was on the
site where the garden now flourishes, southeast of the Opera House.
Paths and walks criss-cross the gardens, leading strollers past two
sets of ponds, garden sculptures and numerous horticultural areas.
Don't miss the Sydney Tropical Centre; the rose, herb and succulent
gardens; the First Farm; the Fernery; and the palm grove. Watch out
for a young specimen of the rare Wollemi Pine (only 38 adult trees
exist in the world) in the Pioneer Garden. The gardens also have a
visitor's centre, shop, restaurants and kiosks. Guided walks are
offered at 10.30am every day except public holidays, visitors who
prefer not to walk can take a scenic train tour. Inside the Gardens
you can also admire Government House, formerly the residence of the
New South Wales Governor, which sits atop a hillock overlooking the
Opera House and Farm Cove. It is open to the public for
tours.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7am. Closes at various hours depending on the
month, from 5pm in winter to 8pm in summer
Phone:(02) 9231 8111 or (02) 9231 8125 (weekends) |
5. St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Road
www.sydney.catholic.org.au/Cathedral/index.shtml |
What is it? This impressive Gothic cathedral is the
mother church of Australian Catholics and is a landmark in the very
heart of Sydney, situated on the northeastern side of Hyde Park.
The cathedral was built in 1868, but its two towering spires were
added as recently as 2000 after steel frames were put in place by
helicopter and clad in stone. The massive cathedral is constructed
from dressed pyrmont sandstone and laid out in a cruciform design.
It has some lovely stained-glass windows worth
viewing.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 6.30am to 6.30pm; Saturday 8am to
7.30pm; Sunday 6.30am to 7.30pm. Guided tours take place every
sunday at 12pm
Phone:(02) 9220 0400 |
6. Darling Harbour
www.darlingharbour.com.au |
What is it? The waterside tourist precinct of Darling
Harbour, close to the central business district, is crossed by a
monorail and offers plenty of entertaining diversions, museums,
carnival rides, restaurants and shops. For example there is the
Imax Theatre with Australia's largest cinema screen; the
magnificent Chinese Garden with its serpentine paths and placid
pools; and the huge Star City Casino and the Sydney Entertainment
Centre. An absolute must-see is the Sydney Aquarium (www.sydneyaquarium.com.au),
one of the world's best aquariums, which has underwater walkways
through two huge tanks filled with an amazing array of sea
creatures. There is also a giant plexi-glass room suspended inside
a seal pool, and an impressive re-creation of the Great Barrier
Reef. Also look out for the Powerhouse Museum and the National
Maritime Museum.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(02) 9281 0788 or (02) 9240 8500 |
7. Olympic Park
1 Showground Road, corner of Showground Road and Murray
Rose Avenue (Olympic Park Visitor Gateway)
www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au |
What is it? The site of the 2000 Australian Millennium
Olympic Games, built on a former garbage dump, has become a
favourite tourist attraction (there are afternoon bus tours from
Circular Quay in central Sydney). Call at the information centre
first for information, maps and tour guides. The marvellous Stadium
Australia, built for the Olympic track and field events, is
currently the venue for Australian rugby and soccer matches. Tours
of the stadium are available. The Aquatic Centre is open to the
public for swimming. A great view of the eco-friendly Olympic Park
and city can be had from the observation deck of the Novotel
Hotel.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm. Sydney Olympic Park Visitor
Gateway: 8am to 5pm daily
Phone:(02) 9714 7888 (24-hour recorded
information) |
8. Beaches
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What is it? One thing that is not in short supply in
Sydney are beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches. Anywhere in the city,
except perhaps in the far west suburbs, you will never be more than
half an hour away from one. Starting from popular Palm Beach to the
north, you can take your pick along the coast: there is Whale,
Avalon, Bilgola, Newport, Bungan, Mona Vale, Warriewood,
Narrabeen-Collaroy, Long Reef, Curl Curl, Freshwater, North Steyne,
Manly and Shelly! There are several small beaches around Sydney
Harbour, and moving southwards one reaches the famous Bondi Beach,
with its magnificent sweep of golden sand lined with an eclectic
mix of ice-cream parlours, designer cafes and surf shops. The list
goes on and on: a beach for everyone, all equipped with kiosks,
white sand and golden bodies. Eight miles (13km) from the city
centre, Manly is perhaps the most famous of these northern beaches;
it was here, in 1902, that newspaper editor William Gocher first
defied the state law against public bathing and today the white
sand of the south beaches and the golden sands of the north beaches
are crowded with swimmers, sunbathers and surfers. Manly can be
reached by ferry from Circular Quay or by foot via the Manly Scenic
Walkway from Spit Bridge in the city. This walk can take three or
four hours but offers some of Sydney's most breathtaking views, as
well as skirting some of its most exclusive neighbourhoods. Another
spectacular but much shorter walk is along the cliffs from Bondi to
Bronte Beach, which takes walkers past the famous Tamarama Beach
and is very popular with joggers and, at the weekend, with
families.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Sydney Holidays guide
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Transport -Sydney has a good network of buses, trains
and ferries that make getting around the city and the surrounds
easy, and there are numerous types of travel pass deals that are
good value for money.
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