Travel to Sydney

There is no lack of fine attractions when planning a luxury getaway Down Under and we weeded out some of the best. The Establishment Hotel is located in the heart of the bustling citys Business District. The centrally located five star hotel has great proximity to local attractions, such as Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. The hotel features three restaurants, four bars, and one of Sydneys most popular nightclubs, Tank. The award winning club features three bars, a dance floor and a VIP area.

Ravesis is a waterfront boutique hotel with roots that date back to 1914. Drift, the hottest beach bar in Bondi, is a haunt for local A listers and jetsetters. The Observatory Hotel is acclaimed for its fine restaurants, the Galileo and the Globe Bar. The lavish hotel has tennis courts, a full spa, and a 60 meter swimming pool on the premises. Rooms at the Medusa Hotel, which is in Darlinghurst, are vibrant and colorful. The contemporarily decorated luxury hotel is a converted 18th century Victorian mansion. BLUE Sydney is a boutique hotel that over looks the Wharf on Woolloomooloo Bay.

What luxury trip to Monaco is complete without a visit to the Le Louis at the Hotel de Paris, or Le Vistimar at the Hotel Hermitage. Experiences are just waiting to happen to all visitors of the most glamorous principality in the entire world. What came first jetsetters or Monaco?

Nothing screams luxury like a stay at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort or there is always the Fairmont Monte Carlo guaranteed to be a lavish affair. Recommended places to experience include the Casino de Monte Carlo, Jimmyz and Le Cafe Jordin. Monaco is the capital of opulence with its casinos and nightlife.

Ibiza is part of the Balearic Islands on the Mediterranean Sea. It is well known for its hot summer parties and decadent nightlife. It hangs anyway you want it in Ibiza with a Mediterranean twist of blissfulness that is simply irresistible. Privilege, which is among the biggest clubs in the world, is large by anyone's definition with 25 meter high ceilings and an indoor pool. Located in Ibiza Tourio and San Antonio, the club attracts a fair share of celebrities, debutantes and paparazzi in its gatherings. Other noteworthy hotspots of the night include Amnesia, Eden, and Space.

While sleeping is optional in Ibiza, only the finest in accommodations will do. The capital of luxury and hedonism offers an array of top caliber hotels that are guaranteed to tickle the fancy of even the most discerning guests. The El Pacho Hotel is posh contemporary elegance extraordinaire. It also is the location of the outrageously inviting Pacha nightclub. The Hotel Es Vive, a 52 room boutique hotel, is lively and buoyantly decadent year round. Check out the Smirnoff Electric Cabaret to replenish and play among the moving stars of the towns vibrant nightlife. The flat roof of the Hotel Ocean Drive is a sunbathers dream overlooking breezy Talamanca Beach. Ocean Drive Hotel offers easy access to both historic Ibiza and the beach.

The Grand Hotel is in the center of Barcelona. Its central location to the city's best restaurants, shopping and sights puts it on our list of favorite luxury hotels. The Neri Hotel is both architecturally and artistically amazing. The completely renovated hotel was once an eighteenth century palace.

Australia is a vast country – almost as large as the contiguous United States – and it is impossible to experience everything that the country has to offer in one visit. Some attractions should not be missed. These include both man-made and natural wonders as well as the fascinating culture and traditions of the country’s very first inhabitants.

Most visitors fly into Sydney, which has one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the world. Sydney is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, although just visiting the city’s many beautiful beaches is a popular activity. It also boasts two of the most instantly recognizable landmarks anywhere – the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. If you have a head for heights, do not miss the opportunity to walk across the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge – it is a once in a lifetime experience.

One highlight of a visit to Australia is the chance to experience the culture of the native Aborigines. Plenty of places throughout the country have Aboriginal art and crafts for sale, especially in the country’s famous Outback. The isolated town of Alice Springs makes an excellent base for exploring Aboriginal culture; and to really immerse yourself, consider taking an Aboriginal Culture Tour – although you may be expected to eat traditional delicacies such as wasps.

No visit to Australia is complete without seeing one of the wonders of nature – the Great Barrier Reef. The reef’s statistics are staggering – it stretches for about 1,200 miles along the eastern coast of Australia, and is home to an estimated 1,500 species of fish. It’s supposedly the only living feature on earth visible from the moon. There are several ways to experience the reef – you can sail around it and fly over it; but to dive in the clear

waters is a memorable experience.

Australia’s other big natural wonder is Uluru, or Ayers Rock, which is located about 260 miles from Alice Springs. You can see the rock that is considered the world’s largest monolith by flying over it, driving around it or hiking up it. Various tours are available from both Alice Springs and the resort of Ayers Rock. If you visit this resort, make sure you see the rock at sunset – it is an unforgettable sight.

If you have the time, a three day journey by train from Sydney to Perth on the Indian Pacific is considered one of the world’s great rail journeys. It is fair to say that there are no sights along the way, other than the hypnotic spectacle of the vast emptiness of much of Australia. The trip includes the longest straight stretch of rail track anywhere, which is an almost 300-mile stretch across the Nullarbor Plain.

If you prefer to drive, a driving trip through Australia’s legendary Outback is a great way to see the country and appreciate its sheer size. You may not encounter much traffic but watch out for the so-called road trains - huge tractor-trailers up to fifty yards long; as well as Australia’s unique animals and birds. Broken Hill is a good place to soak up the atmosphere of the Outback. It is the home of the legendary Flying Doctor service, as well as a ghost town and an opal mine.

Most people imagine Australia to be dry and dusty, but the far north of the country is close to the equator and much of it consists of tropical rainforests. Townsville and Port Douglas both make good bases for exploring the tropical north, which contains some of the world’s oldest rain forests, as well as a huge variety of animal life. Take one of the many off-road guided tours that are available, or view the rainforest from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, near Cairns.

Located in Australia’s Northern Territories is the huge Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage Sight which covers over 4 million acres. A favorite activity is simply observing the wildlife and the park boasts an estimated 75 species of reptile and over 200 species of birds. The park is also one of the few places in Australia where Aborigines live off the land and exist much as they have done for centuries.

Australian wines are considered to be some of the best in the world and you can spend an enjoyable vacation visiting vineyards and sampling wines. Many people visit the well-known Hunter Valley wine region because of its close proximity to Sydney, although the nicest region for wine tasting is arguably the Barossa region, a German-speaking area about an hour away from Adelaide.

One activity you should not miss is simply getting to know the Australian people, who are friendly and outgoing. The language is the same – although you may be puzzled by references to mysterious things such as “sheilas”, “billabongs” and the ever-popular “shrimp on the Barbie”!

Many people suffer from what is commonly called the winter blues. The sunshine and general carefree attitude of society in the summer makes the individual feel light hearted and seems to lift the weight of the world of their shoulders. However, despite the cold chilly weather there are many locations worldwide that could rejuvenate you and lift your spirits to summer heights. Here are the top 10 locations during winter:

1. Sydney “ Winter in Sydney is similar to summer periods in colder countries so that temperature is note exactly that cold. Sydney is a beautiful city, with excellent shopping facilities, but even better restaurants and outdoor activities. You can climb the Harbour Bridge, visit the Opera House or enjoy the beach, all in the sunshine and heat of winter! That is why a stay at the Four Points By Sheraton at Darling Harbour can brighten up your winter!

2. Miami “ Miami is in a class of its own as far as a vacation destination goes. As it is located in the American South, it is warm all year round, despite having its fair share of rain. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed, and there are plenty of attractions including Miami Metrozoo and Bayside Marketplace for the extreme shoppers. Staying at a hotel with great facilities, A recommended hotel in Miami would be the San Juan Hotel.

3. Phuket “ Although Phuket is now extremely popular with holidaymakers; it is also the perfect destination for a winter break. The weather is beautiful, and the natural environement like the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and Kata Beach are all must visits when touring Phuket. The Allamanda Laguna in Phuket is one of the most luxurious hotels in Thailand and should be one of the first hotels on your list.

4. Montreal “ Although Montreal is cold in the winter, its beauty is immense at that time of year. Outdoor ice-skating is extremely fun, as is exploring the historical buildings in the city like the Notre-Dame Basilica. The snow just adds to the atmosphere there. The Days Inn has the perfect location for a base in the downtown area of the city. It is close to everything you would ever want to see and should be considered as accommodation.

5. Dubai “ Dubai is generally too hot for Westerners in the summer, but is definitely worth visiting in the winter when it is cooler. The culture is amazing in the city and must be explored via the markets, shops and historical buildings in the centre. You can even hire a boat and sail for a while around the marina. Dubai caters for the tourist trade and looks after its guests well, as is demonstrated by the hospitality. The Ascot Hotel is one of the best in the world for customer service.

A winter break seems to be becoming more popular as the years go by. Winter can be depressing if the sky is grey and your mood begins to mimic the weather. A break can lift your spirits, and these diverse but cultural places can help to give you a new lease of life!

Anzac Day is a significant day, a significant cultural day for all Australians.It happens on the 25th of April every year, and it is marked by some memorial services, marches, some celebrations and some fairly unusual games of chance as well. So brief story of Anzac Day and the Anzacs. The word itself Anzac A-N-Z-A-C stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp. This is a name that was given to the combined forces of Australia and New Zealand in the First World War. Anzac Day itself is a commemoration of a very famous battle for the Australian and New Zealanders. It is a commemoration of the battle at Gallipoli that occurred on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

The battle itself was not particularly significant in the context of the entire World War I campaign. However for those forces involved, it was definitely a significant and quite a horrific battle and campaign that occurred. The campaign itself was a matter of the allied troops planning to land and take Istanbul. So on the 25th of April in 1915, the Australian-New Zealand forces part of the allied contingent landed at Gallipoli. It was intended to be a very bold aggressive move as part of the campaign to capture Istanbul, however the Turks fiercely defended the land and it pretty quickly became a pretty huge stalemate. And that stalemate endured for around 8 months. At the end of 8 months over eight thousand Australians had been killed in that campaign and two-and-a-half thousand New Zealanders had also been killed.

It was not a successful campaign or attack by any stretch of the imagination, in fact it was something of a disaster. Which is yet another reason why Anzac Day itself is not about glorifying war, it is about celebrating the Anzac's spirits, the spirits that was showed by those soldiers. Today on average over ten thousand Australian & New Zealanders actually make something of a pilgrimage back to the Gallipoli Peninsula to celebrate the dawn service on the grounds at Suvla Bay, on that battleground where the Australian forces actually landed.

There are 3 main events that really characterize Anzac Day.

The first one is the dawn service. The Anzac's landed at Gallipoli at dawn and for that reason, a dawn service is conducted commemorating Anzac Day on 25th of April each year. There is a very large one that occurs in Martin Place in the city, many thousands of people attend it. There are lots of defense members supporting it, a Cataflaque Party providing an escort, there's speeches and the last post. As well as this large dawn service in Martin Place in the city, also all through Sydney and all through New South Wales and Australia there are many, many smaller dawn services. These are usually conducted at RSLs and RSLs sub-branches, a Return Serviceman's League club established by return servicemen.

Usually in the vicinity of most suburban RSLs, there will be a dawn service where as similar as they are in the city, but in a small scale. They are all equally solemn, all equally significant cultural activities. An Anzac Day march occurs in the city each year. It starts from a variety of locations, usually Hyde Park, a number of other spots in the city and finishes in Martin Place. Unfortunately, there is not too many of the World War I veterans, but there are World War II veterans still around, it is a fact that we're getting more and more younger veterans coming through the ranks and being involved in the march. The march itself is huge, there are many thousands of people in there recognizing the contribution of all these veterans and it's very humbling to witness.

Celebrations generally follow straight after the march. There are a lot of celebrations, lots of people will have plenty of drinks and food, and play some games. Particularly in Sydney city itself there is always marching bands that always been involved in the march, supporting that march. They will often then continue to just march around the city, in and out of hotels and bars and pubs, with playing their bagpipes or their drums, providing some entertainment to the people celebrating there.

Australians also play some interesting games on Anzac Day. The primary one that you will see, which can be a little bit bewildering, is Two-Up. Now this is a pretty unusual game. This is a game of chance, a gambling game. In New South Wales Two-Up is illegal except for on Anzac Day when it is legal to conduct Two-Up. It can be quite difficult to describe Two-Up. Essentially, "The Spinner", the person with a piece of stick something like a ruler, places 2 coins on it. 

The coins are flipped it up and people bet on whether the coins will land with 2 heads, 2 tails or 1 of each. That is about as simple as it gets. People get very passionate about it. Two-Up was played by diggers all through World War I, when the soldiers had some down time, they would often play Two-Up. The game has just flown on through the years, and now it is something that is enormous in and around the pubs and bars around Sydney and Australia on Anzac Day.

Much has been written and said about Sydney's harbor, and with good reason. The harbor boasts one of the world's most recognizable views, dominated by two icons in the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. The area also provides no end of activities and neighborhoods to explore. If you're time poor, however, it is easy to accomplish a lot in a short time frame or select a few activities that appeal to your own sense of adventure. The following is a short list of things to see and do should you find yourself in the harbor city, spoilt for choice but lacking time.

Sydney Harbor Bridge itself looms over the water like a giant coat hanger, a term used affectionately by the locals. A climbing tour is offered if you're willing to fork out around $170.00 for the hike. If not however you can still walk across at road level for free. The added bonus is that you can take your camera with you for some shots of the Opera House and surrounding area.

Once across the bridge, on the opposite side of the city centre, is Milsons Point. Home to the heritage listed Luna Park Sydney, an old fashioned fun park where roller coasters, ferris wheels and other rides of old bring a little nostalgia to the waterfront. Entry to the grounds is free, so you only pay for the rides and amusements you use. If fun parks aren't your thing, tucked under the bridge is a waterfront park providing a perfect place to spend a lazy few hours stretched out on the grass with a picnic taking in the spectacular views of Sydney's central business district.

Heading back across the bridge, you come to Sydney's historic The Rocks. This is one of the most historic parts of Australia and the area where the first British settlers landed and from which the bustling city, and indeed country, grew. Once occupied by convicts and prostitutes, today The Rocks cobblestone laneways are full of designer shops, art galleries and eateries. The area lends itself perfectly to the aimless wander and is dotted with historic watering holes in which to rest weary feet and replenish

A short stroll from The Rocks is Circular Quay, a transport hub with ferries departing for suburbs across the bay. From here you can catch one of the ferries to Manly or Toronga Park Zoo, or maybe purchase a Daytripper ticket, which lets you ride as many ferries on the same day as you like and explore some of the lesser known suburbs of the city. The Daytripper is also valid on Metro trains and buses for those who are looking to explore a little further. Apart from the ferry terminals, Circular Quay boasts many fine restaurants, with superb views of the quay (and prices to match). Stroll further onward and you will come to the Sydney Opera House. The once controversial structure stands proudly above the water, defying convention as it overlooks proceedings on the waterways and the street.

A show at the Opera House is a must. If opera is not your thing, there are also orchestral performances, plays, concerts and comedy shows to provide something for everyone. Tours of the building are also available and include a walk onto one of the stages. Turning away from the harbor and the Opera House, you come to the Royal Botanical Gardens, a huge sprawling space dedicated to various varieties of trees, plants and shrubs. It is easy to get lost in the gardens wandering the many paths and admiring whichever flowers are in season at the time. Near the center is a shop and cafe should you wish to eat on your visit, or you can bring your own and eat on one of the many lawns.

If you are visiting late in the day, beware of the resident flying foxes, which generally sleep during the day, but can raise an almighty racket when the sun goes down. Whatever your interest, Sydney's harbor has something for you, and to top it off, some of the most spectacular views you are likely to find anywhere in the world.

To many mothers, planning a birthday party can be very daunting. You need to have a theme and location in mind. These days, with birthday parties becoming more and more elaborate and different, why not do something different? Why not have the celebrations on a cruise? Everyone is sure to love the change and yes, they will enjoy themselves too.

If you're an adult celebrating your birthday, one great birthday party idea if you are in Sydney is to book the Sydney Showboat. It 's also known as the "party boat" and is a good choice for an evening of fun with a dinner cruise thrown in with a three-course menu and a live international show.

Alternatively, you could choose a disco cruise as a Sydney Birthday Party Cruise, if you're in London, UK. All you need to have is a group of six people and take a cruise down on the Thames, with lots of food and drink thrown in, not to forget the music. This Birthday Party Cruise sails down the Thames and has a DJ playing the latest music to put you into the party mood. And this includes enjoying a large buffet dinner which then goes on to non-stop partying, eating, drinking and dancing down the river.

Things can get slightly different if you're taking a cruise with your family and celebrating one of your little kids' birthday parties on board the cruise liner. For all of you, it 's a wonderful idea to celebrate the little one 's big day on a Birthday Party Cruise liner. But wait-first find out just how safe the ship is for little children. For one, find out if they have day care facilities. If it does, it 's going to take the strain off you of looking after your kids-you can concentrate on enjoying yourself you're your friends. Follow the steps given here and have a relaxing time cruising on your kid 's birthday. Here you go:

If all your queries are answered satisfactorily, look beyond this and get cracking on the birthday celebrations. Remember, you've got a cake to think of, the other eats, games and take home gifts. What are you doing? Get up and get going. There 's not much you can get in the middle of the high seas-so go well prepared and have a good time.If all your queries are answered satisfactorily, look beyond this and get cracking on the birthday celebrations. 

Remember, you've got a cake to think of, the other eats, games and take home gifts. What are you doing? Get up and get going. There 's not much you can get in the middle of the high seas-so go well prepared and have a good time.If all your queries are answered satisfactorily, look beyond this and get cracking on the birthday celebrations. Remember, you've got a cake to think of, the other eats, games and take home gifts. What are you doing? Get up and get going. There 's not much you can get in the middle of the high seas-so go well prepared and have a good time.

Australians say that people tend to fall into one of either two camps, Melbourne or Sydney. The rivalry between the two cities is legendary, so much so that when it came to choosing a capital of Australia in 1908, the non-descript Canberra was chosen, slap bang in the middle, rather than pitting these two lovely places against one another. Melbournites think Sydney-siders are shallow and vain. Sydney-siders think Melbournites are a bit snobby and constantly dressing in black. But if you go on holiday to Sydney and take some time to suck in that glorious atmosphere, you’ll realize that its people are having way too much of a good time to bother themselves with petty rivalries and back-biting, but then this is coming from someone who’s passionate about Sydney and everything it has to offer. Here is my pick of the very best bits!

RESTAURANTS

Restaurants in Sydney operate on a whole new level. Fresh, enterprising and uplifting, the food is a real cultural mix, some say the best in the world due to the large number of gastronomically talented immigrants the city has welcomed over the years. People often talk of 'fusion' food in Sydney restaurants - a mix of Western and Asian cooking – an exciting way to eat. Lots of restaurants in Sydney serve delicious fresh seafood, and you can buy cheap sushi all over Sydney. If you are into fish then check out the Sydney Fish Markets, near Darling Harbour - you can pick out great seafood and they will cook it for you on the spot. If you’re feeling nostalgic, then head to Doyles for the tastiest imaginable fish and chips.

CAFES

Lots of the bookshops in Sydney have cafes – they were doing this long before we caught on to it in the UK. The lattes are unrivaled and everyone has a leisurely breakfast out on Sunday mornings. A popular snack is toasted banana bread drizzled in butter along with a coffee or a fresh fruit smoothie. All over Sydney there are many places serving tea and scones. Surprisingly this is called a 'Devonshire Tea’ and they tend to stop serving them at 4pm. For some great Italian cafes and culture try the suburb of Balmain, home to many famous drinking establishments.

WALKS

One of the bonuses of the location of this city – surrounding the beautiful Sydney Harbour – is that you can experience the most awe-inspiring views from many different standpoints, and the best way to do this is on foot. The views you will grow to love the most will probably include the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and, perhaps unexpectedly, the brightly lit skyscrapers which rise brazenly in a central cluster from Sydney city centre to form a dramatic backdrop to Sydney’s natural and man-made wonders. There is a great choice of sea walks including the Manly to Spit walk and Bronte to Bondi beach.

DAY TRIPS

If you’re up for a real adventure try the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb – a guided climb to 134 metres above Sydney Harbour at your chosen time of day. For a jungle experience take the 30-minute trip to the Australian bush at Kuringai National Park. A day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains is also a favourite, with the Three Sisters - a famous sandstone rock formation - and some of the most beautiful scenery in Australia. Or for those with a penchant for good wine should visit the Hunter Valley, 2 hours north of Sydney for vineyard tours, wine tasting and cellar door sales.

MUSEUMS/ART

Although going inside to enjoy yourself on your Sydney holiday may seem unthinkable, heavy rain occurs occasionally and on these days the marvelous museums and art galleries of Sydney come into their own. Visit the dinosaurs at the Sydney Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, where, due to sponsorship, all the exhibitions are now free. Both galleries have great cafes and top quality restaurants. The National Maritime Museum and the Powerhouse Museum, near Darling Harbour will also provide a fascinating respite.

SHOPPING

Try Mosman in North Sydney for posh shopping, or alternatively the Queen Victoria Building in the city centre, which is full of little boutiques and cafes with an English style cafe at the very top. Oxford Street has the best strip of shops for alternative culture and evening cafes and is on the route for Sydney’s fabulous Mardi Gras parade, which takes place in March.

BEACHES

If you’re anything like most Sydney holiday makers you’ll be spending a lot of time on its heavenly beaches. Most of these have beach cafes known as ‘kiosks’. Make sure you try a few as they’re all very different. Bondi Beach is great for Aussie beach culture, and where the Brits tend to congregate. If you’re looking for a beach with personality then take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, a super-trendy beach reminiscent of Venice Beach in Los Angeles. Both Manly and Bondi Beach are great for surfing, whilst Balmoral is a non-surf beach for the North Shore residents and expats, with safe, calm water for kids to paddle and an area for swimming surrounded by a board walk and shark net. Hire a surfboard and wet suit at Manly or Bondi Beach and you can even book a few surf lessons. The beautiful Northern Beaches are a set of beaches encompassing the stretch between Manly and Palm Beach. One of my favourites is the onomatopoeic Curl Curl Beach with its excellent surf.

KIDS

Two superb venues for childish fun are Luna Park, a theme park with an iconic giant clown face at the entrance, and the enormous Taronga Zoo, home to 2,600 animals. Taronga must be the zoo with the best view in the world, with vistas overlooking the whole of Sydney Harbour. You can get there by bus or ferry as it has its very own ferry stop. For another great kid’s day out take the monorail, bus, ferry or car to Darling Harbour - the area may seem a bit kitsch, but has one of the best aquariums in the world, a lovely spot for ‘Finding Nemo'! Children will also love Darling Harbour’s Imax Theatre for 3D films on the big screen. At the art gallery of New South Wales there are often kids classes, free tours and magic shows, especially on Sunday mornings.

LITTLE GEMS

A little electric train will take you on a mini-adventure through the exotic Sydney Botanic Gardens, and you can take in some high culture with opera and other concerts in the park. Next door the Sydney Opera House hosts classical music as well as some of pop’s big names. Lots of great buskers hang out around Circular Quay – good fun if you are waiting for a ferry. To try a real 1920's style cinema, check out the Cremorne Orpheum (after Orpheus), an old-style picture house on Military Road.

SPORT

Surfing and other water sports feel as natural as breathing in Sydney – many Sydney-siders even go for a sneaky surf in their lunch hour from work. Swimmers should visit the Olympic Park and take a dip at the North Sydney Olympic pool, or visit one of the Sydney Harbour baths or beaches, such as Red Leaf or Nielsen Park.Outside the water you can catch a game of rugby or Australian rules football at Telstra Stadium, and if you’re into road running why not try the City to Surf marathon, a 14k race which takes place in mid-August.

HOTELS

And finally, if you are visiting Sydney on holiday, there is no shortage of accommodation. From beach-side B&Bs and chic inner city guest houses to the finest 5-star hotels overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge, there is a place for all tastes.

So there you are. If Sydney was any closer I expect we all would have fallen in love with the place and emigrated long ago. Once you do go on holiday to Sydney, either on its own, or as part of a longer holiday in Australia, you’ll be furious that nobody persuaded you to go there before. Well, there’s no excuse now – time to go ahead and book those flights!

The largest as well as the oldest city in Australia and the capital city of New South Wales, Sydney is an acclaimed international tourist destination, situated in a coastal basin in the south-eastern part of the country. Sydney is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Blue Mountains to the west, the Hawkesbury River to the north, and the plateau of Woronora to the south. No matter it is for a romantic escape, or to celebrate your honeymoon, or just for a leisurely travel, Sydney is a great destination to enjoy all. Acknowledged as the 'International Gateway to the Country,' Sydney is home to the world's largest natural harbor, namely, Port Jackson, most popularly referred to as the Sydney Harbor. Perhaps for this reason, Sydney is sometimes called the Harbor City.

Things to see in Sydney are truly endless, ranging from mind blowing scenery and astounding beaches to marvelous attractions covering interesting monuments, museums, art galleries, and fun attractions. In short, Sydney has everything to make your vacation truly memorable as well as enjoyable. Probably, the greatest of all attractions in Sydney would be the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House, both of which are located within the Sydney Harbor. Designed by the renowned architect Jorn Utzon and inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A view of this amazing monument, set against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful harbor and the wonderful bridge, from either ferry or air, would be really unforgettable.

The Opera House is as representative of the country as the Queen Elizabeth II and the Pyramids of Egypt. Opened in 1932, the Sydney Harbor Bridge is the largest bridge in the world, with its top rising up to about 135 meters above the harbor. In addition, the bridge is the world's fourth longest arch bridge. Sometimes, the bridge is nicknamed as the Coathanger due to its arch-shaped design. A visit to Sydney would be incomplete without taking a tour to an array of interesting museums in the region. Among which most popular are Australian Museum, which has on display the artifacts related to the natural history as well as the culture of the aboriginal people in the country; Bradman Museum, which is dedicated to Sir Donald Bradman who is regarded as the best cricketer that the world has ever seen.

Harris Street Motor Museum, where more than 150 classic motor cars are exhibited; Justice and Police Museum, which holds displays in the form of magistrates court, remand cell, and police charge room; Museum of Sydney, which has artifacts that throw light on the history of the city; Powerhouse Museum, the largest museum in the country with more than 350,000 exhibits; and Sydney Jewish Museum, with items that depict the life of Jewish in the country. Equally fabulous is the art galleries in the city, such as, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which is the largest of its kind in the country; Hogarth Galleries Aboriginal Art Centre, with a large selection of items related to aboriginal art; and S.H. Ervin Gallery, featuring a wonderful selection of historical art.

Apart from these, Sydney is also much famed for its splendid natural wonders. For instance, it boasts of some of the finest beaches in the country, such as, the Bondi Beach, the Cronolla Beach, Balmoral Beach and the Coogee Beach, all of which offers breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset. In addition, these beaches form base for an array of water sport activities including cruising, surfing, diving, boating, and windsurfing. Likewise, the nature lovers are recommended to take a tour to such destinations in the city as the Blue Mountains, where you can enjoy the spectacular views, and the Echo Point offering the splendid views of the Three Sisters and Jamieson Valley.

Additionally, for wildlife lovers, some best options are available in the form of the Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary, Featherdale Wildlife Park and Australian Wildlife Park, each of which is bestowed with rich as well as rare flora and fauna. Other not to miss attractions in the city are Circular Quay, Convention Centre, Government House, Strand Arcade, Sydney Aquarium, and Sydney Tower.

When comes to nightlife, it has a vibrant scene, with a plethora of active pubs, nightclubs, and dance clubs. Above all, incredible is the gastronomy of the city, where almost all types of cuisines such as the Indian, Japanese, Lebanese, and Greek can be savored. In fact, Sydney has everything to spend a romantic as well as leisurely vacation. Hence, there is no exception in the case of accommodation. From boutique hotels for budget conscious to high-end hotels and resorts for well-heeled, Sydney caters to all budget and preferences.

Australia is such a unique and fascinating country that it`s really a good idea to get out of the city and take your rental vehicle for a little road trip. Even if you are only in the country for a few days, you can see something. There are plenty of attractions and natural vistas to be enjoyed within a short distance from any major city and if you`re hankering for a longer road trip, then there are plenty of scenic driving tours that beckon the traveler.

Short Trips

If you aren`t interested in driving more than half a day or so, these attractions will let you see more of Australia without getting too far from home, or hotel, as the case may be. 

Hunter Valley Wineries: Just a couple hours outside of Sydney, this is the perfect spot to enjoy nature and take a wine tasting tour. The views here are astounding.

Gipsland: A well-known skiing destination, Gipsland is nice and close to Melbourne and during the warmer months, you can picnic here or take hikes. When snow covered, these hills are perfect for trying out your snowboarding skills.

The Royal Botanical Gardens: This is found in Melbourne and is the epitome of botanical gardens. Here you`ll find more than 12,000 different types of plants, many of which are native to Australia.

Creswick Regional Park: Check out some real live koala bears and take a hike through the eucalyptus trees, or have a picnic by the lake here. It`s also a good place to try your hand at gold panning and fossicking, if you have a permit.

Buchanan Caves: Enjoy a tour through amazing limestone formations deep inside this cave system. It`s a bit of a drive, 360 km outside of Melbourne, but well worth the trip. Plan for a picnic outside the caves once you finish your tour.

Swan Hill: Just under 4 hours from Melbourne, this trip is a bit of a long one. You`ll be traveling alongside the Murray River and will have the opportunity to take a houseboat out on the river or check out the homesteads along the way.

Longer Trips

For those who are looking for something a bit more exciting, there are several long drives available that allow you to get a good look at more of the Australian scenery.

The Great Southern Touring Route: This is a fairly small tour of 807 km that starts and ends in Melbourne. It allows you to travel along the coast, through historical towns and to catch a glimpse of what rural Australia looks like.

The Matilda Highway: A real road trip at 2,725 km, this is a route that will take you through some pretty desolate areas. It`s a great way to see the real Australia and your best chance of meeting some true characters. You begin in Sydney, ending up in Karumba to the north.

Great Ocean Road: The perfect tour for anyone interested in sticking close to the ocean. The road winds along the coast, allowing for little stops in quaint towns and seaside villages. On your way, take a look at Port Fairy and Apollo Bay and don`t forget to sample the local seafood.

One of the main advantages of renting a vehicle in Australia is getting around to these different areas. If you are stuck using public transport, chances are you`ll never get out of the city and will miss some of the amazing scenery that Victoria has to offer. There are simply too many sights to see and you`ll miss the best ones without a car.

Do you want to hire a car when visiting Sydney? Thinking about Sydney, although it is fairly large, Sydney is quite a compact city. It is unique in the sense of there are very wide variety of things to do within the Sydney CBD, there are all sorts of cultural and urban attractions, museums, there are tourism icons such as the Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House, things that people really want to see. Also, its beautiful beaches are one of the things that Sydney is very well-known for as well. While Sydney is a fairly compact area, there is a wide variety of attractions and things that you probably would want to see if you come here, so that is one thing to understand.

Secondly, public transport in Sydney. Now as a rule, it is quite a good standard. It is far from perfect and any Sydney local will tell you that. It is reasonably frequent, most of the major attractions are fairly accessible by public transport and it is a relatively inexpensive way for you to get around. Some other aspects of Sydney that are fairly important are parking. Within the Sydney CBD and in the city itself, parking is available but it can be quite difficult. Within the CBD itself you are really going to look at the parking stations to park your vehicle and they can get expensive. For an overnight stay, you can pay over $20 without any problems at all.

If you are staying in or around the city, I will really recommend that you do, especially if you are here for a short stay, it makes a lot of attractions accessible or within walking distance. I have recommend many people on a short stay that they should stay in the city, in which case parking could be quite expensive as well. So all those things are probably what you would be thinking about when you are determining whether you should hire a car?

I suggest that if you are here for short stay, if just want to see some of the major attractions on a short stay, it is probably not worth your while to hire a car to get around. Most of these things are accessible by public transport. One of the things about Sydney is its heavily reliant on tourism, all major attractions are made accessible by public transport and those few that are not can be really worthwhile and very cost effective just to get a taxi to those locations. So as a rule, if you are staying less than a week, I would suggest that you probably will rely on public transport rather than getting motor vehicles.

I suggest the opposite though if you are looking to get outside of Sydney and to start looking at rural New South Wales, country Australia, because one thing about Australia is some vast open spaces. If you really want to get the most out of any trip to Australia, then driving can perhaps be one of the better ways to go about it. So, here are my recommendations, if you will be staying in Sydney for a relatively short period, you probably better off using public transport. However, if you are looking to get outside of Sydney, for a greater Australian trip, then you probably would look at hiring or driving a motor vehicle.

So if you decide to drive in Sydney, here are some things to keep in mind. The first one is licensing. In New South Wales, if you have an overseas license, you will be able to drive using that license and only that license anywhere in New South Wales. As long as you have a valid drivers license overseas, you can drive in Sydney and in New South Wales. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep your drivers license on you. It is an offense in New South Wales to not have your drivers license on you if a policeman asks you to produce it.

Some driving tips if you decide to drive in Sydney. Overall, Sydney and Australia is a very safe place to drive, it is not as chaotic as a lot of counties, people are fairly orderly and it is a pretty pleasant place to drive. There are a lot of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Australia, speed is largely responsible for these, people exceeding the speed limit and also the fact that Australia being so geographically large means a lot of vehicles are traveling at high speeds.

The first and most obvious thing to remember is you have to drive on the left. If you are from one of those countries that drive on the right-hand side, it is really important that you remember that. It could be chaotic and dangerous if you do not remember to do that. So always drive on the left, the easy way to remember is that you as the driver will be closest to the center of the road. It is a law in New South Wales and everywhere in Australia that you have to wear a seatbelt whenever you are driving a motor vehicle. If you did not wear a seatbelt, you or your passengers will likely to be fined by a police officer.

Alcohol is another one. Everyone likes to have a few drinks when they are on vacation that is for sure, but it can be very dangerous to operate a motor vehicle when you are on the influence of alcohol. The legal limit for adults is .05% alcohol, .05 means if you have 3 standard drinks in the first hour, you will be over the limit and you will not be able to drive a motor vehicle. There are very heavy penalties for people who drive motor vehicles whilst they are under the influence of alcohol, including fines and imprisonment.

Speeding. Speed limits vary a great deal in Sydney, and as a result you really need to keep an eye out, make sure that you are traveling within the appropriate speed limit for that area. There are plenty of highway patrolman out there that will give you a ticket or take some sort of action against you if you speed whilst driving. These are some of the things you might want to consider when driving in Sydney and Australia.