Travel to Sydney

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.

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.

From Parramatta to Circular Quay, there is a really large river called the Parramatta River. Along that river operates the River Cat, a ferry that runs between Parramatta and Circular Quay. The most common way to get from Parramatta to Circular Quay is by train. The train is faster, and much more regular than the River Cat, but in the end of the day it is a train. I had some time on my hands, so I was not in any rush to get to Circular Quay and so I thought why not take the River Cat? So I wandered down to the ferry terminal and of course the first drawback is the timetable.

The River Cat leaves about every hour on the hour, as opposed to the train which runs between 3 and 5 per hour. But I had some time on my hands and I was not too far away from when the River Cat was going. So I waited around and jumped on it. It is fairly inexpensive; it cost me 7 dollar 70 for the trip, which is fairly standard and not too expensive at all. So I waited around, I got on this River Cat, the first thing that I was shocked by is it is quite small. It was a very personal experience; there was two guys working on the River Cat. They pull up at the ferry, throw the drawbridge across and on you go. And then you do not even pay until the River Cat takes off then they come around and collect your money for your tickets at that point.

I got on around at 5 o'clock, which is winter at the moment in Australia, so it gets dark quite early, so it was dark when I got on it. The entire trip takes just over an hour, you can do it by train around 35 to 40 minutes depending on the train. There are some pretty interesting sights to see along the way; around 6 or 7 stops between Parramatta which is one end of the run and Circular Quay which is where it terminates. The stops are all really little wharfs, they are little riverside suburbs where it pulls over, ropes up, puts the drawbridge out and 1 or 2 people would get on and off, very small, pretty quiet actually and some quiet little pleasant suburbs as well over there.

So you can take in those little wharfs and you have these people that get this little River Cat to and from work everyday. You can also see some riverside suburbs along the river, got its bushes and weeds on both sides, so you cannot really take it in too much, but during the breaks there is a lot of parkland, a lot of quiet pretty suburbs as well. Definitely the highlight of that is the arrival at Circular Quay. You enter Circular Quay from the front of Sydney Harbour, from the mouth of the Parramatta River, swing underneath the Harbour Bridge, veer straight for the Opera House and take a right into Circular Quay, near the CBD. It is really spectacular.

Sydney Harbour is one of those icons, there is the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, but really the views do not get any better than going underneath it on the River Cat and then just having it there straight in front of you when you are in that River Cat. So that is the Parramatta River Cat, obviously if you are in Parramatta and in a hurry, the River Cat is probably not the method of transport for you. It is a little slower and it is not so regular, but if you are not in a rush, it is definitely a far more scenic and pretty way to make that trip.

Most visitors to Australia commence their travels in Sydney. This is not surprising. The beautiful harbour city is Australia's premier holiday destination.

Here are 7 of its top attractions.

SYDNEY HARBOUR.

To really appreciate the natural beauty of Sydney, take a train and alight at Circular Quay station. Circular Quay is the gateway to the harbour and the visual impact is stunning. There in front of you is the broad expanse of water, Sydney Harbour, stretching from "the heads" where it enters the South Pacific Ocean, to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Taking the escalator down to Circular Quay, you have a number of choices. Here are some suggestions:

FERRY TO MANLY.

This is a great introduction to Sydney. It passes many of the major Sydney attractions including the Opera House and Fort Denison. The journey takes less than half an hour. It is worthwhile spending 2 or 3 hours at Manly enjoying the village atmosphere and if the weather is warm, enjoying a swim at one of Sydney's top beaches. If time permits, take a bus to some of Sydney's northern beaches and the beautiful inland waterway, Pittwater.

On the return ferry journey, try to time it so that you arrive at Circular Quay just on sunset. The outline of the bridge, with the setting sun in the background, is a magic holiday moment.

TORONGA PARK ZOO.

Take the ferry from Circular Quay to visit Australia's best zoo. You will have the chance to see some of the wild life unique to Australia, including koalas, wombats, kangaroos and the very shy platypus. The views over the harbour from Taronga Park are stunning.

THE ROCKS.

A brief walk west of Circular Quay takes you to the original site of convict settlement in Australia. It boasts some of Sydney's best restaurants. The Rocks contains many old restored buildings and is a popular market area. It is worth a visit at any time but a "must see" on Sunday mornings with the popular Rocks Market. The area comes alive with hundreds of street stalls selling food and a wide range of gifts. It is an ideal place to purchase unique Australian souvenirs.

BRIDGE WALK.

Start from The Rocks, alongside the south portal of the bridge. Take the stairs to the walkway across the bridge and enjoy this spectacular free walk with some of the best views in Australia. On your right, is the Opera House and Circular Quay, in the middle, the harbour, stretching to the Pacific Ocean and on your left is north shore and Kirribilli, home to Australia's Prime Minister.

When you reach Milson's Point on the north side of the bridge, why not buy a takeaway meal, walk to the water's edge and enjoy the views of the Sydney skyline, the bridge and the busy activity with ferries, yachts and cruise ships. A short waterfront walk eastwards takes you to Kirribilli Point and more spectacular views. If you don't feel like the walk back over the bridge, take the train back to the city from Milson's Point station.

BRIDGE CLIMB.

It's expensive, but if you have a sense of adventure and aren't afraid of heights, try it. You will be rewarded with spectacular 360 degree views. The Bridge Climb check-in is located at The Rocks, a short distance from the stairs leading to the bridge walkway.

OPERA HOUSE.

Enquire about the guided tours, conducted regularly during the day. In the morning, you may witness concert practice for evening concerts. The tours are comprehensive and a "must see" for your visit to Sydney. It is well worth booking for an evening concert, just to experience the atmosphere of the main concert hall. The outside promenade area is a great place for viewing the Sydney skyline and the bridge.

ACCOMMODATION.

Sydney offers a wide variety of quality accommodation from 5 star hotels to backpackers. Many of the top hotels are located in The Rocks and Darling Harbour areas, most with spectacular views. A number of 3 and 4 star hotels are located at King's Cross, a popular area for restaurants and the "nightlife" hub of the city.

Sydney is a popular destination with backpackers. They love the night life, shopping, beaches, scenery and climate. Backpackers of all age groups from 20 to 80 are looking for clean, cheap and safe accommodation and youth hostels are the answer. When I visit Sydney, I always stay in YHA Australia accommodation. There are 3 main hostels in Sydney and I have stayed at Sydney Central and Glebe.

Both are clean and convenient. Sydney Central is conveniently located just a few minutes' from Central railway station. My daughter aged 22 stayed in both on a recent visit to Sydney and she commented on the friendliness of the staff and how she felt "safe". This is important for women traveling solo, in many cases, a long way from home.

Sydney Harbor is one of those tourist icons that embody what Sydney is. So in every trip to Sydney, going out to see and visit Sydney Harbor is one of the first things you would want to do. As such, it is no wonder why Sydney Harbor is one of the most photographed landmarks in Australia, if not in the whole world. A trip to Sydney is never complete without getting snapshots in front of the Harbor Bridge from the Opera House, or from wherever it might be.

Aside from the thrill of going out to see the Sydney Harbor, from a Sydney local's point of view, there are actually 4 top practical and surefire ways to enjoy Sydney Harbor. The first way to enjoy Sydney Harbor is to just walk around it. To do this, one has to get down to a train session called Circular Quay which is right in the CBD on the edge of the water.

There are buses, trains and taxis, all of which will take visitors there. Otherwise, you can take a walk depending on where your accommodations is. From there you'll pass by some beautiful parkland and some pretty major tourist stops, tourist attractions, tourist icons that are within that walking distance to that area. If you go around to the east you'll walk towards Sydney Opera House. Towards the west, you will reach an area of Sydney called The Rocks which is old Sydney town. It was the first British settlement area in Sydney. When you had enough of walking around you can then just walk back to Circular Quay.

The second way to enjoy Sydney Harbour is by taking a ferry when taking in the sights and sounds of the city. There are a number of ferry services , most of which are public transportation that operate in and around Circular Quay.

It's amazing that for the price of a simple public transport ticket, one can spend as much time as one likes cruising up and down and going from one place to another. An example of a very pleasurable ferry ride to take is the Manly ferry. Its a 30-40 minutes travel time gives you to spend a lot of time to enjoy the length and breadth of the Sydney Harbor. 

The third way to enjoy Sydney Harbor is by taking the good-old-fashioned Harbour Cruise. The best times to do this is during summer months when the weather is usually very good. There are plenty of private companies that put up Harbor Cruise entertainment in a lot of different forms. But most of them are eat and drink occasions ranging from simple sessions for coffee or morning tea, to more advanced visitors coming in for a lunch cruises, dinner cruises with full buffet, big seafoods cruises, big drink packages and a lot more. Booking can be done either by booking for an organized package, or by dropping by Circular Quay where there's a number of booths and stalls of companies offering different Harbor cruises and their schedule.

The fourth and final way to enjoy Sydney Harbour is by swimming in it. But while Sydney Harbour is a great place for a swim, it is in fact a port that is not any different from any other shipping port. As such you cannot swim directly in it, or get in the Circular Quay with your swimming gear in tow because it is full of ships, boats and ferries. But all is not lost because there are some spots in the area that are really great for a swim. If you are out on the suburbs, the Camp Cove is the best destination. So, when you find yourself in Sydney to, do try any or all of these suggestions on how to enjoy the Sydney Traveler.

Sydney is Australia's premier holiday destination and the first port of call for many international visitors. The good news is that many of its major attractions are free and with the Australian dollar at bargain basement, most are amazingly cheap.

Here are 7 suggestions to help you get the most out of your visit to Australia's largest city:

1. Circular Quay.

Circular Quay is the heart of Sydney and your introduction to the beautiful harbour. It is a great place to start your exploration and you will be fascinated by the excitement and buzz of this area. All ferries leave from this focal point and you are within walking distance of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It is great place to relax, enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants or stroll around and enjoy the ambience.

2. The Rocks.

Nestled alongside the south portal of the bridge is one of the first settled areas of Sydney known as "The Rocks" This historical and fascinating area filled with old buildings, pubs and shops is a great place to visit for souvenirs, a meal or a drink. Weekend markets are very popular for those looking for a bargain.

3. Walk over the bridge.

The entrance to the walkway over the bridge is just behind The Rocks and best of all it's free. This amazing walk will provide you with some of the most breathtaking views in Australia as you look down on the Opera House, yachts and ferries in the harbor and in the distance, the entrance to the Pacific Ocean.

4. Ferry to Toronga Park Zoo.

Toronga Park Zoo is one of the finest in Australia. You will be able to view all the Australian native wildlife including the elusive platypus. It is worth spending a day here and its location on the north shore of the harbor allows spectacular views of the Sydney skyline. Take the ferry from Circular Quay.

5. Ferry to Manly.

No visit to Sydney would be complete without taking a ferry from Circular Quay to the oceanside resort of Manly. The ferry ride is one of the most popular trips for visitors to Sydney and allows spectacular harbor views. I particularly love Manly. Its main beach on the Pacific Ocean is a mecca for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers and the main street is a popular place to enjoy a meal, go shopping or just soak up the ambience of the area.

Here's a suggestion. Try to time your return ferry trip to Sydney to leave Manly just before sunset. You will be rewarded with the golden glow of the late afternoon sun shining on the sails of the Opera House and the setting sun highlighting the black silhouette of the bridge. A magic holiday moment.

6. Take a tour of the Opera House.

Tours of the Opera House take place regularly during the day and this is the only way for you to experience the true beauty of this iconic Sydney landmark. Better still, enjoy a live performance in the main concert hall. It will be a holiday memory I promise you will never forget.

7. Take a harbor walk.

Sydney has many wonderful harbor walks, but my favorite is a walk from the Opera House to Kings Cross. It requires only a moderate level of fitness and there are plenty of places to stop and admire the views of the busy harbor as well as parks and gardens. Kings Cross is a perfect place to finish your walk. It is the city's nightlife and restaurant mecca, but late at night can be a seedy and sometimes unsafe area. During the day however, this cosmopolitan suburb is a venue to relax, enjoy a coffee and experience one of most vibrant areas of this great holiday destination.