Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 3 . SYDNEY
(US$13) for 2 hours and A$60 (US$39) all day. In Manly, Aloha Surf, 44
Pittwater Rd., Manly (& 02/9977 3777), also rents surfboards. Manly Surf
School (& 02/9977 6977) offers 2-hour surf classes for A$40 (US$26), 2-day
sessions for A$70 (US$46), and 3-day classes for A$90 (US$59). Wave Action
Surf School (& 02/9970 6813, or mobile 0413/177 242) offers a similar service
with the same rates as Manly Surf School, on the breakers at Palm Beach.
Also, it offers a 1-day surf tour from central Sydney to Palm Beach and other
northern Sydney beaches with sightseeing and lunch for A$100 (US$65).
SWIMMING The best place to swim indoors in Sydney is the Sydney International
Aquatic Centre, at Olympic Park, Homebush Bay (& 02/9752
3666). It’s open Monday through Friday from 5am to 9:45pm, and Saturday,
Sunday, and public holidays from 6am to 7:45pm (6:45pm May–Oct).
The Cook and Phillip Park (& 02/9326 0444) is the most central of Sydney’s
public swimming pools, located at 4 College St. (on the corner of William
St.). The best way to find it is to walk to the cathedral across Hyde Park, walk
for a couple of minutes along the dark paving area outside the cathedral’s front
entrance (keeping Hyde Park on your right). Look out for the signs directing
you down some stairs to the entrance. The center has three pools, one for serious
swimmers, another with a wave machine, and a third hydrotherapy pool
with easy ramp access and bubble jets. Entry is A$5.50 (US$3.60) for adults and
A$4 (US$2.60) for children.
Another good bet is the North Sydney Olympic Pool, Alfred South Street,
Milsons Point (& 02/9955 2309). It’s just over the Harbour Bridge, near the
amusement park, so why not have a swim after a walk over from the city. Swimming
here costs A$3.50 (US$2.30) for adults and A$1.65 (US$1.10) for children.
More world records have been broken in this pool than in any other. In
1999, the pool was renovated, and there’s now a separate indoor pool, too. The
Bondi Icebergs Club, on the rocks to the right of the beach as you look at the
sea, also has a new Olympic-size swimming pool, and a children’s pool. Entrance
costs A$3.30 (US$2.15) and includes a sauna.
TENNIS There are hundreds of places around the city to play one of Australia’s
most popular sports. A nice spot is the Miller’s Point Tennis Court, Kent Street,
The Rocks (& 02/9256 2222). It’s run by the Observatory Hotel and is open
daily from 7:30am to 10pm. The court costs A$25 (US$16) per hour. The North
Sydney Tennis Centre, 1A Little Alfred St., North Sydney (& 02/9371 9952),
has three courts available daily from 6am to 10pm. They cost A$16 (US$10) until
5pm on weekdays and A$20 (US$13) other times.
WINDSURFING My favorite spot to learn to windsurf or to set out onto the
harbor is at Balmoral Beach, in Mosman on the North Shore. Rent boards at Balmoral
Windsurfing, Sailing and Kayaking School & Hire, 3 The Esplanade,
Balmoral Beach (& 02/9960 5344). Windsurfers cost A$27 (US$18) per hour for
beginners and A$38 (US$28) for advanced windsurfing equipment. Lessons cost
A$175 (US$114) for 5 hours teaching over a weekend, for beginners, and A$195
(US$127) for advanced lessons. This place also rents fishing boats.
YACHTING Balmoral Boat Shed, Balmoral Beach (& 02/9969 6006),
rents catamarans, 3.5m (11-ft.) aluminum runabouts, canoes, and surf skis. The
catamarans and runabouts cost A$35 (US$23) for the first hour (with a
A$80/US$52 deposit); a full day costs A$120 (US$78). Other vessels, such as
canoes, cost A$12 (US$7.80) per hour with a A$10 (US$6.50) deposit.