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

160
CHAPTER 3 . SYDNEY
3, also the largest in Australia. At the corner of Thomas and Hay sts., in Haymarket, near Chinatown.
& 1300/361 589 in Australia, or 02/9325 6924.
The Rocks Market Held every Saturday and Sunday, this very touristy market
has more than 100 vendors selling everything from crafts, housewares,
posters, jewelry, and curios. The main street is closed to traffic from 10am to
4pm to make it easier to stroll around. On George St., The Rocks. & 02/9255 1717.
MUSIC
Birdland This is the best store in Sydney for jazz and blues, and it stocks a
sizable collection of rare items. The staff is very knowledgeable. 3 Barrack St. & 02/
9299 8527. www.birdland.com.au.
HMV This is one of the best music stores in Sydney. The jazz section is impressive.
CDs in Australia are not cheap, with most new releases costing around
A$30 to A$35 (US$20–US$23). Pitt Street Mall. & 02/9221 2311.
Red Eye Records These two shops, tucked away downstairs in a small arcade
not far from Pitt Street Mall and the Strand Arcade, are directly across from one
another. The larger store sells a wide range of modern CDs, but the smaller store
sells a great collection of quality secondhand and end-of-the-line CDs for
around A$20 (US$13) each. Tank Stream Arcade (downstairs), at the corner of King and Pitt
sts. (near Town Hall). & 02/9233 8177 (new recordings), or 02/9233 8125 (secondhand CDs).
www.redeye.com.au.
Sounds Australian You can find anything you’ve ever heard that sounds
Australian here. From rock and pop to didgeridoo and country, it’s all here. And
if you haven’t a clue what’s good and what’s bad, you can spend some time listening
before you buy. The management is quite knowledgeable. In the Argyle
Stores department store, The Rocks. & 02/9247 7290. Fax 02/9241 2873.
OPALS
There are plenty of opal shops around in Sydney, but don’t expect to walk away
with any bargains. Best just to choose one you like and haggle.
Altman & Cherny A good selection of opals—black, white, and boulder varieties—as
well as jewelry are on sale here. Ask to see “The Aurora Australis,” the
world famous black opal valued at A$1,000,000 (US$650,000). 19–31 Pitt St. (near
Circular Quay). & 02/9251 4717.
Australian Opal Cutters Learn more about opals before you buy at this
shop. The staff here will give you lessons about opals to help you compare pieces.
Suite 10, Level 4, National Bldg., 250 Pitt St. & 02/9261 2442.
WINE
Australian Wine Centre This is one of the best places in the country to pick
up Australian wines by the bottle or the case. The shop stocks a wide range of
wines from all over Australia, including bottles from small boutique wineries
you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Individual tastings are possible at any time,
though there are formal tastings every Thursday and Friday from 4 to 6pm.
Wine is exported all over the world from here, so if you want to send home a
crate of your favorite, you can be assured it will arrive in one piece. The center
owns the wine bar and bistro next door, which is open Monday through Saturday
from 6am until 10pm. You can drink here without dining. 1 Alfred St., Shop 3
in Goldfields House, Circular Quay. & 02/9247 2755.