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

Sydney
by Marc Llewellyn
3
Sunny, sexy, and sophisticated, Sydney
(pop. 4.1 million) basks in its
worldwide recognition as the shining
star of the Southern Hemisphere. The
“emerald city” is one of the most attractive
on earth. Some people compare it
to San Francisco—it certainly has that
relaxed feel—but the gateway to Australia
is far from a clone of any American
city.
First, of course, there’s the Sydney
Opera House, one of the most recognized
buildings in the world. This
white-sailed construction on Sydney
Cove, designed by Danish architect
Jørn Utzon, is the pride of the city—
but there’s far, far more on offer.
For example, you can walk across
that other great icon, the Sydney Harbour
Bridge, on the pathway beside
the trains and traffic and catch the
CityRail train back into town. Those
with a daredevil spirit can join a
Bridge Climb tour across catwalks and
ladders to the top of the main arch for
360-degree views across the Opera
House and the ferries and boats below.
Sydney is one of the biggest cities in
the world—but fortunately most of the
interesting things are concentrated in a
relatively compact area around one of
the finest urban harbors in the world.
As it is, there’s so much to do in
Sydney that you could easily spend a
week here and still find yourself crashing
into bed at night exhausted by trying
to fit all the main attractions in.
Sydney’s greatest summer experience
is on the beaches—and with over
20 strung along the city’s oceanfront
and dozens more around the harbor,
you’ll be spoiled for choice. The most
famous of them all is Bondi, a strip of
golden sand legendary for its Speedoclad
lifesavers and surfboard riders.
From here a “must do” is the 3km (2-
mile) coastal path which leads off
across the cliff tops, via cozy Tamarama
Beach (dubbed “Glamourama”
for its chic sun worshippers), to glorious
Bronte Beach, where you can cool
down again in the crashing waves of
the Pacific.
Another beach favorite is Manly, a
30-minute ferry trip from Circular
Quay. Pick up some fish and chips and
head for the main beach, flanked by a
row of giant pines that chatter with
hundreds of colorful lorikeets at dusk.
The best time to return is in the
early evening, when the lights of the
skyscrapers around Circular Quay are
streaked like rainbows across the water
of the harbor, and the sails of the Opera
House and the girders of the Harbour
Bridge are lit up—it’s magical.
History is enshrined in its many
museums and art galleries, while modern
Sydney comes alive in the more
recent developments around Darling
Harbour and the restaurant and entertainment
area nearby at Cockle Bay
and Kings Wharf. At Darling Harbour
you’ll find the world-class Sydney
Aquarium. You can also start your
gourmet tour of Sydney’s “Modern
Australian” cooking style, which
encompasses the best of freshness with
spices from the Orient and flavors
from the Mediterranean.