Sydney, New South Wales — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Sydney
Sydney is one of the world's top vacation destinations offering a variety of attractions for all ages. Families can explore the sights at Darling Harbour, including one of the biggest and most impressive aquariums in the world; observe some fascinating Australian fauna and flora at Wildlife World; and watch a film on the huge screen at the Imax theater.
Those interested in history will want to explore the cobbled streets of The Rocks, a restored 19th-century village that was the site of Australia's first European settlement in 1788. The Rocks also gives access to the Pylon Lookout on the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge for an amazing view of the harbor, Sydney Opera House and beyond. Adventurers will definitely want to experience the iconic bridge from a more thrilling perspective though, and can take part in an organized climb to the top of Harbour Bridge for breathtaking views and a sense of bold achievement. For even greater heights, visitors can test their mettle by experiencing the view from the open air, glass-floored viewing platform at the top of the 853ft (260m) Sydney Tower.
When it comes to something more relaxing, Sydney boasts a large array of golden beaches for sun-lovers to take their pick from, from the more famous Bondi Beach lined with surf shops and designer cafes, to one of the many smaller beaches around Sydney Harbour.
Shopping in Sydney
Shopaholics will not be disappointed with Sydney, a cosmopolitan city that offers international as well as local name brands, world class shopping centers, streets that reveal a host of fascinating specialty shops, and discounted market stalls that offer anything from clothes to arts and crafts and edibles.
Most of the large department stores are within the city center and within a few blocks of each other. For exclusive shopping, the QVB, or Queen Victoria Building, is an architectural masterpiece housing a large variety of designer label and specialty shops, while in similar vein the nearby Strand Arcade houses some of Australia's top designer labels, as well as boutiques, jewelry and beauty salons. Downtown Duty Free in the basement is a great place to pick up some bargains. Other centers include the magnificent Grace Bros' with eight levels boasting vast quantities of goods, Sydney's oldest department store David Jones, the Harbourside development at Darling Harbour, MLC Center, Picadilly and Centerpoint. Explore the streets of The Rocks, which hide a myriad of specialty shops, while Skygarden center is home to the biggest bookstore in town, Borders, which also stocks a wide selection of magazines, CDs and DVDs.
Sydney's biggest market is Paddy's, open from Thursday to Sunday, which offers discounted mainstream items, while the Glebe (Saturday) and Bondi (Sunday) markets are traditional alternative markets with a good selection of clothing, arts and crafts, and second-hand goods. The Rocks has weekend stalls trading mainly in good quality crafts, collectibles, and art. For something totally different the daily Sydney Fish Market is a fishy spectacle as well as a great place to feast on fresh seafood. A wider variety of food can be bought at Coles or Woolworths supermarkets.
Sydney Nightlife
Sydney's nightlife is all go, with everything from pubs and jazz bars to rock venues and nightclubs. The best party areas include Darling Harbour, Oxford Street and The Rocks. For listings and free weekly entertainment guides, Drum Media and 3D World are available at bookshops and record stores.
Number One Wine Bar at Circular Quay is quite popular, as are the Lord Nelson, the Australian and the Mercantile pubs of The Rocks. Coogee Bay Hotel has a great beer garden and the Opera bar is a good waterside venue. The best nightclub is Home, housed in a space-age building in Darling Harbour and nearby, the Cargo lounge bar has trendy house music. Tank and Cave also come highly recommended. Sydney's famed drag shows can be seen at the Imperial Hotel or The Midnight Shift.
Artists, musicians and designers frequent the subterranean Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst, and there are jazz and soul performances at the Supper Club in Taylor Square. The Hopetoun Hotel and the Annandale Hotel are good venues for new bands, while the Sydney Entertainment Center hosts more acclaimed artists. The Basement also features live jazz, world music and international acts.
Attractions for Kids
Boasting a plethora of outdoor activities and world-class attractions, Sydney is a fantastic place for children on vacation and parents will have a hard time choosing one from the huge list of activities and sights that are geared towards children.
Home to some of the world's most exotic animals, it's no wonder there are endless animal viewing opportunities. But for something a little different, head to Bicentennial Park for a barbeque or simply a picnic while the children enjoy the playgrounds and cycle paths. Take a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens or for some of the finest beaches in the world, the renowned Bronte, Nielsen Park and Shelley Beaches are all child-friendly. Pack the beach bats, bucket and spade and sunblock and head out for a day in the sun, sand and surf.
For cooler days when outdoor activities for kids are not an option, why not visit some of the fantastic zoos or museums Sydney has to offer, head to an indoor playground, or catch a movie on the big screen at IMAX theater. Children on vacation in Sydney will be beside themselves with the choices of activities on offer, and endless hours of fun and life-long memories are guaranteed when visiting Sydney with the kids.
