Sight seeing in Sydney

Now regarded by many as the world’s best city destination and the perfect place for a holiday, Sydney offers varied attractions, so many that they can confuse people where to start. Unless you are staying here for months, you really can only pan your horizon at a number of places and activities. So where are the places and what are the activities that are worth visiting and attending in order to say at the end of your vacation that you really have been to Sydney?

Firstly, to maximize your outings in Sydney, consider catching the public transport as means to vastly navigate the place. Sydney’s trains and buses have proven their efficiency during the 27th Olympic games; they can carry people hassle free. The services are interconnected, designed to take people to the busy CBD, to the tranquil lakes of the Central Coast, to the spectacular valleys and mountain views of the Blue Mountains and to the rugged terrain of the South Coast. More importantly, to spare your wallet from astronomical city parking fees, catching the trains or the light rail systems is a wiser option.

Sydney is generally clean, toilets are everywhere, phone booths are plenty, and bank teller machines are abundant. Safety in public places is still considerably favorable as compared to New York or London. However, common cautionary procedures are still expected from everyone.

There’s always something for all ages in Sydney: baby seats are mostly available in restaurants and cafes and nursing mother’s room are available in most prominent shopping centers. The people are generally friendly and helpful. Thank goodness, Australia seems to only leave Hansonism in the regional areas.

Tipping is not expected in Sydney although your generosity is appreciated. Smoking is not allowed in all enclosed places: restaurants, cafes, shops and most train stations.

Take note of this: Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) and Wine Equalization Tax (WET). Tourists can be exempted from the goods tax in Australia. The criteria are: you have bought the goods 30 days prior to your departure; you are taking the goods with you out of Australia; and your total purchase amounts to $300.00 or more from a single shop’s tax invoice (receipt). You can claim your refund at the airport with the presentation of the goods, the tax invoice, your passport and your boarding pass. You may contact the Sydney Visitors and Information Center on 02 9255 1788 for more information.

From all the prominent places and activities you can see and do in Sydney, at least you should not the following:

The Opera House. These are a million ceramic tiles from Sweden arranged on the shells in a pattern that resembles the stitching on a sail. Construction began in 1959 up until 1973 and this is now one of the 20th century’s greatest buildings. It offers superb theatrical shows, performance memorabilia, courtyard stroll, and other souvenirs. Phone 9250 7250 for guided tours and related attractions.

The Harbour Bridge. The second largest arch bridge in the world now invites you to the climb of a lifetime by phoning 8274 7777. Otherwise, enjoy a leisurely walk from The Rocks to North Sydney. Whilst in North Sydney, don’t miss your chance to visit some of the remains of blessed Mary McKillop in North Sydney Catholic Church, just within walking distance from the foot of the bridge.

Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. You wouldn’t believe your eyes you are actually in the middle of the city yet these beautiful flowers and plants from within Australia and around the world grow in here like hidden treasures. Proceed up top to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and capture a superb view of the Opera House, the Bridge and the cityscape. Looking across the harbour are the affluent suburbs of Neutral Bay and Kirribili where the Prime Minister’s residence is situated.

The Opera House, the Bridge and the Royal Botanic Garden are all accessible from the Circular Quay train station. Walking is strongly recommended to savour every moment.

The Hyde Park. To get here, buy a train ticket to the city circle and get off at St. James. From an underground station, you will rise to a beautiful park lined with lush trees and gorgeous fountains. The Hyde Park Barracks Museum has the story of how Sydney convicts ate, slept and lived in the mid-1900’s, phone 9223 8922 for more information.

St. Mary’s Cathedral. Adjacent to Hyde Park is Australia’s biggest Catholic Church – St. Mary’s Cathedral. Don’t miss the wonderful façade of this 18th century church, just restored from its original appearance. Please remember that Australia pioneered the idea of female priests through its Anglican churches in the early eighties. And who can forget the first performance of legal euthanasia in the world by a Northern Territorian?

The Sydney Tower. The highest observatory deck in the Southern Hemisphere. Up there, you can dine in a revolving restaurant or join a tour by phoning 9231 1000.

The Queen Victoria Building. Located in the heart of the city, The Queen Victoria Building is one of the most popular buildings in Sydney. Originally erected in 1898, this elaborate Romanesque now houses famous shops of your favorite fashion and specialty products. This site is very accessible through its underground train station at Town Hall.

Darling Harbour. I should say you have not been to Sydney if you have not visited the excitements at Darling Harbor – the focal point of the city’s entertainment and leisure activities. The famous Sydney aquarium will surely settle your agitated little one as he or she comes in close contact with the sharks, sting rays, the penguins and exquisite tropical marine lives. There is the massive IMAX theatre, the amusing Sega world, Powerhouse Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Opal shop, the exuberant café’s or simply stroll at the beautiful harbour and watch the buskers. The Darling Harbour Visitors Centre can be reached on 9286 0111.

Paddy’s Market. Now you’re asking where you can find the enormous supply of cheap collectibles and specialty items. Sydney’s Paddy’s market is the world of amusingly cheap stuffs for your varied interests: Koala bears, Australian posters and paintings, decorative rugs, Australian leather goods, and others.

The Fish Market. This is the home of Australia’s largest seafood auction, the Sydney seafood school and Sydney’s top seafood retailers. It showcases Australia’s abundance of sea harvests: huge prawns, clean oysters, and fresh burramundis – Australia’s most favourite fish. The fish market is accessible by catching a tram from the central train station. For more information, call 9660 1611.

China Town. When you come back to the Central station, you should not miss Chinatown. Contrary to a town in China, it has a huge array of foods from other countries: Malaysian Laksa, Indonesian Nasi Goreng, Vietnamese beef noodles, the Chinese Yum Cha and Spanish chorizos.

Yum cha is the ultimate Chinese taste – missing it is the dummiest idea you will ever make. Recommended restaurants are: Silver Springs, the Golden Century and Kamfook restaurants. But generally, anywhere in Chinatown, you can have a sumptuous lunch from as low as five dollars in one of the food courts, to as high as $200.00 per cup of shark fin soup in a posh Chinese seafood place.

Australia’s Wonderland and Taroonga Zoo. These two famous Sydney parks are real treats to your kids. Sydney’s very own amusement park, Wonderland is only about 30 minutes drive from the city. Its excitement competes with that of Dreamworld at the Gold Coast. The number to call for more information is free call 1800 252 198.

Have your photos taken cuddling a koala, patting a kangaroo and amuse yourself with other animals. Taronga Zoo boasts the best zoo view in the world.

The Beaches. Only 25 minutes by bus from the CBD are Coogee Beach and Bondi Beach, the venue of the Beach Volleyball of the 27th Olympic Games. The beach has become one of Australia’s popular national symbols, typifying the ordinary down-under lifestyle. Along with Manly and Northern Beaches, Coogee and Bondi promise good waves for that surfing euphoria.

Fine Dining Places: Summit revolves to a 360 degrees panoramic view of the city, primarily seafood. Phone 9247 9777. Harbour at the Sydney Opera House, 9250 7191, Jojo’s Harbourside in Darling Harbour, 9281 3888, Lowenbrau at the Rocks, 9247 7785, Amar’s Indian Resturant, 9247 9930, Positano’s, 9264 3305. Café Pcifico, 9360 3811. And a lot more. The ones mentioned can be wickedly expensive but you’ll get for what you pay. Otherwise, you can shop around using your handy yellow pages for some other ones of your choice and budgets. Australian chefs have learned to use their country’s rich harvest of raw ingredients along with their multicultural experience in this part of the world.

Night Life. One of the flashiest spot you can visit at night is Oxford Street, the home of the Mardi Gras and fine restaurants. Newtown complements the other side of the sexual reference but it is also the home of fine popular multicultural restaurants.

Fill up your theatrical hunger by booking to memorable shows and performances at The Opera House, The Capitol Theatre, Theatre Royal, State Theatre and others. To book contact a popular ticket agency Ticketeck on 9266 4800.

Pubs and clubs are everywhere in Sydney with their own distinct presentations and identities. To simply join the merriment of the crowd with your glass of VB or Guinness beer is a nice experience. But to really taste traditional Australian food, if there is one, is to visit your suburban RSL club.

And thank goodness, Sydney sleeps. That’s what makes it different from New York, Tokyo, London and other cities that don’t stop 24 hours. Sydney is one of its kind, valuing activities and rest as essential parts of life.