Sydney:
accomodation • sightseeing • beaches/sport • to
the NSEW Sydney Population over 3,900,000
Sydney is the capital city of the State of New South Wales, the birthplace of the Nation of Australia, and the largest city in the country.
It is located on the south-east coast of
Australia, latitude 33' 53" south, longitude 151' 13" east, on the shores
of Sydney Harbour, arguably the most beautiful harbour in the world.
It is always busy with ferries, hydrofoils, charter cruisers and pleasure
craft. Circular Quay, between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House,
is the ferry terminal, known locally simply as 'The Quay'. The area
is always crowded with people arriving or departing on ferries, buskers
competing for space, and culture buffs strolling towards the Opera House.
Australia's oldest city, Sydney began as a penal settlement clustered around what is now Circular Quay. The present city sprawls about 55km east-west from the Pacific Coast to the Great Dividing Range, and roughly 70km north-south.
The distance along the actual coastline, allowing for all the bays, is 350km, and in fact there are so many bays and beaches that even Sydneysiders who have lived here all their lives don't know every one by name, and probably haven't visited more than half of them. The ocean beaches have beautiful white sand and rolling surf.
Life in this cosmopolitan city is geared to outdoor activities, taking advantage of the long hours of sunshine and the moderate climate.
Climate
Sydney has a temperate climate, and the average temperatures are: January max 26C - min 19C; July max 17C - min 8C.
The Seasons are:
Summer - December through February
Autumn - March through May
Winter - June through August
Spring - September through November.
The average annual rainfall is 1216mm, with the heaviest falls in the period from February to July. Sydney does not experience snow and only rarely sleet, and quite often the temperature on a winter's day is higher than that of London or San Francisco in the middle of their summers.
Lightweight clothing is necessary for the summer months, and medium to heavy for the winter months. A raincoat, or at least an umbrella, should be included in your suitcase whatever the season.
How to Get There By Air
Airlines in Australia
Sydney is the major gateway to Australia from overseas, and all overseas airlines servicing Australia fly into Kingsford-Smith International Airport.
Qantas, 13 13 13, is the major internal Australian airline, and there are a number of smaller ones servicing the country towns and some interstate destinations, such as Kendell Airlines and Hazelton, to name a few. Virgin Blue, 13 6789, are the latest carriers flying to major centres.
Airport Facilities
Kingsford-Smith is situated in the suburb of Mascot, 10km from the city centre. The Domestic Terminals are 3km to the east, and taxis and express buses connect them with the International Terminal. The large green and gold Airport Express bus runs every 10 minutes, 7 days a week and costs $3 adults, $1.50 children and $7 for families.
The Airport Express also operate services
between the Airport and City (route 300),
Kings Cross (route 350), and Darling Harbour & Glebe (route 352),
from all passenger terminals to Central Railway and return.
Bus Route 300 travels between the Airport and Circular Quay, stopping at specially-identified places along George Street, and in Eddy Avenue near Central Railway. Bus Route 350 travels between the Airport and Elizabeth Bay, passing through Kings Cross. Buses run every ten minutes to and from Central Railway Station and every twenty minutes to the city and Kings Cross. No reservations are needed. Services run every day between, 6am and 11pm, 9667 3221 or 9667 0663. Fares are $7 one way, $12 return, $4 for children under 12.
Other Sydney Buses routes that travel via the airport are Route 100 (Dee Why-Airport, every 30 minutes Mon-Fri), Route 305 (Railway Square-Airport, every 30 minutes Mon-Fri) and Route 400 (Bondi Junction-Airport-Burwood, every 20 minutes Mon-Fri, every 30 minutes Sat-Sun).
Major rental car companies have desks at the international and domestic terminals, but it is a good idea to book your car in advance - Hertz, 13 30 39; Avis, 13 6333; Budget, 13 27 27; Thrifty, 1300 367 227.
Taxis are readily available at the airport for transfer to the city, and the fare is at least $25.
CityRail established a link between Sydney Airport and Central Station. It provides an efficient alternative method of transportation to the city. The line comprises four stops, running northwards from the International terminal to the Domestic terminal, then to Mascot and Green Square before joining the City Circle. Travelling southwards it connects with Wolli Creek. A single ticket to Central costs $15 one-way from the domestic terminal and $20 from the international terminal. Trains operate at fifteen minute intervals between the four stations.
Sydney Airport has all the facilities expected of an international airport - money changing, information, hotel bookings, car hire, shops, cafes, bars, restrooms/showers.
International Airline Offices
Following is a selection of airline reservation and flight confirmation telephone numbers.
Qantas - 13 1313.
Ansett Airlines - 13 1300
Air New Zealand - 13 2476.
Canadian Airlines - 1300 655 767.
British Airways - 8904 8800.
Cathay Pacific - 13 1747.
Singapore Airlines - 13 1011.
United Airlines - 13 1777.
For further details of airline companies, refer to the Internet Information section at the back of the book.
By Bus
Following is a list of some of the bus companies that travel to/from Sydney and other cities and town in Australia. Many also offer day tours and package deals for touring the entire country.
Greyhound Pioneer - 13 2030 (see also Internet Information).
McCafferty's - 13 1499 (see also Internet Information).
AAT Kings - & 9666 3899.
Mylon Motorways - 6056 3100.
Interline - 9605 1811.
Firefly Express - 9211 1644.
Murrays - 13 22 59.
By Rail
The State Rail Authority's Countrylink branch, 13 22 32, has XPT services between Sydney and Brisbane, Melbourne and Murwillumbah. The XPTs are fast, smooth and comfortable with air-conditioning, aircraft style seats and big panoramic windows.
There are overnight and daylight interstate services from/to Melbourne, frequent services to Canberra, an overnight service from/to Brisbane, and a motorail service from/to Murwillumbah with bus connection to the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
A Countrylink East Coast Discovery Pass may be a viable option if you plan to make rail your primary means of transport on your east coast holiday. This ticket offers travel one-way with unlimited stop-overs in a six month period from: JBrisbane to Cairns ($160); Sydney to Brisbane/Gold Coast ($94); Sydney to Cairns ($248); Melbourne to Sydney ($94); Melbourne to Brisbane/Gold Coast ($176); Melbourne to Cairns ($330). Note that the above rates apply for travel in the opposite direction.
Other extended travel passes are available, and the website is www.countrylink.nsw.gov.au
By Road
From Melbourne, via the Hume Highway (867km), via the Princes Highway (1032km).
From Brisbane, via the Pacific Highway (975km), or via the New England and Cunningham Highways (1008km).
From Adelaide, via the Sturt Highway (1427km), or via the Princes Highway (1936km).
From Darwin, via Tennant Creek, Mount Isa, Toowoomba, then New England Highway (4262km).
From Perth, via Great Eastern Highway, Eyre Highway, Sturt Highway and Hume Highway (3128km).
Visitor Information
The Travellers Information Service at the Airport can make accommodation bookings, and also has a telephone information service that operates seven days a week between h8am and 6pm, 9669 5111.
First stop in Sydney for all visitors should be the Travel Centre of New South Wales, 11-31 York Street, 13 20 77. The office is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, and has numerous brochures, maps, etc, and a large and very helpful staff. Pick up copies of all the current city information guides and you will have plenty of reading material, and good tips on what to see and where to go.
The AMP Sydney Tower Visitors Information and Booking Service is located at the top of the tower, 9229 7430. It is open seven days 9.30am-9.30pm (Sat till 11.30pm), and is a minefield of information for those people brave enough to take the lift to the top.
The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau has an information kiosk in Martin Place that is open Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm, 9235 2424.
The Sydney Visitor Information Centre, 106 George Street, The Rocks, is open seven days, 9am-5pm, 9255 1788. The website is www.tourism.nsw.gov.au
Independent Traveller Information
The Youth Hostels Association Membership & Travel Centre is at 422 Kent Street, 9261 1111.
For information and travel advice, there is a Backpacker Travel Centre in Shop P33, Imperial Arcade, Pitt Street Mall, 9231 3699.
The website for the Youth Hostels Association Australia is www.yha.com.au and their email is yha @nswyha.com.au
Local Transport
Sydney has an efficient public transport system, with buses, ferries and trains covering the city and the suburban areas. For information on all public transport contact the Infoline, 131 500, J6am-10pm, 7 days.
Train
The railway network is the backbone of the Sydney transit system and is operated by State Rail. There are ten route systems, each with a different colour code, and all services travel on part of the City Circle underground system.
The main station is Central (Railway Square). All country trains begin their journey from here. All suburban trains pass through Central and Town Hall stations, and you can change at either to link up with the City Circle; to cross over the Harbour Bridge; or to board the train for Bondi Junction, which passes through Martin Place, Kings Cross and Edgecliff.
Central Station can be entered from Eddy Avenue, Elizabeth Street (best for suburban trains), or from the entrance road that runs off Pitt Street (best for country trains) to the left after crossing Hay Street if you are coming by car.
The stations in the City are:
Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James, Museum and Martin Place. These stations are all part of the underground network. The first five form the City Circle.
Wynyard Station has three entrances - one in George Street and two in York Street (one accessed from the transport interchange in Wynyard Park).
Town Hall Station has two entrances on each side of George Street.
St James Station has entrances in Elizabeth Street and Queens Square.
Museum Station has entrances on both sides of Liverpool Street and one in Elizabeth Street.
Martin Place Station is well sign-posted, as is Circular Quay Station.
Tickets are purchased from a sales window before commencement of a journey, or you can use one of the machines on the city stations.
Bus
Details of the routes and schedules of Sydney Buses can be found by calling the Public Transport Infoline on 13 1500 or visiting the web-site at www.sydneybuses.nsw. gov.au
Sydney Buses services radiate from the city, ferry wharves and railway stations, and connect the Sydney central business district with the suburbs.
Generally speaking, buses from the Eastern Suburbs terminate at either Central Railway or Circular Quay; those from the North-western and Western Suburbs terminate at York Street (near the Queen Victoria Building) or Circular Quay; and North Shore and Northern Suburbs bus routes end at Wynyard Park, near Wynyard Station, or outside the Queen Victoria Building.
Bus no. 888 runs between Wynyard Station, in George Street, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales in east Circular Quay every 10 minutes, Mon-Fri.
The Sydney Explorer Bus
The red Sydney Explorer bus is a great way to get around the city. It travels a 35km (21 miles) circuit to 22 different stops from 9am-5.25pm, beginning at Circular Quay, every day except Christmas Day. You can get on anywhere along the route where there is a distinctive Sydney Explorer bus stop sign. Passengers can get off at any stop, stay as long as they like, then pick up the next bus that arrives. The buses run every 20 minutes, and the fares are $30 adults, $15 children under 16, $75 families.
If you miss the last Explorer bus, don't worry because your ticket is good on any State Transit bus running along the Explorer route until midnight. The Explorer stops are:
1.Sydney Cove (Circular Quay)
2.Sydney Opera House
3.Royal Botanic Gardens/Museum of Sydney
4.State Library/The Mint
5.Mrs Macquarie's Chair
6.Art Gallery of NSW
7.Hard Rock Cafe
8.Kings Cross
9.Macleay Street
10.Elizabeth Bay House
11.Potts Point
12.Woolloomooloo Bay
13.Wynyard Station/Martin Place
14.Queen Victoria Building/Sydney Tower/Planet Hollywood
15.Australian Museum
16.Central Station
17.Chinatown/Powerhouse Museum
18.Darling Harbour/National Maritime Museum
19.The Chinese Gardens/Powerhouse Museum
20.Sydney Aquarium
21.Campbell's Cove/Dawes Point
22.The Rocks Visitors Centre
Tickets can be purchased when boarding the bus, or beforehand from the NSW Travel Centre, 11-31 York Street; Australian Pacific Tours, 102 George Street, City; CountryLink Rail Travel Centres; 11 York Street, City; or from a local travel agent.
Bondi & Bay Explorer
Blue and white buses clearly marked Bondi & Bay Explorer operate on a 35km circular route from the city centre through the eastern harbour and bay-side areas.
They run at 30 minute intervals from 9am-4pm every day, departing from Circular Quay. The fares are $30 adults, $15 children under 16, $75 families.
Bondi & Bay buses stop at the following destinations:
1.Circular Quay
2.Kings Cross
3.Top of the Cross
4.Rushcutters Bay
5.Double Bay
6.Rose Bay Ferry
7.Rose Bay Convent
8.Vaucluse Bay
9.Watsons Bay
10.The Gap Park
11.Bondi Beach
12.Bronte Beach
13.Coogee Beach
14.Royal Randwick Racecourse
15.SCG/Football Stadium/Paddington
16.Oxford Street
17.Hyde Park
18.Martin Place
If it suits your itinerary you can purchase twin tickets for both buses: $50 adults, $25 children, $125 families.
Olympic Explorer
This service departs from the Homebush Bay Visitors Centre between 9.20am and 5pm daily, at 10-15 minute intervals. This is the most efficient way to explore the sporting facilties, with ten stops along the route at which you can disembark, and join a later bus after viewing the attraction at your leisure. A ticket costs $10 for adults and $5 for children, but the higher cost will come from making your way out to the Olympic site to take the tour. If you are in the city, the best choice is to take the RiverCat from Circular Quay and purchase an Olympic RiverCat Ticket for $22 adults and $12 children - included in the price is access to the Olympic Explorer bus service.
Ferry
Providing undoubtedly the most scenic way to travel, Sydney's ferries and RiverCats ply the magnificent harbour.
Full information on routes and schedules can be obtained by phoning 131 500 or visiting the same site as for Sydney Buses (see above).
Ferry services operate daily, 6am-11pm, from Circular Quay up-harbour to Balmain, Long Nose Point, Hunters Hill and Greenwich.
Across-harbour ferries travel to Kirribilli, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Mosman and Taronga Zoo. Ferries and hydrofoils also service Manly.
The wharves at Circular Quay are well sign-posted to indicate which area they service, but on weekends there are changes, and it is best to check before putting your ticket into the automatic turnstiles. Tickets can be purchased from machines on each wharf, or from the kiosk underneath the Circular Quay Station. This kiosk also sells tickets to harbour cruises run by Sydney Ferries, which leave at 10am daily, 1pm Mon-Fri, Sat-Sun 1.30pm, and 8pm Mon-Sat; and river cruises which leave at 10am daily.
For information on times, connections and fares for all government and private bus, rail and ferry services in Sydney, contact the Infoline on 131 500 (daily 6am-10pm) - they can also advise on Sydney Discovery Tours tickets. Alternatively, visit the website listed above.
SydneyPass
If you are going to be in the city for at least a week, it will pay you to invest in a SydneyPass. It costs adults $90 for 3 days, $120 for 5 days and $140 for 7 days. The Pass gives you unlimited use of the Sydney Explorer Bus, Manly ferries, harbour cruises run by Urban Transit, and all jetcat, ferry and bus services. These passes are available from the Travel Centre of NSW and State Transit ticket offices displaying the SydneyPass sign.
The Monorail
The monorail system runs anticlockwise and has seven stations - Harbourside (Darling Harbour), Convention Centre, Haymarket, Garden Plaza, World Square (Liverpool Street), Galeries Victoria (Pitt Street, near Park Street) and City Centre (Pitt Street, near Market Street).
It is the best way to get from the city centre to Darling Harbour, and if you are travelling to the city by car you can park in Pyrmont behind the Darling Harbour complex and take the monorail into the city.
The fare for the monorail is $3.50 for everybody 6 and over, whether you are going one stop or the complete circuit. You are not permitted to stay aboard for more than one circuit.
An unlimited travel Supervoucher Day Pass can be obtained if you plan to use the monorail several times to make your way around the city (it also contains discount coupons for nearby attractions). The ticket costs $8 per person (there is no adult/child distinction) and is valid until closing on the same day. The alternative is the Supervoucher Family Pass, which costs $24 for 2 adults and 2 children (or 1 adult and 3 children).
The monorail runs 7am-10pm Mon-Thu, Fri-Sat 7am-midnight and 8am-10pm on Sundays, 9552 2288 for further details. There is a website at www. metromonorail.com.au
Sydney Light Rail
This tram service begins at Central Station and takes you through Haymarket to Darling Harbour, up to Pyrmont, Star City, Fish Market, Wentworth Park, Glebe, Jubilee Park, Rozelle Bay and finally Lilyfield. It runs 24 hours a day and generally at 10 minute intervals. There are two zones for fares - Zone 1 (Central to Darling Harbour) and Zone 2 (Darling Harbour to Lilyfield). Fares per person are from $2.50 to $4.80. Children are half fare. A ticket for unlimited weekly trips costs $19 per person. This form of transport may prove useful as a quick and relatively cheap alternative for sightseeing. For further information, 9660 5288 or visit the web page at www.metro lightrail.com.au
Taxi
Sydney is well served by taxis, and charges are set by the Department of Motor Transport. The main cab companies are:
Taxis Combined Services, 8332 8888;
RSL Cabs, 13 22 11;
Legion Cabs, 13 14 51;
ABC Taxis, 13 25 22;
Specially outfitted cabs for people in wheelchairs are available, and must be booked in advance.
Taxis may be hailed in the street, hired at a taxi rank, or arranged over the phone for a pick-up, though there will be an extra fee. This service has vastly improved in recent years.
Taxi ranks in the city include Central Station, Circular Quay, Park Street opposite the Town Hall, and outside all the major hotels.
If you hire a taxi in the city to take you over the bridge, $3 will be added to the bill even though there is no toll for travel south to north. This extra fee is added because the taxi driver has to pay the toll to travel over the bridge when returning to the city, and may not get a fare going back that way. Be aware of this for other destinations whose routes involve toll roads.
If you are travelling to the airport from the northern side of the Harbour Bridge, it is safest to predict a $7 surcharge on your fare to cover all tolls and rates.
Water Taxi
Several companies operate on the harbour, including Taxis Afloat, 9955 3222; Quay Water Taxis, 9922 4252; and Water Taxis, 9755 4660. They will take you from one landing point to any other landing point on the harbour, and also offer scenic cruises.
Car
Renting a car is relatively cheap if you are travelling in a group, but driving in the city is not really recommended. The one-way streets take a bit of getting used to, and parking is a problem. Street parking is extremely hard to find, and the parking station fees add considerably to the cost of your day out. However, for travelling in the suburbs and outlying areas, a car is definitely the way to go.
Here are a few names of rental companies and their reservation phone numbers:
Avis, 13 63 33;
Budget, 13 27 27;
Hertz, 13 30 39;
Thrifty, 1300 367 227.
International and overseas drivers licences that are in English are accepted, and a deposit, or credit card details, are required before pick-up. Other car rental companies are found in the A-K Yellow Pages Telephone Directory.
The National Roads & Motorists Authority (NRMA) has reciprocal arrangements with overseas and interstate automobile associations. The head office is located at 151 Clarence Street, Sydney. The phone number for enquiries is 13 2132, and for road service, 13 1111.
Sydney Road Tolls
Both the Harbour Bridge (Bradfield Highway) and the Harbour Tunnel have a toll fee of $3 for southbound cars. It should be mentioned that the Tunnel is not an alternative to the Bridge. It is for traffic heading for the airport and the eastern suburbs, and the Bridge is for traffic to the city and the Western Distributor.
The recently completed Eastern Distributor has cut travel time from the city to the airport dramatically, and for most tourists the $3.50 toll (northbound) is worth paying to get to the hotel for a warm shower sooner.
If you are travelling out into the suburbs, the Motorways are the M4, (through mid-western Sydney out to Penrith) which costs $2.20 both ways, and the M2 (to the Hills area in north mid-western Sydney) which will cost you $3.30 east to west and $1.70 from Seven Hills to Pennant Hills or $3.30 from Seven Hills right through to Lane Cove.
Eating Out
Sydney has a plethora of restaurants offering every type of cuisine imaginable. The harbour foreshores are liberally sprinkled with eating establishments, for there are not too many experiences that surpass, or for that matter match, a leisurely brunch on a sunny weekend with the harbour and all its craft as a backdrop.
Unfortunately, though, you often have to pay top prices for this indulgence. With so much competition, you would expect that prices would have to be kept to a minimum, but there are apparently enough people to ensure that each restaurant is well-patronised, and indeed bookings are essential when a water view is offered.
Restaurants are classified as Licensed or BYO.
Licensed means that the establishment has a licence to sell alcohol. BYO means 'bring your own' wine, etc, because the restaurant does not have a liquor licence.
Some restaurants, although licensed, allow patrons to supply their own wine (not beer or spirits), which is usually less expensive than paying the mark-up on the wines that the restaurant is legally allowed to add. In this case a corkage fee may be added, which will be per bottle or per person, but the end result is usually still less expensive. Alcohol can be purchased from the bottle department of a hotel, or from one of the many bottle shops that abound in every suburb. It is reasonable to say that the price of a bottle of wine in one of these shops would be less than half the price of the same wine in a restaurant.
Following is a list of recommended restaurants, rated:
Expensive (main course $23+),
Moderate (main course $15-$23)
Budget (main course under $15).
Not included here are the restaurants in the 5-star hotels, as everyone knows that they exist and are much the same the world over with regard to menus and prices.
Credit card abbreviations are:
Amex = American Express; BC = Bankcard; DC = Diners Club; MC = MasterCard; V = Visa.
One of Sydney's best, and most expensive, restaurants is Forty One, Level 41 Chifley Tower, Chifley Square, 9221 2500. The view is magnificent, and complements rather than dominates the food. The cuisine is Modern Australian, and the presentation is first class. It is hopen for lunch Mon-Fri and for dinner Mon-Sat 6-10.30pm.
Running a close second, though some might say that it is a dead heat, is The Rockpool, 107 George Street, The Rocks, 9252 1888. The cuisine here is also Modern Australian, the presentation is excellent, and the prices are commensurate. Open for lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Both the above are licensed and accept all credit cards.
At the other end of the scale is a Sydney landmark that has been around a very long time: Harry's Cafe de Wheels, Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo, 9357 3074. It is not a restaurant, not even a cafe, just a roadside stall - but everyone knows Harry's. Their delicious real Aussie meat pies, peas and more, are handed to you on a paper serviette. Eating a pie in this fashion requires complex synchronisation of hand and mouth - an ability with which most Sydneysiders are already born, or one they develop with rapid evolution at weekend football matches. So, when in Rome...
The City and The Rocks
Bilson's, Upper Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West, 9251 5600. Licensed, good harbour views, French/Australian cuisine, expensive, open Sun-Fri noon-3pm and nightly 7pm-10pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Doyle's at The Quay, Lower Level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West, 9252 3400. Licensed, good harbour views, outside tables, seafood, expensive, hopen Mon-Sun 11.30am-2.45pm and Mon-Sat 5.30pm-9.30pm, Sun 5.30-9pm, BC, DC, MC, V.
Bennelong, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, 9250 7548. Licensed, good harbour views, Modern Australian cuisine, expensive, hopen Mon-Sat dinner from 5.30pm-11.30pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Rossini Rosticceria, Shop W5, Circular Quay, 9247 8026. Licensed, good views, outside tables, Italian, cafeteria style, budget, hopen daily 7pm-10.30am, 11am-4pm, 5-10.30pm, no credit cards accepted.
MCA Fish Cafe, Museum of Contemporary Art, Quayside, Circular Quay, 9241 4253. Licensed, good harbour views, outdoor tables, seafood, moderate, hopen Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm, Amex, BC, MC, V.
Imperial Peking Harbourside, 15 Circular Quay West, The Rocks, 9247 7073. Licensed, good views, outdoor tables, Chinese cuisine, moderate, hopen daily noon-3pm, Sun-Thurs 6pm-11pm and Fri-Sat 6pm-midnight, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Sailors Thai, 106 George Street, The Rocks, 9251 2466. Licensed, Thai cuisine, budget, hopen daily noon-2pm and 6pm-10am, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
The Summit, Level 47, Australia Square, 264 George Street, City, 9247 9777. Licensed, revolving restaurant, incredible views of the city its and outreaches, Modern Australian cuisine, expensive, hopen daily 6pm-10pm and Sun-Fri noon-3pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Casa Asturiana, 77 Liverpool Street, City, 9264 1010. Licensed, Mediterranean cuisine, budget, hopen daily from 6pm and Tue-Fri noon-3pm, Amex, DC, MC, V.
Paragon Cafe, 1st Floor, Paragon Hotel, Circular Quay, 9241 3888. Licensed, Modern cuisine, moderate, hopen Mon-Fri noon-3pm and Mon-Sat 6.30pm-10pm, Amex, BC, MC, V.
Merrony's, 2 Albert Street, Circular Quay, 9247 9323. Licensed, Australian/French, moderate, hopen Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm, Mon-Sat 5.45pm-11pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Caminetto, 13-17 Playfair Street, The Rocks, 9247 5787. Licensed, Italian cuisine, moderate, hopen Fri-Sat 10am- midnight and Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Phillip's Foote, 101 George Street, The Rocks, 9241 1485. Licensed (it is actually a pub), cook-your-own steaks, good salad bar, outdoor tables, budget, hopen daily for lunch and dinner, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Restaurant CBD, CBD Hotel, 75 York Street (cnr King Street), 9299 8911. Licensed, British/Modern Australian, moderate, hopen for lunch and dinner Mon-Fri, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
EJ's, 143 Macquarie Street, City (lower ground floor), 9247 8588. Licensed, cuisine includes a bit of everything from everywhere, moderate, hopen for lunch only Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Capitan Torres, 73 Liverpool Street, City, 9264 5574. Licensed, Spanish fare, moderate, hopen daily noon-3pm and 6pm-11pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Botanic Gardens Restaurant, follow the signs once you are in the Gardens, 9241 2419. Licensed, good views, casual dining, outdoor tables, moderate, hopen daily noon-2.15pm, Amex, BC, MC, V.
Dendy Bar & Bistro, 19 Martin Place, 9221 1243. Licensed, extensive menu, budget, hopen daily 11am-midnight, Amex, BC, MC, V.
Zolie's Restaurant, 5 York Street, City, 9299 3276. European cuisine, moderate, hopen Mon-Fri noon-3pm and nightly 6pm-10pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Restaurant Suntory, 529 Kent Street, City, 9267 2900. Licensed, traditional Japanese cuisine, expensive, open Mon-Fri noon-2pm, Mon-Sat 6.30pm-10pm and Sun 6pm-9pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Papillon, 71 York Street, City, 9262 2624. Licensed, French cuisine, expensive, hopen Mon-Fri noon-3pm and Tues-Fri 6pm-9pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Don Quixote, 1 Albion Place, City, 9264 5903. Licensed, Spanish cuisine, expensive, hopen Mon-Fri noon-3pm and Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Kamogawa, Corn Exchange Building, cnr Sussex & Market Streets, City, 9299 5533. Licensed, Japanese with teppan bar, traditional rooms and conventional dining area, moderate to expensive depending on locale, open daily 6.30pm-10am, 6pm-10pm and Mon-Sat noon-3pm, karaoke bar Mon-Fri 8.30pm-1am, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Amar's, 44 Bridge Street, City, 9247 9930. Licensed, Indian cuisine, moderate, open Mon-Fri noon- 2.30pm and 5.30-10.30pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Chinatown (Haymarket)
Golden Harbour, 31 Dixon Street, 9212 5987. Licensed & BYO (corkage fee per bottle), Cantonese, budget, open Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, 5.30pm-11pm and Sat-Sun 9am-4.30pm, 5.30pm-1am, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
House of Guang Zhou, 76 Ultimo Road, 9281 2205. Licensed, Chinese, budget, hopen Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm, Sat-Sun noon-3pm and daily 5.30pm-2am, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Golden Century Seafood Restaurant, 393-399 Sussex Street, Haymarket, 9212 3901. Licensed, popular venue, fresh seafood with Asian influence, expensive, open daily noon-4am, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Marigold, Levels 4 & 5, 683-689 George Street, 9281 3388. Licensed & BYO (corkage fee per person), Cantonese, moderate, hopen daily 10am-3pm and 5.30pm-midnight, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Malaya, 761 George Street, 9211 0946. Licensed, Malaysian cuisine, budget, open daily noon-3pm, Mon-Sat 5-10pm and Sun 5-9pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
East Sydney
Beppi's, cnr Yurong & Stanley Streets, 9360 4558. Licensed, Italian cuisine, expensive, open Mon-Fri noon-3pm and Mon-Sat 6pm-11.30pm, Amex, BC, DC, MC, V.
Yutaka, 234 Crown Street, 9361 4804. Licensed & BYO (corkage fee per person), Japanese cuisine, moderate, open Mon-Fri noon-2.15pm, Mon-Sat 6-10.45pm and Sun 6-10pm, Amex, BC. MC, V.
Tre Scalini, 174 Liverpool Street, 9331 4358. Licensed, Italian cuisine, expensive, open Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm and Mon-Sat 6-10.30pm, Amex, BC, MC, V.
Ristorante Mario, 38 Yurong Street, 9331 4945. Licensed, Italian cuisine, expensive, open Mon-Fri noon-3pm and Mon-Sat 6.30-11pm, BC, MC, V.
No Name, 2 Chapel Street, Darlinghurst, 9130 4898. BYO, Italian pasta and minestrone, budget, open for lunch and dinner, no credit cards accepted. There are a few No Name restaurants around Sydney, but this is the original and most people think it is still the best.
Cruising Restaurants
Captain Cook Cruises, 9206 1111, have lunch and dinner options.
The Luncheon Cruise departs Circular Quay at 12.30pm, lasts one and a half hours and includes a Buffet Luncheon featuring Sydney rock oysters, Tasmanian trout, rare roast beef, ham, chicken, fresh salads, fruit platters and Australian cheeses - $49 adult, $29 child.
The Sunset Dinner Cruise leaves from Wharf 6 Circular Quay at 5.15pm daily. The cruise offers a 2 course a la carte menu & wine or local beer. The cost is $69 adult, $55 children. Reservations essential.
The John Cadman Dinner cruises every night of the year and departs Wharf 6 Circular Quay at 7.30pm. The a la carte menu is prepared by international chefs, and there is a selection of Australian and imported wines. Cost of the dinner cruise is $97 adults, $55 children, and reservations are essential, 9206 6666.
Captain Cook Cruises also offer Coffee and Explorer Cruises.
Sail Venture Cruises have luncheon and dinner cruises on their Big Cats, with changing menus. The luncheon cruise departs Darling Harbour Aquarium Wharf at 12.15pm (returning at 2.25pm) and Campbells Cove, Circular Quay, at 12.35pm (returning at 2.05pm) - $55 adult, $28 child.
The dinner cruise departs Darling Harbour at 7pm (returning at 10.10pm) and Campbells Cove at 7.30pm (returning at 9.45pm) - $105 adult, $55 children.
For reservations and enquiries, 9262 3595.
Matilda Cruises serve lunch on their two-hour harbour cruises, which leave Darling Harbour Aquarium Wharf at 11.30am and 1.30pm, Campbells Cove Circular Quay at 11.45am and 1.45pm, and Taronga Zoo at 12.45pm and 2.45pm. The cruises cost $56 adult, $28 children, and an Aussie BBQ lunch cooked on board. Reservations are necessary, 9264 7377.
Bounty Cruises have lunch and dinner cruises aboard the tall ship Bounty, and they always guarantee that part of the cruise will be under sail. The cruises leave from Campbells Cove Wharf, where you can also inspect the Bounty, which is a replica of the one that Captain Bligh sailed on and was built for the movie Mutiny on The Bounty. The lunch cruise departs every day at 12.30pm, and costs $65 on weekdays and $95 on weekends. The dinner cruise begins at 7pm and costs $99 for adults. Both cruises offer buffet-style meals. For reservations, 9247 1789.
Don't think for one moment that the above lists all the restaurants in Sydney. It is little more than the tip of the iceberg. Often you will find restaurants that we have not listed in the same street as the ones included above. Our list gives you somewhere to start and an idea of what is on offer.
On weekends, it is a wise idea to phone ahead and book a table.
In case you are wondering about the availability of a Big Mac, be reassured that there are 14 McDonald's in the city. Pizza Hut has two city branches; and KFC has one in the city and one at Darling Harbour.
Entertainment
As mentioned in the Introduction chapter, the Friday edition of The Sydney Morning Herald has 'Metro', and the Thursday edition of the Daily Telegraph has '7 Days' which list what's on at all of Sydney's night spots.
It would be lengthy and boring to list all the venues in the city and suburbs, so we took a survey amongst a group of Sydney ragers and the following are their favourites.
Night Clubs City
Harbourside Brasserie, Pier One, Millers Point, 9252 3000. It has two cocktail bars and commands sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.
Paragon Hotel, 1 Macquarie Place, 9241 3522. Open hMon-Thu 9.30am-1am, Fri-Sat, 9.30-5am, Sun 12pm-10pm.
Orient Hotel, cnr Argyle & George Streets, 9251 1255. Open h7 days 10am-3am (live bands every night of the week). Nightclub and live bands set out over three floors. Plenty of space. Tourist spot, very popular.
Retro Bar, 20 Sussex Street, City, 9212 4868. Open hThursday to Saturday 6pm-5am. Popular for those who wish to re-live the eighties, or are still there.
Riche, Hilton International Hotel, 259 Pitt Street, 9266 0610. Open hWed 9pm-2am, Fri-Sat 9pm-2am.
Bar Luna, Jackson's on George, 176 George Street, 9247 9334. Open hTues-Sun, afternoon or evening until early the following morning (restaurant service ceases 9.30pm). Very popular. The beer flows freely here.
Riva, Sheraton On The Park, 130 Castlereagh Street, City, 9286 6666. Open h10pm to late Wednesday to Saturday. Excellent atmosphere for middle-aged crowds.
Darling Harbour/Pyrmont
The Cave, Star City, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, 9566 4755. Open h9.00pm to late (24 hour licence) 7 days a week. If you're tired of losing money in the Casino nearby, this is a good place to go to forget about it - provided you can still afford the cover charge.
Kings Cross
Round Midnight, 2 Roslyn Street, 9356 4045. Open Tue-Thu and Sun 8am-3pm, Fri-Sat 8am-5pm. Popular venue.
Sugareef, 20 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross, 9368 0763. Open 9pm to 6am every day. Popular and often crowded.
Darlinghurst
Kinselas, 383 Bourke Street, Darling-hurst, 9331 3100. Open h24 hours, 7 days. This building was once Kinsela's Funeral Parlour. You can find better.
The Cauldron, 207 Darlinghurst Road, 9331 1523. Open hTues-Sat 10am-3am. Very popular venue with the smart, well-dressed crowd, bookings advised.
North Shore
Greenwood Hotel, 36 Blue Street, North Sydney, 9964 9477. Open Monday to Saturday 11am to late. A very good club/bar with a nice atmosphere.
Metropole Hotel, 287-305 Military Road, Cremorne, 9909 8888. Open 10pm until 5am(ish) Friday/Saturday only. Very upmarket and popular.
Paddington
Fringe Bar, 106 Oxford Street, Paddington, 9360 3554. Open 11.30am to midnight Monday to Thursday, 11.30am to 3am Friday to Saturday.
Bars & Bistros City
Bridie O'Reilly's, corner Kent and Erskine Streets, 9279 3133. Open h11am-midnight (Mon-Thurs), 11am-2am (Fri-Sat), 11am-10pm (Sun). Bistro. Light entertainment includes Irish bands.
Bridie O'Reilly's, cnr George and Hay Streets, 9212 2111. Open h11am-midnight (Mon-Thurs), 11am-2am (Fri-Sat), 11am-10pm (Sun). Bistro. Light entertainment includes Irish bands.
Horizons Bar, ANA Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, 9250 6000. Open hMon-Thu noon-1am, Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-midnight. Light lunch noon-2pm.
Lucy's Tavern, 54 Castlereagh Street, 9221 3908. Open hMon-Thurs 10.30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-5am.
Marble Bar, Sydney Hilton Hotel, Pitt Street, 9266 2000. Open hMon-Fri noon-11pm, Sat 3pm-2am. The Marble Bar was part of the Adams Hotel, dating from 1893, which was built by George Adams, founder of Tatts Lotto. When the Hotel was being refurbished by the new owners, the Italian Renaissance Marble Bar was dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt on the completion of the Hotel that stands today. Dressy and posh venue.
Customs House, Sydney Renaissance Hotel, 31 Alfred Street, 9247 2285. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm (closed weekends). Lunch is served from noon-2pm, there is no dinner service. The bar is at the rear of the hotel and opens onto Macquarie Place Park where, in summer, a crowd of business movers and shakers spend their evenings. In operation since 1846, it has been said that should a bomb explode in this bar on any Friday evening, the Australian Stock Exchange would not open come Monday morning, not to mention the banking, legal and accounting professions.
Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, 2 Bourke Street, 9357 1177. Open Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 11pm-9pm, bistro lunch and dinner 12pm-9pm. The Woolloo-mooloo is a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon in summer. The patrons spill onto the pavement outside whilst the band is playing.
Darling Harbour
Craig Brewery Bar & Grill, Festival Market Place, Darling Harbour, 9281 3926. Open hMon-Wed 10am-noon, Thurs-Sat 10am-3am. Dinner - cook your own steaks on the barbecue.
Pumphouse Restaurant & Bar, 17 Little Pier Street, Darling Harbour, 8217 4100. Open hMon-Fri 11am-late, dinner till 9pm, nightclub and live bands. The pumphouse is known for the fabulous boutique beers available on tap.
East of the city
• Kings Cross
Bourbon & Beefsteak, 24 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, 9358 1144. Open h24 hours, 7 days a week, dinner 7.30-10.30pm The Bourbon and Beefsteak is an institution. Nearly every Sydneysider has visited the Bourbon at least once.
• Darlinghurst
Burdekin Hotel, 2 Oxford Street, 9331 3066. Open h11am-2pm, lunch & dinner 7.30-10.30pm.
• Paddington
London Tavern & Restaurant, 85 Underwood Street, 9331 6192 (restaurant), 9331 3200. Open hMon-Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11:15pm. Pool Tables and card machines available.
Pubs City
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, 19 Kent Street, 9251 4044. Open 7 days 11am-11pm. The Lord Nelson claims to be the oldest continually licensed hotel, and the only pub brewery in Sydney brewing natural ales.
Mercantile Hotel, 25 George Street, The Rocks, 9247 3570. Open Mon-Thurs 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1am. The Mercantile is frequented by Irish travellers and is known as the Irish Pub. It has an Irish flavour and St Patrick's Day, March 17 is a big day for the Mercantile. They even serve green beer!
The Hero of Waterloo Hotel, 81 Lower Fort Street, 9252 4553. Open Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm. Bistro lunches and dinners available seven days. A museum downstairs shows a tunnel which runs down to the harbour. This pub is the oldest continuously trading pub in Sydney. Built in 1843.
Jazz Venues
The Basement, 29 Reiby Place, City, 9251 2797. Open hopen nightly for dinner, Mon-Fri for lunch. Features modern local and international artists and serves contemporary Australian food. Excellent music and food. Guaranteed to have a good time. For jazz lovers.
Soup Plus, 383 George Street, City, 9299 7728. Open hMon-Thu noon-midnight, Jazz 7:30-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-1am; Jazz 8pm-12.30am.
Strawberry Hills Hotel, 453 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, 9698 2997. Open hMon-Thurs 11am-midnight. Fri-Sat 11am-12.30am. Sun noon-10.30pm.
The Classics
The Sydney Opera House is the venue in Sydney for opera, ballet, and performances by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
The newly refurbished Sydney Town Hall is also the scene of musical evenings. The 'Metro' has the information on programs, locations and times.
Theatres
Sydney has a vibrant theatre scene, and the local talent compares favourably with the rest of the world.
The large theatres have cocktail bars for pre-show or intermission drinks, and most of them have banned smoking in these areas, as well as in the auditoriums themselves. Some theatres have restaurants attached, where service is geared to getting patrons into the theatre on time.
Then there are the small theatre groups, and local dramatic and musical societies, whose performances are quite professional and you may see a star in the making. For example, NIDA, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (where Mel Gibson learnt his craft) presents plays at The Parade Theatre at 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington, 9697 7613, opposite the main entrance to the University of New South Wales. Prices vary according to the production but range from $17 to $20, not much more than you pay to see Mel in a movie.
Half-tix
Speaking of prices, Sydney has a Half-tix booth in Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street, at the base of the IBM building, and it sells tickets to major venues at half price on the day of the performance.
It is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-3pm Saturday. The phone number for selections and reservations is 9286 3310 and for the head office, 9966 1723. All major credit cards are accepted. They have a website at www.halftix.com.au
Major Theatres
The Sydney Opera House has two theatres - the Drama Theatre, which seats 544, and the Playhouse, which seats 398. The Box Office is open Mon-Sat 9am-8.30pm, and charge telephone bookings may be made, 9250 7777. There are several eateries at the Opera House itself, or you can choose from those in the area of Circular Quay.
Her Majesty's Theatre, 107 Quay Street, 9212 3411, is close to Central Railway Station and within walking distance of the restaurants of Chinatown.
Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket, 9320 5000 for recorded show information, or 9266 4800 for bookings. The theatre is in Haymarket, near Chinatown.
The Theatre Royal, MLC Centre, King Street, 9231 6111, is in the heart of the city.
The Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Milsons Point, 9224 8444, is situated in the Lower North Shore and has its own restaurant.
The Wharf Theatre, Pier 4, Hickson Road, Millers Point (The Rocks), 9250 1700, also has a restaurant, 9250 1761.
Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, 9699 3444, doesn't have a restaurant, but does have a licensed bar offering light snacks before and after the show.
Seymour Theatre Centre, cnr Cleveland Street & City Road, Chippendale, 9531 7940, has three theatres - the York, Everest and Downstairs, and a very good restaurant, 9692 4138. There is also a coffee and snack bar in the upstairs foyer.
The Footbridge Theatre, Sydney University, Parramatta Road, Glebe, 9692 9955 or 9266 4800 (bookings), is actually in the grounds of Sydney University. It doesn't have a restaurant of its own, but there are plenty in nearby Glebe.
Small Theatres
Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross, 9361 3817.
Bay Street Theatre, 75 Bay Street, Glebe, 9692 0977.
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown, 9519 3403.
Pilgrim Theatre, 262 Pitt Street, City, 9261 8981.
Enmore Theatre, 116 Enmore Road, Enmore, 9550 3666.
These small theatres may not have a current presentation when you are in town, and others not mentioned here may have something that you would be interested in seeing. Check 'Metro' for details. More live cinemas are found in the suburbs.
Rock Concerts
The main venue for these is the Sydney Entertainment Centre, near Chinatown, 1900 957 333 for recorded information or 9320 4200 for enquiries.
If the person or group is a big star, eg Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Elton John, Madonna or U2, the promoters may opt to stage the concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground, even during the cricket season. The Sydney Entertainment Centre is also used for ice shows, tennis tournaments, boxing matches, etc. An increasingly popular venue for concerts and other large entertainment events is Olympic park in Homebush. These venues are now used for a variety of events, from big sporting matches, to the annual Royal Easter Show.
Cinemas
The main cinema area in the city is in George Street, between Park and Liverpool Streets.
Here you will find:
Village Cinema City, 545 George Street, 9264 6701; Hoyts Centre, 505 George Street, 9273 7431; and Greater Union, 525 George Street, 9267 8666.
There are also many cinemas in the large suburban shopping areas.
An independent cinema in the city is Dendy, 19 Martin Place, 9233 8558 and 261 King Street Newtown, 9550 5699.
As a general rule, Tuesday is half-price night at all cinemas, although some offer discounts on other nights.
Gambling Venues
Star City Casino, 80 Pyrmont Street, Ultimo, 9777 9000, is close to Darling Harbour, and can be reached by ferry and bus. There are the usual assortment of blackjack tables, roulette tables, and so on, and hundreds of poker machines where people queue up to lose their money 24 hours a day.
The complex contains a 352-room 5-star hotel, the Lyric Theatre seating 2000, a cabaret room seating 900, 14 restaurants, 12 bars, designer-name retail outlets, conference facilities, and 139 serviced apartments in the adjoining tower. It has its fair share of critics.
There are plenty of other places to go if you feel like a flutter. Firstly there are the Clubs - Leagues Clubs, RSL (Returned Servicemen's League) Clubs, Bowling Clubs, Worker's Clubs, Golf Clubs - which all have poker machines (that seem to offer better odds than those at the Casino), and most have keno.
Of course, it is not compulsory to play the pokies, and in fact, a lot of people don't - they go to the club to get a reasonably priced meal, and enjoy whatever entertainment is on offer. This varies from imported acts to cabaret shows with local talent, to movies, to chook raffles (yes, you do actually win a chook, or rather, a dead chicken).
Every suburb has one or more clubs, but if you are a first-time visitor to Sydney, I suggest that you stick to the suburban League Clubs. They are bigger, brighter, busier, and you can experience a good cross-section of Sydney life. Clubs are listed in the Yellow Pages Telephone Directory under Clubs - Social and General.
Although the clubs are there primarily for the use of members, visitors are always made welcome, as long as they are suitably dressed - no thongs, a collar with a shirt, and in the evening, long pants are preferred. Those dress rules are of course for men. Women must be 'decently' attired. Remember to sign the visitor's book in the foyer.
The clubs also have TAB facilities and SKY Channel television. This means that you can study the form guide in the comfort of a well-appointed club with a cold glass of whatever you fancy, place bets on your favourite horses, watch the race live, then collect your winnings (or tear up your ticket). Perhaps it should be mentioned that SKY Channel is only available to TAB agencies and licensed premises.
If you are not into the club scene you can, of course, place your bets at the local TAB agency, and they are in every suburb, but there is no atmosphere.
Alternatively you can venture outdoors and actually watch the horses, or dogs, go round at the track. Sydney's racetracks are very attractive, with good parking facilities, lots of grassed areas, plenty of bars, take-away food outlets, and restaurants, and the choice of investing your money on the Tote, or with a bookmaker. Children are welcome, and on a beautiful Sydney day it can be a great family day out.
The Horse-racing venues are:
Randwick Racecourse, Alison Road, Randwick, 9663 8400.
Canterbury Racecourse, King Street, Canterbury, 9930 4000.
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Grand Avenue (off James Ruse Drive), Rosehill, 9930 4070.
Warwick Farm Racecourse, Hume Highway, Warwick Farm, 9602 6199.
Races are held every Saturday and Wednesday at one of the above courses.
The first race is usually around 12.30, but during January and February the first race starts around 2.30pm. These are called Twilight Meetings, as the last race is around 6.30pm. The daily newspapers have details of race times, starters and jockeys, comprehensive form guides, TAB numbers and post positions.
Harness-racing venues are:
Harold Park Paceway, Ross Street, Glebe, 9660 3688. Meetings are held on Tuesday and Friday nights, and first race is 7pm.
Bankstown City Paceway, 178 Eldridge Road, Bankstown, 9708 4111. Meetings are held on Monday nights, and first race is 7pm.
Fairfield Paceway, Fairfield Showground, 9604 4559.
Meetings are not held on a regular basis, so either phone the club or look in the newspapers for forthcoming races.
Greyhound racing is held at Wentworth Park, Wentworth Park Road, Glebe, 9660 6232. Meetings are held every Monday and Saturday nights and the first race is 7.30pm.
Shopping The City
Sydney has a large shopping area in the city, stretching from Park Street in the south to Hunter Street, with shops along George, Pitt, Castlereagh and Elizabeth Streets, which run south-north, and Market, King and Hunter Streets, which run roughly east-west. The section of Pitt Street between Market and King Streets is a pedestrian mall, with many arcades connecting it to both Castlereagh and George Streets. The closest railway stations to the shopping areas are Town Hall, Wynyard, St James and Martin Place.
If on the day you have set aside to shop, the heavens open and the rain pours down, remember it is possible to walk from Town Hall Station to the MLC Centre in Martin Place without venturing out of doors. It is rather a convoluted route, but there are signs pointing you in the right direction. Basically, from the station take the arcade under the Queen Victoria Building to Grace Bros, then from the first floor of Grace Bros take the overpass to Centrepoint, then travel across the Imperial Arcade, Glasshouse and Skygarden shopping centres to the King Street overpass, and, voila, you are in the MLC Centre. Of course, if the weather is warm and sunny, forget this option and stroll through the Mall.
Shops are normally open Mon-Wed 9am-5.30pm, Thurs 9am-9pm, Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Some open earlier and close later, particularly on Sunday, and many suburban supermarkets are open until late at night six days a week, and until around 6pm on Sunday. The shops in the tourist areas are open every day, usually with extended hours.
Souvenirs
If you are only interested in buying souvenirs, such as cuddly koalas and kangaroos, T-shirts, etc, it is probably best to head for the tourist areas, such as The Rocks, Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.
Other 'typically Sydney' souvenirs are found in the range of goods at the Done Art & Design Shops at The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Queen Victoria Building and the departure level of the International Airport. Ken Done is a local artist who produces very colourful works of art featuring the harbour, the bridge, the opera house, koalas, kangaroos, etc. These paintings are reproduced on material and his wife, Judy, designs a spectacular range of sportswear, swimwear, homewares, bags, stationery - in fact, just about everything you can think of can be found in their shops.
Buying Opals
If you have your heart set on some opal jewellery, you should grab your passport and airline ticket and head for a duty free store, or a jewellery shop that has a 'Tax Free for Overseas Visitors' sign in the window. In the case of opals, which are mined in Australia and set in jewellery locally, there is no duty, therefore in both establishments you would avoid the 10% GST.
Australia produces more than 90% of the world's opals, and the three main areas where they are found are Lightning Ridge in NSW which produces the Black Opal; Quilpie, where the Queensland Boulder Opal originates; and Coober Pedy in South Australia, which has the White or Milk Opal.
When buying opals there are a few important terms you should know:
Solid Opal - this is the most valuable, and is good for investment purposes. The more colourful and complete, the greater its value.
Doublet - this is comprised of slices of opal glued together, and is of medium value. It has no investment value.
Triplet - slices of opal covered with quartz, perspex or glass. This is the least expensive with no investment value.
If your pocket can't stretch as far as a solid opal, but you still would like a piece of opal jewellery, remember that anything that is glued can come unstuck, and that condensation can form under perspex or glass. The less expensive types of opal are not suitable for rings, unless you are going to remember to take them off every time you wash your hands.
Department Stores David Jones
David Jones has two stores in the city - one bounded by Elizabeth, Market and Castlereagh Streets, the other diagonally opposite on the corner of Market and Castlereagh Streets. The Elizabeth Street store is devoted mainly to ladies' wear, except for the Lower Ground Floor (haberdashery, books, records, CDs, pharmacy, confectionery, wool, fabrics and restaurant); the 5th Floor (toys, children's wear and sporting goods) and the 6th Floor (man-chester).
The Market Street store is known as the men's store, but it also has the Food Hall on the lower ground floor, and stocks travel goods, and small and large electrical appliances and furniture. Both stores have the same phone number: 9266 5544.
David Jones was considered to be one of the most beautiful stores in the world, and was designed by the same person who later designed the refurbishment of Harrods in London, and there are similarities.
David Jones stores are open Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (Thurs to 9pm), Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 11am-5pm, and all major credit cards are accepted.
Grace Bros
Situated on the corner of George and Market Streets, Grace Bros is more of a family store and sells literally everything under one roof. It has seven floors of shopping and is open Mon-Wed 9.30am-6pm, Thurs 9am-9pm, Fri 9.30am-6.00pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm, 9238 9111.
Argyle Stores
Sydney's newest department store is situated in The Rocks. For more information see The Rocks section in the City Sights chapter.
City Shopping Centres
Town Hall Arcade
Situated underground in the Town Hall Station, there are two arcades of specialty shops. The shorter of the two from the station leads to Bathurst Street, near Kent Street, and the other continues under the Queen Victoria Building to Grace Bros.
The Queen Victoria Building
The QVB was built in 1898 in the Byzantine style, and originally housed the city markets. Bounded by George, Market, York and Druitt Streets, its prosperity was short-lived, and it fell into disrepair. At one stage it was used as part offices and part Municipal Library, and the partitions that succeeded in making the building into a rabbit warren were actually nailed onto the beautiful tiled floors. Both the inside and outside of the building were decidedly tacky, and in 1959 there was much debate about demolishing the entire structure and building another shrine to modern architecture. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and the wreckers were not allowed to move in, but it was not until 1982 that a 99-year lease was granted and over $75 million invested to restore the building to its original state.
It is a magnificent building, and Pierre Cardin, on a visit to Sydney, christened it 'the most beautiful shopping centre in the world'. But, it is not only a shopping centre, there are a lot of things to see, all with a royal theme, in keeping with the name of the building. It even has replicas of the Crown Jewels on the top level.
The Royal Automata Clock 'performs' on the hour between 9am and 9pm daily, and you need to get there early to see the moving Royal Pageant. (It is a good idea to keep a firm grip on your handbag and wallet while waiting in this crowd.)
The QVB is open seven days a week. Apart from the range of boutiques and specialty shops, there are several restaurants and cafes, both in the QVB and in the underground walkway to Grace Bros. These exclusive retail outlets are housed in a setting lavish enough to match the prices of their merchandise. However, stunning architecture, the imitation Crown Jewels, and various other monuments and displays ensure that a browse through the QVB does not have to involve shopping to be enjoyed.
Centrepoint
Known as 'the heart of the city', Centrepoint is located on Pitt Street Mall, beneath Sydney Tower, and connects Grace Bros with David Jones. It has over 170 shops on four levels, including hairdressers, beauticians, leather shops, jewellery and accessory outlets, boutiques, and several coffee shops and takeaways. The lifts for Sydney Tower are found on the elegant Gallery Level of Centrepoint.
The lower ground floor is the Centrepoint Tavern, a good spot for a quick lunch, or a happy-hour drink.
Centrepoint is open daily, but not all the shops are open outside normal shopping hours.
Imperial Arcade
The Imperial runs between the Pitt Street Mall and Castlereagh Street, and has 114 specialty shops on 3 levels. It is also connected to Centrepoint.
Glasshouse on The Mall
Located in the middle of the Pitt Street Mall, the Glasshouse has three floors of shopping, with the usual collection of boutiques.
Skygarden
A very up-market shopping experience, Skygarden has three levels of prestigious shops under a huge crystal dome. The mosaic entrance arch is made of thousands of Venetian glass tiles, and depicts the day and night theme of the complex. The top dining level is nothing to write home about.
Strand Arcade
The Strand opened in 1892 and is an olde worlde walk-through with mosaic tiled floor and Victorian architecture. It connects Pitt Street Mall with George Street and is hopen Mon-Wed and Fri 9am-5.30pm, Thu 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-4pm and Sun 11am-4pm.
Mid City Centre
This centre connects Pitt Street Mall and George Street, and is between the Strand Arcade and Grace Bros, with an entrance from Grace Bros. It has four levels of shopping with over 40 fashion boutiques, more than 50 specialty shops, and first class restaurants and coffee shops.
MLC Centre
The MLC Centre has entrances from Martin Place, Castlereagh Street and King Street, and has fashion boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, and the Theatre Royal. The outdoor cafes overlooking Martin Place are popular lunchtime places.
Royal Arcade
Located under the Sydney Hilton Hotel, the Royal Arcade is between Market and Park Streets, and connects Pitt and George Streets. It has a range of rather expensive shops, typical of those found in hotel arcades.
Piccadilly Arcade
The Piccadilly is near the Pitt Street Cinema Centre, and connects Pitt and Castlereagh Streets. It also has overhead walkway connections to the Sydney Hilton and Sheraton on the Park Hotels. This is another rather upmarket shopping experience. At the other end of the shopping district, near Wynyard Station, there are a few more places waiting to be discovered.
Wynyard Arcade
Fairly recently renovated, this arcade is situated inside the station and has specialty shops of its own as well as access to Westpac Plaza and the Hunter Connection.
Chifley Plaza
Situated on Hunter, Elizabeth and Phillip Streets, Chifley Square is home to, among other not-so-well-known names, the local branch of Tiffany's.
If after visiting all of the above you are still in a shopping mood, return to the city centre and hop on the monorail for Darling Harbour.
Harbourside, Darling Harbour
After undergoing an extensive renovation upgrade, the Harbourside Festival Marketplace has a new look for its 200 shops from boutiques to souvenirs, sportswear to art, and restaurants, cafes and bars. It is a bazaar for overseas visitors rather than for Sydneysiders, and the refit was no doubt pitched at attracting the Olympic crowds.
Markets
The Rocks Market
Every Saturday and Sunday, at the end of George Street in The Rocks, a sail-like canopy transforms the area into a Portobello Road. It is not an exceptionally large market, but it has many interesting articles for sale, and the Victorian terraces, pubs and old warehouses that surround it contribute to a holiday atmosphere year round. Nearby there are plenty of cafes, outdoor food stalls and restaurants.
Paddy's Markets
There are two locations:
The original Paddy's is in Haymarket, on the corner of Hay & Thomas Streets, near Chinatown. It is open Fri-Sun 9am-4pm.
The other is on Parramatta Road, Flemington, and it is open Fri 10am-4.30pm and Sun 9am-4.30pm.
There are over 1000 stalls in each location selling fashion garments, footwear, jewellery, household and electrical goods, takeaway foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, poultry, seafood, and heaps and heaps of souvenirs. Paddy's is the biggest market in Australia, and for further information, phone the Hotline - 1300 361 589.
Paddington Bazaar
Located at the corner of Oxford and Newcombe Streets, Paddington, in the grounds of the Uniting Church, this bazaar is held on Saturdays 10am-4pm, 9331 2646. There are over 250 stalls offering all types of clothing, crafts, jewellery and food.
While you are in Paddington you could visit Coo-ee Aboriginal Art, 98 Oxford Street, 9332 1544. They have a large display of Aboriginal Art, and are agents for Tiwi Design fabrics.
Balmain Saturday Market
Held in the grounds of St Andrew's Congregational Church, corner Darling Street and Curtis Road, Balmain, every Saturday 8.30am-4pm, &0418 765 736 (mobile).
Glebe Markets
These are held in Glebe Public School, cnr Glebe Point Road & Derby Place, on Saturday 9.30am-4.30pm. Many people think this Market has a lot of atmosphere.
Parking
It is not really recommended that you take your car to the city if you intend to visit several places. Wherever you find a place to park, you will be walking quite a distance away from it, then have to retrace your steps to retrieve it. There is very limited long term street parking, and although there are parking stations in The Rocks area (behind the Regent Hotel), it could end up costing you more for the car than for your day out.
Another alternative is the council-run Domain Parking Station, which is entered from Sir John Young Crescent, east of St Mary's Cathedral. If a car is a necessity, 9232 6165 for current opening times and daily charges and flat rates. Take note of the closing time because a fee exceeding $50 will be levied against you if you are forced to call the emergency number on the ticket and call someone out to open the station for you to retreive the car.
There is a moving underground footway from the parking station to the intersection of St Mary's Road, Prince Albert Road and College Street, in the front of the Cathedral. Privately-owned parking stations in other parts of the city are more expensive than the Domain.
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is Sydney's newest area, and is nearly half the size of the Sydney Business District at 54ha (133 acres). It was originally a shipping and storage area for the Port of Sydney, but the advent of container ships sounded its death knoll and it became nothing more than an eyesore. After years of planning, wrangling amongst civic authorities, and the investment of millions of dollars, Darling Harbour is rapidly becoming the entertainment hub of Sydney. The Conference Centre, Exhibition Centre, Maritime Museum, Aquarium, IMAX Theatre, Chinese Gardens and Sega World can all be found here. A short distance away is the Entertainment Centre, the penultimate venue for concerts. In recent years, the Harbourside Festival Marketplace upgrade and construction of Cockle Bay Wharf has raised the profile of the location further.
On weekends families can be seen strolling along the walkways, picnicing on the grass and having a pleasant time. There is always something on at Darling Harbour. Every weekend there is a program of entertainment, and almost every yearly festival or show has changed its venue to this central area - the Home Show, the Boat Show, Navy Week, Music Festivals, Book Fairs, Antique Fairs, and the list goes on.
For information on special events when you are in town, phone the Darling Harbour Infoline on, 1902 260 568. Alternatively, you can visit the Darling Harbour Information Centre, situated between the IMAX Theatre and Sega World, or phone them directly on, 9286 0111. Their web site is at www. darlingharbour.com.au
How to Get There
By Monorail, the closest station to the Pitt Street Mall is near the corner of Pitt and Market Streets. There is a stop on both sides of Darling Harbour: Darling Park Station on the city side and Harbourside Station on the other. The monorail operates 7am-10pm Mon-Thu, Fri-Sat 7am-midnight and 8am-10pm on Sundays (see also under Local Transport).
By Light Rail, which runs from Central Station to Darling Harbour, in the middle of the circuit.
By Bus no 456 from Circular Quay via Town Hall to Darling Harbour, Mon-Fri 10am-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-5pm, every 30 minutes.
By Sydney Ferries from Wharf 5 at Circular Quay to the Aquarium via Pyrmont Bay (Casino and Maritime Museum).
By Sydney Explorer Bus, which stops at Harbourside and the Chinese Gardens.
By Train, the nearest stations are Town Hall, from where you can walk down Market or Bathurst Streets then across Pyrmont Bridge; and Central Station, from where you can catch Bus 469, or take any bus travelling north along George Street and alight at Chinatown.
Parking
Although several thousand car parking spaces are available on the western side of Darling Harbour - off Quay Street, adjacent to the Sydney Entertainment Centre; off Murray Street behind Harbourside; off Darling Drive under the Sydney Exhibition Centre; and off Sussex Street underneath Darling Park through to Cockle Bay Wharf - it is an expensive operation to park your car for a whole day, so the best advice is to leave the car at home, or at a railway station on the outskirts of the city.
Getting around Darling Harbour
Of course, you can walk from attraction to attraction, but if you have small children, or elderly people with you, there is the The People Mover train, a 20-minute ride operating between 10am and 5pm daily, which stops at all the major attractions in Darling Harbour. It costs adults $3.50 and children $2.50.
Taxis
If you have overstayed your visit and missed all the public transport available, there is always the option of grabbing a cab. Taxi Ranks are located at the Convention Centre entrance (rear of Harbourside off Darling Drive), in front of Sydney Entertainment Centre, and at all the hotels.
Darling Harbour Super Ticket
Several of the attractions at Darling Harbour have banded together to offer reductions in the form of the Darling Harbour Super Ticket, which can be purchased at any of the information booths at Darling Harbour, the Sydney Aquarium, the Monorail, the Chinese Garden, or at Matilda Cruises. The cost is $45 adults, $30 children under 12, which may sound a bit expensive, but this is what you receive:
A two hour Matilda Harbour Cruise.
Entry to Sydney Aquarium.
Discount entry to IMAX theatre.
Discount entry to the Powerhouse Museum.
A ride on the Monorail.
A visit to the Chinese Gardens.
Lunch at the Shark Bite Restaurant at the Aquarium.
When you add all that, the ticket is definitely worth considering. Also, all sections of the ticket can be used on the one day, or you can use some sections on that day, and the rest are good for one month from the date of issue. The ticket also has a few optional extras, such as discount on the People Mover and on the bus fare to Homebush Bay. Now that you know how to get there, how to get around, how to leave, and all about the Super Ticket, let's see what there is to see and do.
Cockle Bay WharfC4
Located on the city side of Darling Harbour, this is the area's latest development. Modern, innovative and precise architecture is a feature of the construction, complemented by the space-age IMAX Theatre hovering at its southern end. Cockle Bay is worth visiting for its photogenic appeal alone, but there is much more.
During the lunch hour and in the evening, corporate types stream from their multi-windowed offices in Sussex Street, behind the wharf, to patronise the many cafes, bars and restaurants found along this trendy strip. At night, an influx of people eager to participate in the atmosphere ensures the area bustles with life. Both a nightclub and a pub can also be found along the promenade, and the restaurants are outstanding. It is definitely a recommended place to dine, and two excellent choices are Coast, 9267 6700, and Nick's, 9264 1212, if you don't mind lightening your wallet.
Sydney AquariumC5
The Aquarium is located near the city end of Pyrmont Bridge, and is one of the largest and most spectacular in the world. The numerous tanks and tunnels allow the visitor to experience life on the ocean floor, surrounded by hundreds of different species of marine life. There are also displays of river systems, crocodiles, rocky shores, and the Great Barrier Reef. A touch pool allows you to get your hands onto some rough and spiky creatures.
The Aquarium is open daily 9.30am-9pm, and admission is $22 adult, $10 child, $48 family (2 adults and up to 3 chil-dren), 9262 2300. The Shark Bite Restaurant has plenty to tempt your taste buds while you are here.
Australian National Maritime MuseumB5
The museum, at the western end of Pyrmont Bridge, is dedicated to helping people understand and enjoy Australia's ongoing involvement with the sea. Among the craft moored at the museum are yachts, warships, tugboats, and a refugee boat.
Free guided tours of the Museum building are available at regular intervals throughout the day, and a booking must be made at the Information Counter on arrival. Audio tours are also available from the Information Counter - $3 adults, $5 for 2 adults sharing, $2 children.
The museum has a program of changing exhibitions, and information can be obtained by phoning the recorded information line on, 1900 962 002, or for general information, 9298 3777. There is also a library, a kiosk on the waterfront, and a shop with a wide range of nautical gifts. The museum is hopen daily 9am-5pm (closes at 6pm in January), and minimum general admission is $10 adult, $6 child, $25 family. There are extra charges for special exhibitions.
HarboursideB4
Harbourside Darling Harbour is a shopping centre with 200 shops that include 54 waterfront restaurants and food places. There are no department stores, and many of the shops sell for the tourist trade although there are branches of fashion outlets that seem to find their way into every shopping centre in Sydney. Harbourside shops have hlonger trading hours than in any other complex in the city - Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm - the restaurants, of course, stay open even longer.
Harris Street Motor Museum A3
The building next to Harbourside is the Convention Centre, and for people that are interested in cars, motoring and associated memorabilia, their next stop should be the Motor World Museum Gallery, Level 1, 320 Harris Street, a short walk from the Convention Centre Monorail Station, 9552 3375. Here you will find a spectacular array of classic machines from the earliest to the latest, with lots of hands-on exhibits, in an historic old Woolstore building. The museum and carpark cover almost 4ha on two levels. It even has a place where you can 'park' the kids for a while under supervision. The Cadillac Cafe is available for roadside snacks, and the bookshop stocks everything ever written about cars, and some out-of-the-ordinary souvenirs. The museum is open Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, and admission is $11 adults, $6 children, family $22, 9552 3375.
The Powerhouse MuseumB2
While you are in Harris Street, you continue in the direction away from the water until you arrive at Australia's largest museum, The Powerhouse Museum, on your left. Created from the shell of an old Sydney power station, the museum is alive with dynamic exhibitions, hands-on fun and special performances. There is so much to see that some people spend the whole day wandering through this incredible exhibition. Tours, talks, films, performances, demonstrations and workshops are continually in progress, and there is the Ken Done Restaurant (painted by, guess who?) and a kiosk when you need sustenance. As always, there is a souvenir/book shop, but this one offers some unusual merchandise. The Powerhouse Museum is hopen daily 10am-5pm. Admission is $8 adults, $2 children, under 5 free, $18 family, and the first Saturday of every month is free, 9217 0100.
Back at Darling Harbour proper, the Exhibition Centre is the next group of buildings, and information on current shows is available from the Infoline. In front of the centre is Tumbalong Park, and from there it is a short walk to the next attraction.
The Chinese GardenC2
The Garden was specially designed by landscape architects from Guangdong Province, and is the largest and most elaborate outside China. It covers a full hectare, and has a two-storey pavilion above a system of lakes and waterfalls. It is a serene retreat from the mayhem of the waterfront.
The Garden is open daily 9.30am-5pm and admission is $4.50 adults, $2 children.
Across Pier Street from the Chinese Garden is the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Chinatown is opposite the main entrance to the Centre, in Harbour Street. From the Chinese Garden walk back towards the waterfront, and you will come to Darling Walk, opened in 1997. It covers 20,000 square metres of mainly restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.
Panasonic IMAX TheatreC3
There is no way you could miss this building - it is the strangely-shaped monolith painted with yellow and black squares. The theatre has a 900m2 movie screen, the largest size in the world, and seating for over 500 people. Programs have varied from documentaries on Antarctica and the Ocean to concerts, virtual roller-coaster rides and 3-dimensional cartoon features. Current showings are advertised in the daily newspapers on the same pages as the more conservative cinemas, or you can contact IMAX on 9281 3300. Admission is $17.50 adults, $12.50 children, and $50 for a family pass.
The complex also contains the Wockpool Noodle Bar, 9211 9888.
Star City CasinoA5
An $867 million testament to the Aussie love affair with luck and misfortune, Star City coaxes punters inside with its glittering neon lights and extravagant surrounds. The exterior looks as if it has been airlifted to the site directly from Vegas; you will either be disgusted by its tackiness or impressed with its dazzling lavishness. A mecca for the nocturnal, this enormous complex sprawls over almost three-and-a-half hectares and consists of a five star hotel, an apartment complex, a huge gaming room, the Lyric Theatre, the Showroom, 20 bars and restaurants, shops and a nightclub. If you are going to lose your money, you might find some comfort in doing it here in style - and knowing you are not alone.
The casino is at 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, a short stroll from Darling Harbour, and its doors are open 24 hours, & 9777 9000.
Sydney Jewish Museum
Over in Darlinghurst to the east, the Sydney Jewish Museum is worth the trip across town. It is the corner of Darlinghurst Road and Burton Street, south of Kings Cross Station, and is open Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-2pm, Sun 11am-5pm (closed Saturday and Jewish Holidays). Admission is $7 adult, $5 child, $16 family, 9360 7999.
The exhibits are spread over three floors with six mezzanine levels. The ground floor has a re-creation of George Street in the 1840s, showing the homes and businesses of some of the Jewish settlers. There are also displays of elements of contemporary Jewish rituals, with guides available to answer any questions, and information on some famous Jewish Australians. The mezzanines contain the permanent exhibition of The Holocaust, and survivor volunteers are present on each level to offer a rare insight into the displays. However, Catholics argue that the role of the Vatican during World War II is inaccurately recounted by the Museum, and that the aid which Pius XII gave to thousands of Jews at the time unfortunately goes unacknowledged.
The museum has a shop with a wide range of souvenirs, and on the lower ground floor the excellent Cafe Macc offers traditional European and Israeli cuisine at reasonable prices.
