Looking for something to do in Sydney? Well here is a list from the Australian Tourism Department of the most popular sites
and things to do in Sydney...
Sydney Opera House
Few architectural feats match that of the Sydney Opera
House. The roofs are the remaining legacy of Danish architect J�rn Utzon, who left the project halfway through its 14-year genesis, leaving subsequent architects to design the complex of auditoria, theatres, restaurants and bars, which finally opened in 1973. Utzon has never seen the completed building but has been working on designs for a A$70 million interior refurbishment that will bring the building closer to his original vision. The four main auditoria � the Concert Hall, the Playhouse, the Opera Theatre and the Drama Theatre � stage a total of 3000 performances per year.
Bennelong Point
Tel: (02) 9250 7111. Fax: (02) 9251 3843.
E-mail: infodesk@sydneyoperahouse.com
Website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Transport: CityRail, ferry or bus to Circular Quay; bus 438 to Opera House steps.
Opening hours: Daily 0830�1700 (tours); Mon�Sat 0900�2030 (box office), plus two hours before Sun show.
Admission: Free; A$17 (front-of-house tour); A$28 (backstage tour).
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Not to be outdone by the imposing grandeur of the Opera
House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is, in its own right, a feat of engineering genius. Affectionately known as �the Coathanger�, it took 1400 workers � 16 of whom were killed in the process � eight years to complete the bridge, which opened in 1932. If the views from the Pylon Lookout across Sydney Harbour and over the Opera House are not spectacular enough, the Bridge Climb gives thrill-seekers the chance to walk to the top of the 50-storey-high bridge � over the cars and trains rumbling across the deck below � and down the other side. Paul �Crocodile Dundee� Hogan, a bridge-painter in a former lifetime, was one of the first to climb the bridge.
Pylon Museum and Lookout
Access from stairs via Cumberland Street
Tel: (02) 8274 7777. Fax: (02) 9241 2151.
Website: www.pylonlookout.com.au
Transport: CityRail or ferry to Circular Quay.
Opening hours: Daily 1000�1700.
Admission: A$5 (concessions available).
Bridge Climb
5 Cumberland Street
Tel: (02) 8274 7777. Fax: (02) 9240 1122.
Website: www.bridgeclimb.com
Transport: CityRail or ferry to Circular Quay.
Opening hours: Daily 0700�2000.
Admission: A$145�175 (concessions available).
The Rocks
Nestled at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks � Sydney�s historical birthplace � is a neighbourhood of winding streets, sandstone cottages and some of Sydney�s oldest pubs. The site of the first landing from Plymouth in England, in 1788, the area is now a busy tourist enclave, with caf�s, restaurants, galleries, museums and countless souvenir shops. Among the district�s historic buildings are the Hero of Waterloo inn (built over a tunnel that was originally used for smuggling), the Sydney Observatory (on the site of the colony�s first windmill), Cadman�s Cottage (Sydney�s oldest building, built in 1816 and Susannah Place (a museum of working-class life). Other attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art and The Rocks Toy Museum.
Sydney Observatory
Watson Road, Observatory Hill
Tel: (02) 9217 0485. Fax: (02) 9217 0489.
Website: www.phm.gov.au/observe
Opening hours: Daily 1000�1700.
Admission: Free; A$12 (night tour).
Cadman�s Cottage
110 George Street
Tel: (02) 9247 8861.
Opening hours: Mon�Fri 0930�1630; Sat and Sun 1000�1630.
Admission: Free.
Museum of Contemporary Art
140 George Street
Tel: (02) 9252 4033.
Website: www.mca.com.au
Opening hours: Daily 1000�1700.
Admission: Free.
The Rocks Toy Museum
2�6 Kendall Lane
Tel: (02) 9251 9793.
Opening hours: Daily 1000�1730.
Admission: Free.
Susannah Place
58�64 Gloucester Street
Tel: (02) 9241 1893.
Opening hours: Sat and Sun 1000�1700.
Admission: A$7 (concessions available).
Darling Harbour
A former dockside area, this small harbour has been transformed into a major tourist site, appealing predominantly to children. The vast, paved and landscaped recreation ground is packed with restaurants and shops, as well as a number of tourist attractions. These include the Powerhouse Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, LG IMAX Theatre and the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift to
Sydney from its sister city of Guangdong.
Darling Harbour
Website: www.darlingharbour.com
Transport: CityRail Town Hall; monorail Darling Park or Harbourside; ferry Darling Harbour.
Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris Street
Tel: (02) 9217 0111.
Website: www.phm.gov.au
Opening hours: Daily 1000�1700.
Admission: A$10; concessions available; some special exhibitions charge an extra entrance fee.
Australian National Maritime Museum
2 Murray Street
Tel: (02) 9298 3777.
Website: www.anmm.gov.au
Opening hours: Daily 0930�1700.
Admission: A$10 (concessions available).
Sydney Aquarium
Aquarium Pier
Tel: (02) 9262 2300.
Opening hours: Daily 0900�2200.
Admission: A$23 (includes return ferry journey to Circular Quay).
LG IMAX Theatre
Tel: (02) 9281 3300.
Website: www.imax.com.au
Opening hours: Daily 1000�2200.
Admission: A$15 (concessions available).
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Tel: (02) 9281 6863.
Opening hours: Daily 0930�1700.
Admission: A$4.50.
Bondi Beach
Bondi is one of the world�s most perfect beaches, a white crescent of sand strung between two rocky headlands, situated just 15 minutes from the city centre. The waterfront scene, with its street musicians, surf shops and bars is ideal for a summer evening�s prowl or a lazy saunter past Campbell Parade�s restaurants, caf�s and Sunday markets. Topless sunbathing is tolerated and swimmers should stick to the patrolled areas of North Bondi or Bondi Baths, on the southern rocks. The coastal walk takes in the whole gamut of beach cultures, from the wild surf and gleaming bodies at Tamarama to the palm-fringed views of Bronte and the soothing sea pools at Coogee.
Campbell Parade, off Bondi Road
Website: www.voyeurmagic.com.au
Transport: Bus 380, 382 or L82; CityRail Bondi Junction and then bus 380; ferry from Circular Quay to Rose Bay and then bus 380.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Admission: Free.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Featuring the Yiribana Gallery, the world�s largest permanent exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia�s foremost art museums. Among its most impressive exhibitions is its Australian art collection, extending from the early colonial period to the mid-20th century, with sculpture and painting exhibited together.
Short listed portraits in the Archibald Prize � Australia�s most prestigious art award � are exhibited here annually.
Art Gallery Road, The Domain
Tel: (02) 9225 1700. Fax: (02) 9221 6226.
Website: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Transport: CityRail Martin Place/St James; bus 441.
Opening hours: Thurs�Tues 1000�1700; Wed 1000�2100.
Admission: Free (some special exhibitions charge entrance).
Sydney Tower
Standing 250m (820ft) above Market Street, Sydney Tower is the city�s tallest building, with views over the city, the Harbour, the Olympic Park and as far as Terrigal Beach, 100km (62 miles) to the north. Entry to the observation deck includes the Skytour � a 35-minute virtual tour/ride on the podium level.
100 Market Street
Tel: (02) 9223 0933. Fax: (02) 9223 0233.
Website: www.sydneyskytour.com.au
Transport: CityRail St James/Town Hall; monorail City Centre.
Opening hours: Sun�Fri 0900�2230, Sat 0900�2330.
Admission: A$19.80 (concessions available).
Royal Botanic Gardens
A short walk from the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens sits on a slope overlooking the harbour and covers 30 hectares (74 acres) in the heart of the city. Established in 1816, it is Australia�s oldest scientific institution and home to over one million specimens. Highlights include the Sydney Tropical Centre and the Rose Garden; there is a hop-on hop-off trackless train to get around them all.
Macquarie Street (main entrance)
Tel: (02) 9231 8111. Fax: (02) 9231 8054.
Website: www.rbgsyd.gov.au
Transport: CityRail St James, Martin Place or Circular Quay.
Opening hours: Daily 0700�sunset.
Admission: Free.
Sydney Olympic Park
Built on the site of an old rubbish tip, the focal point of the �best ever Olympics� in 2000 is now an attraction in its own right, comprising 15 architecturally magnificent venues as well as extensive parks and wetlands. Separate guided tours of the venues are given and a Games Trail self-guided tour brochure is available from the Visitor Centre.
1 Herb Elliot Avenue, Homebush Bay
Tel: (02) 9714 7888 or 131 500, Australia only (bus rides). Fax: (02) 9714 7822.
Website: www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au
Transport: Train to Strathfield, then bus 401 or 403; train to Olympic Park; ferry from Circular Quay to Homebush Bay Wharf.
Opening hours: Daily 0900�1700.
Admission: Free.
Telstra Stadium
Olympic Boulevard, Gate C
Tel: (02) 8765 2300 (tours).
Opening hours: Daily 1030�1530.
Admission: A$26 (60-minute tour), A$15 (30-minute tour); concessions available.
Observation Centre
Level 17, Novotel Hotel, Olympic Boulevard
Tel: (02) 8762 1111.
Opening hours: Daily 1000�1600.
Admission: A$4 (concessions available).
Sydney Aquatic Centre
Olympic Boulevard
Tel: (02) 9752 3666.
Opening hours: Mon�Fri 0500�2045, Sat�Sun 0600�1945.
Admission: A$16 (tour and swim); A$5.80 (swim only); concessions available.
Bicentennial Park
Bennelong Road
Tel: (02) 9714 7545.
Opening hours: Daily 0500�2000.
Admission: Free.
Taronga Zoo
The most desirable residence in Sydney is inhabited not by the upper echelons of society but by a collection of seals, snow leopards, koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. Taronga Zoo�s location, on Bradley�s Head, at Mosman, is one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour, situated on elevated land along the waterfront. The zoo�s attractions include the Gorilla Forest, the Orangutan Rainforest, Koala Encounters and Cats of Asia.
Bradleys Head Road (main entrance)
Tel: (02) 9969 2777. Fax: (02) 9969 7515.
Website: www.zoo.nsw.gov.au
Transport: Ferry from Circular Quay; bus 247.
Opening hours: Daily 0900�1700.
Admission: A$23 (concessions available).
Fox Studios Australia
Fox Studios hosted the filming of The Matrix Trilogy (1999/2003), Moulin Rouge (2001) and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002). The adjoining entertainment precinct includes shops, markets, cinemas, restaurants, mini golf, bungy trampoline and an indoor children�s playground.
Lang Road, Moore Park
Tel: (02) 9383 4333. Fax: (02) 9383 4005.
Website: www.foxstudios.com.au
Transport: Bus 335 or 339.
Opening hours: Daily 1000�2400.
Admission: Free.
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