You don’t visit Sydney. You experience it. Passing through its slick layout and perfect weather without eyes glazing green is an impossibility; envy being the overriding emotion when you realise that all these people actually get to live there.
As smooth as the sails of its Opera House, you’ll glide just as easily through its clean streets and pristine pedestrian precincts as you do to the chiselled sandstone headlands and hot sweeping beaches. A true Australian city, you can find yourself sipping a cocktail with a view of the Harbour Bridge, nursing a flat white in the cool Inner East area or knocking back a bottle of the cold stuff on Bondi Beach.
Attractions like the Sydney Aquarium and the Olympic Park may draw the crowds; and the outdoor features of the Centennial Parklands, Japanese Gardens and Coast Track provide ample opportunities to experience the great outdoors. But, in Sydney, few things beat just being there.
Where to stay
Located in the luxury marina on Woolloomooloo wharf, the bold BLUE hotel is pure chic whilst the Hilton on George Street and InterContinental on Macquarie Street are both excellently located.
What to eat
Take a spin and some pictures of the city in Sydney Tower’s revolving restaurant; sample modern Australian cuisine at Aria or have a go at crocodile or emu pizza at the Australian Hotel on Cumberland Street.
What to see
You can’t go to Sydney and not see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge; try a tour of the former and an organised climb on the latter. The Chinese and Japanese Gardens are both well worth visiting and shark spotting on the aquarium’s glass-bottomed boat is a rare and exciting opportunity. Boutique wine tours are gastronomic treats and a great way to learn more about Australia’s up-and-coming wines.
