Sydney

The main city centre, which covers around 4 sq mls, can be divided into several district areas. The N tip of the promontory is known as The Rocks and is the main tourist area. Originally a dock and warehouse area, the old buildings are now restored and used as restaurants or boutiques, forming the centrepiece for viewing the icons of Sydney: the Opera House across Circular Quay and Harbour Bridge, which runs overhead and joins the city on the N shore. S of Circular Quay, the central business district (CBD) runs for about 1 ml with its huge office blocks dominating grand Victorian sandstone buildings. E of the CBD, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain and Hyde Park all join to provide well-manicured greenery and relief from the bustle of the city. Hyde Park is probably best avoided after dark. Bustling Darling Harbour, just SW of the CBD, is packed full of shops, restaurants and bars; its picturesque spot on the water makes it a must-see day or night. It is next to Sydney's theatreland and Chinatown with major entertainments and exhibition centres. Greater Sydney, with a population of over 4 million, incorporates the SE city suburbs of Surry Hills (which is certainly hilly but not very Surrey - more Greek in population and style) and Elizabeth Bay, which is an old, leafy residential suburban area - again hilly. Between these two lies the infamous Kings Cross - known locally as just "the Cross". Not unlike its London namesake, this is a sleazy, but very lively, area full of small restaurants, shops and dubious entertainments. Sydney is reputedly the homosexual capital of the world, not just Australia, and transvestites cruise the streets - mainly Darlinghurst Road - with gay abandon, mixing freely with the prostitutes. Reasonably safe by day, have your wits about you if you venture this way at night. Elsewhere, especially in the main central areas, Sydney is considered a safe city.

Everyone who goes to Australia for leisure purposes will quite rightly visit Sydney, if not using it as their gateway. It has the natural beauty, well-known sights and vibrancy that the other cities of Australia frankly lack.

Mainly large, international-style hotels of high category in the city centre, aimed largely at business people. But accommodation of all types is to be found nearby, from backpacker hostels and simple motels to very acceptable 4-stars.

Bondi is the name that everyone knows: closest to the city (about 4 mls E), it comprises about ¾ ml of fine golden sand in a pleasing crescent with reasonable waves for surfing, but gentle enough for swimming. As with many Australian beaches, a seawater pool has been created at one end. No motorised water sports or bars but the resort has plenty of shops, bars and eateries fronting the beach. There are plenty of other beaches along the coast: Manly, on the N side of the harbour, boasts 2 options in an attractive 30s-style resort where British tourists will definitely feel at home.

Endless opportunities to spend in malls galore; Pitt Street Mall and Centrepoint are but two of many near the centre. Many tax-free shops offer worthwhile savings for visiting tourists. For an uplifting historical experience, try the Queen Victoria Building in George Street - a beautifully restored Victorian edifice converted to several storeys of boutiques. Several department stores in the centre.

Daytime: Centrepoint Tower for wonderful views of the city and beyond; Royal Botanic Gardens; aquarium; galleries and museums; Darling Harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge; scenic clifftop hiking. Nightlife: plentiful bars and restaurants; concerts, ballet, opera etc at the Opera House or several theatres in town; jazz and comedy at smaller venues; casino; if you must, "adult" entertainment abounds in Kings Cross.

Wealth of choice, often set atop tall buildings where you can admire the sweeping city views; many harbour- and beachside eateries. Cuisine ranges from seafood and Mediterranean to Chinese, Thai and Japanese. Plentiful casual outdoor eating opportunities, sandwich bars and pavement cafes.

Buses abound and local trains - underground for most of the central area - are frequent. Ferries go to all points from Circular Quay. Light rail provides direct access from Central Station to Darling Harbour and the casino. A monorail gives an elevated view of Darling Harbour area (more of a tourist ride than a means of transport).

Various day and night cruises around the harbour and along the river; seaplane trips to Palm Beach; "historic homestead" visit; wine-tasting tours to Hunter Valley; exploring the Blue Mountains; Illawarra and the S coast.

On the SE coast of Australia. 470 mls S of Brisbane. 440 mls NE of Melbourne. 10 mls N of Kingsford Smith International Airport.

At the mouth of the Parramatta River, Greater Sydney and its extensive suburbs surround one of the world's greatest natural harbours with dozens of bays and inlets. The main city centre lies on a promontory on the S bank of the harbour, between the smaller inlets of Darling Harbour to the W and Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay to the E.

Telephone Area Code: 2
Website: www.sydneycity.nsw.gov.au

Airport : Sydney Kingsford
Airport Code: SYD
Flight time from ther U.K.: 22 hrs