Stunning, sun-sational Sydney. Things you have to do and see.

The sun shines. The surf beckons. The water entices.views in the world, especially at night, with the city lights
And you're just minutes from a world of skyscraperstwinkling across the horizon in a velvet sky. Simply
and corporate suits. Where else could you be butspectacular.
Sydney? This dazzling cosmopolitan city has no fewerGet your Rocks on.
than 30 glorious beaches within 20 minutes of theJust moments from the CBD, you'll find The Rocks,
bustling city centre. (Eat your heart out New York andwhich forms part of the oldest, residential precinct of
London)Sydney. It's a historic area with charming terrace
Undoubtedly one of the world's greatest cities, with anhouses, pubs and cobbled laneways. Despite inevitable
enviable outdoor lifestyle, warm climate and plenty ofchanges made over the years, traces of early convict
that easy going Aussie attitude to make you feel trulysettlements can still be found, evoking memories of the
welcome. But there again, I'm a little biased withpast. The city's oldest building, Cadman's Cottage
adjectives, as Sydney is my home town. If you're(circa1816), is located here, along with the Argyle Cut,
heading down this way for an outback adventure orexcavated by convicts in the 1840s. At the weekend,
vacation of a lifetime, here are some of the things youthere's a very popular market in The Rocks. Great for
have to see and do.souvenir shopping, trendy sheepskin boots and
Let's look back.Australian crafts. (Don't forget the boomerang Sam.)
Sydney is a young city. (Captain Cook actually sailedPaddington Market.
right past the Harbour and landed at Botany Bay.) JustThis market launched the careers of many an
a little over 200 years ago, on 26 January 1788 to beAustralian fashion designer. It's really worth a trip if you
exact, Sydney was founded when ships from the firstenjoy seeking out fashion that's one-off, funky or
fleet arrived from England to establish the colony ofstylish. There are dozens of stalls packed with
New South Wales. The city was named aftereverything from novel t-shirts to accessories, bags to
Thomas Townsend, the first Viscount Sydney, whohomewares. Every Saturday from 10am-4pm at the
was Secretary of State for the Colonies of Britain atPaddington Uniting Church in Oxford Street.
the time of the state's foundation. Today, Sydney is aDo The Zoo.
fast-paced, trend setting city with a population of overEvery city has a zoo, but what makes Sydney's
3.5 million people and a land size more than double ofTaronga Zoo so stunning is the location. It's in Mosman,
New York city.on elevated land along the waterfront. This is one of
Water is everywhere.the most beautiful vantage points on the Harbour
While Sydney is Australia's oldest city and consideredoverlooking Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge and
the economic powerhouse of the nation, it's not theOpera House. Zigzag your way along the paths and
capital, that's Canberra. But Sydney sets the pace inlush greenery, among the animal enclosures, as you
many ways. Its idyllic location, on the fringes of thecapture panoramic, photo perfect water views. All this,
Pacific Ocean showcases a lifestyle that's centredjust a 12 minute ferry ride from town. (Love that ferry
around water - whether you're in it or on it. Swimming,service.)
surfing, sailing - everywhere you go there seems to beLife's a beach. Iconic Bondi.
a sunny beach. A magical inlet. A quiet creek. But youYou can't visit Sydney without a trip to Bondi. It's more
can't forget the grandest water haven of themthan beach, with fantastic cafes, trendy restaurants
all….Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways toand ocean-filled pools. A people-watching paradise. My
experience The Harbour is also the cheapest. Jump ontip: do the cliff walk from Bondi past Tamarama,
a ferry at Circular Quay, the main ferry hub, and for aBronte and all the way to Coogee. The views are
just a few dollars cruise away to your heart's content.stunning. The path is easy to find and a pleasant way
Where to stayto spend an afternoon with a bit of exercise thrown in.
If you're organizing accommodation, Sydney can offerStop for a swim or a cool beer along the way, or bring
you every type under the sun, from lavish 5 stara picnic or barbecue.
names to smaller boutique hotels and motels, withFeeling Blue?
plenty in the mid-price range. Check out sites such auThe Blue Mountains are just an hour away by train
Sydney for ideas, value and instant online booking.from the city and truly a world away. Beautiful,
The iconic Sydney Opera Housemystical, awe-inspiring scenery. Take the popular walk
One postcard image conjures up Sydney more thanfrom Echo Point, Katoomba (known to the aboriginals
any other. It's The Opera House. In 1957, Danishas "shiny, tumbling water") to see the famous Three
architect Jørn Utzon won a competition to designSisters rock formation. Go for a ride on the famous
the Sydney Opera House. It was finally completed inScenic Railway - the world's steepest incline railway, or
1973. Its curved "sail-like roof" construction is a miracledo what I do - ride the thrilling new Skyway Cable Car.
of modern engineering and recognised the world over.Doyles on the Beach, Watsons Bay.
Each year, over 1,500 performances are staged here,On a balmy night or lazy lunchtime, there's nowhere
so chances are you can enjoy a show or a concertbetter than a visit to Doyles, a Sydney seafood
during your stay.institution that first opened its doors in 1885. Situated
Get on up. Climb The Harbour Bridgeright on the foreshore at Watsons Bay, you can sit
In 2007, it's the 75th anniversary of the opening of Thedown to a cool beer, fine wine and super-fresh
Harbour Bridge in 1932. If you'd like a breathtaking andseafood, served with style. Sit back and chill. This is
safe way to celebrate the occasion, do The BridgeSydney at its best. After reading all this, I hope the
climb. You strap yourself onto a wire, walk underneathelusive travel bug will see you down here one day, or
the bridge, along one of the curves to the top of thebetter still, some day soon.
bridge, across the bridge and back down the oppositeMatthew Lawson heads up au and is an avid traveler.
curve. From the top you experience one of greatest