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Background of Sydney | Getting
around Sydney | Tours | Beaches
| Shopping | Museums
and Art Galleries |
Walks | Paddington |
Centennial Park | Nightlife |
Hotels in Sydney
Background of
Sydney
 Set
on bustling waterways, the focus of this city is its magnificent harbour.
Just 200 years ago, less than 10,000 convicts exiled from their homeland,
settled here. Today, the city has grown north, south, east and west, each
with its own identity. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with famous landmarks
such as its Opera House, award-winning restaurants and first-class shopping
and sporting complexes.
If you are coming to Sydney on holiday, allow plenty of time to take in
some of the attractions on offer. For the first time visitor, your starting
point should be a cruise on Sydney Harbour. After that you can choose from
day tours of the City to wine tours to the Hunter Valley, visits to nature
parks and 4WD tours to the Blue Mountains.
Getting around Sydney
A car is not really a help in Sydney
and the independent traveller will enjoy using Sydney's extensive network
of buses, trains and ferries to discover the City. Or perhaps you might
borrow one of Sullivans Hotel Sydney free guest bicycles to explore the
delights of Paddington and nearby Centennial Park.
Sydney Explorer coaches will take you to the most interesting and
spectacular attractions, in and around the city and beaches. You can travel
for the whole day, getting on and off the buses as often as you like. Sydney
Red and Blue explorer coaches depart from circular Quay daily at approximately
20 minute intervals - stopping at all points of interest.
Tours
Harbour Cruises Sydney Harbour,
one of the world's finest waterways, is the focal point of Sydney. A sightseeing
cruise on the harbour is essential. The Captain Cook coffee cruise visits
the spectacular Middle Harbour giving a true perspective of this espansive
harbour. Sydney's ferries connect harbourside suburbs with the city at
Circular Quay and are an economical way to cruise the harbour. The ferry
ride to Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and Manly are spectacular.
Blue Mountains a 2 hour drive north of Sydney. Dal Myles small group
Tour Company has a personalized Blue Mountains Adventure Trek using luxury
4 wheel-drive vehicles. Tours feature spectacular canyon views, the Three
Sisters, rugged bush country, kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, fire trails,
boomerang throwing, scenic railway and fully catered picnic lunch and morning
tea.
Blue Mountains Resorts
Port Stephens 3-hours drive north of Sydney, magnificent Port Stephens
is home to the biggest pods of Dolphin on the Coast. It is four times the
size of Sydney harbour with sparkling blue and turquoise waters, distant
misty mountains and imposing Twin Peaks headlands.
Hunter Valley A 3 hour drive north of Sydney. For lovers of wine
- Hunter valley has 4000 acres of vineyards spread throughout a peaceful
green valley sheltering beneath the silent majesty of the Brokenback Mountain
Range. Wine grown and made here now enjoys an international reputation
as some of the worlds best.
Bridge Climb Now you can climb the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.
A professional team will take you all the way to the summit over catwalks,
ladders and arches. This incredible view of the world's most beautiful
harbour takes about 3 hours. Bookings are essential. www.bridgeclimb.com
Waratah Park is located atop the rugged Ku-ring-gai Chase escarpment.
This is where the television series "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo"
was filmed. Among the many animals you will see are koalas, kangaroos,
emus, dingoes, Tasmanian Devils, crocodiles and rare tree-climbing kangaroos.
Open every day from 10am.
South Coast and Southern Highlands Gray Line Tours offer a day of
discovery along the rugged coastline of the South coast beaches. Mountain
and forest environments with plunging waterfalls and historic colonial
Australian towns await you.
Helicopter Flights over Sydney Harbour are a spectacular way to
discover the most beautiful city in the world from above as you sweep over
the harbour and view the Bridge, Opera House, city skyscrapers, parklands
and the colourful sailing boats.
Beaches
Sydney is famous for it's fine ocean and harbourside
beaches. Here are some of the best, all easily reached from
Sullivans
Hotel Sydney.
Bondi Sydney's most famous beach being a city surf beach, Bondi is a magnet
for travellers who love the combination of beach and city life. One of
Australia's busiest, it has a thriving beach culture and its own fine cafes,
restaurants and bars. The coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte and Clovelly
is spectacular. Take the 380 bus across from Sullivans Hotel.
Bronte South of Bondi and between Tamarama and Clovelly beaches,
Bronte is a smaller, more intimate beach and is a favourite with the locals.
Bronte Baths were opened in 1887. Regulations at the time, stated that
"Gentlemen could bathe between daylight from 10a.m. to 4p.m. until
dark each day. Ladies were welcomed from 10a.m. to 4p.m. daily except Sundays
and Public Holidays, reserved exclusively for men".Of course today
this is not so, and a wonderful place to bathe safely in salt water. A
large picnic area which is very popular with families on the weekends.
Some nice cafes nearby the beach.Take the 378 bus across from Sullivans
Hotel.
Manly is Sydney's original seaside resort, which combines the relaxed
atmosphere of a holiday resort with the cosmopolitan feel of a major destination.
Bounded by water on 3 sides, there are 18 beaches, coves and inlets to
swim, sail in and enjoy. More than 80 restaurants offer cuisine ranging
from fish & chips to top seafood and exclusive waterfront dining. Stroll
down the Manly Corso towards the surf beaches and magnificent Norfolk Pine
Trees that line the esplanade. For those who may not wish to swim in the
surf, take the scenic walk from Manly to the calmer Shelley Beach to cool
off. Before catching the return ferry, walk through the glass tunnel of
Manly Oceanworld surrounded by sharks, stingrays and other marine life.
To get to Manly, take the 380 bus from Sullivans to Circular Quay and then
hop on the world famous Manly Ferry offering one of the best and inexpensive
ways to see the magnificent harbour.
Manly
Hotels.
Coogee is derived from an Aboriginal word, "koojah", which
means "stinking place", probably because of the intolerable smell
of rotting seaweed washed up on the beach. A far cry from today, where
Coogee is a residential suburb, with a well laid-out playing area, Coogee
Oval and a school where pupils dream of the ocean only a short stroll away.
The Coogee Bay Hotel is a popular watering hole for English backpackers
and locals alike. Take a 5 minute walk down to Taylors Square where you
catch a 372 bus to Coogee beach.
Harbour Beaches Watsons Bay, Lady Jane and Neilson Park. Sydney
boasts some nice Harbour Beaches with stunning views back towards the city.
The calm waters of the harbour provide a safe haven for children to swim.
Great for picnics and some lovely walks around the South Head harbour entrance.
Watsons Bay is home to the famous Doyles seafood restaurant, while Lady
Jane is Sydneys most popular nudist beach. You can either catch the ferry
to Watsons Bay from Circular Quay (during the day only), or buses from
Taylors Square run every 20 minutes.
Shopping
Sydney's international shopping area
is centred around Castlereagh Street, Martin Place and Chifley Plaza. Most
international brands like Prada, Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton can be found
here. Of course we have our own talented designers, with the Strand Arcade
being the place to find many young designers of clothes and jewellery.
The Queen Victoria Building has a wide range of shops in a magnificent
restored 1800's building. For department stores visit Sydney's Central
Plaza and the many stores leading off it. David Jones with its marble ground
floor, resident piano player and gourmet food hall is a Sydney icon.
The Rocks area has little streets with shops full of Australiana
- great for souvenir hunting. The Rocks Market held each Saturday and Sunday
specialises in arts and crafts.
Paddington is renowned for its fashionable lifestyle, boutiques
and specialty shopping - follow Oxford Street all the way to Woollahra
for young designers, homewares, accessories, good bookshops and markets
on Saturday which are located in the United Church's square. These markets
have been operating since 1973, and now feature over 250 stalls. Goods
on offer range from arts, crafts, clothing, books, bric-a-brac and street
theatre. Paddington has Sydney's largest selection of Antiquarian, second-hand
and new bookstores specialising in the fields of literature, classics,
the arts, juvenilia, travel, private press, limited editions and Australiana.
Berkelouw Books, Bibliophile Books, Colin Randal Books and Ariel just to
name a few. The Coo-ee and Jinta Aboriginal Art Galleries and shops feature
didgeridoos, boomerangs, music and artworks from communities around Australia.
Guests of Sullivans Hotel receive discounts at many local stores.
Double Bay has an upmarket village
atmosphere, featuring a good choice of fashion, shoe and accessory shops,
bookshops and homewares. Hat lovers will enjoy shops such as Jane Lambert.
Museums and Art Galleries
Sydney is home to many fine museums
and art galleries
Art Gallery
of New South Wales is in the north eastern corner of the Sydney Domain.
It has excellent permanent exhibitions of Australian, European, Japanese
and tribal art, and has some inspired temporary exhibits.
The Barracks
and the Mint are now museums, the library hosts exhibitions and there
are tours of both the hospital and Parliament House. Macquarie St is the
eastern boundary of the CBD and borders the Domain and the Royal Botanic
Gardens. It runs from Hyde Park to Circular Quay.
The Australian
Museum is a traditional museum featuring archaeological exhibitions,
located on College street, opposite Hyde Park.
The National
Maritime museum has a large collection of nautical artifacts as well
as vessels from Australia's past which are open for inspections. Located
at Darling Harbour.
Museum of
Contemporary Art at Circular Quay has a wide range of modern art work
and sculptures and often hosts International exhibitions.
Powerhouse
Museum celebrating technological development with amazing interactive
displays, located near Darling Harbour in Ultimo.
Sydney Jewish
Museum will give you the History of Jews since the settlement of Australia
and Jewish culture as well as meet survivors of the Holocaust and hear
their stories.
Paddington is
home to over 45 Art galleries featuring everything from the classic
to the contemporary and Aboriginal Art Works.
Walks
Walking around Sydney is easy and delightful. The Paddington
Walk is designed to give you an insight into the history of Paddington
and the lives of Sydney's earliest residents. This walk is a chance to
experience first hand Sydney's best preserved heritage area, with some
outstanding examples of 19th century and Victorian architecture and plenty
of opportunities to visit local art galleries, specialty shops, pubs and
cafes.
The water is what makes Sydney's setting so special and there are numerous
walks around both Sydney Harbour and the Coastal Ocean Beaches . During
the long hot days of summer, locals and visitors alike take to the great
outdoors with relish. Many walks are well known and well used, however,
others are hidden away and only known to local residents. Colourful coastal
heath, spectacular coastal views, interesting geological features, and
quiet sandy bays can all be found within half an hour of the City Centre.
Do not forget your hat, sunblock and camera.
Paddington
History Named after the London borough,
Paddington is one of Australia's oldest suburbs.
Centennial Park In 1824 a tunnel was dug by hand using convict labour
to carry water from this area to Hyde Park. The tunnel supplied water to
the City of Sydney between 1837 to 1859. In 1866 work began on draining
Lachlan Swamps. The 400 acres were landscaped and transformed into a magnificent
park, celebrating Sydney's centenary of European settlement. Centennial
Park was officially opened in 1888 and today with over 3 million visitors
annually, it is enduringly popular for picnics, bike riding, horse riding,
running, rollerblading and just getting away from the bustle of the city.
Paddington Market in the grounds of the United Church on Oxford
Street, operates every Saturday from 10am to 4pm. First started in 1973,
this colourful market is extremely popular with Sydneysiders and now features
over 250 stalls. Goods on offer range from arts, crafts, clothing, books,
bric-a-brac and a great selection of food.
Sydney Cricket Ground, home to the NSW Cricket Association as well
as the AFL Sydney Swans, offers an informative tour of its Sports Museum
which provides an insight into Australia's sporting history.
Fox Studios Combining a working film studio with unrivalled entertainment,
Fox Studios enables you to get behind the scenes and discover how movies
are actually made. Opening in October 1999. Great for the family.
Victoria Barracks The Barracks were opened in 1848. They offer the
largest and best-preserved examples of colonial Georgian architecture in
Australia. The museum is open to the public every Sunday from 10am until
3pm. Guided tours of the Barracks are available on Thursdays at 10am. The
Australian Army Band also performs at various times throughout the year.
Shopping/Galleries/Restaurants Paddington is renowned for its fashionable
lifestyle, boutiques and specialty shopping. An amazing variety of cafes
and restaurants are to be found in and around Oxford Street. There are
45 Art Galleries in Paddington and the surrounding area, with another 40
or so Antique and Book dealers.
Cinemas Paddington is home to some of Sydney's best cinemas including
The Chauvel, The Verona and The Academy Twin. During the summer months
outdoor cinemas also operate in Centennial Park and at Mrs. Macquarie's
Chair, in the Botanical Gardens overlooking the Opera House.
Bookshops Paddington has Sydney's largest collection of Antiquarian,
second-hand and new bookstores with fine and rare collectors' items. Specializing
in the fields of literature, classics, the arts, juvenilia, travel, private
press, limited editions and Australiana. Berkelouw Books, Bibliophile Books,
Colin Randal Books and Ariel are just a few of the many bookshops within
walking distance of Sullivans.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park In 1811 Governor
Macquarie set aside as common grazing land and water reserves the area
from which this 400 acre park was developed. From 1824, a tunnel was hand
dug by convicts from this area to Hyde Park to provide water for Sydney
after the Tank Stream became polluted. It was Sydney's main water supply
from 1837 to 1859. In 1887 it was decided to drain the swamp areas to create
more parkland. Centennial Park was opened on Australia Day, January 26,
1888 as part of centenary celebrations. Today, the park is visited by more
than 3 miilion people annually and is Sydney's only example of an English
country style park and Australia's grandest 19th century park.
Featuring a wide range of landscapes from wild long grasses and native
trees, to carefully tended formal gardens, the park is surrounded by a
Victorian iron picket fence set in a sandstone curb with ornate entrance
gates. Centennial Park, along with New York's Central Park and London's
Hyde Park, is one of only 3 parks in the world offering horse-riding facilities
so close to the city centre. The park also offers cycling, walking and
rollerblading tracks, picnic and barbeque areas, guided tours, sporting
fields, golf course, driving range, cafe and restaurant. Centennial Park
offers something for everyone whether lovers of history, horticulture,
sport or just relaxation.
Centennial Park remains today an important part of Sydney. When Sydney
hosts the Olympics and Paralympics in the year 2000, the park will be in
the spotlight again as venue for the road cycling, marathon and qualifying
events. In 2001, Australia's Centenary celebrations will focus on the park
which is the home of the "Federation Stone", where the states
came together to proclaim the Federation of Australia on January 1, 1901.
Nightlife
The historical Rocks area
near Circular Quay is home to some of Sydney's historic pubs including
the Lord Nelson; a very old pub serving beer brewed on the premises, and
The Hero of Waterloo which is packed out every night. The Orient is also
a very popular bar, especially at weekends.
The Basement, Soup Plus and the Harbourside Brasserie are the venues
to see top Australian and International Jazz and blues performers. The
Marble Bar at the Hilton Hotel is a Victorian indulgence, with it's ornate
bar made from Italian marble. Free jazz Fri and Sat nights.
For those in search of a good laugh try the Comedy Store (Inner
West of the city at Stanmore) or Jokers at the Star City Casino.
Bridie O'Reilly's at Haymarket, Wynyard and Star City offer Irish hospitality
featuring the best Irish beers including Guinness, Harp, Kilkenny and Beamish.
A wide range of Australian and International beers are also on offer. The
Mercantile Hotel in the Rocks is a high-spirited Irish pub where you can
get Sydney's best poured Guinness. In Paddington two Irish Pubs can be
found - Kitty O'Shea's and Dirty Nellies.
If you want to enjoy spectacular harbour views try the cocktail bar at
the ANA Hotel down at the Rocks.
The Sydney Opera House is home base to the Australian Opera Company
and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Performances range from classical to
contemporary works.
Dance Clubs include DCM's, Mr Goodbar and the Q Bar all in Oxford
Street. Sublime nightclub is in the city and the Home Nightclub at Cockle
Bay, Darling Harbour. East Sydney on Williams Street you can find Club
77.
Highlights of the Eastern Suburbs include: The Bondi Hotel, a cultural
melting pot popular with back packers. The Albury, famous for its flamboyant
drag shows and the Darlo Bar, popular with the actors and writers of Sydney.
Hotels in Sydney
Sullivans Hotel
Sydney
Star City Sydney
Barclay Hotel Sydney
The Crescent on Bayswater
Unilodge
Hotel Sydney
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