Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Sydney
by Marc Llewellyn
S
unny, sexy, and sophisticated, Syd-
ney (pop. 4.1 million) basks in its
worldwide recognition as the shining
star of the Southern Hemisphere. The
“emerald city” is one of the most
attractive on earth. Some people com-
pare it to San Francisco—it certainly
has that relaxed feel—but the gateway
to Australia is far from a clone of an
American city.
First, of course, there's the Sydney
Opera House, one of the most recog-
nized buildings in the world. This
white-sailed construction on Sydney
Cove, designed by Danish architect
Jørn Utzon, is the pride of the city—
but there's far, far more on offer.
For example, you can walk across
that other great icon, the Sydney Har-
bour Bridge, on the pathway beside
the trains and traffic and catch the
CityRail train back into town. Those
with a daredevil spirit can join a
Bridge Climb tour venture across cat-
walks and ladders to the top of the
main arch for 360-degree views across
the Opera House and the ferries and
boats below.
Sydney is one of the biggest cities in
the world—but fortunately most of
the interesting things are concentrated
in a relatively compact area around
one of the finest urban harbors in the
world.
As it is, there's so much to do in
Sydney that you could easily spend a
week here and still find yourself crash-
ing into bed at night exhausted by try-
ing to see all the main attractions.
Sydney's greatest summer experience
is on the beaches—and with over 20
strung along the city's oceanfront and
dozens more around the harbor, you'll
be spoiled for choice. The most famous
of them all is Bondi, a strip of golden
sand legendary for its Speedo-clad life-
savers and surfboard riders. From here
a “must do” is the 3.2km (2-mile)
coastal path that leads off across the
cliff tops, via cozy Tamarama Beach
(dubbed “Glamourama” for its chic
sun worshippers), to glorious Bronte
Beach, where you can cool down again
in the crashing waves of the Pacific.
Another beach favorite is Manly, a
30-minute ferry trip from Circular
Quay. Pick up some fish and chips and
head for the main beach, flanked by a
row of giant pines that chatter with
hundreds of colorful lorikeets at dusk.
The best time to return is in the
early evening, when the lights of the
skyscrapers around Circular Quay are
streaked like rainbows across the water
of the harbor, and the sails of the Opera
House and the girders of the Harbour
Bridge are lit up—it's magical.
History is enshrined in its many
museums and art galleries, while mod-
ern Sydney comes alive in the more
recent developments around Darling
Harbour and the restaurant and enter-
tainment area nearby at Cockle Bay
and Kings Wharf. At Darling Harbour
you'll find the world-class Sydney
Aquarium. You can also start your
gourmet tour of Sydney's “Modern
Australian” cooking style, which en-
compasses the best of freshness with
spices from the Orient and flavors
from the Mediterranean.
