Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sydney Aquarium
This is one of the world's best aquariums and
should be near the top of any Sydney itinerary. The main attractions are the
underwater walkways through two enormous tanks—one with an impressive
collection of creatures found in Sydney Harbour, the other full of giant rays and
gray nurse sharks. Other excellent exhibits include a giant Plexiglas room sus-
pended inside a pool patrolled by rescued seals, and a magnificent section on the
Great Barrier Reef, where thousands of colorful fish school around coral out-
crops. Also on display are two saltwater crocodiles and some fairy penguins. Try
to visit during the week when it's less crowded. Allow around 2 hours.
Aquarium Pier, Darling Harbour.
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02/9262 2300.
Admission A$22 (US$14) adults, A$13 (US$8.45) stu-
dents, A$10 (US$6.50) children 3-15, A$48 (US$31) families. Daily 9am-10pm. Seal Sanctuary closes at 7pm
in summer. CityRail: Town Hall. Ferry: Darling Harbour. Sydney Explorer bus.
OTHER TOP ATTRACTIONS: A SPECTACULAR VIEW, SYDNEY'S
CONVICT HISTORY & MORE
A.M.P. Centerpoint Tower
The tallest building in the Southern Hemi-
sphere is not hard to miss—it resembles a giant steel pole skewering a golden
marshmallow. Standing more than 300m (984 ft.) tall, the tower offers stupen-
dous 360-degree views across Sydney and as far as the Blue Mountains. Fortu-
nately, an elevator takes you to the indoor viewing platform. Unfortunately,
prices have rocketed in recent years, too. Don't be too concerned if you feel the
building tremble slightly, especially in a stiff breeze—I'm told it's perfectly nat-
ural. Below the tower are three floors of stores and restaurants. Allow 1 hour.
Pitt and Market sts.
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02/9223 0933.
Admission A$20 (US$13) adults, A$13 (US$8.45) children 5-16, A$55
(US$36) families (up to 3 kids). Daily 9am-10:30pm. CityRail: St. James or Town Hall. Sydney Explorer bus.
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
These Georgian-style barracks were
designed in 1819 by the convict/architect Francis Greenway. They were built by
convicts and inhabited by fellow prisoners. These days they house relics from
those early days in interesting, modern displays, including log books, early set-
tlement artifacts, and a room full of ships' hammocks in which visitors can lie
and listen to fragments of prisoner conversation. If you are interested in Sydney's
early beginnings, then I highly recommend a visit—the displays are also far
more straightforward that those at the Museum of Sydney (see later in this chap-
ter). The courtyard cafe is excellent. Allow for 1 hour or more.
Queens Sq., Macquarie St.
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02/9223 8922.
Admission A$7 (US$4.55) adults, A$3 (US$1.95) children, A$17
(US$11) families. Daily 9:30am-5pm. CityRail: St. James or Martin Place. Sydney Explorer bus.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)
This imposing sandstone museum
set back from the water on The Rocks side of Circular Quay offers wacky, enter-
taining, inspiring, and befuddling displays of what's new (and dated) in modern
art. It houses the J. W. Power Collection of more than 4,000 pieces, including
works by Andy Warhol, Christo, Marcel Duchamp, and Robert Rauschenberg,
as well as temporary exhibits. As it's relatively new and still building up its col-
lection, this museum isn't as impressive as major modern art museums in say
London or New York. In mid-2001 there was talk of the museum closing
because of financial concerns. Guided tours are offered Monday through Satur-
day at noon and 2pm, and Sunday at 2pm. Worth at least 1 hour.
140 George St., Circular Quay West.
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02/9252 4033.
www.mca.com.au. Free general admission. Daily
10am-6pm (5pm in winter). CityRail, bus, ferry: Circular Quay. Sydney Explorer bus.
Sydney Olympic Park
The site of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games is
still very much a tourist attraction, as well as a major sporting venue. Most of
Kids
