Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 161

For general information on courses call the New South Wales Golf Associa-
tion ( & 02/9264 8433 ).
IN-LINE SKATING The best places to go in-line skating are along the
beachside promenades at Bondi and Manly beaches and in Centennial Park.
Manly Blades, 49 North Steyne ( & 02/9976 3833 ), rents skates for A$12
(US$7.80) for the first hour and A$6 (US$3.90) for each subsequent hour, or
A$25 (US$16) per day. Lessons are A$25 (US$16) including 1-hour skate rental
and a half-hour lesson. Bondi Boards & Blades, 148 Curlewis St., Bondi Beach
( & 02/9365 6555 ), rents skates for A$11 (US$7.15) for the first hour, A$5.50
(US$3.60) for each subsequent hour, and A$20 (US$13) for 24 hours. Ask
about a free lesson. Total Skate, 36 Oxford St., Paddington, near Centennial
Park ( & 02/9380 6356 ), rents skates for A$10 (US$6.50) for the first hour,
A$5 (US$3.25) for subsequent hours, and A$30 (US$20) for 24 hours. Ask
about a free lesson.
JOGGING The Royal Botanic Gardens, Centennial Park, or any beach are
the best places to kick-start your body. You can also run across the Harbour
Bridge, though you'll have to put up with the car fumes. Another popular spot
is along the sea cliffs from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach.
PARASAILING If being strapped to a parachute 100m (328 ft.) above Sydney
Harbour while being towed by a speedboat is your idea of fun, contact Sydney
Harbour Parasailing and Scenic Tours ( & 02/9977 6781 ). A regular flight will
see you in the air for 8 to 10 minutes at the end of a 100m (328-ft.) line. Flights
cost A$55 (US$36) per adult. Tandem rides (for children and adults) are also
available. The boat departs next to the Manly ferry wharf in Manly.
SCUBA DIVING Plenty of people learn to dive in Sydney before taking off
for the Barrier Reef. Don't expect coral reefs, though. Pro Dive, 27 Alfreda St.,
Coogee ( & 02/9665 6333 ), offers a 4-day learn-to-dive program costing A$345
(US$224). A day of diving for registered divers costs A$105 (US$68).
SURFING Bondi Beach and Tamarama are the best surf beaches on the
south side of Sydney Harbour, while Manly, Narrabeen, Bilgola, Colloroy,
Long Reef, and Palm beaches are the most popular on the north side. Most
beach suburbs have surf shops where you can rent a board. At Bondi Beach, the
Bondi Surf Co., 72 Campbell Parade ( & 02/9365 0870 ), rents surfboards for
A$45 (US$29) for 4 hours or A$60 (US$39) all day. Body boards cost A$20
(US$13) for 2 hours and A$60 (US$39) all day. In Manly, Aloha Surf, 44
Pittwater Rd., Manly ( & 02/9977 3777 ), also rents surfboards. Manly Surf
School ( & 02/9977 6977 ) offers 2-hour surf classes for A$40 (US$26), 2-day
sessions for A$70 (US$46), and 3-day classes for A$90 (US$59). Wave Action
Surf School ( & 02/9970 6813, or mobile [phone]) offers a similar serv-
ice with the same rates as Manly Surf School, on the breakers at Palm Beach.
Also, it offers a 1-day surf tour from central Sydney to Palm Beach and other
northern Sydney beaches with sightseeing and lunch for A$100 (US$65).
SWIMMING The best place to swim indoors in Sydney is the Sydney
Aquatic Centre, at Olympic Park, Homebush Bay ( & 02/9752 3666 ). It's
open Monday through Friday from 5am to 9:45pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and
public holidays from 6am to 7:45pm (6:45pm May-Oct; A$5.80 (US$3.75)
adult, A$4.60 (US$3) child 4-15).
Another good bet is the North Sydney Olympic Pool, Alfred South Street,
Milsons Point ( & 02/9955 2309 ). It's just over the Harbour Bridge, near the