Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 162

amusement park, so why not have a swim after a walk over from the city. Swim-
ming here costs A$3.50 (US$2.30) for adults and A$1.65 (US$1.10) for chil-
dren. More world records have been broken in this pool than in any other. In
1999, the pool was renovated, and there's now a separate indoor pool, too. The
Bondi Icebergs Club, on the rocks to the right of the beach as you look at the
sea, also has a new Olympic-size swimming pool, and a children's pool. Entrance
costs $3.30 and includes a sauna.
TENNIS There are hundreds of places around the city to play one of Aus-
tralia's most popular sports. A nice spot is the Miller's Point Tennis Court,
Kent Street, The Rocks ( & 02/9256 2222 ). It's run by the Observatory Hotel
and is open daily from 7:30am to 10pm. The court costs A$25 (US$16) per
hour. The North Sydney Tennis Centre, 1A Little Alfred St., North Sydney
( & 02/9371 9952 ), has three courts available daily from 6am to 10pm. They
cost A$16 (US$10) until 5pm on weekdays and A$20 (US$13) other times.
WINDSURFING My favorite spot to learn to windsurf or to set out onto the
harbor is at Balmoral Beach, in Mosman on the North Shore. Rent boards at Bal-
moral Windsurfing, Sailing and Kayaking School & Hire, 3 The Esplanade,
Balmoral Beach ( & 02/9960 5344 ). Windsurfers cost A$27 (US$18) per hour for
beginners and A$38 (US$28) for advanced windsurfing equipment. Lessons cost
A$175 (US$114) for 5 hours teaching over a weekend, for beginners, and A$195
(US$127) for advanced lessons. This place also rents fishing boats.
YACHTING Balmoral Boat Shed, Balmoral Beach ( & 02/9969 6006 ),
rents catamarans, 3.5m (11-ft.) aluminum runabouts, canoes, and surf skis. The
catamarans and runabouts cost A$35 (US$23) for the first hour (with an
A$80/US$52 deposit); a full day costs A$120 (US$78). Other vessels, such as
canoes, cost A$12 (US$7.80) per hour with an A$10 (US$6.50) deposit.
Sydney by Sail ( & 02/9280 1110, or mobile [phone]) offers sailing
courses on Sydney Harbour. A long, 1-day introductory course costs A$450.
8 Spectator Sports
CRICKET The Sydney Cricket Ground, at the corner of Moore Park and
Driver Avenue, is famous for its 1-day and test matches, played October through
March. Phone the New South Wales Cricket Association at & 02/9339 0999
for match details, and Sportspace Tours ( & 02/9380 0383 ) for stadium tours.
FOOTBALL In this city, “football” means rugby league. If you want to see
burly chaps pound into each other while chasing an oval ball, then be here
between May and September. The biggest venue is the Sydney Football Sta-
dium, Moore Park Road, Paddington ( & 02/9360 6601 ). Match information
is available at & 1900/963 133. Buy tickets at Ticketek ( & 02/9266 4800 ).
HORSE RACING Sydney has four horse-racing tracks: Randwick, Canter-
bury, Rosehill, and Warwick Farm. The most central and most well known is
Randwick Racecourse, Alison Street, Randwick ( & 02/9663 8400 ). The
biggest race day of the week is Saturday. Entry costs A$9 (US$5.85) per person.
Call the Sydney Turf Club at & 02/9930 4000 with questions about Rosehill
and Canterbury, and the Randwick number above for Warwick Farm.
SURFING CARNIVALS Every summer these uniquely Australian competi-
tions bring large crowds to Sydney's beaches, as surf clubs compete against each
other in various watersports. Contact the Surf Lifesaving Association ( & 02/
9597 5588 ) for times and locations. Other beach events include Iron Man and