The City of Sydney - An Amazing Place to Visit

With its stunning harbour setting, unique attractions and cosmopolitan outdoor lifestyle, Sydney is an increasingly popular leisure destination.

In 2002, readers of the prestigious United States publication, Conde Nast Traveler, rated Sydney the "World's Best City" for the seventh year out of the last eight. Having been asked to compare world cities according to their cultural enrichment, restaurants, ambience, energy and people friendliness they placed Sydney ahead of cities such as Rome, Florence and Paris.

Readers of another United States magazine, Travel and Leisure, have again rated Sydney number one, voting it the "World's Best City" from 1996 to 1998 and again in 2003.

Sydney has also been voted the UK's favourite overseas city by 24,000 readers in the Guardian/Observer Travel Awards 2003.

Sydney's rising popularity as a holiday destination is not so surprising, when you consider the amazing variety of leisure activities it has to offer.

The Harbour
The City of Sydney is situated on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

A tremendous draw card for locals and visitors, Sydney Harbour and its foreshores provide the perfect setting for a variety of leisure activities from cruising and sailing through to relaxing walks and sun-drenched lunches by the water. Circular Quay, the gateway to the harbour, exudes a carnival atmosphere that reflects the city's funloving spirit. The harbour itself is the focal point for major city celebrations such as New Year's Eve and Australia Day, with millions of people gathering along the foreshores to share in the festivities.

The Attractions
Eight out of the ten most popular Australian tourist attractions are located in Sydney.

Shopping is Sydney's number one tourist activity, closely followed by a visit to the Sydney Opera House. An international cultural landmark, the Opera House is renowned for its visionary architectural design, as well as for leadership and excellence in the performing arts. Visitors can catch performances by the internationally acclaimed Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia or the Sydney Theatre Company, take guided tours of the concert hall and opera theatre as well as explore the forecourt and architectural features of the building.

Sydney's magnificent harbour is an attraction in itself. Those who venture out onto the water - whether aboard the Manly ferry, a pleasure craft or a racing yacht - are rewarded with some of the best views of the city as well as an unforgettable Sydney experience.

Located along the harbour foreshore is Darling Harbour, one of the world's great waterfront leisure parks. More than 15 million visitors a year enjoy the endless hours of culture and fun provided by Darling Harbour's attractions including the Powerhouse and the National Maritime museums, the Sydney Aquarium, the world's largest movie screen, an indoor virtual reality theme park and much more. There's also an array of night-time entertainment such as world-class theatre and shows, pubs, bars and nightclubs.

Another popular attraction within the City of Sydney is the historic Rocks precinct, the site of Sydney's first non-Aboriginal settlement and a charming blend of past and present. Visitors to the Rocks can explore the maze of cobbled lanes and beautifully restored sandstone buildings, learn about Sydney's history at a museum or gallery and discover some of the best contemporary shopping, sightseeing and dining the city has to offer.

Sydney's tallest building, Centrepoint Tower, is a distinctive feature on the Sydney skyline. Rising 300m above the city, the tower offers visitors magnificent 360 degree views that extend to the Central Coast to the north, Wollongong to the south and the Blue Mountains to the west. For those with a head for heights, it's an experience not to be missed.

The City of Sydney's remarkable diversity is reflected in a number of distinctive precincts throughout the city. Chinatown is a colourful and distinctly Asian district filled with bright neon lights and wonderful aromas. Visitors can explore the shops and markets and then replenish their energy at one of Chinatown's many restaurants. Nearby, in Liverpool Street, a Spanish Quarter is also emerging. The quarter is characterised by lively bars and restaurants serving up tapas and other authentic Spanish cuisine along with live music and dancing.

Sydney also boasts no fewer than 37 beaches from Palm Beach in the north to Cronulla in the south. The majority of these beaches, including the two most famous - Bondi and Manly - are within 30 minutes from the city centre by public transport.

The Shopping
Shopping is Sydney's most popular tourist activity.

Sydney's shops are located in an area known as the city's retail core - a mix of exciting contemporary plazas and beautifully renovated arcades centred on the Pitt Street Mall.

The city offers world-class shopping ranging from award winning Australian designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Collette Dinnigan, international imports including Versace and Armani, and distinctively Australian products from the likes of RM Williams and Gowings.

The Pitt Street Mall is Australia's busiest retail strip, boasting a passing trade of 14,500 pedestrians per hour during peak periods. The Mall enjoys the mantle of the world's 5^th highest priced shopping address, with retail rents for prime positions costing between $6,000 and $8,000 per square metre.

Attracted by such an impressive turnover, Louis Vuitton recently opened its fifth global concept store in the city. With the other stores located in Paris, London, New York and Hong Kong, the new Sydney store was chosen to launch the Louis Vuitton cruise collection.

The Food
From lively street cafes to fine dining restaurants that compete with the world's best, the City of Sydney offers a feast of culinary delights, both authentically Australian and from around the globe.

Savouring a piping hot latte and a sticky pastry at one of the many street cafés is just one of the city's epicurean experiences. Not surprisingly, the city's flourishing café society takes full advantage of Sydney's favourable climate. Outdoor seating abounds, enabling coffee aficionados to soak up the sun as they meet with friends or read the daily papers.

The bar scene in the City of Sydney has been invigorated due to changes in licensing laws. A diverse mix of new establishments have sprung up around the city - some buzzing with glamour and excitement, some exuding intimacy and sophistication and others inviting casual relaxation. Whether meeting for a cocktail, a fine wine, or a "cleansing" ale, there's a great selection of bars to choose from.

Sydney's growing international reputation for fine food and wine is supported by this report in The New York Times:

"As a food capital, Sydney is right up there with the best in the world, with a variety that is unmatched." R.W. Apple Jr.

As noted, Sydney's restaurant scene reflects the city's multicultural character. Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, French, Italian, Mediterranean and Modern Australian are among the cuisines on offer along with the new "fushion" food, which meshes the best of the rest to create a taste sensation.

The Great Outdoors
Filled with state-of-the-art recreation facilities and leafy inner city parks, the City of Sydney also offers the ultimate in outdoor leisure activities.

Cook and Phillip Park, is a special place where people can swim, get fit, pursue their personal goals or just relax, right in the heart of the city. Featuring three swimming pools, a fitness centre, a recreation centre and a park, its facilities are world-class. Other city swimming pools include the Andrew "Boy" Charlton Pool on the harbour's edge at the Domain and the Prince Alfred Park Pool, near Central Station.

The City of Sydney's first indoor sports complex, the King George V Recreation Centre (KGV) is located in historic The Rocks precinct. Facilities and equipment include two indoor basketball stadiums, a gymnasium, a community room as well as an outdoor basketball court, a playground and a barbecue area.

For more leisurely recreation and relaxation, the central city area boasts more than 130 hectares of parks, gardens and open spaces. An oasis in Sydney's bustling city centre, Hyde Park has been a favourite since 1792, and is a particularly good spot for a lunchtime picnic. Also popular for picnics, sports and outdoor concerts is the Domain, a wide and wonderful expanse of inner city parkland. At the harbour's edge, Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens are a delight to explore, featuring native flora, duck ponds, palm groves and stunning harbour views. Excellent harbour views are also available from Observatory Hill, a delightful park situated at the highest point in the city.