Sydney - Australia
General | History | Eating Out | Resort Facts | Travel Planning | Photo Gallery
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Region: Sydney + Blue Mountains |
Duration: 3-4 days
Sydney is developing an international reputation as a sophisticated destination offering the visitor stylish shopping, an impressive choice of boutique and top quality accommodation, cultural attractions of an international standard and an innovative cuisine that is becoming "signature Sydney".
Sydney's retailers successfully showcase an outstanding combination of local and international designs. Our dining, bar, hotel and nightclub scene portrays a modern, cosmopolitan edge that competes with the biggest cities in the world.
Using our fresh local produce and drawing on the cuisines of our multi-cultural population, Sydney's restaurants offer diners exciting menus of exceptional quality. The service is refined but the environment is relaxed.
There are plenty of opportunities to indulge in extravagant activities that include the harbour icons. Try a climb over the Harbour Bridge, a night out at the opera, a charter sail around the harbour; a scenic seaplane flight over Sydney's northern beaches or a helicopter flight to the Blue Mountains.
Day 1 Morning
A perfect introduction to the beauty of Sydney and its harbour is to join in a guided tour up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This will take the best part of a morning. The 3-hour exhilarating climb will take you from the BridgeClimb headquarters to the very top of the harbour bridge. From here you will have a fantastic bird's eye view of the harbour, the Sydney Opera House, the harbour headlands as well as the outer reaches of the city.
From your hotel catch a taxi to the BridgeClimb Headquarters. Tours depart every 20 minutes and bookings are essential.
You will be required to arrive at BridgeClimb 15 minutes prior to departure and are requested to wear rubber soled shoes. Photography is not permitted on the climb, however a souvenir photo of yourself will be taken by your guide.
You will return from your climb around lunch time. From the BridgeClimb offices make your way by foot down into Sydney's historic quarter - The Rocks.
The Rocks is Australia's colonial birthplace, a live modern café, gallery and shopping area surrounded by beautiful historic sandstone buildings and cobbled laneways. There are plenty of places to enjoy either a light lunch or a more formal meal. The Rocks is renowned as a dining precinct featuring some of Sydney's best-known eating establishments.
On this occasion you could try the MCA Café situated in the Museum of Contemporary Art Building. This casual café offers an appealing modern Australian menu matched with a good wine list. It is complemented by a lovely view overlooking the harbour activity of Circular Quay.
Afternoon
Following your leisurely lunch spend the afternoon exploring The Rocks.
Your first stop should be the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is right on your doorstep. This museum presents a regularly changing program of exhibitions featuring the works of local and international contemporary artists.
From the Museum proceed north into The Rocks precinct stopping on George Street at the Sydney Visitor Information Centre. The Centre offers a range of information on local activities and tours. Here you can collect maps of The Rocks and the city as well as information about places to dine and attractions to visit.
On the upper level of the Centre there is an interesting permanent exhibition of The Rocks, providing a good historical overview of this area.
Moving on, you may be interested in the wide choice of art and craft galleries offering original works for sale. In addition there is a good selection of Australian and imported designer stores in The Rocks. Opal shops and duty- free stores are also located in this area.
From The Rocks make your way back towards Alfred Street, Circular Quay. Here you will find Customs House. This beautiful sandstone building has recently been refurbished to house permanent and temporary exhibitions and galleries; as well as stylish bars, cafes and restaurants. Take a look at the exhibitions inside, followed by afternoon tea at one of the outdoor cafes attached to the building.
Return to your hotel for a rest before the theatre.
Spend your evening at a live performance of either opera, ballet or theatre at the Sydney Opera House.
After the performance, dinner and post-performance suppers are available at Bennelong Restaurant. Situated right at the Opera House with fantastic harbour views, Bennelong is considered to be one of Sydney's most upmarket restaurants.
Before returning to your hotel, take a leisurely stroll around Circular Quay absorbing the fantastic sights, sounds and atmosphere of the city and Sydney harbour at night.
For details and prices of these trips and many other possibilities please
call our reservations team on 0845 4582868 for further details.
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