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Last Updated: Sep 14th, 2008 - 22:35:57 |
Sydney has now become a staple for both gap-year hedonists and serious culture vultures and as bronzed locals will tell you, Sydney is Australia's capital in everything but name.
A feeling of sun-kissed contentment seems to emanate from its inhabitants, and this is hardly surprising given Sydney's hills and beaches, vertiginous skyscrapers, world-class restaurants and vibrant atmosphere.
A city's atmosphere is the most intangible and abstract aspect of its character, and is often the 'dealbreaker' in any special relationship between the tourist and a place itself. Sydney retains an atmosphere of boundless possibility since all the parameters for happy existence seem implausibly tweaked in its direction. The city at times seems to enjoy too much good fortune - like the spoilt child of the southern hemisphere.
The Sydney Opera House may have been condemned as a misguided Antipodean contrivance to high culture, however these curious white koala bear ears have become the most distinctive landmark in the city.
At the other end of the cultural spectrum, henna-tattoed surfer-types are attracted to the incessant nocturnal buzz in the Kings Cross district.
The city's relentless concrete jungle is tempered by the shady idylls of Hyde Park and The Domain parkland to its east. The proximity of Darling Harbour to the west and the main harbour to the north means that a cooling maritime zephyr blows through Sydney's parched boulevards.
Although it has become de rigueur to pour scorn upon Bondi Beach, even the most hardened surfing fascist (and there are plenty of them) will admit that it remains a flawless arc of sand where the surf is always 'up'.
Much of the city rotates around its focal point, Circular Quay. The area combines ferry quays, a railway station, restaurants, buskers, parks, the Museum of Contemporary Art and, of course, the Sydney Opera House.
Macquarie Street contains Sydney's greatest concentration of early public buildings. The most impressive are Parliament House, Sydney Hospital, the Mint Building, the Hyde Park Barracks, St James Church and the State Library.
Global Holidays has a great range of discount holidays to Australia. Call our expert travel consultants on 0870 1252960 with your holiday details.
Check out our fantastic travel guide to Sydney
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