SYDNEY: THE SIGHTS
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-MAIN SIGHTS
-MUSEUMS
-GALLERIES
-PARKS, GARDENS AND BEACHES

MAIN SIGHTS
Sydney Aquarium
This is one of Sydney's top attractions and one of the largest aquarium's in the world. It shows underwater life in different ecosystems from mangrove swamps to rivers and the Great Barrier Reef and features glass tunnels where you are surrounded by water. Wheat Street, Sydney. Ferry Darling Harbour; monorail Darling Park; train Town Hall. Tel (02) 9262 2300. Admission $23, $14 students; combined ferry and admission tickets available. Open 9am-10pm daily, seal sanctuary closes at sunset.

New South Wales Parliament House
The NSW state parliament sits at this historic building that is modelled on the British parliament, although originally built as a hospital wing.
Macquarie Street, Sydney. Bus X90, X96; train Martin Place. Tel (02) 9230 3444. Admission free. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm; tours 9.30am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm when parliament is not sitting.

Queen Victoria Building
This old Victorian building has been renovated and turned into one of the world's most beautiful­ shopping centres. Although it is hardly a place where most backpackers come to shop, it's a nice building to saunter through. 455 George Street, Sydney. Tel (02) 9264 1955. Admission free. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

State Library of NSW
This impressive library contains more than two million books including historical treasures such as the log books of Captain Bligh and Captain Cook's original journals. Macquarie Street, Sydney. Tel (02) 9273 1414. . Admission free. Open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm.

Town Hall
Sydney's Town Hall is a fine example of Victorian architecture and features a clock tower while the interior contains a concert hall with an impressive
8,500-pipe organ. 483 George Street, Sydney. Tel (02) 9265 9007. Admission free. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm.

The Rocks
This area near the southern end of the Harbour Bridge is Sydney's oldest
neighbourhood and it is a welcome departure from the towers of glass and steel just a few minutes walk away. Much of the area has been renovated with plenty of expensive restaurants and boutiques. The Rocks is also home to some of the city's best pubs and can get quite busy on a Friday or Saturday night.

IMAX Cinema
On the waterfront of Darling Harbour with a huge screen. Open Daily

Wharf Woolloomooloo
Woolloomooloo's famous old Finger Wharf was once known as The Cathedral of Commerce. Now it is reclaiming its former vigour and is set to play a leading role in influencing the city's contemporary lifestyle. Open Daily

Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the city's, and Australia's, most famous landmarks with it's sail-like shapes. It has a fantastic spot on the edge of the Sydney Harbour close to Circular Quay and with views of the Harbour Bridge. Inside are restaurants, shops and five performance venues. Events include ballet, classical music, theatre and opera. Book well in advance. Bennelong Point, Sydney. Bus all Circular Quay buses; ferry Circular Quay; train Circular Quay. Tel (02) 9250 7777. Tours cost $16.20-25. Tours depart 9am-5pm daily.

Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is a popular waterfront destination with cafes, restaurants, festivals and events that make it colourful and active. It is only a short walk from the city centre and also includes the Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Art Gallery, the National Maritime Museum and the Powerhouse Museum.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
This is the world's largest, but not longest, steel arch bridge. It is one of Sydney's recognised landmarks and considered an engineering triumph. It is known locally as the "coat-hanger". It cuts journey times across Sydney and hosts the annual New Year fireworks display. To really experience the bridge you should walk across although you can drive or take a bus or train.
The Bridge Climb is also an option. All climbers are breathalysed before starting, then fitted with a bridge suit and a safety harness and given a safety briefing. There are a series of ladders to climb to the lower area of the top arch, and then a climb to the top of the bridge. Photos are taken up here, then you walk across to the other side where you descend again. The summit is 134 metres above seal level and the 360 degree view at the top is superb. Bookings are essential. 5 Cumberland Street, The Rocks. Bus all Wynyard & Circular Quay buses; ferry Circular Quay; train Circular Quay. Tel (02) 8274 7777. Admission $145-175. Open 8am-5pm daily.

Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout
This is a cheaper alternative to the Bridge Climb up the stairs inside one of the bridge's southern pylons. The museum inside the pylon has exhibits about the bridge's construction. Hickson Road, Dawes Point. South East Pylon (Access is via the pedestrian pathway on the Eastern side of the bridge). Bus X39, 339, X43, 343, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 440, 443, 470, 500, 504, 506, 888; ferry Circular Quay; train Circular Quay. Tel (02) 9240 1100. Admission $8.50. Open 10am-5pm.

Bondi Beach
This is a well known beach south of the heads. To get there take a train from Martin Place to Bondi Junction. From here you can walk or get a bus to the beach. Alternatively you can get the 380 or 382 buses from the city. On Christmas Day major celebrations take place on the beach. There is a good range of budget accomodation nearby and also for those looking for long-term accomodation.

Sydney Tower
There are high-speed elevators in these towers 250 metres above the ground which have 360 degree observation decks where you can see below to the central coast, Wollongong to the south and the Blue Mountains to the west. Corner Market & Pitt Streets, Sydney. Monorail City Centre; train St James, Town Hall. Tel (02) 9223 0933. Admission $19.80. Open Sun-Fri 9am-10.30pm, Sat 9am-11.30pm.

Sydney's Markets
Sydney's markets are a fun activity for tourists and locals and are held on beaches, church grounds, schools etc. Some of the best include the Paddington Market, Glebe Market, Sydney Fish Market. See the eating pages for more details.

Government House
This is no longer the governor's residence but still used for official functions. It is free to enter and a good sample of Victorian architecture.
Macquarie­ Street, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Ferry Circular Quay; train Circular Quay. Tel (02) 9931 5222. Admission free. House open Fri-Sun 10am-3pm; grounds open 10am-4pm daily.

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MUSEUMS
Australian Museum
This is a natural history museum from palaeontology and earth sciences to anthropology and the study of indigenous Australians. For children there are also dinosaurs, ship wrecks and other interesting exhibits. Corner College & William Streets, Sydney. Bus 200, 311, 312, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 389; train Museum. Tel (02) 9320 6000. Admission $8. Open 9.30am-5pm daily.

Australian National Maritime Museum
Exhibits include the submarine HMAS Onslow. 2 Murray Street, Pyrmont. Bus 888; ferry Darling Harbour; monorail Harbourside; SLR tram Pyrmont Bay. Tel (02) 9298 3777. Admission $10 museum, $20 museum, boats & submarine. Open Jan 9.30am-6pm daily, Feb-Dec 9.30am-5pm daily.

Powerhouse Museum
Science and technology to decorative arts and Australia's history are on display here in Australia's largest museums. There are 400,000 exhibits, only three per cent are on dispaly at any one time. 500 Harris Street, Ultimo. Bus 501; ferry Darling Harbour; monorail Haymarket; SLR tram: Haymarket. Tel (02) 9217 0100 or 9217 0444. Admission $10, $3 students, free first Sat of every month. Open 10am-5pm daily.

Hyde Park Barracks
A museum that exhibits on convict life. It was also designed by a convict architect, was once a home for convicts, an immigration depot and asylum. Queens Square, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Bus X90, X96; train Martin Place, St James. Tel (02) 9223 8922. Admission $7. Open 9.30am-5pm daily.

Justice & Police Museum
Formerly a police station and courtroom, and now a museum with exhibits on crime, law and policing in NSW. There are old mugshots, weapons and forensic evidence, old charge rooms and remand cells. Corner Albert & Phillip Streets, Sydney. Tel (02) 9252 1144. Admission $7. Open Jan Sat-Thu 10am-5pm; Feb-Dec Sat-Sun 10am-5pm.

Museum of Contemporary Art
A good collection of contemporary art. 140 George Street, The Rocks. Tel (02) 9252 4033. Admission free. Open 10am-5pm daily.

Sydney Observatory
Astronomy and its context in Australian history. Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks. Tel (02) 9217 0485. Admission free during the day, $10 at night (bookings essential). Open 10am-5pm daily.

Sydney Jewish Museum
A small museum that presents Jewish history and some particularly moving exhibits on the Holocaust. 148 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst. Bus 311, 378, 380, 382, 389; train Kings Cross. Tel (02) 9360 7999. Admission $10, $7 students. Open Sun-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-2pm.

Museum of Sydney
Sydney history from early Aboriginal culture through colonial times to the modern city of today. Corner Bridge & Phillip Streets, Sydney. Tel (02) 9251 5988. Admission $7, $3 students, YHA members. Open 9.30am-5pm daily.


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GALLERIES
Art Gallery of New South Wales
International modern art, 20th-century Australian artists and some Pre-Raphaelite and 19th- century Victorian paintings. There is also a pleasant outdoor cafe and art bookshop. Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney. Bus 441; train Martin Place, St James. Tel (02) 9225 1744. Admission free, charge for temporary exhibits. Open 10am-5pm daily.

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PARKS AND GARDENS AND BEACHES
Royal Botanic Gardens
A tranquil haven from the bustling city and also good vies of the harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Macquarie Street, Sydney. Tel (02) 9231 8125. Admission free. Open 6.30am-sunset.

Wonderland Sydney
This theme park fo 219 hectares has six "lands" including the Beach, Goldrush, Old Botany Bay, Transylvania, the Outback Woolshed and the Australian Wildlife Park (over 600 animals). There are also amuseument rides like waterslides and rollercoasters. Wallgrove Road, Eastern Creek. Train Rooty Hill then bus transfer. Tel (02) 9830 9100. Admission $46.20 theme park, $16.50 wildlife park. Open 10am-5pm daily.

Australian Wildlife Park
This is actually part of Wonderland but you can pay a separate entrance fee just to enter here. Much of Australia's unique wildlife can be seen here. Open Daily

Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo covers 75 acres of bushland and has over 2000 specimens.  It is one of the world's more enjoyable zoos. Bradleys Head Road, Mosman. Ferry Taronga Zoo. Tel (02) 9969 2777. Admission $23, $16 students, combined ferry and admission tickets available. Open 9am-5pm daily.

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