Place

Art Gallery of New South Wales

This is the first Australian art museum to hold the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. It also presents an impressive display of Australian artworks from the early colonial period to the middle of the twentieth century. Australia has won the prestigious Archibald art prize displayed at this gallery.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Art Gallery Road, The Domain Telephone: 1700 9225 (02) Fax: 6226 9221 (02) Website: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au Transport: Martin Place–St James CityRail, bus 441 Opening hours: Thursday–Tuesday 1700-1000 and Wednesday 2100-1000 Admission: free (some special exhibitions charge admission)

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Sydney Olympic Park

Attraction

Sydney Olympic Park was established for the 2000 Olympic Games and has now become the principal venue for sporting events. It contains 15 stadiums and hosts more than a hundred events a year. It also has gardens and wetlands for those wishing to enjoy the surrounding nature.

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Royal Botanic Gardens

Attraction

For garden lovers, the Royal Botanic Gardens are the ideal way to spend a quiet afternoon. A short distance from the Opera House, these enchanting grounds invite you to stroll and see the rose garden. It is a place devoted to relaxation and discovering one of Sydney’s largest botanic gardens. Macquarie Street (main entrance) Telephone: 0292318111 Fax: 0292514403 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rbgsyd.gov.au Transport: St James CityRail station, Martin Place or Circular Quay Opening hours: daily from 7.00 am until sunset Admission: free

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Taronga Zoo Australia

Attraction

Sydney is considered home to the world’s most exciting zoos. Taronga Zoo is a major attraction for all visitors because of its varied animals spanning many species. It has more than three hundred and fifty different species and two thousand six hundred animals. People also visit this attraction for its beautiful location on hilly ground. Bradleys Head Road (main entrance) Telephone: 0299692777 Fax: 0299697515 Transport: ferry from Circular Quay, bus 247. Opening hours: daily 0900-1700 Admission: AUD $27, concessions available

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Sydney Harbor Bridge

Bridge

Besides providing an efficient commute, this bridge also gives thrill-seekers the opportunity to climb its 50-storey structure and stare at the Sydney skyline any time of day or night (it is best to climb the bridge at sunset).

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What to do with children in tow

Activity

The best place in Sydney for children is the Rocks. This historic neighborhood always has a festive buzz to it (and also holds festivals frequently) along with having the Royal Botanic Gardens and Taronga Zoo very nearby. The Rocks is sure to have some great entertainment for children if you are there when a festival is going on. If not, you and your family can stroll down to the Puppet ShopRocks Toy Museum

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Museum of Contemporary Art

Museum

140 George Street

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Bondi Beach

beach

No trip to Sydney would be complete without a stroll through the famed Bondi Beach. In only a 15 minute car ride from the city center, you can reach this illustrious beach town and soak-up the waterfront scene filled with street musicians, topless sunbathers, surf shops, bars, and cafes.

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Chinese Garden of Friendship

Garden

Tel: (02) 9281 6863. E-mail: [email protected] Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700. Admission: A$6.

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IMAX Theater

Theatre

Tel: (02) 9281 3300. Website: www.imax.com.au Opening hours: Daily 1000-2300. Admission: A$16 for 2D films, A$17 for 3D; concessions available.

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Sydney Aquarium

Aquarium

Aquarium Pier Tel: (02) 8251 7800. Website:www.sydneyaquarium.com.au Opening hours: Daily 0900-2200. Admission: A$25; concessions available.

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Ali Baba

Type: Lebanese Location: George Street, south of Town Hall Phone: No phone available

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Bécasse

Bécasse is an excellent choice if you are in the mood for fine French dining. Chef Justin North prepares excellent seafood dishes, so it is recommended you try one of them. However, if you want to amplify your taste buds, you can try its degustation menu that includes both seafood and beef. Reservations are recommended.

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Billy Kwong

This cozy little restaurant holds a powerhouse Chef that is sure to give your taste buds an Asian punch. Chef Kylie Kwong, who has also written several cookbooks, is known for her creative dishes which hold her original Asian fusion stamp. The only thing that may not reflect Kwong completely is the name of the restaurant. Billy stems from her former partnership with celebrity chef Billy Granger. If you want to dine at Billy Kwong, be prepared for a whiles wait. This restaurant does not accept reservations.

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Quay

This restaurant not only offers delicious dishes, but also magnificent views of the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.Yet, not only is the view pleasant, but the aesthetic appeal of the food spurs the taste buds.?Also, its lunch specials (around A$65) are a good value compared to the pricier items.

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Tetsuya's Japan

As the name implies, this is famed chef Tetsuya Wakuda's restaurant. Known as one of the world's top chefs, Wakuda has become famous for fusing Japanese and Australian cuisine. His food is in such high-demand that seats at Tetsuya's are usually booked three months in advance. However, if you manage to get a table, be aware that Tetsuya's offers a degustation menu (a sample of several dishes) for A$185.

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Esat Ocean Restaurant

With a capacity for 400 guests, this popular Chinese restaurant is always bustling with people day or night. The biggest draw is East Ocean's yum cha, a dish where diners drink tea and then taste-test various foods.

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Arthur's Pizza

Family-friendly

This long-standing pizzeria is a favorite of families and students. Arthur's Pizza serves traditional Italian dishes prepared from scratch. Also, a welcoming environment and friendly staff add to its homemade style. However, if you want to wine and dine, you must bring your own alcohol.

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Bodhi Restaurant

Bodhi Restaurant is very vegan-friendly, so vegetarians and health conscious eaters will be delighted with both taste and price. The yum cha is a must eat.

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Bill & Toni's Restaurant

Bill and Toni's very inexpensive prices (around A$15) add high appeal to the restaurant, since the design nor the food could be described as above average. Though the food is palatable, it would be more enjoyable to go in a group. The atmosphere and setting seem to lend itself to a large crowd. No alcohol is served here, so make sure you bring your own.

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Harry's Cafe de Wheels

This moving van offers some of the best Australian pies in town. It is nothing fancy (hoodlums and sailors were its staple customers until the middle of the twentieth century), but that is of no concern when the food is so delicious and served quickly. Opened until 4 a.m., many tipsy customers head over to this stand to satisfy their early morning food cravings.

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Marriott Sydney Harbor

If location is a priority when it comes to booking your accommodation you can't get any more central than the Marriott Sydney Harbor Hotel that is located in the heart of the business, financial, and tourist area at Circular Quay. Imagine the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge being just a stone's throw away. Moreover, museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, the Royal Botanic Gardens, duty free shopping, bus, train and ferry transport and the historic area of the rocks are all at your door step. The Marriott is also located 7 miles north of Sydney International Airport.

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Shangri-La

This is Sydney's premier hotel with all rooms offering views to the Harbor. The rooms are styled in an Asian-European theme and offer chic and luxurious comfort. Also, the hotel has seven restaurants including the Japanese Restaurant on 36 and the Rocks Teppanyaki. If you want to drink in style, grab a cocktail at the Blue Horizons Bar.

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Sir Stamford at Circular Quay

Formerly known as the Ritz-Carlton, this European-style hotel offers traditional elegance and grandeur. Its antique furnished rooms exude a blend of wealth and coziness. Also, its exceptional personalized service adds a further level of intimacy. If you are in town on business, there is a private meeting lounge that comes with secretarial and IT staff if needed. In 2001, Condafa©Nast Traveller voted Sir Stamford at Circular Quay as Australia's finest hotel.

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Hilton Sydney

The Hilton Sydney is the city's trendiest and most hi-tech hotel. All 577 rooms offer flat screen TVs with a DVD player, internet protocol telephony, blackout screens, and a Magic Button found in all room telephones that addresses all your needs and wants anytime of day or night.

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Blue

Formerly known as W Sydney, this recently acquired hotel by Taj Hotels is pleasantly located on the harbor at Woolloomooloo Bay. Blue's architecture offers a nice mixture of past and present. For instance, the exterior, faithful to its industrial past, has retained its original design. On the other hand, the 100 rooms and 36 lofts have been completely revamped into utterly modern accommodations. <!--

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Ultimate Apartments Bondi Beach

The newly renovated Ultimate Apartments Bondi Beach is located smack in the middle of Bondi village and within a 5 minutes walk from the beach. There are 45 fully furnished studio apartments that cater to couples, singles, and families who wish to stay for short or longer terms.

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The Crest Hotel

For partygoers, the Crest Hotel is ideal because it is smack in the middle of the buzzing nightlife of Kings Cross and Darlinghurst. If you want to bring the party back to your place, you can since all the rooms offer a mini-bar, TV, and safe. Also, all rooms are en suite.

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Travelodge Martin Place

Moderate Hotels

This hotel is perfect for those not looking to spend wads of cash on accommodation, but still want a pleasant place to stay in. The en suite rooms offer a kitchenette with microwave and cable television. Also, its central location (a five minute walk from the Quay) is a bonus.

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Australian Heritage Hotel

Moderate Hotels

This cozy and comfy bed and breakfast offers the sweetness and unpretentious fun not often found in hotels. And though modernity or an uber-cool design does not rein its interior, be assured that its history and age (built in 1913) is enough to put any young hotel to shame. Also, its 10 bedrooms, with four shared bathrooms that still have its 1930's original tile work, are serene and comfortable. This B&B also offers a glimpse of the Harbor Bridge from its rooftop. < Cumberland Street

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Sydney Central YHA

Budget Hotels

Stay in the only 5 star hostel in Sydney located in a spectacular heritage listed building directly opposite Central Station in the hub of the backpacker precinct.