Snowy Mountains,Outside Sydney
Australia's winter playground is in the peaks of the Snowy Mountains, about 315 miles (500km) south of Sydney, where there are more than 145 miles (230km) of ski-trails, graded from beginner to championship level. Ski season lasts from June to October. The ski resorts are known for their warm hospitality, spectacular scenery, and their apres-ski entertainment. The largest resort is Perisher Blue, which is actually four resorts united to form a mecca for snow-seekers. Another, at the foot of Mount Crackenback, is the resort of Thredbo, which is a recreation of a European Alpine village and features Australia's longest ski run, known as the Funnelweb.

Harbour Bridge,Sydney
One of Sydney's most famous landmarks, the Harbour Bridge (known locally as the 'Coat Hanger') was completed in 1932 after claiming 16 lives during its construction. The bridge spans the 1,600ft (500m) gap from the north to the south shore, which was previously only accessible by ferry, and accommodates pedestrian walkways, two railway lines and an eight-lane road. Visitors can experience the bridge in an adventurous way by climbing to the top as part of an organised group for breathtaking views and a feeling of personal achievement. For the less daring 200 steps lead to the Pylon Lookout for equally fantastic views at 285ft (87m) above the water, with three levels of exhibits on the way up depicting the history and construction of the bridge.

Admission:
BridgeClimb: day and night climbs A$165 (adults); Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sunday day climbs are A$185; all twilight climbs are A$245. Prices increase in July and August. Pylon Lookout: A$8.50 (adults), A$3 (children 8-12yrs)

Opening time:
Pylon Lookout: daily 10am to 5pm. BridgeClimb operates daily at 10-minute intervals from early morning to evening

The Rocks,Sydney
The best place to start exploring Australia's oldest city is at The Rocks, a restored 19th-century village at the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was the site of Australia's first European settlement in 1788, and is therefore considered to be the birthplace of the nation of Australia. The area features cobbled streets and squares, gas lamps, craft shops and small restaurants. Here too are several historic buildings, including one of the city's oldest, Cadman's Cottage, built in 1816, and two of Sydney's oldest pubs, the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo. It is recommended that visitors seek information and a map from The Rocks Visitor's Centre (in George Street) in order to make the most of the neighbourhood and its many attractions, which include museums, view sites, markets, monuments and buildings. From The Rocks it is also possible to access the Pylon Lookout on the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge for an amazing view of the harbour and beyond.

Opening time:
Office Hours: 8am - 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Sydney Opera House,Sydney
It may not be an ancient monument, but the architecturally distinctive Sydney Opera House epitomises the city as much as does the Great Pyramid in Cairo or the Acropolis in Athens. Situated on Sydney harbour at Bennelong Point, this intriguing white-sailed landmark is no white elephant. It is a fully functional performing arts centre in constant use. The complex consists of a massive Concert Hall that seats more than 2,500 people and has the finest acoustics in the world; a smaller Opera Theatre, also used for ballet performances; a Drama Theatre, seating about 500 people; the smaller Playhouse; and the Boardwalk dance and music venue. The building, designed by Joørn Utzon, was completed in 1973 and cost over $100 million, most of which was raised with a series of national lotteries. There was so much controversy involved in its construction that the Danish architect returned home without ever seeing his finished product. Free performances of various types are given outside on the boardwalks around the Opera House on Sunday afternoons.

Admission:
Guided tour: A$23 (adults), concessions A$16

Opening time:
Guided tours daily 9am to 5pm (one hour); Box office for tickets to performances open Monday to Saturday 9am to 8.30pm, on Sundays two hours before the scheduled performance time

Royal Botanic Gardens,Sydney
Sydney's 'green lung' is the 30-hectare botanical garden, established in 1816 and containing more than 7,500 species of plants. Australia's very first farm was on the site where the garden now flourishes, southeast of the Opera House. Paths and walks criss-cross the gardens, leading strollers past two sets of ponds, garden sculptures and numerous horticultural areas. Don't miss the Sydney Tropical Centre; the rose, herb and succulent gardens; the First Farm; the Fernery; and the palm grove. Watch out for a young specimen of the rare Wollemi Pine (only 38 adult trees exist in the world) in the Pioneer Garden. The gardens also have a visitor's centre, shop, restaurants and kiosks. Guided walks are offered at 10.30am every day except public holidays, visitors who prefer not to walk can take a scenic train tour. Inside the Gardens you can also admire Government House, formerly the residence of the New South Wales Governor, which sits atop a hillock overlooking the Opera House and Farm Cove. It is open to the public for tours.

Admission:
Free

Opening time:
Daily 7am. Closes at various hours depending on the month, from 5pm in winter to 8pm in summer

St Mary's Cathedral,Sydney
This impressive Gothic cathedral is the mother church of Australian Catholics and is a landmark in the very heart of Sydney, situated on the northeastern side of Hyde Park. The cathedral was built in 1868, but its two towering spires were added as recently as 2000 after steel frames were put in place by helicopter and clad in stone. The massive cathedral is constructed from dressed pyrmont sandstone and laid out in a cruciform design. It has some lovely stained-glass windows worth viewing.

Opening time:
Monday to Friday 6.30am to 6.30pm; Saturday 8am to 7.30pm; Sunday 6.30am to 7.30pm. Guided tours take place every sunday at 12pm

Darling Harbour,Sydney
The waterside tourist precinct of Darling Harbour, close to the central business district, is crossed by a monorail and offers plenty of entertaining diversions, museums, carnival rides, restaurants and shops. For example there is the Imax Theatre with Australia's largest cinema screen; the magnificent Chinese Garden with its serpentine paths and placid pools; and the huge Star City Casino and the Sydney Entertainment Centre. An absolute must-see is the Sydney Aquarium (www.sydneyaquarium.com.au), one of the world's best aquariums, which has underwater walkways through two huge tanks filled with an amazing array of sea creatures. There is also a giant plexi-glass room suspended inside a seal pool, and an impressive re-creation of the Great Barrier Reef. Also look out for the Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum.

Olympic Park,Sydney
The site of the 2000 Australian Millennium Olympic Games, built on a former garbage dump, has become a favourite tourist attraction (there are afternoon bus tours from Circular Quay in central Sydney). Call at the information centre first for information, maps and tour guides. The marvellous Stadium Australia, built for the Olympic track and field events, is currently the venue for Australian rugby and soccer matches. Tours of the stadium are available. The Aquatic Centre is open to the public for swimming. A great view of the eco-friendly Olympic Park and city can be had from the observation deck of the Novotel Hotel.

Admission:
Free. Aquatic Centre pool entry: A$6.20 (adults), A$5 (children 4-15 yrs); general admission/spectator fees to the pool are A$3.10

Opening time:
Daily 9am to 5pm. Sydney Olympic Park Visitor Gateway: 8am to 5pm daily

Beaches,Sydney
One thing that is not in short supply in Sydney are beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches. Anywhere in the city, except perhaps in the far west suburbs, you will never be more than half an hour away from one. Starting from popular Palm Beach to the north, you can take your pick along the coast: there is Whale, Avalon, Bilgola, Newport, Bungan, Mona Vale, Warriewood, Narrabeen-Collaroy, Long Reef, Curl Curl, Freshwater, North Steyne, Manly and Shelly! There are several small beaches around Sydney Harbour, and moving southwards one reaches the famous Bondi Beach, with its magnificent sweep of golden sand lined with an eclectic mix of ice-cream parlours, designer cafes and surf shops. The list goes on and on: a beach for everyone, all equipped with kiosks, white sand and golden bodies. Eight miles (13km) from the city centre, Manly is perhaps the most famous of these northern beaches; it was here, in 1902, that newspaper editor William Gocher first defied the state law against public bathing and today the white sand of the south beaches and the golden sands of the north beaches are crowded with swimmers, sunbathers and surfers. Manly can be reached by ferry from Circular Quay or by foot via the Manly Scenic Walkway from Spit Bridge in the city. This walk can take three or four hours but offers some of Sydney's most breathtaking views, as well as skirting some of its most exclusive neighbourhoods. Another spectacular but much shorter walk is along the cliffs from Bondi to Bronte Beach, which takes walkers past the famous Tamarama Beach and is very popular with joggers and, at the weekend, with families.

Hunter Region,Outside Sydney
The Hunter Valley region is a 60-mile (100km) drive north of Sydney. It is a region already known to the world for its high quality wine, but is also fast becoming famous as an eco-tourism destination. Besides its vineyards and eateries, there are a myriad places of interest like Lake Macquarie, a glistening lake with magnificent beaches about 12 miles (19km) south of Newcastle; the beautiful Myall Lakes; and the attractive stretch of surfing beaches near Newcastle. Nearby is the Barrington Tops World Heritage Wilderness Site, which, at 5,203ft (1,586m) above sea level, contains some of the highest untamed natural bushland in Australia. One of the most popular coastal destinations in the region is Port Stephens, renowned for its crystal clear water and golden beaches. The harbour of Port Stephens is home to about 80 dolphins and many cruise boats offer close up views of these animals. Port Stephens coastline is also a wonderful vantage point for whale watching in season.

Blue Mountains,Outside Sydney
The entrance to the richly forested hills of the Blue Mountains is at Glenbrook/Lapstone, only about 50 minutes drive from Sydney. By road follow the signs out of the city to Parramatta and enter the M4 Motorway at Strathfield. Many coach companies offer day trips, usually from Circular Quay in Sydney. Alternatively City Rail offer an efficient service to the Blue Mountains, or you can travel there direct from Sydney Airport. Once there, visitors can delight in one of the most spectacular wilderness parks in Australia. Cliff top vistas stretch across gum tree-lined valleys and craggy outcrops. It is superb walking country and adventure activities, from horse riding, caving and abseiling to tubing down mountain rivers, abound. The region is dotted with historic towns, most built from timber and stone, connected by scenic drives. A great drawcard is the Blue Mountains 'Yulefest'. Visitors flock to the mountaintops in July and August to experience a mid-year Christmas and to revel in the occasional snowfall. Many of the region's guesthouses, hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants put on all the trappings of a traditional Christmas, complete with turkey, Christmas pudding and a great deal of fun.

New England,Outside Sydney
Also known as 'Big Sky Country' the region of New South Wales known as New England is a place of spacious beauty where it is possible to enjoy the great outdoors in the cool summers of the tablelands and cosy hospitality of the crisp winters. The centre of New England is Australia's country-music capital, Tamworth. 250 miles (400km) northwest of Sydney, Tamworth has played host to the Australian Country Music Festival every January since 1973. The city's population doubles to more than 60,000 when aficionados from across the land gather for the ten-day event, which culminates in the Golden Guitar Awards. Besides the music, Tamworth's other claim to fame is that it was the first town in the southern hemisphere to be lit by electricity. This historical fact has been enshrined in the Powerhouse Museum in the town. Beyond Tamworth the Big Sky Country includes tens of thousands of hectares of national parks, and provides activities for visitors like horse riding, abseiling fishing, fossicking, canoeing, bushwalking and other nature-based activities. Each park offers distinct flora and fauna and a multitude of natural attractions.

Broken Hill,Outside Sydney
The historic town of Broken Hill lies in western New South Wales, in the area known as the 'Living Outback'. Here red dust roads lead off to national parks, opal fields, remote settlements and the Darling River. In Broken Hill art and mining live side by side as uncomfortable companions. Artists have come here to find their inspiration, at a spot where incredible wealth has been produced by exploitation of one of the world's greatest mineral deposits. Broken Hill is known as 'Silver City' being the site of the world's richest deposit of silver, lead and zinc. Visitors can visit a simulated mine or the real thing, donning lighted helmets to enter the subterranean world of the miners. This town is also a mecca for artists and film-makers and has more than 20 art galleries. The famous Outback Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air are also worth a visit. Visitors can tour the aircraft hangar or the radio room, which handles calls to and from remote towns and stations, covering 80 percent of Australia and treating about 160,000 patients a year.

Rockpool,Sydney
Rockpool began as a fine dining restaurant serving top-class Australian produce with an Asian influence, and today chefs Perry and Danis create original dishes that combine excellence, especially when it comes to seafood, with Thai, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours. The tea-smoked duck is highly recommended! The décor is glamorously modern with glass and chrome, and the busy kitchen hung with copper pots and pans is very much at the centre of the action. Dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Reservations essential.

Location: 107 George Street, The Rocks

Tetsuya's,Sydney
Sydney's most famous chef is the internationally acclaimed Tetsuya Wakuda - a master at blending Western techniques with Japanese flavours in a unique way. The dining room is serene and unobtrusively stylish with views onto a Japanese garden and waterfall, and the changing menu offers specialities such as scallop sashimi with duck foie gras, tartare of tuna with olive oil and wasabi jelly, and marinated roast breast of duck with coffee. Everybody who is anybody wants to eat here and reservations are essential up to four weeks in advance. Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, and Saturday for lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Location: 529 Kent Street (CBD)

Buon Ricordo,Sydney
Rated as the top Italian restaurant in Sydney, Buon Ricordo's reputation is due in part to its jovial owner, host and chef, Armando Percuoco who creates innovative dishes based on Neopolitan and Tuscan styles of cooking. The ambience is akin to a private Italian home complemented by a genuine warm welcome and professional service. The signature dish of truffled egg fettuccine is one of the city's best pasta dishes, and the warmed figs with Gorgonzola and prosciutto is heavenly. Reservations essential. Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, Friday and Saturday for lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Location: 108 Boundary Street, Paddington

Chinta Ria – Temple of Love,Sydney
Chinta Ria's buzzing atmosphere is presided over by a giant smiling Buddha in the centre of the restaurant and crowds flock to sample the delicious array of hawker-style Malaysian cuisine amid a fun and funky ambience. Flavours are intense and dishes include Laksa (Malaysian curry), hot and sour broth, and chilli prawns. A selection of dishes to share is the best way to sample more of the delicious food - the more people the better. Reservations are for lunch only so arrive early for dinner or be prepared for a lengthy wait. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

Location: The Roof Terrace, Cockle Bay Wharf, 201 Sussex Street, Darling Harbour

Sailor's Thai,Sydney
Situated in the Old Sailors Home this popular restaurant has a well-earned reputation for delicious and authentic Thai food. A downstairs à la carte restaurant is elegant and serves innovative food, while the upstairs canteen attracts the lunchtime crowds, who sit together at a long stainless steel table. The food is superb at both and includes Thai salads, stir-fries and excellent red curries. Service is exemplary. Advance reservations required at the main restaurant; not accepted at the canteen. Canteen open daily; restaurant closed Sundays, no lunch Saturday.

Location: 106 George Street, The Rocks

Bayswater Brasserie,Sydney
The Bayz, as it is affectionately called, has been serving sumptuous dishes influenced by flavours of Asia and the Mediterranean, first class seafood and cocktails for over 10 years. The menu changes regularly and a blackboard shows the current specials. A central oyster bar has added a new dimension to the specialities list, and also offers a selection of seasonal food from shellfish, foie gras, and cheeses that are a fabulous accompaniment to a glass of chilled wine or champagne. Reservations are recommended. Dinner Monday to Saturday as well as lunch on Fridays.

Location: 32 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross

Salt,Sydney
This sleek, state of the art restaurant in Sydney's trendiest suburb is the 'in' place for the fashion crowd to be seen. Executive chef Luke Mangan has taken Salt to the top of the Mod Oz movement with food that is innovative in its flavour combinations. The menu changes regularly and includes vegetarian meals as well as dishes like quail's egg encrusted with celery salt and sugar, and baked guinea fowl breast with parmesan and artichoke puree. Martinis are the drink of choice. Reservations essential. Dinner Tuesday to Saturday as well as lunch on Fridays.

Location: Kirketon Hotel, 229 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

Longrain,Sydney
Located in a converted warehouse, Longrain encourages traditional Asian-style dining with three long, wooden communal tables and an enticing menu by chef Martin Boetz, with dishes that are designed to be shared in order to fully appreciate the delicate blend of Thai and southern Chinese influences. The décor is hip, the food is remarkable, and it is the contemporary warehouse-dining experience of choice by the trendy, sleek Surrey Hills set. Dinner Monday to Saturday. No lunch Saturdays.

Location: 85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Bills,Sydney
This sunny corner café has earned Sydney icon status for its outstanding breakfasts, with signature dishes including ricotta hotcakes with bananas and honeycomb butter, sweet corn fritters with roast tomato, bacon and spinach, and the best scrambled eggs in the city. The friendly communal table, nouveau café-style décor, professional service and consistently good food make Bills immensely popular. Open for lunch and breakfast. Closed Sunday. Reservations are not accepted.

Location: 433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst