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.

Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras,Sydney
What began in 1979 as a protest march has become a huge colourful annual event to display Sydney's tolerant spirit. The city's gay and lesbian community, joined by thousands of visitors from around the world, holds a three-week festival each February culminating in a massive parade of sumptuous floats, reputedly the biggest outdoor night time parade in the world. The traditional parade route runs from Hyde Park, through Liverpool Street, Oxford Street, across Anzac Parade and on to Moore Park where it ends in an all night party at Fox Studios. Other events in the weeks leading up to the parade include a film festival, concerts, picnics, art exhibitions and sports events.

Date: 1 March 2008

Sydney Festival,Sydney
This huge extravaganza is one of the largest and most prestigious cultural events in Australia, presenting the finest international artists and most acclaimed local talent in the performing and visual arts. Every summer the city's concert venues, theatres, galleries, streets and various outdoor venues are taken over by the creative arts, featuring a wide range of music, dance and drama, exhibitions, circuses and free outdoor entertainment in a celebration of artistic innovation unmatched anywhere else in the country. A free outdoor programme, including the enormously popular symphony and jazz concerts in the Domain, complements the ticketed events, and takes place in venues such as the Rocks, Darling Harbour and in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Date: January 2008, TBC
Venue: CBD

New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular,Sydney
The splendid setting of Sydney Harbour becomes the stage for one of the most fabulous and largest annual fireworks displays in the world, watched by millions of people around the globe. The 9pm display offers an opportunity for families with young children to enjoy the celebrations. The midnight spectacular covers a four-mile (7km) stretch of the harbour and the fireworks are fired from barges on either side of the Harbour Bridge and from the bridge itself. Other activities take place throughout the evening including the traditional Tall Ships Parade decorated with lighting effects, and various carnival attractions.

Date: 31 December
Venue: Sydney Harbour
Time: 9pm and midnight

Carols in the Domain,Sydney
Woolworths' Carols in the Domain is Australia's largest and most loved Christmas celebration. Every year family and friends come together at this spectacular event to celebrate the magic and joy of Christmas. The Domain, in the heart of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens becomes a hive of activity as people from all over Australia join in and sing along to their favourite Christmas Carols. As the sun sets the Domain is transformed into a sea of flickering candlelight as Australia's best talent takes to the stage in this Christmas spectacular. Woolworths' Carols in the Domain showcases the very best of the Australian entertainment industry, from theatre, opera, and recording artists, to our most loved television personalities.

Date: 16 December 2006
Venue: The Domain, Sydney Botanical Gardens
Time: 8.15pm to 11pm

Australia Day Celebrations,Sydney
Australia's National Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and is a celebration of all that is Australian. It is the biggest day celebration in the country and includes a wide variety of water and land based activities and shows. Favourite annual events include the Ferrython, Tall Ships Race, Australia Day Parade and the traditional Regatta. Various venues throughout the city stage formal ceremonies, food and wine fairs, Australian musical performances and street entertainment, and the day culminates at Darling Harbour with a dazzling fireworks display set to music.

Date: 26 January
Venue: Various

Wine Australia,Sydney
Australia is one of the biggest wine suppliers in the world and its wines are highly acclaimed on the international market. Wine Australia is the biggest wine festival in the country bringing together hundreds of wines and wineries every second year, and is an opportunity to taste the best of what the country has to offer. In addition to endless wine stalls and tasting, food stalls also exhibit cuisine from some of Sydney's leading restaurants. General admission tickets include unlimited tastings.

Date: July 2008, TBC
Venue: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour

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