Chinese Garden of Friendship, Sydney

Established in 1988 by the local Chinese community, to celebrate their heritage and to cement the bond between Sydney and the city of Guangzhou, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is styled along Classical lines, combining the four elements of water, plants, stone and architecture to create a perfect balance. Reminiscent of the gardens of the Shang dynasty from 3,000 years ago, and a popular tourist attraction, the Garden is a wonderful place to relax and rejuvenate with the whole family - picnicking, or just walking the meandering paths, enjoying the pagoda-style structures, the expert landscaping, and the tranquil courtyards.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day

Admission:
A$6 (adults), A$3 (children under 12). Concessions are available

Australia Reptile Park, Sydney

While you're down under, might as well take the kids to see all that is Australian, including gigantic crocodiles, indigenous spiders, snakes, possums, kangaroos and of course, Tasmanian devils. Children will love exploring the park and discovering the exotic and indigenous animals.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day

Admission:
$24.50 (adults), $12.50 (children). Concessions are available

Calmsley Hill City Farm, Sydney

This working farm is a must for parents with little ones. Kids will be able to watch cows being milked and the daily goings on of a farm, as well as getting to play and pet the animals. Kids can enjoy shows such as the sheep shearing show, working dog show, animal feeds and even tractor rides.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9am to 4.30pm. Closed 25 and 26 December, 1 January and Good Friday

Admission:
A$20 (adults), A$12 (children). Concessions are available

Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney

Children who visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park will be able to interact with and observe koalas, wallabies and emus up close and personal. Kids can have their photograph taken with one of these fuzzy animals and petting the koalas is also allowed here, something you won't find anywhere else in New South Wales.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day

Admission:
$22 (adults); $12 (children). Other concessions available

Powerhouse Discovery Centre, Sydney

Children will go absolutely mad for the Powerhouse Museum, where all things scientific and abound and exhibits include those that will boggle the mind, and astound the senses. The Powerhouse Museum's newly opened museum storage and collection care facility affords visitors the opportunity to see attractions such as the Olympic torch carried by Cathy Freeman in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games; Sydney's first tram or the wacky Standfield mouse-trap making machine.

Opening Times:
Tuesdays to Fridays: booked sessions start at 10am. Bookings essential

Kings Cross, Sydney

Once home to music halls and grand theatres, Kings Cross was transformed after World War II with the arrival of hundreds of troops visiting from the nearby naval base, and today still carries the reputation as the city's red-light district. Although the nightclubs, strip clubs, bars, restaurants and adult shops are still there, the atmosphere is slowly changing and levels of prostitution and drug-use have declined in recent years. The introduction of trendy cafes and the redevelopment of apartment buildings are attracting a wider crowd of people. The Cross is most sleazy at night when the bright lights come on, but during the day is an interesting mix of characters.

Australian Museum, Sydney

The Australian Museum features everything kids love - fossils, dinosaurs, animals and plenty of other fascinating exhibits to look at. The Australian museum also features 'Kidspace', especially for the little ones. This mini-museum will help expand their minds and show them about the history of nature in a fun and colourful way.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day

Admission:
$12 (adults), $6 (children). Concessions available

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 offer some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The path that skirts the harbour starting at the Opera House and leading around to Mrs Maquarie's Chair provides magnificent views of the harbour, particularly at sunset. 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.

Getting There:
Ferry to Circular Quay, or bus 441 to the Art Gallery of NSW. It is also a stop on the Sydney Explorer bus. The nearest train station is Martin Place

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

Admission:
Free

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 A$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.

Getting There:
Buses, trains and ferries go to Circular Quay, which is a five-minute walk from the Opera House

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

Admission:
Guided tour: A$35 (adults). Other concessions are available.

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.

Sydney Tower, Sydney

Sydney Tower, or the AMP Centrepoint Tower, is the tallest free-standing building in the city, and the second tallest in the country. Situated above the Centrepoint office building and shopping centre, the tower is one of the main attractions in Sydney for its 360-degree views and Tower Skywalk platform. The observation deck is 820 feet (250m) above the city, with an enclosed viewing platform with information on the points of interest. OzTrek takes visitors on a virtual adventure, where diverse Australian landscapes are brought to life with a unique integration of 3D holographic technology, animated models and scenic art. The Sydney Tower Skywalk platform sits above the observation deck at 853 feet (260m) above the ground, twice the height of the harbour bridge, and harnessed to the glass-floored platform, daredevils can hang out over the city far below.

Getting There:
Sydney Explorer Bus Stop 14, monorail to City Centre Station

Opening Times:
Sydney Tower Observation Deck and OzTrek is open daily, from 9am to 10.30pm (closed on Christmas Day). Skywalk is open from 9.30am to 8.45pm, leaving approximately every 45 minutes (subject to demand).

Admission:
A$25 (adults), A$15 (children 4-15). Concessions available

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 1,600-foot (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 285 feet (87m) above the water, with three levels of exhibits on the way up depicting the history and construction of the bridge.

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

Admission:
Day climb A$198 (adults) and A$138 (children), Night climb A$188 (adults) and A$128 (children); all twilight climbs are A$268 (A$188 for children). These are standard rates, peak season rates apply between 27 December and 3 January

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.

Getting There:
Serviced directly by buses, trains and ferries

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

Admission:
Free. Aquatic Centre pool entry: A$6.80 (adults), A$5.50 (children 4-15 yrs);

Sydney Aquarium, Sydney

The aquarium is one of the most popular attractions at Darling Harbour, and is one of the biggest and most impressive in the world. More than 5,000 Australian fish are displayed in their natural habitats, along with Australian sharks, rays, platypus, seals, fairy penguins, crocodiles and much more. Underwater walkways give visitors an authentic view of the unique aquatic environment. The Great Barrier Reef exhibit has live coral and many tropical fish, and visitors can take a glass-bottomed boat ride to see 10 dangerous sharks from up close.

Getting There:
Sydney Explorer Bus Stop 22, ferry from Circular Quay, or monorail to Darling Park station

Opening Times:
Daily from 9am to 8pm (until 6pm on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Feeding times vary daily

Admission:
A$35 (adults), A$18 (children 3-15). Family tickets, combination tickets, and other concessions available. Save 10% by booking online

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, one of the world's best aquariums, which has underwater walkways through two huge tanks filled with an amazing array of sea creatures. Also look out for the Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum.

Getting There:
Darling Harbour is easily accessible by bus, train, monorail, light rail or ferry

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 Times:
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Consult website for mass times

Sydney Wildlife World, Sydney

Attached to the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour, the new fauna and flora attraction features a huge variety of native Australian plant and animal species in nine different habitats. A walkway snakes through the enclosures, and the development comprises three floors of exhibits, with the upper level open to the sky under a mesh roof. Visitors can experience a tropical rainforest, the red centre, and get close to animals like the koala, wallabies and over 6,000 other animals. The 'zoo' also focuses on conservation and education of native flora and fauna.

Getting There:
Sydney Explorer Bus Stop 24, ferry from Circular Quay, or monorail to Darling Park station

Opening Times:
Daily from 9am to 10pm. Feeding times vary

Admission:
A$35 (adults), A$18 (children 3-15). Family tickets, Combination tickets, and other concessions available. Save 10% by booking online

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.