World City Guide

Sport

Sydney’s acres of coastline and parkland make it a dream destination for sports enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors. During the summer, Bondi shows off the bodies beautiful of surfers, rollerbladers and sunbathers. The region boasts some of the world’s top surfing conditions and the best beaches for beginners are Manly, Curl Curl, Freshwater or North Bondi. Surf aficionados in search of bigger waves should head for the beaches of North Narrabeen, South Maroubra, Newport, South Bondi and Queenscliff.

Waves aside, the ocean pools offer swimmers a spectacular alternative to chlorinated lanes. Scuba divers are also well served, with a number of local marine parks. For the international yachting set, Sydney Harbour is the starting point for one of the biggest fixtures of the year, the 2,000km (1,240-mile) Sydney to Hobart race.

Australians adore cricket and Sydney is no exception. The cricket season (October to March) includes Test and World Series Cup matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Driver Avenue (tel: (02) 9360 6601; website: www.sydneycricketground.com.au). During the rugby and football season (March to September) soccer games, rugby league and rugby union matches are held at the Aussie Stadium, Moore Park (tel: (02) 9360 6601; website: www.aussiestadium.com.au). Sydney’s Aussie Rules football team, the Sydney Swans (website: www.sydneyswans.com.au), plays at the Sydney Cricket Ground and enjoys considerable support.

Tickets to sporting events are available from Ticketek (tel: (02) 9266 4800; website: www.ticketek.com).

Bush-walking: The national parks in and around Sydney offer some spectacular bush-walks. Routes and information can be obtained from Sydney Harbour Parks (tel: (02) 9247 8861) or the National Parks and Wildlife Service (tel: (02) 9585 6444; website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au).

Fitness Centres: Body-conscious Sydney has a proliferation of gyms, including City Gym, 107 Crown Street (tel: (02) 9360 6247), Gold’s Gym, 23 Pelican Street (tel: (02) 9264 4496), and Bayswater Fitness, 33 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross (tel: (02) 9356 2555). Single entry at these centres cost A$15, A$20 and A$15 respectively.

Golf: The Lakes Golf Club, corner of King Street and Vernon Avenue, Mascot (tel: (02) 9669 1311), is among Sydney’s most exclusive golf courses. Non-members are welcome on Monday and Thursday. Other clubs include Marrickville Golf Club, Wharf Street (tel: (02) 9558 1876), and St Michael’s Golf Course, Jennifer Street, Little Bay (tel: (02) 9311 0621). Both these clubs are open to the public on selected days and times, including daily afternoon public play. Green fees for 18 holes start at approximately A$20 and can rise to over A$100 at private clubs.

Rollerblading: Rollerbladers are part of the scenery in Sydney, especially at Manly Beach and Centennial Park. Blades and protective clothing can be hired at Manly Blades, 2/49 North Steyne, Manly (tel: (02) 9976 3833; website: www.manlyblades.com.au), and Centennial Park Cycles, 50 Clovelly Road (tel: (02) 9398 5027; website: www.cyclehire.com.au).

Scuba Diving: Sydney has good visibility and some colourful local marine parks, which are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. Operators include Pro Dive Travel, 478 George Street (tel: (02) 9281 5066; website: www.prodive.com.au), and Sydney Dive Academy, 462 Bunnerong Road, Matraville (tel: (02) 9311 0708; website: www.sydneydive.com.au).

Squash: The Surry Hills Squash Centre, 525 Crown Street (tel: (02) 9699 9222; website: www.hiscoes.com.au), is centrally located.

Surfing: Outfits such as Let’s Go Surfing, 128 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi (tel: (02) 9365 1800; website: www.letsgosurfing.com.au), and Sydney Safe Surf, The Pavilion, Marine Parade, Maroubra (tel: (02) 9311 2834; website: www.safesurfschools.com.au), provide courses for beginners.

Swimming: The beaches at Coogee, Avalon, Clovelly and Austinmer have ocean pools. The site of many dramatic Olympic moments, the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, Homebush Bay (tel: (02) 9752 3666; website: www.sydneyaquaticcentre.com.au) is open for public bathing. The underground Cook & Phillip Park Aquatic Centre, 4 College Street (tel: (02) 9326 0444; website: www.cookandphillip.com.au), features Olympic pool, wave pool and hydrotherapy bath, right in the city centre.

Tennis: There are plenty of tennis courts all over Sydney. Central ones include North Sydney Tennis Centre, 1a Little Alfred Street (tel: (02) 9371 9952), Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre, 7 Waratah Street (tel: (02) 9357 1675), and Jensen’s Tennis Centre, Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills (tel: (02) 9698 9451).

Windsurfing: Balmoral Windsurfing, Sailing and Kayaking School is located at 2 The Esplanade (tel: (02) 9960 5344; website: www.sailboard.net.au).

Yachting: Every weekend, Sydney Harbour is dotted with the sails of hundreds of yachts. Sydney Harbour Escapes (tel: (02) 9328 4748; website: www.sydneyharbourescapes.com.au) provides further information for those wishing to join in.