World City Guide

Key Attractions

Sydney Opera House
In April of 1966, the architect of the Sydney Opera House, Jrn Utzon, left Australia, never to return. His grand architectural vision was only half completed, but arguments with the State government over the spiralling cost of the project meant that the interior complex of auditoria, theatres, restaurants and bars was completed by other architects. In spite of its compromised genesis, the building instantly became a world icon on opening in 1973. Utzon has never seen the completed building but in recent years has collaborated on a A$70 million interior refurbishment that will bring the building closer to his original vision – including a 14-metre long tapestry that was installed in September 2004. The four main auditoria (the Concert Hall, the Playhouse, the Opera Theatre and the Drama Theatre) stage a total of 3,000 performances per year.

Bennelong Point
Tel: (02) 9250 7111. Fax: (02) 9251 3843.
E-mail: infodesk@sydneyoperahouse.com
Website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Transport: CityRail, ferry or bus to Circular Quay; bus 438 to Opera House steps.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (tours); Mon-Sat 0900-2030 (box office), plus two hours before Sun show.
Admission: Free; A$23 (front-of-house tour); A$140 (backstage tour).

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Not to be outdone by the imposing grandeur of the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is, in its own right, a feat of engineering genius. Affectionately known as ‘the Coathanger’, it took 1,400 workers (16 of whom perished in the process) eight years to complete the bridge, which opened in 1932. If the views from the Pylon Lookout across Sydney Harbour and over the Opera House are not spectacular enough, the Bridge Climb gives thrill-seekers the chance to walk to the top of the 50-storey-high bridge (over the cars and trains rumbling across the deck below) and down the other side. Paul ‘Crocodile Dundee’ Hogan, a bridge-painter in a former lifetime, was one of the first to climb the bridge.

Pylon Museum and Lookout
Access from stairs via Cumberland Street
Tel: (02) 9240 1100. Fax: (02) 9241 2151.
E-mail: pylonlookout@bridgeclimb.com
Website: www.pylonlookout.com.au
Transport: CityRail or ferry to Circular Quay.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: A$8.50; concessions available.

Bridge Climb
5 Cumberland Street
Tel: (02) 8274 7777. Fax: (02) 9240 1122.
E-mail: admin@bridgeclimb.com
Website: www.bridgeclimb.com
Transport: CityRail or ferry to Circular Quay.
Opening hours: Daily 0700-2000.
Admission: A$160-225; concessions available.

The Rocks
Nestled at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks (Sydney’s historical birthplace) is a neighbourhood of winding streets, sandstone cottages and some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. The site of the first landing from Plymouth in England, in 1788, the area is now a busy tourist enclave, with cafs, restaurants, galleries, museums and countless souvenir shops. Among the district’s historic buildings are the Hero of Waterloo inn (built over a tunnel that was originally used for smuggling), the Sydney Observatory (on the site of the colony’s first windmill), Cadman’s Cottage (Sydney’s oldest building, built in 1816) and Susannah Place (a museum of working-class life). Other attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art and The Rocks Toy Museum.

The Rocks, Sydney Harbour
Transport: CityRail or ferry Circular Quay.

Sydney Observatory
Watson Road, Observatory Hill
Tel: (02) 9217 0485. Fax: (02) 9217 0489.
E-mail: observatory@phm.gov.au
Website: www.sydneyobservatory.com.au
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: Free; A$6 (day tour); A$15 (night tour); concessions available.

Cadman’s Cottage
110 George Street
Tel: (02) 9247 5033/8861.
Website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1630; Sat and Sun 1000-1630.
Admission: Free.

Museum of Contemporary Art
140 George Street
Tel: (02) 9252 4033.
Website: www.mca.com.au
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: Free (some special exhibitions charge entrance).

The Rocks Toy Museum
2-6 Kendall Lane
Tel: (02) 9251 9793.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1715.
Admission: Free.

Susannah Place Museum
58-64 Gloucester Street
Tel: (02) 9241 1893.
Opening hours: Sat and Sun 1000-1700.
Admission: A$7; concessions available.

Darling Harbour
A former dockside area, this small harbour has been transformed into a major tourist site. The vast, paved and landscaped recreation ground is packed with restaurants and shops, as well as a number of tourist attractions. These include the Powerhouse Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, IMAX Theatre and the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift to Sydney from its sister city of Guangdong in China.

Darling Harbour
Website: www.darlingharbour.com
Transport: CityRail Town Hall; monorail Darling Park or Harbourside; ferry Darling Harbour.

Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris Street
Tel: (02) 9217 0111.
Website: www.phm.gov.au
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: A$10; concessions available; some special exhibitions charge an extra entrance fee.

Australian National Maritime Museum
2 Murray Street
Tel: (02) 9298 3777.
Website: www.anmm.gov.au
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700.
Admission: Free.

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

IMAX 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.

Chinese Garden of Friendship
Tel: (02) 9281 6863.
E-mail: edgarm@shfa.nsw.gov.au
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700.
Admission: A$6.

Bondi Beach
Bondi is one of the world’s most perfect beaches, a white crescent of sand strung between two rocky headlands, situated just 15 minutes from the city centre. The waterfront scene, with its street musicians, surf shops and bars is ideal for a summer evening’s prowl or a lazy saunter past Campbell Parade’s restaurants, cafs and Sunday markets. Topless sunbathing is tolerated and swimmers should stick to the patrolled areas of North Bondi or Bondi Baths, on the southern rocks. The coastal walk takes in the whole gamut of beach cultures, from the wild surf and gleaming bodies at Tamarama to the palm-fringed views of Bronte and the soothing sea pools at Coogee.

Campbell Parade, off Bondi Road
Website: www.voyeurmagic.com.au
Transport: Bus 380, 382 or L82; CityRail Bondi Junction and then bus 380; ferry from Circular Quay to Rose Bay and then bus 380.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Admission: Free.

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Featuring the Yiribana Gallery, the world’s largest permanent exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s foremost art museums. Among its most impressive exhibitions is its Australian art collection, extending from the early colonial period to the mid-20th century. The recently completed Asian Galleries showcase the gallery’s significant Asian collection and touring exhibitions. Shortlisted portraits in the Archibald Prize (Australia’s most prestigious art award) are exhibited here annually.

Art Gallery Road, The Domain
Tel: (02) 9225 1700. Fax: (02) 9221 6226.
E-mail: artmail@ag.nsw.au
Website: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Transport: CityRail Martin Place/St James; bus 441.
Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 1000-1700; Wed 1000-2100.
Admission: Free (some special exhibitions charge entrance).

Sydney Tower
Standing 250m (820ft) above Market Street, Sydney Tower is the city’s tallest building, with views over the city, the Harbour, the Olympic Park and as far as Terrigal Beach, 100km (62 miles) to the north. Entry to the observation deck includes the Skytour – a 35-minute virtual tour/ride on the podium level.

Podium Level, 100 Market Street
Tel: (02) 8251 7800. Fax: (02) 9223 0233.
Website: www.sydneyskytour.com.au
Transport: CityRail St James/Town Hall; monorail City Centre.
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 0900-2230, Sat 0900-2330.
Admission: A$22; concessions available.

Royal Botanic Gardens
A short walk from the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens sits on a slope overlooking the harbour and covers 30 hectares (74 acres) in the heart of the city. Established in 1816, it is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and home to over one million specimens. Highlights include the Sydney Tropical Centre and the Rose Garden; there is a hop-on hop-off trackless train to get around them all.

Macquarie Street (main entrance)
Tel: (02) 9231 8111. Fax: (02) 9251 4403.
E-mail: feedback@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.rbgsyd.gov.au
Transport: CityRail St James, Martin Place or Circular Quay.
Opening hours: Daily 0700-sunset.
Admission: Free.

Sydney Olympic Park
Built on the site of an old rubbish tip, the focal point of the ‘best ever Olympics’ in 2000 is now an attraction in its own right, comprising 15 architecturally magnificent venues as well as extensive parks and wetlands. Separate guided tours of the venues are given and a self-guided tour brochure is available from the Visitor Gateway or from the website.

1 Herb Elliot Avenue, Homebush Bay
Tel: (02) 9714 7888 or 131 500 (Australia only) (bus rides). Fax: (02) 9714 7822.
E-mail: info@sopa.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au
Transport: Train to Strathfield, then bus 401 or 404; train to Olympic Park; ferry from Circular Quay to Sydney Olympic Park Terminal then bus 401 or 404.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (Visitor Gateway).
Admission: Free.

Telstra Stadium
Olympic Boulevard, Gate C
Tel: (02) 8765 2300 (tours).
Opening hours: Daily 1030-1530.
Admission: A$26 (60-minute tour), A$15 (30-minute tour); concessions available.

Observation Centre
Level 17, Novotel Hotel, Olympic Boulevard
Tel: (02) 8762 1111.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600.
Admission: A$4.40; concessions available.

Sydney Aquatic Centre
Olympic Boulevard
Tel: (02) 9752 3666.
Website: www.sydneyaquaticcentre.com.au
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0500-2045, Sat-Sun 0600-1845.
Admission: A$18.50 (tour and swim); A$6 (swim only); concessions available.

Bicentennial Park
Bennelong Road
Tel: (02) 9714 7888.
Opening hours: Daily sunrise to sunset.
Admission: Free.

Taronga Zoo
The most desirable residence in Sydney is inhabited not by the upper echelons of society but by a collection of seals, snow leopards, koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. Taronga Zoo’s location, on Bradley’s Head, at Mosman, is one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour, situated on elevated land along the waterfront. The zoo is home to over 350 different species of animals, ranging from old time favourites such as elephants, gorillas, giraffes, orangutans and so on, to more bizarre representatives of the animal kingdom such as the platypus (an animal so odd-looking that when settlers first came across it, they thought it was a hoax) and the echidna. There are keepers’ talks and shows throughout the day, and the sky safari (little cable cars going over the zoo to give a bird’s eye perspective) is extremely popular.

Bradleys Head Road (main entrance)
Tel: (02) 9969 2777. Fax: (02) 9969 7515.
E-mail: tz@zoo.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.zoo.nsw.gov.au
Transport: Ferry from Circular Quay; bus 247.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: A$27; concessions available.

Fox Studios Australia
Fox Studios generated the principal photography of The Matrix Trilogy (1999/2003), Moulin Rouge (2001), Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). The adjoining entertainment precinct includes shops, markets, cinemas, restaurants, mini golf, bungy trampoline and an indoor children’s playground.

Lang Road, Moore Park
Tel: (02) 9383 4333. Fax: (02) 9383 4005.
E-mail: fox_studios@gandel.com.au
Website: www.foxstudios.com.au
Transport: Bus 272, 290-299, 355, 372-377, 391, 393 or 395.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-2400.
Admission: Free.