Sydney

Sydney isn’t the capital of Australia – orderly Canberra takes that title, but try telling that to Sydneysiders. They’ll insist that it’s the nexus of Australian style, fashion, media, lifestyle and commerce. And they may as well be right.

Sydney is a spread-out city of villages, or suburbs, often referred to as Down Under. Start your exploring in the city centre with its glittering harbour, iconic Opera House and the majestic Harbour Bridge. A slew of upscale hotels and shops can be found in the city centre districts of Circular Quay, the Rocks and Pitt Street Mall. On the sightseeing essentials list are a climb to the top of the Bridge for a spectacular view, a different view of the harbour from the deck of a passenger ferry, and a picnic at the Botanic Gardens.

With more time to spare, you can head out of the city towards the ultimate sand and surf at Bondi Beach. A glass of wine at Icebergs overlooking the deep blue yonder is just what the doctor ordered. Or perhaps the edgy cool streets of Surry Hills will be more your style – a Saturday flea market there offers vintage clothes, shoes, bags and more to Sydney’s style set. The Cafe Society of Paddington and Woollahra is just the spot for people-watching and living the high life – think Beverly Hills in LA or New York’s Upper East Side.

Big isn’t always better. And proving that is the latest trend for Sydney’s social scene for small bars. In Down city laneways, hidden courtyards and hole-in-the-wall spaces, tiny bars have mushroomed. For well-edited wine lists, clever cocktails and tasty tapas bites, check out Pocket Bar on Burton Street.   
 
Sydney dining spans the gamut from cheap as chips to gourmet indulgence. For a quick and tasty bite, tuck into just-caught Aussie seafood – grilled or fried to your taste – for a few dollars at takeaway shops all over town. Salmon, prawns and Moreton Bay bugs are delicious and of great quality. At the other end of the fine dining spectrum, Sydney’s celeb chefs sparkle at award-winning restaurants like Aria, Quay, Guillaume and Tetsuya. You’ll pay a premium for these gastronomic experiences, but the memories will last.

Be sure to pack light on the way to Sydney as you’ll want to hit the shops and bring home some souvenirs of your Aussie adventure. Bypass the tacky Australian shops – don’t even think about picking up those fluffy koala clips or cheap polyester tea-towels. The best buys in Sydney are fashion pieces by local designers like Collette Dinnigan, Easton Pearson and Jayson Brunsdon. A good place to find many designer objects of desire is the new Luxe Westfield on Pitt Street Mall. Also worth stashing in your suitcase are Australian wines and Aboriginal art, which is offered at all price points.

Don’t be surprised if you struggle to tick off all the items on your Sydney must-see list in a few days. It will only serve as an excellent excuse to return soon to this throbbing city!