I grew up in Sydney, and - after several years of travelling - find myself living here once again. It really is a beautiful place.
If you've never had the fortune to visit this wonderful city, here are a few things which will give you a glimpse into its charms :
Harbour
If you've never lived by the water, take it from me - a harbour can be a beautiful place. Sydney Harbour (or more formally - part of Port Jackson) is certainly no exception. It really is an amazing area.
No matter which form of transportation you favour, there are ways to get a glimpse of just some of what the harbour has to offer. Trains, buses, cars and bikes cross the harbour regularly (making journeys to work that much more interesting); ferries, yachts and water taxis take full advantage of the wet stuff; pedestrians can enjoy a quiet stroll or a lunchtime run by the water's edge through the magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens.
Public Transport
As noted above, trains, buses, ferries and water taxis all operate around the harbour. Fortunately the trains and buses also cover the rest of the city; and the 2000 Olympic Games only added to their technology and efficiency.
This really is a good way to get around town.
Also available - at least in the centre of the city - is the Monorail, a privately-run rail service which operates on a loop from the heart of town to Darling Harbour.
Pedestrian areas
When it comes to cities that encourage exploration on foot, Sydney is definitely on the shortlist. In fact, unlike many cities, it is the pedestrian who is considered before the motorist.
This is evident when looking at areas such as the Pitt St Mall (formerly a main road which was closed to vehicular traffic a number of years ago), Opera Quays (the shopping precinct beside the Sydney Opera House) and the foreshore near The Rocks. One of the oldest and grandest areas of town.
Architecture
Looking around at the diversity of buildings, it's astonishing to think that the city is only a little more than 200 years old. A good way to explore some of this variety - on foot, bicycle or car - is to journey along Macquarie St; beginning at Hyde Park.
Here you'll see buildings constructed during the time of Lachlan Macquarie (who governed Sydney 1810 - 1821), a range of 19th century churches and synagogues, magnificent works by Harry Seidler, and of course, Jørn Utzon's magnificent Sydney Opera House.
It's a magnificent street.
Art galleries and museums
Wherever I travel, I also try to take a look at the local art galleries and museums. In Sydney they're not exactly difficult to find - in fact you may find it tricky to visit all of them in a reasonable timeframe.
Although I enjoy all of them at different times, here are a few favourites which are well worth a visit :
State Library of NSW
Art Gallery of NSW
Museum of Contemporary Art
Powerhouse Museum
Maritime Museum
And believe me, this is a short list. There is plenty to see.
Festivals and entertainment
If you're a hedonist at heart, the Festival of Sydney - held in January each year - is definitely one to watch. Of course, there are various festivals and forms of entertainment throughout the year, including :
Performances at the Opera House
Rock and Pop shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre
A fantastic array of pub gigs
Festivals in Tumbalong Park (Darling Harbour)
Australia Day events (such as the annual Ferry Boat Race)
Bridge
I've always been fascinated by bridges - particularly the Sydney Harbour Bridge. To discover a little of the history of this icon, visit the SHB Museum in one of the bridge's eastern pylons. As part of the museum you'll be able to climb to the top of the pylon (warning : there are a lot of stairs involved) and see a magnificent 360 view of the city.
If the walk up the stairs there was nothing more than a brisk stroll, consider climbing the bridge itself. Regular tours are held by Bridgeclimb, and it's an experience you'll never forget. Incredible.
And if you're planning to travel here, these will certainly come in handy :
Currency
Australian currency uses dollars and cents (1 dollar = 100 cents) as per a number of other countries. However, there are a few things to be aware of :