Australia’s largest city, Sydney, is one of the first major cities in the world to celebrate the New Year due to its close proximity to the International Date Line. And since the months of December and January shape the summer season in Australia, while the rest of us up north shiver and trudge through rain and snow, the idea of a New Year’s getaway to the land down under becomes quite irresistible.
Built around a spectacular natural harbour and overlooking the scenic southeastern coast of Australia, Sydney is quite a photogenic city. From its early days as the site of the first British colony in Australia, Sydney has grown to become a cosmopolitan metropolis with a population of just over 4 million people.
A temperate climate and a coastal location contribute to the city’s beauty and also promote an active lifestyle. Historic landmarks, vibrant commercial districts, white sandy beaches, urban and state parks, and many wildlife attractions will interest visitors of all ages.
The best way to take in many of the sights is a harbour cruise. You may choose from short morning / afternoon tea cruises or longer lunch / dinner cruises to view Sydney’s skyline, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from the water. Open bus city tours as well as various types of walking tours are also available. Catch glimpses of the past by taking a heritage tour and walk in the footsteps of the early convicts, whalers, and sailors that played significant roles in Sydney’s colourful history. It is fascinating to see how the city has transformed and modernized over the years.
The downtown core is referred to as the Central Business District or “CBD”. Modern buildings including many of Australia’s tallest skyscrapers are located here. The Sydney Tower is ranked as the third tallest observation tower in the Southern hemisphere and offers breathtaking views from its deck.
It is also known as the Centrepoint Tower because it sits atop the Westfield Centrepoint shopping complex, which is, incidentally, a great starting point for shopaholics. The center connects to major department stores and other main shopping areas like the Pitt Street Mall and the sophisticated Skygarden Arcade.
Not far from the CBD is the Rocks Street Market, an open-air bazaar, where you’ll find a vast array of souvenirs, indigenous crafts, fashion and jewelry among many other items. It is open every weekend and is also renowned for showcasing free entertainment, including street theatre and outdoor concerts.
The market is located in the neighbourhood known as “The Rocks”, which was the site of the first European settlement in Australia. The area is now home to quaint boutiques, cafés and upscale restaurants. Many of the dining establishments have outdoor patios that take great advantage of the harbour views.
Immediately adjacent to The Rocks is the bustling Circular Quay where a large bus, ferry and rail interchange makes it an important transit hub. Landscaped walkways connect to sights such as the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Because of its convenient setting, Circular Quay is usually a major venue for community and cultural events such as the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
At the stroke of midnight, the New Year is welcomed in a spectacular fashion as the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House take centre stage in an extraordinary firework and light display – a dramatic climax to daylong festivities held throughout the city. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic effects are set off from multiple locations including various city rooftops, barges moored throughout Sydney Harbour and what is considered to be the pièce de résistance – the archways and roadways of the Harbour Bridge. The event ranks among the largest New Year’s celebrations in the world and is orchestrated in such a way that Sydney’s history, culture and scenery are recognized and appreciated.
Like Miami and Los Angeles, Sydney belongs to the exclusive group of global cities that can boast about having long stretches of sandy beaches at their doorstep. Experience the sun, sand and surf at the iconic Bondi Beach. Only minutes away from the city center, Bondi is a favored spot for avid beach goers. Take surfing lessons from a personal instructor or just spend time relaxing on the sand.
(A note of caution for swimmers: only swim on lifeguard patrolled beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags that mark areas deemed safe.)
The adjacent street, Campbell Parade, is lined with delightful cafés and shops that are worth a visit. Many tourists and locals highly recommend a 6 km coastal hike that begins at the southern end of Bondi and continues past several smaller beaches and along cliff tops that offer panoramic views, before ending at Coogee Beach. The route is well marked and there are quite a few places to stop for refreshments.
Further outdoor activities can be explored at the Blue Mountains which is a mountainous region surrounding the western border of Greater Sydney. Listed as a World Heritage site, the Blue Mountains consist of several national parks and reserves. Visit Scenic World, where you can take the steepest railway incline in the world through a cliffside tunnel down to an ancient rainforest. Wooden walkways allow to you to observe the forest’s endemic flora and fauna. The paths eventually lead to a platform where you can board a cable car to ride back up the cliff. Once at the top, take a thrilling glass bottomed cable car called a “skyway” and witness an incredible bird’s eye view of the deep gorges, distinct rock formations and plunging waterfalls that characterize the Blue Mountains.
While Sydney has something that would appeal to all tastes, parents, in particular, will be pleased with the number of attractions that are popular with families and kids. Since Australia is home to many unique species of wildlife, its zoos and aquariums rank among the best in the world. The 52 acre Taronga Zoo is only 12 minutes away by ferry from Circular Quay. With over 2600 animals housed in natural looking exhibits, including certain species not found in captivity anywhere else in the world, the Taronga Zoo is highly respected for promoting education, research and conservation.
Come face to face with a koala at the Featherdale Wildlife Park where over 2200 native Australian animals can be observed in a bush-land setting. You will also enjoy the opportunity to hand feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus in this wonderfully interactive park.
The Western Plains Zoo, outside of Sydney, offers a safari-like “open plains” concept where you drive through the park, either in your car or in a rented electric cart. Instead of fences and walls, animals are separated by concealed moats giving the illusion that you’re roaming free in the wild. Come up close to a black rhino or a herd of giraffes and it’s not hard to imagine yourself being transported to the African savannah.
The Sydney Aquarium will amaze adults and kids alike with its underwater tunnels that take visitors through the largest shark exhibit in the world. Some sharks present are over 3 metres in length and weigh over 300 kg! Other impressive tunnels will allow you to marvel at the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef as well as explore an extensive seal habitat. The aquarium is located in Darling Harbour, west of the city centre. Nearby, attractions such as the world’s largest IMAX screen as well as the Powerhouse Museum, with its hands-on science and discovery displays, are other favorite destinations for kids.
Providing you have the stomach for it, there is an activity that is not to be missed before you depart Sydney. The Harbour Bridge Climb is an organized adventure tour that allows participants to navigate catwalks and climb up ladders to the very top of one of the most recognized bridges in the world. To date, approximately 2 million climbers have bravely made it to the top and have been rewarded by stunning vistas of the city and the harbour below.
Travel tips
There are numerous flight options available from Vancouver to Sydney. Typical routes are via Honolulu, Los Angeles or San Francisco and are offered by Air Canada, United or Qantas.
Canadian and U.S citizens are required to apply for electronic tourists visas or “ETAs” at least 2 weeks before the travel date. An ETA is basically an electronic approval (a passport stamp is not given) for travel to Australia and is valid for up to 3 months. One can apply for an ETA online or through a travel agent.
As of September 2008, 1 Australian dollar equals about 88 cents Canadian. Most places accept major credits cards such as Visa and MasterCard.
Sydney has an excellent public transit system that consists of a large network of buses, trains, ferries, trams and a monorail. If public transit is to be your main mode of transport then it may be a good idea to purchase a “SydneyPass” (available in 3, 5 or 7 day allotments) which provides unlimited travel on all Sydney buses, the Sydney Explorer and Bondi Explorer tour buses, all red zone cityrail trains, all Sydney ferries, and even includes return train transfers to Sydney Airport.
A “Sydney Smartvisit Card” will grant you admission to all the major tourists attractions and saves you the inconvenience of having to line up and purchase tickets at each individual site. Depending on how many attractions you visit, it could also mean significant savings in admission costs. The card can easily be ordered online.
If you intend to participate in Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, be sure to check the event’s website for further information and printable maps which show the best vantage points for viewing the light parade and the famous pyrotechnical extravaganza.