Sydney City Guide

WELCOME to Sydney, Australia's oldest, most premier city in the eyes of the world and certainly the country's economic powerhouse.

Sydney is a city of contrasts. Culturally exquisite one minute, downright drab and more-ishly grungy the next. One only need look at why it's dubbed the "Harbour City" with its healthy and wealthy arts scene, bayside mansions, beachside cafe culture and some of the hottest shopping and fashion outlets in the world. Yet, just around the corner is the audacious party atmosphere and alternative nightlife of Kings Cross.

The extremes don't stop there. This city lures one and all for its sun-drenched climate, yet at any given moment you'll be scampering for cover from a brief torrential downpour that accompanies a spectacular lightning-and-thunder display. And where else can you relax on the beach in your swimmers one minute, then dress up and dance the next? Or spot a whale on the water then a movie star on the sand? Ride a horse in a paddock or cruise luxuriously along in a limo? Work up a sweat catching a wave in the surf or work up some lovely R&R catching a world-class live act in a grand old theatre like the Capitol.

Then, if that's not enough, feast your eyes on stunning architecture - think Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge -or marvel at modern construction triumphs like Telstra Stadium, known as "Australia's home ground" where various codes of sport send up to 100,000 fans into a frenzy, whether it be Australian football, rugby (league and union) or soccer.

It's also important to note there's a vast array of cultures in this bustling city, ranging from Europeans to Africans, Middle Eastern to British and with that stems a diverse range of events, entertainment and food.

Cuisine

Are you ready to tantalise those taste buds? Sydney offers a mouth-watering gastronomical experience. With world-famous chefs, cutting edge creativity, spectacular views and delicious fresh cuisine, Sydney is a haven for food lovers and has a world class reputation as one of the best alongside London, New York and Paris. The food scene is dominated by an abundance of local, fresh produce, teamed with a breed of young and dynamic chefs who break all the rules, but deliver an exciting range of dining experiences that are unsurpassed.

The city boasts a banquet of world-class restaurants fronted by star chefs and an array of markets, provedores and delis. Diners swarm to the harbourside for a table by the water and, of course, dining under the stars is THE best way to experience those renowned postcard views. There's no place like this city for picnics, too, thanks to its wide open spaces such as enormous Bicentennial Park, a 100-hectare (30 acre) natural heritage site, and it makes it impossible to resist creating your own al fresco meal.

There is a treasure trove of cafes, restaurants and bars that offer the ultimate sea view and beachside favourites include Bondi's famous Icebergs Restaurant and Bar whilst beautiful Balmoral Beach offers the Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant and Cafe.

Closer to the city centre Becasse at 204 Clarence Street, Sydney (02 9283 3440), one of the city's premier dining spaces with modern French cuisine, is a recent Restaurant of the Year winner and 2 hats as awarded by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide. Then there's Bilson's, another award recipient from Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide with 3 hats, located in the five star Radisson Plaza Hotel at 27 O'Connell Street, Sydney (02 8214 0496). Run by the renowned Tony Bilson, Bilson's celebrates "local and seasonal produce with an emphasis on French flavours and cooking techniques, coupled with a wonderful collection of Australian and French wines".

Other highlights include:

Shopping

Old meets new. Local meets international. The shopping in Sydney is supreme on a world stage. The city has a creative edge and love of good design that has inspired generations of young designers who have established themselves on the world stage for fashion.

Many home-grown labels to win fans worldwide are Collette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, Sass and Bide and Alannah Hill, who operate boutiques in some of Sydney's trendiest suburbs. There is also a wealth of new designers to be discovered at Sydney's suburban markets such as Paddington and Bondi.

There's no doubt Sydney is a big-city shopping experience and visitors are spoilt for choice. The heart of Sydney's shopping centre is the Pitt Street Mall, which is home to the Mid City Centre that has many stylish boutiques. Other complexes and shopping areas include Castlereagh Street, Centrepoint, Chifley Plaza (includes well known designer boutiques), King Street, MLC Centre, Piccadilly on Pitt St, Queen Victoria Building, Skygarden and the Strand. Super shopping precincts can also be found in Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Bondi and The Rocks. Want to step it up a notch or 10 in class and style? Head to Paddington and Double Bay.

Anything and just about everything can be discovered shopping in Sydney and don't forget there's late night shopping (9pm)on Thursdays.

Arts & Culture

A vibrant arts and culture scene is another of Sydney's strengths. A highlight on the city's calendar is the Sydney Festival, a three week celebration of dance, music, theatre, outdoor exhibitions and visual arts held every January.

As mentioned, Sydney is famous for its parties. Each year is welcomed in with a mighty bang, with New Year's Eve parties engulfing the Sydney harbour foreshore. Thousands of people gather to witness one of the biggest annual fireworks displays on the globe. In February, the city comes alive with the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which culminates in a huge street parade boasting some of the most outlandish costumes and floats you are likely to see.

Naturally there are stacks of exhibitions and events throughout the year, courtesy of Opera Australia operating from one of the World's busiest Opera Houses and the Sydney Theatre Company as well as the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Powerhouse Museum.

Markets

Sydney's market scene is booming and brings the shopping experience back down to earth, especially after one indulges in the glitz and glamour of designer stores and classy boutiques. Aside from Paddy's Markets, Sydney's markets are outdoors and generally found in school and church grounds. Among many, some of the more popular markets include: