Classy Sydney

Description:

The Four Seasons Hotel is an imposing tower overlooking the Sydney Harbor, and some of its rooms have a most spectacular view of the Sydney Opera House and the city. It is but a short way from downtown shopping and business centers, and offers excellent services, including child-care facilities, spa treatments, a swimming pool and a 24-hour gymnasium.

Description:

Everything looks different from the air! This exhilarating, extended tour sweeps over Sydney Harbor, Opera House and the Harbor Bridge and then follows the inland waterways to the Homebush Olympic Site. It also includes a complimentary beer or sparkling wine on arrival. A minimum of two must book for a flight.

Description:

Few cities have such an iconic building as Sydney's Opera House Sure, New York has the Empire State, Rome the Pantheon, Athens has the Acropolis, but for out and out modernity, mixed with breathtaking geography, those off-white billowing sails perched on Bennelong Point have to be one of the great studies of architecture in the 20th century.
Designed by the Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, after the NSW state government conducted a worldwide competition in the late 50s, the $10m original budget soon blew out to more than $100m when it finally opened in 1973. Utzon fell out with the political overseers of the day and quit the project, long before completion.
Though referred to as an opera house, it stages a host of different performance types, including, classical and pop concerts, drama, ballet, comedy, films, talks, and has an exhibition space.
Today it's the cities No 1 tourist draw card and probably the most photographed site in the country. Guided tours (in multiple languages) take you through the labyrinthine innards, including backstage glimpses of some of the theaters.
There are a host of fine eateries and outdoor bars along the forecourt. Twilight in summer, with the sun setting, the bridge in silhouette, and a cool cocktail in hand, is probably about as good as it gets in this lifetime. Seriously!

Our Local Expert Says:

Naturally, you'll be wanting to catch a show at the Opera House. However, if you're not into classical music, the main rooms aren't going to be showing anything you'd be interested in. This place shows more daring contemporary performance.

Description:

Spacious new foyers flow past the Playhouse, and the Drama theater. The Studio is dedicated to the contemporary, innovative and anything new! Programmes include music - from techno to jazz - cabaret, dance, comedy shows, musical theater, plays ... you name it. The hours of the events vary with the performances being held.

Description:

Seating 1,547, this is home of the renowned Opera Australia and Australian Ballet. With an outstanding repertoire of both new and old, both companies stage several productions, running on consecutive night, around four times per year. The theater has a wooden ceiling, which enhances the acoustics. It has a proscenium stage and a screen above it onto which English subtitles can be projected for performances sung in their original language.

Our Local Expert Says:

A church by another name.

Description:

The Concert Hall has the largest auditorium in the Opera House, seating 2,700 in the round. It is the venue for a wide variety of performances: opera, dance and choral concerts, symphony, chamber, popular and jazz music, and dance and folk entertainment. It has a modern interior, using Australian timbers, with clear sightlines. Eighteen adjustable, doughnut-shaped, acrylic rings hang from the ceiling, which reflect the sound back to the orchestra for acoustic purposes. The Concert Hall Grand Organ was Australian designed and built, and is the large mechanical tracker action organ in Australia with 10,000 pipes and six keyboards.

Description:

The AMP tower. Centrepoint. It goes by many names, but by any it is unmistakable. A giant needle into teh sky, there are 360 degree rotating views from the lookout up top. This is a great place to eat (if you've got the cash) with a la carte or buffet-style revolving restaurants.

Description:

Known as the 'best beer garden in the world', Opera Bar offers a list of over 40 types of wine, as well as a host of international and local spirits. Situated on the beautiful Sydney pier, below the Opera House, you'll get the best seat in the city as it overlooks the Opera House itself, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the skyline of the city. It's open to all types of functions, from cocktail parties to large events and serves a cool selection of modern Australian cuisine.

Description:

Dating from 1871, and located at its present site overlooking Woolloomooloo Bay since 1885, this is one of Australia's premier art institutions. The buzz when one enters the building is truly palpable—visitors come, enjoy and do not want to leave. The permanent collection includes Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works on display in the Yiribana Gallery are totally unsurpassed. There is also an exciting and diverse temporary exhibition program. Admission: Free; charges apply for some temporary exhibitions.

Description:

Infamously renamed "Double Pay", this is a haven for designer label junkies, so if your credit card is not up to it, it may be safer to stick to window-shopping or people watching from one of the pavement-side cafes. Popular with the rich and famous, and clearly influenced by trends from Europe, the smart boutiques that line Knox and Bay Streets sell everything from clothes and shoes to unique gifts and home wares. Some of Australia's top fashion designers are represented here, either in their own outlets or in one-off boutiques stocking the latest and greatest. As well as fashions, there are several delicatessens selling gourmet food products, such as cheeses, pastries, and chocolates, and a supermarket for the basic essentials. There are also bars, pubs, a nightclub, a cinema and plenty of restaurants and cafes ranging from the family-friendly Woodfire Pizza Company, to Tony Bilson's latest, trendy bistro, Canard. Just a short bus or ferry ride from the city, Double Bay offers an array of expensive, designer boutiques, selling the latest in fashions from both Australia and overseas, with a particularly European influence.

Our Local Expert Says:

Perhaps Sydney's most famous restaurant, consistently recognized as one of the world's top ten restaurants in international polls.

Description:

If you want to eat here, and you are already in Sydney, good luck! It books out months in advance. 3 star Michelin chef, Tetsuya Wakuda, is a maestro, and is Australia's most garlanded chef. His award winning restaurant is a fusion of French and Japanese and offers a single degustation menu (ten courses). The menu changes from time to time and offers such specialties as slow-cooked trout, seared scallops, venison and quail. Corkage fees apply and it is also fully licensed.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you're looking for a very Sydney experience, this is it:an outdoor, salt-water pool in a beautiful location, right in the middle of town.

Description:

A salt water pool in the Botanical Gardens, a stone's throw from the Art Gallery of NSW, the 'Boy Charlton', as the locals know it, is something a bit special. Come here for a swim before breakfast at the poolside cafe.

Excellent.

Description:

The Four Seasons Hotel is an imposing tower overlooking the Sydney Harbor, and some of its rooms have a most spectacular view of the Sydney Opera House and the city. It is but a short way from downtown shopping and business centers, and offers excellent services, including child-care facilities, spa treatments, a swimming pool and a 24-hour gymnasium.

Description:

Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery opened in 1982 and since that time has been dedicated to the advancement of the most serious and innovative forms of contemporary art. It emphasizes an international profile and participates regularly in the major European art fairs, together with New York's Armory Show. The vibrant, temporary exhibitions program changes every four weeks and includes such renowned artists as Dale Frank, (the late) Rosalie Gascoigne, Bill Henson, Lindy Lee, Tracey Moffat, Bronwyn Oliver, Vivienne Shark LeWitt, Jenny Watson and Anne Zahalka. Both Henson and Watson have also represented Australia at the prestigious Venice Biennale.

Description:

The prestigious Sydney Theatre Company is located at a converted wharf and offers a weekly, behind-the-scenes tour of its facility. This provides an insight into theatre production, embracing such areas as set construction, props, lighting, scenic art, wardrobe and the Wharf 1 and 2 theaters. The walls of the complex are lined with production posters (many designed by famous Australian artists) and lead to a highly renowned cafe/restaurant overlooking the Harbor Bridge. Bookings essential.

Description:

A relative newcomer to the Sydney art scene, Tim Olsen specializes in contemporary Australian painting and sculpture, and has already established excellent credentials. The ground floor space is well designed and provides an appropriate venue for the galleries temporary exhibition program, which changes every three weeks. These shows are accompanied by either an exhibition list or more comprehensive catalogue. Works from the stock room can also be viewed upstairs. The gallery represents painters like John Olsen, Robert Jacks, Deborah Russell and Marie Hagerty as well as the sculptors Nigel White, Mark Schaller and Ron Robertson-Swann.

Our Local Expert Says:

Celebrity chef's famous restaurant books up, so secure a table ahead of time if possible.

Description:

Celebrity chef Kylie Wong runs this small joint that serves excellent Chinese and Asian fare. It is a small space in a busy part of town, and is very well known in Sydney so it can get busy, but you can walk in during the day. Many of the dishes are created from Kylie's own family recipes, so you can get a taste of home. The Crispy-Skinned Duck with Blood Orange Sauce and the Vegetable Dumplings are highly recommended.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is where George Bush, Jou Hintao and the rest of the APEC crew tucked down during the recent conference held in Sydney. Enough said. A place to come see whichever movie stars and starlets happen to be in town, along with a smattering of the very rich, and the politicians they're treating to lunch today.

Description:

The Bondi Icebergs Club has been a sponsor for winter swimming for over 75 years. Situated at the South end of Bondi, this Club supplies the mostly local crowd with some of the best-priced drinks in Sydney. Whilst your guzzling your bargain you will not be able to miss one of the best views of Bondi Beach. Bands play most nights and always on the weekends. The downstairs area - also with a priceless view - is available for functions.

Description:

Sherman Galleries has established a reputation as one of Australia's leading contemporary and international art galleries. It is the only commercial dealership in Sydney to curate exhibitions, and significantly maintains a strong presence throughout Asia. The gallery supports a stable of twenty-two artists, including such luminaries as Richard Dunn, Guan Wei, Janet Lawrence, Simeon Nelson, Mike Parr, Paul Partos, Imants Tillers and Tim Storrier. It exhibits at international venues like the Chicago Art Fair and has plans to extend such activities.

Description:

The Four Seasons Hotel is an imposing tower overlooking the Sydney Harbor, and some of its rooms have a most spectacular view of the Sydney Opera House and the city. It is but a short way from downtown shopping and business centers, and offers excellent services, including child-care facilities, spa treatments, a swimming pool and a 24-hour gymnasium.

Description:

For over thirty years the Summit has been a Sydney institution, officially opened by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1968. It was re-opened in November 1998 after a four-month refurbishment. Situated one hundred and sixty five metres above Sydney Harbour, as the world's largest revolving restaurant, it is the perfect place to view Sydney on a clear day. One can view the vista and sample the menu, which comprises a selection of 'Summit Classics' such as King Prawn Cocktail, Smoked Salmon Mousse and Duckling à l'orange.

Description:

Tucked in-between terraces and flats in a converted leather factory, the Belvoir Street Theater has long presented a range of intelligent works, both classical and contemporary. The performances often star well-known Australian actors, playing in either "Company B", upstairs, or "B Sharp", downstairs, presenting more fringe-style theater. There is a fun foyer bar for before, during or after performance drinks. The Belvoir Theater is a favorite with the hip and groovy crowd.

Description:

This unique day is the ultimate way to experience the beauty of Sydney. The guide will greet you at your city hotel for a walk around the historic Rocks precinct, visiting the first church in Australia and the convict built cottages. Take a walk around the Observatory, continuing around Circular Quay, the Opera House and into the magnificent Botanical Gardens.

Joining the vehicle under the famous Harbour Bridge, you drive through Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross, as well as the ritzy Double Bay area. Along the foreshore of the Eastern suburbs you pass by the up-market homes of the rich and famous.

Arriving at Watsons Bay on South Head, enjoy a meal of Doyle's famous fish and chips in the park with a bottle of chilled Australian wine and a cheese platter. Returning to the city, visit Darling Harbour where your 38 ft yacht awaits for a cruise around Sydney Harbour with a delicious afternoon tea.

After an incredible 2 hours on the world's most beautiful harbour, your vessel returns to Darling Harbour. Here you may decide to eat out at any one of the dozen or more restaurants, stay and enjoy the entertainment, or take the monorail into the city, returning to your hotel at your leisure.

Our Local Expert Says:

Expensive…. Nonetheless a Sydney institution, no doubt because of its peerless location.

Description:

Doyle's is a byword in Sydney – everyone knows where it is, and almost everyone has eaten there, despite the hefty prices. But you get the best, and the location is hard to beat for laidback ambience, situated on the harbor away from the business of the city centre. Reserve a beachside table so you can enjoy the view.

Description:

This is a pristine, local, modern Japanese restaurant, tucked away at the bottom end of Bourke Street. This young, creative couple have taken soba noodles and sushi into a new designer realm. George Nelson lights are the focal point for this stylish but casual eatery serving all the usual Japanese classics plus a few creative inventions. The tea-smoked roasted chicken, sushi and sashimi are great value.

Description:

On the first floor of the Establishment Hotel at Sydney, lies 'Est.' - a multi-award winning restaurant. The luxurious interiors (featuring timber furniture and a marble cocktail bar), and elegant atmosphere make it a plush oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of George Street. When you are all set to impress and have the cash, this is the place to head. Feast on the mouth-watering contemporary Australian food and desserts, and linger over a glass of wine from the impressive list. You can also hire the private dining room for groups of up to 16 people.

Description:

Neil Perry has created the high-watermark for excellence in Sydney's fish and seafood dining. Famous for its ultra-chic 4D Design interiors, its food and its service, this is the place to see serious foodies, local dignitaries and visiting pop stars. The menu includes food from Australia's best providores and the best fish available. Booking is essential and you can only smoke at the bar.

Description:

See Sydney's highlights on a 1.5-hour cruise on Sydney Harbour. What better introduction to the Harbor City do you need? With a choice of five departure times, you can plan your day to suit yourself. You'll see Sydney's must-see attractions from the water on a comprehensive introductory tour, giving you a great overview of Sydney and leaving you time in the day to explore on your own.

Relax in style as you see all the points of interest on Sydney Harbour's Main Harbour. You'll cruise past the Sydney Opera House to Double Bay, exclusive Point Piper, Bradley Head, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Balmain and Darling Harbour. Along the way you'll receive detailed commentary about the sights on the harbor.

The family-friendly Sydney Harbour Highlights Cruise is perfect for all travelers and a fabulous introduction to Sydney and its harbor.