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The City Centre, is where Governor Philip first raised the British Flag on Australian soil in January 1788, and is the earliest site of European settlement in Australia. Two hundred and twenty years later, it is now a Manhattan-like skyline of skyscrapers on the harbour. It is the commercial centre of Sydney seeing hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders commute daily, to work, shop, and socialise.

The city centre meets and embraces its harbour. The entire foreshore is walkway, and much of it is parkland. The office towers compete with each other for the best view of the harbour, with those in the back row grateful for any glimpse.

It is the site of Sydney's grandest structures, from the modern Opera House and Sydney Tower, to the art-deco, the granite facades of the early 20th century, and the colonial sandstone of a convict era. The oldest buildings may be in The Rocks, but those warehouses and residences lack the proportion, scale, and inspiration of the construction in the city centre.

Into the evening, there is a stark contrast as many of the crowded footpaths grow quiet, and many of the city eateries and cafes wind down. There are still people around though, the after-work crowd is still around in the city pubs, the opera aficionados and diners are out down at East Circular Quay, and the groups meeting up near Town Hall for a movie, a drink, or a night out.

[edit] Get in

The City Centre lies at the hub of Sydney's transport network. Most major roads, and public transport radiate from the city. Catch a train from anywhere and it will stop here.

Transport Infoline, ☎ 13 15 00, [1]. 24 hours. Information on fares and route planning for all public transport in Sydney. Available online and by telephone  edit

[edit] By train

The City Circle is a two way train loop of five stations.

• Town Hall. Centrally located. Best for shopping, Pitt St Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney Tower.
• Wynyard
• Circular Quay. Opera House, Ferries, Harbour Foreshore, Botanic Gardens
• St James. Hyde Park, St Mary's Cathedral, State Library, Art Gallery
• Museum. Hyde Park War Memorial

There is also a station at Martin Place

Avoid getting off at Central, in the City South for the City Centre, it is really only Central as far as the train network is concerned.

When buying a ticket, you can just press the City button on the ticket machines, or ask for a ticket to the City at any ticket window. You can get off at any city stations above. If you are travelling from the North Shore to Wynyard, get a ticket to Wynyard which will often be cheaper.

[edit] By bus

Many routes on Sydney Buses from parts of the wider city [2]link with the Sydney CBD at a variety of termini. These are often located close to the rail stations and can be found at Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central Station. A number of routes on private buses terminate in at least one or more of these termini.

[edit] By ferry

The most pleasant way to arrive in Sydney City is by ferry [3].

All Sydney Ferry routes (from 41 wharves around the harbour suburbs) start or finish at Circular Quay, at the northern end of the CBD. From the Quay you can easily walk to the Opera House or the Botanic Gardens.

There is a train station and major bus terminus for connections to other parts of the city.

[edit] By monorail

A one way monorail loop links the City Centre with the City South and Darling Harbour. Stations are at the World Square, City Centre and Galleries Victoria retail complexes, from where you can link to Town Hall. One ride will cost $4.80 per person with no discount for children. [4]. It is more of a tourist ride than a common form of transport around the city. There are all day tickets available.

[edit] By car

The city is accessible to private vehicles. It is well sigbposted from most surrounding areas. Firstly as Sydney, then as City, and finally, as City North or City Centre. Don't confuse City North, with North Sydney, or you will end up on the other side of the harbour.

Traffic in the city can be congested. Peak hours, Friday lunchtime, and Friday afternoon are worst. Weekends are usually fine, although some congestion can occur at any time. Traversing the few city blocks can take up to 30 minutes during these periods.

[edit] Parking

Garage Parking can vary from around $18 to over $70 for a day on a weekday. Doing a little research and arriving and leaving at the right times can save you over $50 on a weekday. Don't be misled by parking stations advertising parking for $5, as this usually apply for the first 30 minutes, after which charges rise steeply. Early-bird rates (for arriving and leaving during set times) can save up to 75% on hourly rates during the day.

Parking stations usually charge less for evening parking and all-day weekend parking. A flat rate is often available for $15 or less, but not all places have special deals, so check before you park. It is a safe bet to drive around the CBD and check the flat rates advertised outside the parking stations.

• Opera House Car Park, at the end of Macquarie St, $14 on weekdays entering before 10AM, and exit after 3PM and before 7:30PM. ($42 otherwise for day parking, or $32 if you enter after 5PM). $15 on weekends, provided you exit before 5PM.
• Queen Victoria Building Car Park, $27 enter before 9:30, exit after 4PM and before 7:30PM. $50 all day otherwise. $15 Sunday parking.

Street Parking is possible, but scarce. On street parking for short periods is possible, but scarce, particularly during the day on weekdays. Free on-street parking is particularly elusive. Early on weekend mornings, some on-street parking is usually available in Clarence, Kent, or Sussex Streets. On street parking is also available on Art-Gallery road. Expect to pay. Some free on-street weekend parking is available where no parking zones apply on weekdays. All parking zones are paid parking.

[edit] By bike

One of quietest approach to the city is from the west at Darling Harbour and Pyrmont. The Pyrmont Bridge allows cyclists, and a cycle path takes you along to King St as far as Clarence St. There is bike parking there. From the North take the cycleway over the Harbour Bridge, next to the station at Milsons Point.

[edit] Get around

The city has a very rough grid system, with George St being the major city street running all the way from Central Station in the south to Circular Quay and The Rocks in the north, with Pitt and Castlereagh St running parallel through the city centre. City blocks are small.

There are maps and directional signs to nearly attractions located every few blocks.

[edit] By foot

Most of the attractions below are within a 1.5km radius, and are easy to walk around.

[edit] By bike

Maps and other information for cyclists around the inner city are provided by the local government. [5]. There are no off-road cycleways around the city, and you can be fined for using the footpaths and pedestrian malls. You will see a few other cyclists, and cycle couriers cycling around the city, but you will be in heavily outnumbered by cars, buses and taxis.

[edit] Bike hire

• Sydney By Bike, [6]. Delivery to city hotels  edit

[edit] By bus

[edit] CBD free shuttle

A free air-conditioned green-and-white-coloured bus service, numbered 555, run a continuous loop around Sydney's two major north-south thoroughfares in both directions, passing many major accommodation areas, shopping and tourist districts. There are bus stops every hundred metres or so along the route.

Clockwise route: Circular Quay, "harbour" side opposite bus stand D -> Elizabeth St (southbound) -> Eddy Avenue/Central Railway Station (westbound) -> George St (northbound) -> Bridge St (eastbound) -> Circular Quay.

Anti-clockwise route: Circular Quay "land" side (terminal) bus stand D -> Bridge St (westbound) -> George St (southbound) -> Eddy Avenue/Central Railway Station (eastbound) -> Elizabeth St (northbound) -> Circular Quay, "land" side (terminal).

The westbound Eddy Avenue/Central Railway Station bus stop is on the traffic island at the traffic light crossing outside the Eddy Avenue Central Station exit. The eastbound station is at the bus terminal on the other side of the St (Stand C).

The free shuttle runs from 9:30AM to 3:30PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 9:30AM to 9PM on Thursdays (for extended shopping hours) and from 9:30AM to 6PM on weekends. There is no bus timetable for the 555. Its frequency varies from one every 10 minutes during peak usage period (Thursday evening extended shopping hours, weekends) to every 20 minutes during other times.

The green buses run other routes outside of their operating hours, so check the destination and number.

[edit] Public buses

All are numbered on their indicator boards at the front and on the left side of the bus. A general rule of thumb: Any bus number starting with "3" run the eastern route (ie. to/from Circular Quay via Elizabeth Street and to/from the Eastern Suburbs), while the ones starting with a "4" run the western route (ie. to/from Circular Quay via George Street and to/from the Inner West). The ones starting with a "5" goes further out of the city, along Victoria Road into the "riverside" suburbs of Ryde, Gladesville and surrounds.

[edit] Hop-on Hop-off

There are two hop-on, hop off bus services. Sydney Explorer, and Sydney open top bus tours. These will cost you more, and take longer than normal public transport, but can take the hassle out planning your routes.

[edit] By train

Trains run both ways around the city circle stations Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum. Each of these stations has services every five minutes. Most of the city is no more than ten or fifteen minutes walk from a train station.

Another city station, Martin Place, is mid-town on the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line and has services every 10 minutes to Town Hall and Central.

Town Hall, Wynyard, Martin Place and St James stations are located within 1km of each other, so unless you are feeling particularly energetic, catching the train or bus between them will take longer than the walk.

[edit] By car

Getting around the very city centre by car can be problematic if you are unfamiliar with the city. Attractions in the city are not signposted from the city roads. The only directional signs you will see will point you out of the city, across the harbour bridge or to the west or east. There is a one way system and few right hand turns are permitted. Some right hand turns are legally possible, but are difficult to find breaks in traffic. The quickest route from where you are to your city destination will not always be apparent from a map, and even the best GPS units struggle in the canyons of the city. If you are driving into the city, best to navigate straight to a parking lot nearby. If you are going between multiple desinations in the city, walking is usually the quickest way.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Landmarks

• Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Circular Quay (At the northern end of Macquarie St), ☎ 02 9250 7111 (information) or 02 9250 7777 (ticket bookings), [7]. The Sydney Opera House in the north east of the city is one of Sydney's most beautiful and unusual buildings; its sail shaped structure, designed by Jørn Utzon, is world famous. The Opera House is also host to most of Sydney's major classical music and opera events. You can walk all around the building, and some of the foyer areas free of change. Guided tours of the inside are available for $28 and leave every 30 minutes and take about one hour. There are some tours run in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Depending on ongoing rehearsal or performances not all parts may be visited.  edit

• Circular Quay. s the hub of the Sydney Harbour and is a vibrant, bustling place home to many buskers, the ferry terminal, overseas passenger terminal, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is pronounced Circular Key, not Circular Kway  edit

• Sydney Tower (Centrepoint Tower), (Entry from Westfield Centrepoint, on Pitt St Mall), [8]. Towering above the city of Sydney since 1981, when it became the tallest structure in the city, the Sydney Tower reaches a total height of 305 m - great views are available from the 250 m high viewing level. The tower is Australia's tallest free-standing structure and the second highest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere after the Sky Tower in Auckland)  edit

• St Mary's Cathedral, St Mary's Road, across the road from Hyde Park's eastern edge, ph: 9220 0400, (fax: +61 2 9223 5208). The Catholic Sydney diocese's cathedral, built in 1868.
• The Queen Victoria Building ("the QVB"), George Street (north of Town Hall and Town Hall station) [9]. The site of a market place since 1810, its current Romanesque facade was completed in 1896 and was extensively restored in the late 1980s as a prestigious shopping center. The Christmas tree around Christmas time reaches through all the floors to the full height of the building.
• The Strand Arcade [10] is a fine example of Victorian Architecture, and is one of the few remaining Victorian shopping arcades in the world. For the past 20 years or so it has been a major shopping destination, well known for the large number of Australian designers it showcases. Many well recognized Australian labels in fashion and jewellery are based here, such as Alannah Hill, Zimmerman, and Victoria Buckley Jewellery.

[edit] Museums and Galleries

• The Australian Museum, 6 College Street Sydney (opposite Hyde Park), 02 9320 6000 [11]. Daily (except Christmas Day) 9:30AM-5PM, general admission adult $10, child / concession $5, family $17.50, temporary exhibitions attract an additional fee. With an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous studies research, community programs and exhibitions, the Australian Museum was established as Australia's first museum in 1827 with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artifacts. There is a cafe next to the entrace, that you can access without admission.
• Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain (walk from Martin Place 400m directly east across The Domain. Sydney Explorer bus stop outside. Bus route 441 goes QVB to Art Gallery), ☎ 02 9225 1744, [12]. 10AM -5PM. Classical art collection including Reubens and Van Gogh. Collection of south East Asian Art. Collection of contemporary and some Aboriginal art. Regular exhibitions, including annual Arhibald potrait competition in March The building itself is a much photogaphed sandstone with large sandstone pylons at the entrance. There is a popular cafe inside the gallery, with views over Wooloomooloo general adminission free, charges apply to special exhibitions.  edit
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), 140 George Street, Circular Quay, 02 9252 4033 [13]. Housed in a fabulous 1930s art deco building, former location of the Maritime Services Board and facing onto the western side of Circular Quay and Sydney Cove, the MCA has been dedicated - since its opening in 1991 - to showcasing great works of modern and contemporary art in all media. There is a cafe inside the museum.
• Museum of Sydney, Corner of Phillip and Bridge Streets, 02 9251 5988, (fax 02 9251 5966) [14]. Daily 9:30AM-5PM (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday), admission adult $10, child / concessions $5, family $20, members free (run by the Historic Houses Trust). Built on the site of the first Government House, erected in 1788 by Governor Arthur Phillip and demolished in 1846. The remains of the building were excavated after rediscovery in 1983 and the original foundations can now be viewed through glass floor panels in the museum. Fascinating changing exhibitions of art and photography, films and state-of-the-art technology spin stories of colonial life, Aboriginal culture, environment, trade, authority / law and everyday dramas and dreams in early Sydney. The Museum of Sydney Cafe, by the museum entrance is not really part of the museum, and is much more a restaurant than a cheap and casual cafe.
• Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie Street (north eastern corner of Hyde Park), [15]. Built 1818-1819. Constructed by convicts and housed by them, the Hyde Park Barracks provided housing for convicts working in government employment around Sydny from 1819 until its closure in 1848. Interior is restored with exhibits depicting the furnishings and life of the time. Adult $10, child/concession $5, family $20. Consider the pass if visiting other historical houses trust properties..  edit
• State Library of New South Wales, Macquarie Street, [16]. Includes a large exhibition space with changing artistic, historical and cultural exhibits. The Mitchell Reading Room is a historical large open book-lined room, and worth a look inside. The reference library is a modern addition, and really only of interest for resarch. The library collection includes a copy of every volume published in New South Wales, and many rare texts. There is a cafe on the ground floor, between the reference library and the Mitchell Reading Room. free.  edit
• Government House. Open to the public, with the entrance to the house and gardens through the Botanic Gardens free.  edit

• Museum of Australian Currency Notes, Ground Floor, 65 Martin Place [17]. Open M-F 10AM-5PM (except bank holidays), free admission. Hosted by the Reserve Bank of Australia in its city headquarters, this museum displays Australian bank notes and currency from the earliest issues to the present day. Interesting but basic. Drop in for 15 minutes or so if you are passing by Martin Place.
• Justice and Police Museum, Corner Albert and Phillip Streets (Close to Circular Quay), [18]. Originally serving as a police station to Court between 1856 and 1886, the museum has now been restored to its 1890s facade displaying its theme of crime and punishment. Adult $8, child/concession $4, family $17.  edit

[edit] Historic sites

• Customs House, 31 Alfred St (Adjacent and south of Circular Quay). A historic building, and imposing building. You can imagine it looking out over the port of Sydney (if you can equally imagine the absence of the Cahill Expressway). A large diorama of the Sydney area which you can walk over is on display in the foyer. Sydney City Library occupies the building, and sometimes has exhibitions. Free.  edit

[edit] Parks and gardens

[edit] Sydney Botanic Gardens

The sign at the gates says "Please walk on the grass, smell the roses, hug the trees, talk to the birds and picnic on the lawns". The Botanic Gardens [19] are an integral part of the beauty of Sydney and its harbour. An immense green space right next to the concrete jungle of the CBD. The walk along the harbour's edge from the Opera House (Queen Elizabeth II gate) to Mrs Macquarie's Chair and the Yurong Gate is for many is the epitome of a Sydney experience. Let the kids run free without any traffic worries, and relax and take in the sights. If you have more time, delve deeper into the gardens. See the fernery and the flying foxes that make the area their home. Feed the ducks, and maybe see an eel come up from the depths - the ponds are isolated from the ocean, cleaned regularly, and never populated with eels, so why are there eels there? See the Wollemi Pine, and read its story, raised form a seed from a handful of trees discovered in the wilderness and unchanged since the dinosaurs. Go inside the tropical pyramid. Go to the visitors centre and souvenir shop. See the rose or herb garden. See the many varieties of Australian plants and grasses. Enjoy a coffee or snack inside the park by the duck pond, or at the small cafe at Palace Garden Gate. Look at the architecture of the gates and fountains. Mrs Macquarie's chair is set on a peninsula, and gives you the classic side-on view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is the spot for a photo.

The gardens are open from sunrise to sunset, admission is free, except for the tropical pyramid. It is fully fenced, so take care not to get locked in at closing time. There are gates all around the gardens, including at the Opera House, at the corner of Bridge and Macquarie Streets near the Conservatorium of Music, opposite the Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street (Marshead Fountain Gate), or near the Art Gallery.

[edit] Other City Parks

• The Domain, (Adjacent and south of the Botanical Gardens). Home to the popular Opera in the Domain, Jazz in the Domain, and Symphony in the Domain events in summer, as well as the Tropfest short film festival. If attending any of these events, arrive in the early afternoon to secure a picnic spot as upwards of 100 000 people attend. Free.  edit
• Hyde Park, (East of Elizabeth St, West of College St, next to St James Station). An extensive city center park, elongated in layout and containing a large fountain (Archibald Fountain) and the Anzac War Memorial - a favorite with city workers at lunchtime, joggers and sunbakers. Free.  edit

[edit] Architecture

• Sydney City is home to a large number of outstanding examples of Art Deco architecture, built during the 1920s and 1930s, when Sydney entered a new phase of confidence and investment in urban infrastructure.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Harbour cruises

Harbour Cruises depart from Darling Harbour and at Circular Quay in the city.

• Captain Cook Cruises. Captain Cook Cruises have regular cruises from Wharf 1 at the Quay.
• Sydney Ferries Cruises. Sydney Ferries run regular cruises. Just look on the main timetable boards at the Quay, and buy your tickets from any Sydney Ferries ticket office.

You can create your own harbour cruise, as the normal Sydney Ferries services go everywhere a cruise goes and more. Get a daytripper ticket for $17.60, and take as many ferries as you like, get on and off where you like, and enjoy a picnic in any of the many harbourside parks next to the ferry wharves. Timetables are available at the Quay, and its hard to catch a ferry somewhere that isn't worthwhile. The Manly ferries even have a cafe on board, where you can grab a pie, and sit out in the sun, taking in the view for a fraction of the cost of a luncheon cruise! Consider dropping in at one of the harbour islands

[edit] Theatre

• Sydney Opera House, +61 2 9250 7111[20]. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic 20th century buildings in the world. Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House also has dedicated theatres for drama including the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and The Studio.
• Theatre Royal, [21]. Home to many international productions during their stay in Australia.  edit
• State Theatre, 49 Market Street between Pitt St and George St., 02 9373 6852 (fax 02 9373 6537)[22]. Hosts a range of events and performances, particularly international comedy acts and musicians. The building itself is heritage-listed, and has a lavish interior dating back to 1929.

Other theatres are at the Casino in Pyrmont and the Capitol Theatre in the south of the city, and the Wharf Theatres at Walsh Bay in Sydney/The Rocks.

[edit] Music

[edit] Cinema

• George Street Cinemas, 505 George St (near Town Hall), [23]. The three big cinema franchises (Hoyts, Greater Union and Village) merged their neighboring cinemas here into one big complex.  edit
• Dendy Cinema, (Between Circular Quay and the Opera House), [24]. Multi-screen cinema specializing in fringe and arthouse films.  edit

If you are interested in fringe or arthouse films, you may also like the Chauvel in nearby Oxford Street.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The CBD of Sydney is also the retail centre of the city, having the largest range of shops and outlets in a variety of settings.

Sydney's shopping is frequently concentrated within large city malls and arcades (heavily interconnected mid-town through a number of underground walkways). There are also a number of recognised shopping strips. There are both premium and budget areas.

If you are shopping for supplies, the convenience stores, and even the city fruit stores can have up to three times mark-up over supermarkets. If you need to stock up on the basics, try Woolworths opposite Town Hall on George St, or Coles above Wynyard Station, or on the corner of King and George.

[edit] George Street

George St is the closest thing to Sydney's main street. It has a shopping strip between the Town Hall (Park St) and Wynyard (Hunter St), about 10 minutes brisk walk. Along this section of road there are numerous fashion, technology and gift stores and malls including:

• George Street. Along this section of road, you will find here the Queen Victoria Building, Galleries Victoria, Myer, Westfield, The Strand Arcade, The Apple Store, and many other speciality stores, selling fashion, electronics, gifts..  edit

• Queen Victoria Building (the QVB), George Street (corner of York and Market, just north of Town Hall. Underground link to Town Hall Station), [25]. The building is an attraction in itself. The site of a market place since 1810, its current Romanesque facade was completed in 1896 and was extensively restored in the late 1980s as a prestigious shopping center. 5 Floors of shopping. Don't miss the Christmas tree to Christmas, going through all the levels. Fashion, books, cafes, and a range of specialty and gift shops.  edit

• Galleries Victoria, 500 George Street (opposide the QVB. Underground link to Town Hall Station).  editThe modern answer to the historic QVB opposite. Some fashion and food, but also electronics, computer games, and gifts.</buy>

• Strand Arcade, [26]. The last of the Victorian arcades to be completed in Sydney, home to a number of shopping levels featuring design, fashion, antiques and jewellery (the arcade links George Street with the Pitt Street Mall).  edit

[edit] Pitt Street Mall

Currently the southern half of the mall is closed for redevelopment, and much of the rest of the mall is dug up. There are a few shops and arcades still open at the northern end of the mall, but it may be best to tick to George Street for the moment.

• Skygarden. 5 stories of shopping, fashion, gifts, and cafes. Big Lee, discount electronics and computers occupies the top floor  edit

• Glasshouse.  edit

[edit] St James

• David Jones, 86-108 Castlereagh Street, 02 9266 5544, (fax 02 9267 7326)[27]. The city stores of this illustrious department store are on Elizabeth Street (main store, women's wear) and Market Street (men's wear). In operation since 1838, David Jones is not only Australia's oldest department store, but also the oldest department store anywhere in the world still trading under its original name.

[edit] Castlereagh Street and Martin Place

Castlereach Street North from Market St. Home to a large concentration of fashion houses and big names including DKNY, Cartier, Ferragamo, Gucci, Bvlgari, Stefano Canturi and Chanel.

• MLC Centre.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is much competition, specials, and choice for breakfast and lunchtime eating. Even the classiest restaurants tend to have lunchtime specials, and the competition for breakfast, coffee and lunch and the budget end of the market is fierce. At dinner time many of the cafes and take-aways have closed in the CBD, and the remaining restaurants can be expensive. Doing your food exploration at lunchtime will save you money in the city centre.

Neighbouring Chinatown in the south of the city has large number of restaurants offering cheap and tasty Asian cuisine, and the food courts in Market City stay open into the evening, when the CBD ones have usually shut.

[edit] Budget

• Food Courts. All through the Sydney CBD there are food halls where the city workers flock to get lunch. A sit down lunch at these food courts will cost between $5 and $10, and there is competition for business. There are many, but to whet your appetite, try one of the following:
  • Westfield in Pitt St Mall, also open weekends and Thursday nights.
  • Under the Gateway Building or the AMP building at Circular Quay (Alfred St, corner of Loftus)
  • Australia Square (the tall but round building) at Wynyard (George St, at the corner of Bond)
  • Under the Westpac Building in Wynyard (between Kent St and Sussex St, by Margaret), courtyard with a nice aspect.
  • In the Metcentre at Wynyard (George St, near the corner of Margaret).
  • The end of Town Hall arcade, off Town Hall station (near Kent St and Druitt).
  • Hunter Arcade specialises in SE Asian food. Delicious Thai for $6. (Hunter St, or go down the steps at Wynyard Station and continue on).

If you fancy an early dinner (or late lunch) many of the food halls sell off remaining lunch items at discounted prices around 4PM in the afternoon, sometimes for as little as $4-$5 a meal, but commonly for $6.

[edit] Mid-range

• Bohdi Cook and Phillip Park, College St, Sydney CBD. Phone: (02) 9360 2523. This is a great outdoor set yum cha restaurant located just down the stairs from St Mary’s Cathedral over looking Cook and Phillip Park. It is a vegan restaurant and has a wide range of enticing and tasteful healthy yum cha options (all vegan). Fantastic on a sunny day. Open on weekends too. Kids can run around safely in the park while you linger over coffee.

• Makoto Sushi Bar 199 Liverpool St, (Cnr Pitt & Liverpool St), +61 2 9283 6767 Fax +61 2 9283 6775. Open 7 days, with dinner starting from 6PM. At a much higher quality than your standard sushi-bar, Makoto offers sushi, sashimi, along with a range of small cooked dishes. The service is authentically Japanese, and the cooks work in full view of the client, enclosed by the sushi conveyor.

• Marigold Restaurant, Levels 4 and 5, 683-689 George Street, Haymarket, 02 9281 3388(fax: 02 9281 5051, email: mailto:info@marigold.com.au)[28]. The Marigold is a very popular yum cha place. Although be warned, be prepared to wait a long time for seating and service. The food or service isn't a stand-out though, and there are plenty of similar style restaurants in nearby Chinatown. Don't be afraid to explore and ask for local advice.

• Peace Harmony 44 Erskine Street. Phone (02) 9262 2247. Email: info@peaceharmony.com.au. A quaint and friendly thai restaurant offering a wide menu to suit many tastes. All ingredients are free from animal products yet will entice the most discerning meat eater.

[edit] Splurge

• Tetsuya's, 529 Kent Street, ☎ +61-2-9267-2900 (fax: +61-2-9262-7099), [29]. Tetsuya's, which serves fusion Japanese and French style food, is one of Sydney's most famous and highly regarded restaurants, generally named in the top three year after year. You should be able to get a weeknight booking (excluding Fridays) three or four weeks in advance, for weekends you may need to book a month or more in advance. Set menu for $190, wine list from $90 upwards.  edit

• Summit Restaurant, Level 47, Australia Square, 264 George St., 9247 9777, (fax 9251 2539)[30]. This revolving restaurant has excellent views of the city from the harbor to south Sydney and completes a rotation every two hours. If you want to take a look at the view, but don't feel like paying for a meal, you can just go to the bar for a drink, and come back down again. Drinks are pricey too, though.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Bars

• Bridge Bar, Level 10, Opera Quays 2 East Circular Quay, 02 9252 6800. Awarded the title of Australia's Cocktail Bar of the Year, by bartender magazine, the Bridge Bar is a tranquil and elegant venue suspended between the tenth floors of two of Sydney's most desirable apartment blocks at East Circular Quay. Fantastic views over Sydney Cove and Circular Quay to the Opera House and the Bridge - a real treat at sunset. Fantastic cocktail list (189 varieties), friendly staff, vibey lounge music and good bar food.

• Orbit Bar, Level 47, Australia Square, 264 George Street. 5PM-Midnight. Spectaular views over Sydney from this revolving bar at the top of the 1970s iconic Australia Square office tower, a stylish makeover of the old Summit Restaurant. Designer cocktails while the entire level revolves slowly over 90 minutes. Floor to ceiling windows means that you can gaze from your Kubrick-2001-inspired seating and decor to the city below. Consistently highly reviewed. Cocktails average $15 a glass.

[edit] Pubs

• 3 Wise Monkeys Pub, 555 George Street, +61 2 9283 5855 [31]. The 3 Wise Monkeys is a very popular pub only a block south of Town Hall station. It has live music seven nights a week.

[edit] Nightclubs

• Soup Plus, 1 Margaret Street, 02 9299 7728 [32]. Soup Plus is Australia's longest running jazz venue. Entry is $5 Monday to Thursday nights, $8 Monday to Thursday nights for big bands and special presentations, and $30 Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend charge includes a two course meal.

• The Basement, 29 Reiby Place (Laneway by the Quay, behind Gateway), ☎ +61 2 9251-2797, [33]. The Basement is a music club specialising in jazz, a restaurant and a pub. Open 12PM - 3PM for lunch and 7:30PM until late on weekdays; and 7:00PM until late on Saturday and Sunday nights. General admissions tickets (standing only) range between $20 and $40 depending on the night and the performer.  edit

• Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, 02 9550 3666 (box office)[34]. The metro, in the cinema district near Town Hall, is a live music venue for Australian and overseas acts. Usually standing room only, and active mosh pit at the front, with a active vibe.

[edit] Gig guides

• The Drum Media [35] is a free, weekly music publication. You can find a copy at most music stores around the city and the inner suburbs.
• Metro is the Sydney Morning Herald's entertainment lift-out, published every Friday.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There is little budget accommodation in this district. Cheaper accommodation is found in the surrounding areas around Central Station in the City South.

[edit] Mid-range

• Menzies Sydney Hotel 14 Carrington Street, +61 2 9299 1000 (fax +61 2 9290 3819) [36]. Good value inner city hotel overlooking Wynyard Park. An easy stroll to Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay ferries and The Rocks tourist precinct. Rooms cost approx $175-$300 a night.

• Park Regis City Centre 27 Park Street, 1800 221 138. [37]. Park Regis City Centre is perfectly located in the very heart of the Sydney CBD, adjacent to Darling Harbour and Hyde Park, the hotel is literally surrounded by Sydney’s best shopping, entertainment and sightseeing. Views from the 45th floor rooftop pool and observation deck are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Rooms from $132.

[edit] Splurge

• Four Seasons Hotel 199 George Street +61 2 9238 0000 [38]. The hotel is home to superstar couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes when they travel to Sydney.

• Intercontinental Sydney 117 Macquarie Street, +61 2 9253 9000 (fax 02 9240 1240, email mailto:sydney@interconsydney.com) [39]. Close to Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

• Jamison Sydney, 11 Jamison Street 1300 857 922 [40]. Jamison Sydney is in the north of the CBD, close to The Rocks, Circular Quay, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Rooms from $200-$250.

• Marriott Hotel, 36 College Street, +61 2 9361 8400 [41]. Sydney Marriott is a luxurious hotel, filled with everything that can be expected from a hotel of its kind. The hotel includes renowned cuisine, various bars, 2 pools among many other features. The hotel also enjoys one of the best locations in Sydney. Approx $265-$405 per night.

• Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney (Radisson), 17 O'Connell Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, ☎ +61 2 8214 0000 (fax: +61 2 8214 1000), [42]. A very Scandinavian style refurbishment of an historic stone faced building. Good sized rooms, powerful showers and wide range of amenities. Concierges helpful. Breakfast OK but not sparkling. Hallways have stuffy air. around $300 a night, internet extra.  edit

• Sheraton on the Park 161 Elizabeth Street, + 61 2 9286 6000 (fax 02 9286 6686, email mailto:sheratononthepark@sheraton.com) [43]. The Sheraton on the Park is one of the nicest 5 star hotels in Sydney. It is located opposite the Hyde Park (ask for a Park view room) and the staff are really friendly. Rooms with one king sized bed: approximately $260 - $300 per night.

• The Westin, No.1 Martin Place, +61 2 8223 1111 [44]. Approx $325-$435.

[edit] Stay safe

Sydney City is a busy location with high pedestrian activity, busy traffic, short blocks and frequent crossings. In addition Sydneysiders are chronic jaywalkers in the city, and the shortest break in the traffic will see swarms of people crossing the street. Even though it is a high pedestrian area cars legally travel at 50km/h and exceeding the speed limit is common. Cars often queue across intersections and pedestrian crossings. Buses often move fast in kerbside lanes, with wing mirrors that protrude, so stand back from the edge of the road. Cars will generally stop for pedestrians at crossing and lights, but watch out for the last car running late for a meeting who will go through the lights just as they are turning red.

At night, stick to popular areas and main streets. The areas that tend to have the most problems with some anti-social behaviour and some alcohol related violence are the areas around Kings Cross and around the Rocks. The cinema district on George Street near Bathurst street also has its share of problems at night. The business district of Sydney becomes very quiet at night as the office workers return to the suburbs.

If you are looking to venture out after dark, the area around the Quay down to the Opera House is very pleasant. Has a variety of restaurants and bars, a great view, and is safe.

On the CityRail network at night stay close to the guards compartment which is located by the blue light, in the 4th carriage of the train. There is an emergency assistance button on every platform and by the entrance to the train carriages on more modern trains.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet

You won't have any problem finding an Internet terminal in the City Centre, although they are perhaps not as common or cheap here as they are in the city south. Many convenience stores have a terminal or two. Christos cafe in the food hall in Pitt St Mall has terminals. Expect to pay around $2.50 per ten minutes.

Customs house library at Circular Quay has cheaper access, but restricts access to email.

Paid Wi-Fi is available at many coffee shops, or adjacent to public phones. Try Clarence St for a nice, alfresco selection of cafes. For free Wi-Fi go to McDonalds or to the State Library (free password at the circulation desk).

3G Internet is available just about everywhere.

[edit] Phone

• Public Phones are common - you can also use them to send text messages, domestically or internationally.

[edit] Get out

Take a walk to the surrounding city areas, go to the aquarium, maritime museum, or just walk along the boardwalks at Darling Harbour. Visit the historic district of The Rocks. Walk up to Chinatown in the city south for Yum Cha.

Take a ferry trip from Circular Quay to the Harbour Islands, Manly or Parramatta.

Walk, or catch the train, over the harbour bridge to the Lower North Shore.