From Wikitravel

The City of Sydney [1] is at the very heart of the much larger Sydney Metropolitan area, consisting of the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) and immediately surrounding areas of harbour frontage and parkland. Stretching roughly between Circular Quay and Central Railway Station (north to south), and between the Domain and Darling Harbour (east to west), If Sydneysiders say they are "going into town" or "into the city", this is what they mean. Travellers will have no difficulty recognizing the area: it is that part of the city that has the most skyscrapers!

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

The City represents the earliest site of European settlement in Australia (from January 1788), and is home - naturally enough - to many of Sydney's landmarks and sites of interest.

[edit] Activity

Sydney City is primarily commercial (hence the Manhattan-like skyline of skyscrapers and towers) with a few residential towers.

It is a hive of activity on weekdays, with hundreds of thousands of people commuting to the city centre, and flooding the footpaths at lunchtime. However, the main commercial area between King St and Circular Quay, in particular, becomes very quiet when the office workers go home, with many shops and food courts, in this area not opening at all on weekends.

The areas around the Circular Quay, the Harbour and the Opera House remain lively at all times. The galleries and museums are open all week, and can be busy, but the streets around them can be quiet. The shops south of King St towards Town Hall and Haymarket and the Pitt St Mall are areas that are open and busy on weekends, as are the surrounding areas of The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

[edit] Get in

Sydney City lies at the hub of Sydney's transport network. Most major roads, and public transport radiate from the city.

Transport Infoline, ☎ 13 15 00, [2]. 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 lies at the hub of the Cityrail train service [3].

The City Circle is a 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, unless you really want to go somewhere close to there, it really is 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, or from the south to Central, buying a ticket to your station destination rather than the City, can save you a dollar or so on a return trip.

[edit] By bus

Many routes on Sydney Buses from parts of the wider city [4]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 [5].

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 southern half of the CBD with the adjoining area of Darling Harbour. Stations are at the World Square, City Centre and Galleries Victoria retail complexes. The Galleries Victoria has an underground linking to Town Hall station. One ride will cost $4.80 per person with no discount for children. [6]. It is more of a tourist ride than a common form of transport around the city.

[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, City Centre or City South. 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

Looking for the Bridge? Don't follow Bridge St Bridge St is one of the major east-west roads in the city centre, running just behind Circular Quay. It goes nowhere near the Harbour Bridge. The road is one of the earliest in the colony of New South Wales, and the site of the first government house, very near the first settlement. It was also the site of the first bridge built in Sydney, over the Tank Stream, which was Sydney's first water supply. The Tank Stream has long since been buried and become an underground drain. The name Bridge St remains.

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. [7]. 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, [8]. Delivery to city hotels  edit

[edit] By bus

A free CBD shuttle bus service was recently introduced, and as of June 2009, it is still running. Numbered 555, these new, green-and-white-coloured (as opposed to the blue-and-white normal buses), air-conditioned buses run a continuous loop around Sydney's two major north-south thoroughfares in both directions, passing many major hotel/accomodation areas, shopping and tourist districts:

Clockwise route: Circular Quay (terminal) - Elizabeth St (southbound) - Eddy Avenue/Central Railway Station (westbound) - George St (northbound) - Circular Quay (terminal)

Anti-clockwise route: Circular Quay (terminal) - George St (southbound) - Eddy Avenue/Central Railway Station (eastbound) - Elizabeth St (northbound) - Circular Quay (terminal).

Passengers can flag down/get off the bus at any bus stop along these two routes (look for a green sign with 555 in a circle and the words "free shuttle" at a bus stop).

Tip: The westbound Eddy Avenue/Central Railway Station bus stop is located 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 9am to 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 9am to 9pm on Thursdays (for "Night Shop" extended shopping hours) and from 9am 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 shuttle buses aren't seen on the streets outside their stated operating times, and passengers would have to take a normal paid blue-and-white bus. 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.

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), [9]. 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), [10]. 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) [11]. 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 [12] 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 [13]. 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, [14]. 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 [15]. 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) [16]. 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), [17]. 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, [18]. 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
• Museum of Australian Currency Notes, Ground Floor, 65 Martin Place [19]. 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.
• Customs House, (Adjacent and south of Circular Quay). A large diorama of the Sydney area which you can walk over is on display in the foyer. Sydney City Library occupies the building. Free.  edit
• Justice and Police Museum, Corner Albert and Phillip Streets (Close to Circular Quay), [20]. 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] Parks and gardens

• Sydney Botanical Gardens, (through the gates east of the Opera House), [21]. Large gardens with stunning natural beauty and impressive views of the Harbor. Free.  edit
• 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 $16, 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!

[edit] Theatre

• The Wharf Theatre, Pier 4/5 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. The Sydney Theatre Company's home base.
• Sydney Opera House, +61 2 9250 7111[22]. 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 theaters for drama including the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and The Studio.
• Theatre Royal, [23]. Home to many international productions during their stay in Australia.  edit
• Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street near the corner of George St and Hay St [24]. The Capitol Theatre is considered to be one of the finest theatres in Australia, with a rich history dating back 100 years.
• State Theatre, 49 Market Street between Pitt St and George St., 02 9373 6852 (fax 02 9373 6537)[25]. 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.

[edit] Cinema

• George Street Cinemas, 505 George St (near Town Hall), [26]. 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), [27]. Multi-screen cinema specializing in fringe and arthouse films.  edit

[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), [28]. 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, [29]. 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)[30]. 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

Chinatown in the south of the city has large number of restaurants offering cheap and tasty Asian cuisine.

[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. There are many, but to whet your appetite, try one of the following:
  • Westfield in Pitt St Mall.
  • Under the Gateway Building or the AMP building at Circular Quay.
  • Australia Square (the tall but round building) at Wynyard.
  • Under the Westpac Building in Sussex Street.
  • In the Metcentre at Wynyard.
  • The end of Town Hall arcade, off Town Hall station.

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.

• Summerrolls, Shop 4, Foodbase on Park, corner Elizabeth and Park Streets, 02 9283 7771. A favorite among city lunchtime crowds in the Hyde Park area, this innovative Vietnamese fast food outlet serves fresh rice paper rolls and Asian salads.

• Iku - MLC CENTRE Shop 6 Food Crt 19a Martin Pl Ph/Fax 9233 8001 and MET CENTRE Shop T22 273 George St Ph/Fax 9251 0111. Another favourite among lunchtime crowds. This great healthy organic whole foods café offers a wide range of lunch options as well as deserts with many other locations around the city and surrounding suburbs.

[edit] Mid-range

• Marigold Restaurant, Levels 4 and 5, 683-689 George Street, Haymarket, 02 9281 3388(fax: 02 9281 5051, email: mailto:info@marigold.com.au)[31]. The Marigold is a very good and very popular yum cha place. Although be warned, be prepared to wait a long time for seating.

• 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.

• 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 has a wide range of enticing and tasteful healthy yum cha options (all vegan). Fantastic on a sunny day!

• Peace Harmony 44 Erskine Street Sydney CBD. 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), [32]. 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)[33]. This revolving restaurant has excellent views of the city from the harbor to south Sydney and completes a rotation every two hours.

[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 [34]. 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 [35]. 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, 02 9251 2797 [36]. 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.

• Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, 02 9550 3666 (box office)[37]. 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 [38] 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

[edit] Budget

• Nomads Maze Backpackers Hostel, 417 Pitt St, 1800 813 522 [39]. Beds in a dormitory room from $21 per night, single room $45, double $60.
• Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place, +61 2 9281 9111 (fax +61 2 9281 9199, email sydcentral@yhansw.org.au) [40]. This YHA backpacker's hostel is right across the road from Central railway station. Beds in a dorm room are $28-33 per night, private rooms $82 or $94 with ensuite.
• Cambridge Sydney Hotel 212 Riley Street, +61 2 9212 1111 (fax 02 9215 5111, email reservations@cambridgeinn.com.au) [41]. Economy hotel in Surry Hills with easy access to Oxford Street and the Sydney CBD. Rooms cost approx $110 - $190 per night.
• Sydney Central on Wentworth, 75 Wentworth Ave Sydney NSW 2000 Australia, ☎ +61 (0)2 9212 1005, [42]. Sydney Central on Wentworth is situated close to all city attractions, amenities, shopping and transport. Situated in a landmark heritage building, the hotel includes 24-hour reception, coin-operated laundry, guest kitchen, free guest internet kiosk, and subsidized payment for parking in the nearby Wilson Car Park in Goulburn Street. Best rates on official website start at AU$38.  edit
• Nomads Westend Backpackers Hostel 412 Pitt St, 1800 013 186 [43]. Beds in a shared dormitory room from from $23 a night, Doubles from $70.

[edit] Mid-range

• Menzies Sydney Hotel 14 Carrington Street, +61 2 9299 1000 (fax +61 2 9290 3819) [44]. 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.
• Mercure Sydney Hotel 818-820 George Street, +61 2 9217 6666 (fax +61 2 9217 6888) [45]. 4 star Sydney hotel with 517 rooms, adjacent to Central Station. Easy access to Darling Harbour, Sydney's shopping and retail center and major attractions. Accommodation rates range between $149-$300 per night.
• Rydges Capitol Square Hotel Cnr George & Campbell Streets, 1300 857 922. [46]. Incorporated within the Capitol Theatre complex. Near Darling Harbour, the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Central Station and Chinatown. Rooms from $78-$120.
• Park Regis City Centre 27 Park Street, 1800 221 138. [47]. 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.
• Leisure Inn Sydney Central 28-30 Regent Street, 1800 060 954. [48]. Leisure Inn Sydney Central is a modern, fully refurbished hotel featuring brand new guest rooms. Located opposite Sydney's Central Train Station and a short walk to the city centre. Rooms from $95.

[edit] Splurge

• Four Seasons Hotel 199 George Street +61 2 9238 0000 [49]. 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) [50]. Close to Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

• Jamison Sydney, 11 Jamison Street 1300 857 922 [51]. 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 [52]. 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), [53]. 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) [54]. 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 [55]. 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 common sense is necessary, as with any large city. 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

[edit] Terminals

• A large number of Internet Cafes are located around the Town Hall Cinema Area' in the south of the city. Many of the convenience stores in the City have Internet terminals.

• In the Pitt St Mall, Cristos Cafe in the food hall under Myer has internet terminals for $2.50 per ten minutes, or $7.50 per hour. Pay a little extra for the prime location.

[edit] WiFi

WiFi is commonly available around the Sydney CBD.

• Free WiFi is available at the State Library of New South Wales adjacent to the Domain. Get a free password at the circulation desk.

• There is free WiFi at the McDonalds at Wynyard station, and on George St. Wifi is available for a charge at all Starbucks stores in the CBD, and adjacent to most public telephones. You can connect and enter your credit card details online. It Krispy Kreme is more to your fancy, there is also free WiFi at the George St store.

• Many other cafes offer WiFi access. Try Clarence St for a selection of nice cafes, where you can eat alfresco, and get your WiFi fix at the same time.

[edit] Phone

• Public Phones are located extensively throughout the CBD. They accept prepaid cards and coins and international calling is available. They also send text messages.