Sydney Information

Sydney is Australia's oldest city, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the countries capital in everything but name. It's as beautiful city as any in the world, along with possibly the most famous harbour of anywhere in the world.

Although it's come a long way from it's convict beginnings, it still has a rough and ready energy, and offers an invigorating blend of the old and the new, the raw and the refined. While high culture attracts some to the Opera House, the gaudy nightlife attracts others to Kings Cross.

The 2000 Olympic games were a coming-of-age ceremony for Sydney. The impact on the city was all embracing, with fifty years worth of development completed in 4 years with the added pressure of intense international scrutiny. Transport infrastructure was greatly improved and a rash of luxury hotels and waterside apartments added themselves to the skyline. The City of Sydney Council spent $200 million to improve and beautify the streets, public squares and parks of Sydney, licensing laws changed too, giving the city a European bar culture. Sydney is now a world class city and it seems to have the best of both worlds - twenty minutes from Circular Quay by bus, the high rise office buildings and skyscrapers give way to colourful inner city suburbs, while to the centre's north and south are corridors of largely intact bush land where many have built their dream homes.

The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia's most instantly recognisable icons, perched dramatically over the sea, it may look like sails in full flight, but the actual inspiration was segments of mandarins. It was built between 1959 and 1973, but was plagued with constructions delays and political difficulties which culminated in the resignation of architect Jørn Utzon in 1966. The interior was designed by a consortium of Australians after Utzon quit.

The magnificent Bondi Beach is one of the best known beaches in the world. Big, brash and action packed, it's probably not the best place for a quiet relaxing sunbathe and swim, but the sprawling sandy crescent really is spectacular. It has also become a gathering place for backpackers from around the world. Surfing is part of Bondi legend and the big waves regularly attract world class surfers from around the world.