Destination Attractions Things to do in Sydney

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Every now and then, we get an urge to visit someplace new and exotic. Vacations come and go, but we never seem to find that special destination that leaves an indelible mark on us, and when we hear of one of those magical someplaces, we tuck it into the back of our minds and say, Maybe next year. When vacation planning time rolls around again, consider visiting Sydney C a wild and exciting tourist spot in that part of the world where even the animals are out of the ordinary. Here are a few suggestions for some truly memorable vacation experiences in The Land Down Under.

No-one should travel to Sydney without taking the opportunity to visit Sydney Opera House C the world-famous performing arts center, famous for its stunning shells. Folks have the option of taking one of two guided tours C The Sydney Opera House Tour or The Backstage Tour (the more costly of the two). For those who are interested in something a bit more inclusive, Sydney Opera House offers Performance Packages, which include a variety of activities, as well as a guide tour. Such packages consist of Starry Nights C a tour of the Opera House, followed by dinner in one of two notable restaurants and a performance; Showcase C a performance, complete with a drink and a special voucher which entitles the guest to a tour; Cocktails C after a tour of the Opera House, youll be whisked off on a luxurious catamaran for the Twilight Cocktail Cruise and on to an evening performance with your drink of choice; and A Night of Indulgence C a combination overnight package, offered by The Sydney Opera House and The Four Seasons Hotel, including dinner, a performance, a cocktail and a guided tour. If thats not enough, there are plenty of restaurants and shops in the area, to round out your stay.

While youre in Sydney, dont miss the opportunity to experience the Sydney Tower and Skytour. Journey to the top of the highest point in Sydney for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, from the shores to the mountaintops. The tower is filled with wonderful shops C 52, in all C and is known as one of the safest buildings on earth, despite its colossal height. Designed to include cabling, which assist in stabilizing the structure, this magnificent tower can withstand extreme weather elements, including earthquakes. In addition to an Observation Deck, the tower is filled with a wide variety of shops, a coffee lounge and lots of greenery. While the tower houses an elevator, there is also a staircase for the truly ambitious, who wish to take the challenge of the 1,504 stairs. The Skytour is a spectacular 3-D virtual adventure, taking visitors on a simulated ride through the history of Australia and its geography. This 5-phase ride consists of The Orientation Campsite C the first of the pre-shows; The Expedition Tent C a marvelous trip through time with only hurricane lamps to light your way; The Discovery Chambers C a rotating auditorium, brought to life by animated models and holograms; Virtual Cave C visit the Aborigines as you tour through an ancient cave and enjoy the sights and eerie sounds of the past; and The Great Australian Expedition Ride C the climactic end to the Skytour, complete with special effects, motion seats and surround-sound that takes you on a race down a wild river to a perilous encounter with a deadly crocodile and up to the Uluru. All things considered, this is one of the most exciting tourist spots in Sydney.

If you find that you need a bit of rest from all of the excitement, The Royal Botanic Gardens offer a respite from the more stimulating sites in the city. Seventeen breathtaking gardens come together to make up this site, including the Herb Garden, Government House Grounds, Begonia Garden, Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters, Mrs. Macquaries Bushland Walk, Rainforest Walk, HSBC Oriental Garden, Palm Grove, Old Mill Garden & Greenway Terrace, Pioneer Garden, Rare & Threatened Plants Garden, Rose Garden, Succulent Garden, Native Rockery, Sydney Tropical Centre, Sydney Fernery and Wollemi Pine. Each of the seventeen gardens offers its own theme and delights visitors with its beautiful setting and heavenly aromas. The Royal Botanic Garden offers a variety of tour selections, one of which is The Free Lunchtime Tour, for those who are interested in experiencing the gardens during the lunch hour. Other tours include Free Daily Guided Walks; Self-Guided Walks C consisting of The Heritage Walk, The Sculpture Walk, The Aboriginal Walk and Discovering the Domain Walk; The Indigenous Walk; and even a scenic tour on a trackless train, for those who prefer not to tour the gardens on foot. In addition, special events and activities are held each month, and there are a variety of shops in the area for those who are interested in a bit of souvenir hunting. Should you care to stop for a quick bite to eat or a beverage, the area is dotted with cafs, restaurants and kiosks. Unless you choose to tour the gardens via the trackless train, theres a great deal of walking to be done, and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

Hyde Park Barracks Museum is a fascinating structure which has housed destitute women, orphans and convicted criminals throughout its long history, eventually giving way to a series of courts which included those used for bankruptcy, industrial arbitration and insanity. The structure now serves as a public museum, filled with a variety of related exhibits. The entire building, in fact, was originally built by convicts during 1818 and 1819. Among the many exhibits, youll find handcrafted rosary beads, constructed from copper and dried berries; a tin plate of unknown date which was found under the floorboards; walking braces; a selection of lice combs constructed from bone; and a striped shirt once worn by a resident convict. In addition to the many exhibits, there are numerous events, displays and exhibitions which are offered on a regular basis. After touring through this fascinating, multi-level facility, be sure to stop at The Barracks Shop C the museums gift shop which offers a variety of wares that reflect the early history of the barracks and each of its phases. For those who are looking for a bit of lunch or a refreshing beverage, The Hyde Park Barracks Caf is also on the premises. As an extra benefit, there are a number of other tourist sites in the immediate vicinity with which to fill your day. On the same street, youll find The Mint, Parliament House & State Library, Government House and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Within a short walking distance are The Museum of Sydney, Justice & Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, St. Marys Cathedral and The Australian Museum. Comfortable walking shoes are an absolute must if youre planning to visit the many tourist spots throughout the neighborhood.

Vacationers who are interested in the universe and all that it has to offer will enjoy a trip to Sydney Observatory, with its fascinating exhibits and special events. The Powerhouse Museum, located on the premises of the observatory and offering both regular and weekend events, includes exhibitions such as The Steam Revolution C a presentation focusing on steam trains and their operations; Citizens and the City C a detailed history of life during the Federation era; Highlight Tour of the Museum - a ? hour tour of the museums highlights; Sounds and Silents C a combined exhibition of a Fotoplayer and silent films; and SoundHouse Open House C a multimedia laboratory designed for human interaction, as well as a variety of other events and exhibitions. By the Light of the Southern Stars, within the Sydney Observatory, offers displays and exhibits which include Watchers of a Different Sky C a historical tour encompassing astronomers and their various instruments; Knowing the Time and Finding the Way C see a model of the HMS Investigator and learn about the first voyage around Australia; Transit Circle: The Biggest Clock in the World C learn how the astronomers use a telescope to calculate the exact time; Transit of Venus: The Biggest Ruler in the World C learn how the distance between the earth and the sun were calculated using the Transit of Venus; and Telescopes and the Southern Sky C shows the functionality of telescopes and offers a scale model representation. These and many others are available for your enjoyment at Sydney Observatory. With all that this tourist site has to offer, plan to spend a large part of the day and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

While youre in Sydney, make plans to take an otherworldly tour with The Rocks Ghost Tours. Visitors have the opportunity to choose from between two tour packages where theyll discuss C and, perhaps, meet C the ghosts from Australias past. The first of the two tours is The Dark North Side. During this tour, youll be guided through the north side of The Rocks and learn of its bloody history when you visit Dead House, hear local stories of past hangings and crimes that will numb the senses. Youll be guided by a local resident whose family has been in the area for many generations and have passed many of these tales down through the ages. The second tour C The Dark South Side C brings you into the inner sanctum of The Rocks, where youll meet knife-wielding madmen and rum runners, while making bone-chilling underground discoveries and search for the ghost of a cabin boy from the past. Youll be led by an experienced guide who has been a resident of the area for several years and who has worked as a Funeral Consultant. The guides, a husband and wife team, established The Rocks Ghost Tours a number of years ago, as a result of a desire to share their accumulated stories and interest in the eerie history surrounding the area. All tours begin at Cadmans Cottage, next to the Sydney Visitor Centre. Its recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a coat or sweater. Due to the winds that blow through the alleyways, even warmer days and nights can become uncomfortably cool if not appropriately attired.

Sydney is an exciting city, full of sites that will both delight and mesmerize vacationers. For further information on these and the many other tourist sites in Sydney, contact your local travel agent.