DK Travel : Sydney

Sydney is blessed with stunning ocean beaches, magnificent national parks and a wonderful subtropical climate that makes the great outdoors irresistible to its four million inhabitants. The Eora people, the Aborigines who settled around Sydney Harbour, arrived approximately 50,000 years ago, while the white settlers arrived just over 200 years ago. Free settlers soon followed in the wake of the First Fleet of transported convicts, and after them several waves of migrants seeking a new life. Now, two centuries later, the once far-flung penal colony has matured into a culturally diverse, tolerant and mesmerizing city. Ideally located on the world’s most beautiful harbour, Sydney is as exciting and bustling as it is laid back and relaxing.

Elizabeth Bay

A world away from the seediness of nearby Kings Cross, Elizabeth Bay’s narrow, winding streets are packed with apartment buildings, including Art Deco gems such as Del Rio on Billyard Avenue, near Elizabeth Bay House. It is also home to several harbourside mansions, including Boomerang (see Harbourside Mansions & Penthouses), and nearby Berthong, which Russell Crowe owned before moving up to the industrial chic of the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. The tiny Arthur McElhone Reserve, is overlooked by a 100 apartment balconies, but the unpretentious Beare Park can be found just down the hill, on the harbour’s edge.

Elizabeth Bay
Elizabeth Bay House

Alexander Macleay, Colonial Secretary of NSW from 1825 to 1837, had architect John Verge design this residence for his large family in 1839. Macleay was also a distinguished botanist and the first president of the Australian Museum. This Greek Revival residence is said to contain the finest example of a Colonial interior anywhere in Australia. Macleay’s family subdivided the original 23 ha (56 acres) of land following his death. In 1941 the house was further divided into 15 apartments. The NSW government purchased the property in the 1960s and the Historic Houses Trust undertook major restoration. It finally re-opened as a museum in 1977.
Elizabeth Farm

Built by John and Elizabeth Macarthur (see John & Elizabeth Macarthur), this 1793 estate was once an important social, political and cultural centre. The farm’s cottage is the oldest surviving building in Australia, and is carefully furnished with reproductions of the original interiors.
Elkington Park

This lovely reserve on White Horse Point, overlooking Cockatoo Island, is best known for the Dawn Fraser Pool, one of Sydney’s oldest municipal pools. Dawn Fraser is a local legend, as much loved for her candid take on life and wild streak as she is for having dominated the pool at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, leaving 40 world records in her wake. Although prone to tidal fluctuations, the pool is pleasantly unpretentious and a good place to strike up a conversation with an old-time local.
Emperor’s Garden BBQ & Noodles

A meaty experience starts at the adjoining shop’s window, full of hanging ducks and piglets, and ends with the famous barbecued duck and pork.
Ensemble Theatre

Australia’s longest continuously running professional theatre is located in a converted boatshed on Careening Cove. The company performs a mix of local and international plays with an emphasis on ensemble values. Reliable and definitely rewarding.
Esca Bimbadgen

Let the staff match the winery’s delicious Bimbadgen wines to your selection from the tasty Moz Oz menu.
est.

This stylish spot is ideal for a luxurious meal. The Mod Oz menu boasts dishes such as grilled swordfish on eggplant with chilli, sherry vinegar, garlic and mint salsa.Don’t miss the fabulous passion-fruit soufflé.
Establishment

Resurrected from the burnt-out shell of an 1892 emporium, this hotel boasts a 42-m (138-ft) marble bar and designer fit-out. It’s very civilized mid-week, but by Friday it’s packed with the after-work crowd. There are seating areas where you can escape the hordes. Upstairs, the exotic Hemmesphere bar specializes in mojitos.
Establishment

This is one of the most fashionable and desirable places in town. Two suites and 33 rooms offer a choice of lively or tranquil colour schemes, marble or stone bathrooms with separate baths and showers, thick sheets, and CD and DVD players.

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Restaurant price categories

For a two course meal for one with a drink (or equivalent meal), plus taxes and extra charges.
- under $35
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- over $200
Hotel price categories

For a standard double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $80
- $80–150
- $150–250
- $250–350
- over $350