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.

Galeries Victoria

Find overseas labels and streetwear at this futuristic centre. The giant Kinokuniya bookshop stocks Japanese, Chinese and English titles.
Garfish

The best fishy place on the north side also does great breakfast.
Garigal National Park

This rainforest zone on the North Shore may offer you the best chance to spy the elusive lyrebird in its natural habitat. You will also find tree ferns and cabbage tree palms (Livistonia Australis ), which were used by white settlers for everything from hats to building materials.
Gavala Aboriginal Art Centre

This is Sydney’s only Aboriginal art gallery owned by indigenous people. Combining an exhibition space with a shop, Gavala offers storytelling, didgeridoo-playing demonstrations and Aboriginal artists-in-residence who discuss their work.
Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

This carnival is more than just a street parade down Oxford Street (see Oxford & Crown Streets), for more than a quarter-million people line the route. The parade naturally ends with a party, but there is also an energetic programme of associated events that celebrates the strength and diversity of gay Sydney (see Gay & Lesbian Friendly Places).
Gelatissimo

The best choice for an ice cream craving. Standards and exotic flavours are topped by chunks of chocolate, piles of figs or handfuls of almonds.
Georges Head Lookout

The lookout is based on the circular gun emplacements of the old fort. Great park to just sit in and watch the harbour. My wife and I spent the whole of 31 Dec there.. no crowds beacuse its away from the main viewing area.. but we had the best view of 4 of the harbours fire works. We took our dog and an esky and just relaxed.
Ginseng Bathhouse

These traditional Korean baths have separate male and female facilities that include steam rooms, saunas, hot baths and the famous ginseng baths. Soak in the soothing waters or get a skin scrub and massage.
Glebe Market

Every Saturday from 10am– 4pm, the grounds of Glebe Public School are used by market stalls selling new and second-hand clothes, records and bric-a-brac. A great source for flares, leather jackets and sunglasses, Glebe Market offers great bargains.
Glebe Point Road

Glebe came about as a series of land grants to wealthy free settlers. Two remaining Regency villas, Toxteth Park and Lyndhurst, were designed by celebrated Colonial architect John Verge. Today it is a hippie enclave characterized by New Age and health food shops and laidback locals. Leafy and settled into hills with harbour views, the area has a village atmosphere. Glebe Point Road runs through the centre, from Broadway up to the water at Jubilee Point, and is lined with shops and cafés. To experience Glebe’s bohemian side, watch an arthouse film at Valhalla Cinema, then pop into Sappho bookshop and café for a latte.