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.

Premier’s Walk

Bob Carr, the NSW premier, is a Coast Track enthusiast. This 26-km (16-mile) route through the Royal National Park offers ocean views and seasonal glimpses of migrating whales. You can walk a section of the track or go for the whole two-day stretch.
Puberty Blues (1979)

A coming-of-age 1970s beach culture story by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey.
Quay

Go for the views and for international flavors, especially in dishes such as roasted John Dory with shaved cuttlefish and artichoke or slow braised veal with shiitake and lentils. Tastes from France, Italy, Spain, Japan and China combine perfectly.
Quay Grand Suites

Next door to the Opera House at one of Sydney’s premier addresses, apartments are tastefully furnished with kitchen facilities. Try ECQ, the hotel’s dress circle bar.
Quay West Suites Sydney

Luxurious, fully-equipped apartments with five-star service. Spacious suites have all the standards plus two TVs, stereos, fax and modem ports, deluxe minibar, valet and 24-hour room service. Choose from city or harbour views.
Queen Street

You won’t find any rustic treasures in the antiques shops that line this leafy street downhill from Paddington’s Oxford Street. Items here are super expensive, such as Louis XIV clocks, original Colonial prints, 18th-century Persian rugs, and estate jewellery. Even if your wallet is drained, it’s still a fun place to window-shop and there are some excellent cafés nearby.
Queen Victoria Building

The four-storey Romanesque QVB (see Queen Victoria Building) staggers visitors with its beautiful tiled floors, elegant staircases, stained glass, barrel-vaulted glass ceiling and copper domed roof. Built on the site of the old Sydney markets, this landmark was designed by George McRae and opened to applause in 1898. The shopping plaza was imaginatively restored in the 1980s.
Queen Victoria Building

The many levels of this huge heritage building include almost 200 popular stores and fine boutiques.
Quest Cronulla

This apartment-style hotel offers fabulous ocean views. Rooms have Internet connections, fully equipped kitchens and laundries, and the hotel can arrange to stock up your pantry or to have dinner at a local restaurant charged to your room.
Quest Grande Esplanade

A smart, modern apartment hotel, where many rooms look over a row of pine treees onto Manly’s harbour beach. It is also close to dozens of restaurants and cafés.

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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
- $35–$60
- $60–$120
- $120–$200
- 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