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Dynamic, cosmopolitan Sydney is ’s gateway for visitors, home to three of the most potent symbols of Australia around the world - , Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour. But, beyond the famous icons, there’s a lot more to uncover if you’re looking for great food and wine, shopping adventures, events and Sydney’s unique history.

Sydney Harbour splits the city into north and south. Its 240km of shoreline includes national parks, gardens and beautiful beaches while small harbour islands have great cultural and historical significance. There are plenty of ways to explore the harbour – on ferries, yachts, cruise vessels, high-speed jet boats or kayaks.

Food & Wine

If you enjoy stylish restaurants with excellent food, wine and service make sure you visit some of the city's best restaurants that have starred on the S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants list; Tetsuya’s, Quay, Marque and Momofuku Seiobo. Testuya Wakuda, Peter Gilmore and Mark Best are just some of Australia’s best-known chefs who have created a contemporary Australian cuisine based on the rich bounty of local produce combined with traditional cooking styles from around the globe. An ever-growing list of beautiful fine-dining, restaurants, boutique cafés and casual pub fare means you’ll never be short of inspiration on where to eat in Sydney.

There are plenty of ways to experience great dining in Sydney – but enjoying fresh local seafood served in a waterfront restaurant on a sunny day has to be one of the best. You’ll be able to taste fine Sydney produce at outdoor cafés and stylish bars, beachside pubs, and acclaimed harbourside restaurants. For a unique and very memorable Sydney dining experience, take a seaplane from Sydney Harbour to a beautiful riverside restaurant nearby such as Cottage Point Inn or Jonah’s Restaurant at Whale Beach.

Since the first grape vine was planted in Sydney in 1788, the wine industry in has flourished. Today there are many established wine regions producing world-class wines. Luckily for visitors to Sydney, one of the most popular - the Hunter Valley - is an easy two hours’ drive from the city. With 150 top-class wineries, vineyards and cellar doors and beautiful vineyard restaurants, it’s the perfect place to indulge a love of good food and wine. Don’t miss the chance to sample Hunter Valley Semillon, described as national treasure, and the food-friendly Hunter Valley Shiraz.

Shopping

If you’re a savvy and discerning shopper who likes discovering designer labels as well as emerging designers, then you’ll love shopping in Sydney. Australian fashion is casual, with sought-after local labels including Colette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, Camilla Franks, Josh Goot, Dion Lee and Willow. Top shopping neighbourhoods include Paddington, Double Bay, Surry Hills, Bondi as well as the city centre. And, if you enjoy wandering around inner-city markets showcasing Sydney’s artistic side, head to Glebe Markets, Rozelle Weekend Markets, and Paddington Markets where you’ll find handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, art, shoes, cool design and more. Open every Saturday, these markets are perfect for anyone with a creative streak.

Aboriginal History Many people are interested in finding out more about Australian Aboriginal culture. In Sydney alone, there are about 29 clan groups in the Sydney region referred to collectively as the Eora Nation. The word ‘Eora’ means ‘here’ or ‘from this place’. The world’s oldest continuous culture is alive and dynamic in the 21st century and there are plenty of authentic experiences available in Sydney. On a Tribal Warrior cruise on Sydney Harbour, hear stories of the original inhabitants of Sydney’s harbour foreshore while, at Taronga Zoo, the Nura Diya Aboriginal Discovery Tour investigates the powerful link between Aboriginal people and Australia’s native wildlife including stories of the Dreaming. The inspiring and beautiful work by past and present Aboriginal artists is on show at Yiribana Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Gallery in the Art Gallery of NSW and is a highlight for anyone who loves good art. On a Rocks Dreaming Tour, you’ll join an Aboriginal walkabout tour that uncovers Sydney’s fascinating history through Aboriginal eyes. The Rocks is where European settlers chose to step ashore in 1788, making it the birthplace of modern Australia. Over the last 225 years, it’s morphed from a rowdy, raucous settlement of convicts, soldiers, sailors and street gangs to a thriving, modern precinct boasting a range of sleek accommodation, attractions and funky bars and restaurants. Step back in time on a Rocks Walking Tour to explore the cobblestone laneways, pubs and heritage buildings.

Events and Attractions

The famous Sydney landmarks – Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge – take full advantage of their unique setting by the harbour. Why not save one of the best Sydney experiences to the end of your trip to capture the moment? Exhilarating and unforgettable, BridgeClimb takes you to the summit of the famous icon to enjoy spectacular views.

For a city of four million, Sydney has an astonishing array of arts, music and theatre, on at any time of the year. You may be lucky enough to see some of the stars of Australian theatre, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving, on stage with Sydney Theatre Company or at Belvoir Street Theatre. Acclaimed Aboriginal performers from Bangarra Dance Company perform regularly at the Sydney Opera House as do Ballet, Opera Australia and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. You can also check out behind the curtain on a Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour.

If you’re keen to see the best of contemporary Australia art, don’t miss a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in The Rocks. It’s also currently home to Yoko Ono’s War Is Over (If You Want It) as part of the annual Sydney International Art Series until 23 February 2014. At the Art Gallery of NSW, see a stunning collection of Australian Aboriginal art, from bark and desert paintings to contemporary art. Also part of the current Sydney International Art Series until 9 February 2014, America: painting a nation is a collection of more than 80 artworks covering 200 years of rich history, from the colonial era to the mid-20th century.

In addition to these amazing art exhibits, Sydney plays host to a thrilling array of events year round. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to see and do in Sydney. Below is just a sample of what’s in store.

Corroboree Sydney The largest annual national Indigenous arts and cultural festival in Australia. Location: Various venues across Sydney Date: 14 – 24 November 2013

Emirates Australian Open Golf Championship The world’s best battle to claim Australian golf’s most prized trophy. Location: The Royal Sydney Golf Club Date: 28 November – 1 December 2013

Sydney New Year’s Eve Sydney welcomes the New Year with 9pm family and midnight fireworks. Location: Sydney Harbour Date: 31 December 2013

Sydney Festival One of the world’s most wonderful Summer festivals! Location: Various venues across Sydney Date: 9 – 26 January 2014

Top Gear Festival Sydney Australia’s leading motoring festival with stunts, laughs, spills and thrills. Location: Sydney Motorsport Park Date: 8 – 9 March 2014

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Madama Butterfly Experience the grandeur of opera outdoors on a giant harbour stage. Location: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Date: 21 March – 13 April 2014

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical A championship ballroom dancer defies all the rules to follow his heart. Location: Sydney Lyric, The Star Date: From March 2014

Vivid Sydney Sydney is transformed into a creative canvas of lights, music and creative forums. Location: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Date: 23 May – 9 June 2014

Natural Attractions

It’s rare for a world city such as Sydney to have a bounty of stunning natural attractions – beaches, national parks, gardens, pristine waterways and plenty of green space. As a result, Sydney’s physical allure and laid-back outdoor lifestyle make it one of the most enjoyable cities in the world.

Sydney is synonymous with beaches and, with 400km of coastline, city beaches offer plenty of choice and space. They’re also easy to get to, with a string of golden beaches just six miles from the city centre. There are plenty of different ways to get a taste of the laid-back beach culture. Take a surf lesson at Bondi or Manly, two of the most celebrated beaches in the country, go snorkelling at Manly or dive straight from the beach at Coogee or Clovelly and you’ll soon be swimming amongst colourful fish and other marine life. You can even learn to dive and snorkel inside Sydney Harbour, from Chowder Bay, where you’re likely to see tiny sea horses and angler fish unique to the harbour. After fun in the surf, there are plenty of other things to do in the great outdoors. If you enjoy an early morning jog, yoga stretch or easy stroll, you’ll find an inspiring set of locations here. The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk is along a stunning piece of coastline; take a dip in the sea or stop at a bar or café along the way. From Manly Beach, follow the coastal walk that arcs around the headland to Shelley Beach, a sheltered sandy cove without surf. Have breakfast in one of Manly’s cool ocean-side cafes or sip cocktails on Manly Wharf at sunset.

Sydney is completely surrounded by national parks – in fact, Sydney Harbour National Park has small, sandy beaches and outdoor saltwater pools, foreshore walking trails and endless panoramas of the city and beyond, to the Pacific Ocean. It’s home to countless species including little penguins, long-nosed bandicoots and bent-wing bats. The world's second-oldest national park, the Royal National Park, lies to the south of the city while Ku-Ring-Gai-Chase National Park is an hours’ drive north. Both “city” parks offer lots of outdoor experiences from bushwalking and swimming to seeing animals in the wild.

The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is an easy 90-minute drive west from the heart of the city. In this pristine natural environment, you’ll see a landscape of massive cliffs, eucalypt-filled gullies and sandstone canyons that’s alive with native plants and animals. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a range of outdoor activities from bushwalks and hiking, to camping, mountain biking, abseiling and canyoning.

During the whale-watching season from May to November, it’s not unusual to see whales and dolphins from a headland in the national park. Try Cape Solander in Botany Bay National Park, Sydney Harbour National Park or Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. If you’re in Sydney at the time, make sure you join a whale-watching cruise from Sydney for the experience of a lifetime or, if you have more time to explore further afield, don’t miss whale watching at Port Stephens, located three hours North of Sydney. It’s one of the best places in Australia to see the acrobatic displays of migrating humpback whales. It’s not just whales you might see, Port Stephens is also known as the Dolphin Capital of Australia.

Sydney is also one of the best places in Australia to see its extraordinary wildlife, close-up, in harbourside zoos and aquariums. At Taronga Zoo Sydney, see a huge range of native animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas in an idyllic setting with the harbour as a backdrop. Just 12 minutes’ from the city by ferry, Taronga Zoo is located overlooking the harbour. A highlight of the zoo is the Free Flight Bird Show held in an outdoor amphitheatre with wild birds of prey diving and swooping above in an incredible display of skill and agility. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour is also a great place to get up close and personal with local wildlife. Walk through iconic Aussie habitats and encounter some of the most loved native animals.

Sydney Harbour is home to over 600 species of fish and at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium you can see them in their own habitat. You’ll also see platypus, little penguins, rays, sharks and dugongs in purpose-built habitats. The colourful and cute clown anemone fish that found fame after the film, Finding Nemo, is here as well as weedy sea dragon, the small but beautiful relatives of seahorses.

For more information on events, travel and accommodation go to Sydney.com