ICONIC SYDNEY Visitors can watch the sun set on the harbour from the cockpit of a yacht or from top of the Harbour Bridge; take in a show at the world famous Sydney Opera House, enjoy great Australian food and wine, learn to surf, get their feet sandy or just enjoy the scenery. Don’t miss these quintessential Sydney experiences. Discover Sydney Opera House Visitors can take a photo on the steps of the Sydney Opera House before exploring inside with the multimedia Essentials Tour or Backstage Tour. The Sydney Opera House Experiences packages combine a tour of the Sydney Opera House with a visit to either Taronga Zoo to see Australian native animals or a Sydney Seaplane flight over Sydney Harbour and coastline. The ‘Tour and Tasting’ package offers a tour of the Opera House and a delicious tasting plate at Opera Kitchen – home to some of Sydney’s most innovative chefs. Guillaume at Bennelong is a great place for fine dining while the Opera Bar is perfect for a pre-show cocktail before taking in a performance in one of the Sydney Opera House’s distinctive theatres. Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay Tel: +61 2 9250 7111 www.sydneyoperahouse.com Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge BridgeClimb Sydney offers three spectacular experiences - The Express Climb, The Discovery Climb and The Bridge Climb - which take visitors to the summit of this world-famous icon. Visitors stand 134m above Sydney Harbour while their climb leader unveils many secrets of Sydney and its iconic bridge. Climbers of all ages (including children from 10 years of age) and fitness levels can enjoy this iconic Sydney experience at dawn, by day, at twilight or to the backdrop of the city night lights. BridgeClimb Sydney now also offers a Mandarin Commentary Climb with a local Mandarin speaking guide that follows the Express Climb tour route. BridgeClimb Sydney, the Rocks Tel: +61 2 8274 7777 www.bridgeclimb.com Current as at 1st March 2013 Sail on Sydney Harbour Visitors may choose to explore Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury yacht, an America’s Cup challenger or an historic tall ship. Whether hauling sails or relaxing with a drink on a skippered charter, this is the best way for visitors to enjoy the harbour like a local and gain a closer look at the little bays and islands that make up its beautiful foreshore. Options range from a three hour sail to an overnight stay on the harbour. Eastsail Harbour Days Sailing Tel: +61 2 9327 1166 Tel: +61 2 9968 1578 www.eastsail.com.au www.harbourdays.com.au Sailing Sydney Sydney by Sail Tel: +61 2 9660 9133 Tel: +61 2 9280 1110 www.sailingsydney.net www.sydneybysail.com Sydney Harbour Tall Ships (Dynamic Experiences Group) Tel: + 61 2 8243 7961 www.sydneyharbourtallships.com.au Cruise on the harbour A harbour cruise is the ideal way for visitors to appreciate the beauty of Sydney’s famous waterway, learn some of its history and discover many of its unique landmarks. Scenic cruises, Hop-on Hop-Off cruises, coffee cruises, lunch and dinner cruises, private charters and cocktail cruises are just some of the options available. The vessels range from catamarans to luxury powerboats and multi-deck cruisers. Captain Cook Cruises Magistic Cruises Tel: +61 2 9206 1111 Tel: +61 2 8296 7222 www.captaincook.com.au www.magisticcruises.com.au Matilda Cruises Sea Sydney Cruises Tel: +61 2 8270 5188 Tel: +61 478 036 438 www.matilda.com.au www.seasydneycruises.com.au Sydney Harbour EcoHopper Sydney Showboats (Australian Attractions) Tel: +61 2 8296 7200 Tel: +61 2 8251 0078 www.sydneyshowboats.com.au www.sydneyharbourecohopper.com.au Sydney Princess Cruises Vagabond Cruises Tel: +61 2 9518 7813 Tel: +61 2 9660 0388 www.sydneyprincesscruises.com.au www.vagabond.com.au Visit the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is only a short stroll from the city centre and boasts some of the most iconic views (and stunning photo opportunities) of Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visitors can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens or join a tour to learn about the area’s rich Aboriginal history. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Tel: +61 2 9231 8134 www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au Current as at 1st March 2013 Visit one of Sydney’s museums or galleries Adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Art Gallery of NSW, established in 1874, is one of Australia’s foremost cultural institutions showcasing a collection of past and present Australian and international artists’ works. There are also galleries dedicated to celebrating the arts of Asia, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The gallery’s permanent collections are complemented by a calendar of Australian and international exhibitions. Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney City Tel: + 61 2 9225 1700 www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au The Australian Museum houses extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts featuring galleries dedicated to natural history, dinosaurs, indigenous Australians and Australia’s unique wildlife. The newly refurbished Indigenous Australians Gallery now includes Menagerie: contemporary indigenous sculpture exhibition which features established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists who have each produced exceptional sculptural works depicting a variety of native animals. Personalised tours of this gallery and other exhibitions at the Australian Museum are available on request. Australian Museum, Sydney City Tel: +61 2 9320 6000 www.australianmuseum.net.au The Australian National Maritime Museum is located in Sydney’s Darling Harbour and is a must-see attraction for visitors. The museum captures a range of water-related themes with artefacts, exhibitions, guided tours and the opportunity to board a real submarine, a naval destroyer and many other sea going vessels. Permanent exhibitions include: Navigators – tracking the successive waves of sailors and settlers who have navigated the Australian shores over thousands of years, Eora First People – exploring the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s deep connection with the sea, Watermarks – exploring the Australian coastal culture’s love of water, Navy – how the Royal Australian Navy operates on the land, in the air and under the sea during peace and war; and Passengers – portraying the journeys of those who have travelled to Australia by sea. Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Tel: +61 2 9298 3777 www.anmm.gov.au Step in to the glitz and glamour of Madame Tussauds Sydney to rub shoulders with more than 70 fascinating wax figures. Some of Australia’s most loved personalities including Dame Edna, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Mark Weber, Lleyton Hewitt and Cate Blanchett are accompanied by international personalities, past and present, from Queen Elizabeth II to Lady Gaga. Each figure is crafted with unprecedented skill, artistry and accuracy. Nine themed zones offer opportunities to interact with many of the figures. Madame Tussauds Sydney, a member of Merlin Entertainments Group, is open daily from 9am – 8pm. Madame Tussauds, Darling Harbour Tel: +61 2 9333 9240 www.madametussauds.com/sydney Current as at 1st March 2013 City sighteeing Visitors can experience Sydney and the iconic Bondi Beach aboard a hop-on-hop off open-top double-decker bus tour. Sydney Explorer’s Sydney and Bondi Explorer tours, including commentary, are included in the one ticket. Valid for 24 or 48 hours, the tickets allow travellers to hop on and off, exploring Sydney’s iconic attractions at their own pace. Sydney Explorer Tel: +61 2 9567 8400 www.citysightseeing.com.au Alternatively, quality coach tour operators offer daily full- and half-day fully escorted and guided sightseeing tours of the city and its icons with options and inclusions such as harbour cruises, aquarium visits and Sydney’s Northern Beaches. AAT Kings Gray Line Tel: +61 2 9251 5456 www.grayline.com.au www.aatkings.com Small group touring companies also offer a range of more personalised Sydney sightseeing options on a scheduled or private charter basis; many also with the option of a foreign language guide. All About Australia Tours (3AT) Australian Eco Adventures Tel: +61 2 8415 7113 Tel: +61 2 9971 2402 www.3at.com.au www. ozeco.com.au Beautiful Tours Boutique Tours Australia Tel: +61 447 250 355 Tel: +61 2 9436 1300 www.beautifultoursaustralia.com www.boutiquetoursaustralia.com.au Canons Shuttles’ Arrivals Tour Loksha Tel: + 61 2 9522 6868 Tel: +61 2 8812 3451 www.canonsshuttles.com.au www.lokshatourssydney.com.au Mount’n’Beach Safaris My Sydney Detour Tel: +61 2 9439 3010 Tel: +61 404 256 256 www.mountnbeachsafaris.com.au www.mysydneydetour.com Red Carpet Custom Tours Ultimately Sydney Tel: +61 2 9971 0796 Tel: +61 407 903 162 www.redcarpettours.com.au www.ultimatelysydney.com.au Waratah Adventure Tours Tel: +61 2 9908 4697 www.waratahadventures.com.au For more independent travel, the iVenture card offers entry to more than 40 of Sydney’s top attractions, tours and things to do for one single price. The iVenture card offers three types of passes including: the Sydney Xpress, Sydney Five in One Attractions Pack, and Sydney Attractions Pass, valid for two, three or seven days. iVenture card Australia Tel: +61 2 9211 3192 www.seesydneypass.iventurecard.com Current as at 1st March 2013 Discover surf culture at a famous Sydney beach Visitors can learn to ride the waves at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach. Let's Go Surfing offers surfing and stand up paddle boarding lessons for all skill levels. Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Tel: +61 2 9365 1800 www.letsgosurfing.com.au North of the harbour, visitors can explore Manly Beach and take to the waves with Manly Surf School. Daily surf lessons teach the basics from paddling to standing on a board, as well as surf safety skills.