-
State Library of NSW
This library holds over five million tomes, and has one of the best collections of early works on Australia, including Captain Cook's and Joseph Banks' journals and Captain (later Governor) Bligh's log from the Bounty . It's also known for the innovative temporary exhibitions in its galleries ( - Mon-Fri, - Sat & Sun).
-
State Theatre
The splendidly elaborate State (1929) is the city's most ostentatious theatre. It was originally built as a movie palace during Hollywood's heyday and is now a National Trust-classified building, dripping with gilt and velveteen. These days it stages live shows, except during the Sydney Film Festival in June . If you're lucky you might make one of the monthly guided tours (9373 6862).
-
Suez Canal
One of few remaining such lanes, the Suez Canal tapers as it goes downhill until it's less than a metre wide (thus the name). Constructed in the 1840s, it was notorious as a lurking point for members of the Rocks Push gang throughout the 19th century. Where the Canal intersects Nurses Walk there's an interesting building with exposed timbers.
-
Susannah Place Museum
Welcome to 19th-century working class life. Visits to this row of tiny 1844 terrace houses start with a video in the dilapidated parlour of the first home before heading through the neighbouring two. In the backyard see where generations of Rocks women cooked and laundered their clothes in a wood-fired copper (near the dunny). The curators wear period dress and run the cuter-than-cute corner shop that sells wares from the period.
-
Sydney Aquarium
The aquarium's three oceanariums are moored in the harbour and the main one holds some truly impressive sharks, rays and other big fish that can be veiwed from underwater tunnels. The finale at the Great Barrier Reef 'theatre' is absolutely breathtaking. Needless to say, kids love it. Disabled access is good. Discounted combined tickets are available with Sydney Tower and/or Sydney Wildlife World.
-
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
'The Con' was built by Francis Greenway as the stables and servants' quarters of Macquarie's planned new government house. Partly because of the project's extravagance, Macquarie was replaced as governor before it could be completed. In 1915 it was converted into a music conservatorium, which amalgamated with the University of Sydney in 1990. Recent renovations (costing A$150 million) have created world-class facilities for study and performance.
-
Sydney Convention Centre & Exhibition Centre
They like to do things big in Sydney, like this behemoth on the western edge of Tumbalong Park. It was designed by Australian architect Philip Cox, who also did the aquarium and the maritime museum. The exhibition centre, on the south end of the complex, has steel masts from which its roofs are suspended. The convention centre is the rounder bit located nearer to the harbour. Check the website to find out about opening times and events.
Read more about Sydney Convention Centre & Exhibition Centre
-
Sydney Cricket Ground
The SCG is the venue for sparsely attended Pura Cup (interstate) matches, well-attended five-day tests and sell-out one-day internationals. The cricket season lasts from October to March. Book through Ticketek.
-
Sydney Fish Market
With over 15 million kilograms of seafood sold and shifted out of here annually, this large fish market is the best place to get on first-name terms with a bewildering array of scaly critters. You can witness fish auctions happening in the early mornings, eat sushi or fish 'n' chips all day, attend cooking classes, and buy the freshest seafood in town.
-
Sydney Harbour
Sydney's stunning harbour has melded and shaped the local psyche since the first days of settlement, and today it's both a major working port and the city's sparkling playground. Its waters, beaches, islands and shorefront parks offer all the swimming, sailing, picnicking, walking and real-estate fantasies you could wish for.
-
Advertisement
-
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney's other-most-famous icon, this massive steel bridge is visible from a surprising number of spots around the city, crossing the harbour at one of its narrowest points, linking the southern and northern shores. It's the largest and heaviest steel arch in the world. Sydneysiders hold it dear to their hearts - partly because of its function in uniting the city and it's the centrepiece of Sydney's frequent and spectacular harbour fireworks.
-
Sydney Hospital
Originally the Rum Hospital, the country's oldest hospital has a grand Victorian sandstone façade and an interesting history. While you can't wander around inside, the central courtyard is open to the public. Here you'll find the attractive Gothic Revival Nightingale Wing (1869)-site of the first Nightingale school and a decent café. In front of the hospital is the large bronze Il Porcellino, a copy of a statue of a boar in Florence.
-
Sydney Jewish Museum
This excellent museum has evocative displays on Australian Jewish history from the First Fleet to the present day, along with the history of Judaism in general. Video testimony and touch-screen computers are used to good effect. There's a sobering Holocaust section, which includes the moving Children's Memorial. Allow at least two hours to explore this extraordinary place. Free 40-minute tours leave at noon and there's a kosher café on site.
-
Sydney Observatory
This observatory-cum-astronomy-museum features an exhibition about Australian astronomy, covering Aboriginal sky stories, with interactive displays and videos. Night tours (bookings essential) include the exhibition, a viewing through the telescopes and a screening in the 3-D Space Theatre. Day tours also include a Space Theatre screening and they are the only way to visit the copper dome and its big telescope.
-
Sydney Olympic Park
More than just a nostalgic reminder of the glorious, glitzy, over-the-top 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney's Olympic Park is a sprawling sustainable world to itself - 14km west of the city centre. In the years since the Olympics the surrounding land has been transformed into nature reserves, 35km of cycleways and whole new residential suburbs.
-
Sydney Opera House
Gloriously white and brilliantly sharp, Australia's most recognisable icon sits dramatically at the tip of Bennelong Point. On a sunny day the Opera House is postcard-perfect; its startling curves and points a pinnacle of architectural genius inspired by the segments of a mandarin. It's a truly memorable place to see a performance, listen to a free outdoor concert or sit under a cafe umbrella and watch harbour life go by.
-
Sydney Park
Popular with dog-walkers and kite-flyers, Sydney Park is a great place to watch the sunrise and sunset. From the barren, windswept hill the city rises like a volcanic island from a sea of suburbia, while to the south there's a view over the airport to Botany Bay. This 40-hectare site, opposite St Peters Station, has modern sculpture and sculptural looking chimneys from its days as a brickworks; much of the pit has been converted to wetlands.
-
Sydney Tower
This futuristic tower (built 1970-1981) stands 309m high and on clear days the views from the 250m observation floor take in the Blue Mountains, Botany Bay and the length of Sydney Harbour. The admission price entitles you to a goofy virtual-reality ride through Australian 'kulcha'. If you're planning on heading to Sydney Aquarium or Sydney Wildlife World , check out the discounted combined tickets.
-
Sydney Wildlife World
Following the same formula as its sister and neighbour Sydney Aquarium , this large complex houses an impressive collection of Australian native reptiles, butterflies, spiders, snakes and small mammals. The nocturnal section is particularly good, bringing the extravert out in the quolls, potoroos, echidnas and possums. The kids may be more interested in holding snakes and posing with koalas.
-
Sze Yup Temple
This humble temple was opened in 1898 by immigrants from the Sze Yup area of China. At Chinese New Year it's a hive of activity, with people of various ethnicities coming to make offerings of incense and fruit. It's dedicated to 3rd-century folk hero Kwung Ti whose embroidered image in green robes, flanked by two guards, takes centre place on the altar.
-
Advertisement
-
Tamarama Beach
When it got its nickname Glamarama in the 1980s, this was probably Sydney's gayest beach. Perhaps it's a sign of increasing acceptance that the gay guys have migrated en masse to North Bondi, leaving the huge waves to the surfers. Surrounded by high cliffs it's a lovely spot with only 80m of waterline but a deep tongue of sand and parkland.
-
Tank Stream Fountain
This elaborate, four-part bronze fountain (1981) in Herald Square near Circular Quay incorporates dozens of sculptures of native Australian animals. It was designed by Stephen Walker and dedicated to 'all the children who have played around the Tank Stream'. Try spotting the echidna.
-
Taronga Zoo
Not even the Governor General has views as good as Taronga's residents. A definite Sydney highlight, this exceptional zoo boasts a spectacular location which over 3000 furry, scaly and feathered critters (including a substantial number of Australian natives) call home. The animals are well looked after, and there are more natural open enclosures than cages.
-
Taylor Square
Taylor Square is the hub of social life in the Darlinghurst area. It's charged with a certain energy, particularly late at night. Facing the square is Darlinghurst Courthouse (1842), and behind the courthouse is the Old Darlinghurst Gaol. Today it houses the National Art School (formally the East Sydney TAFE College).
-
The Domain
The Domain is a large, grassy and tree-dotted area east of Macquarie St. It contained Australia's first farm and was set aside by Governor Phillip in 1788 for public recreation. Today, The Domain is used by workers for lunchtime sport and as a place to escape the bustle of the city. The Art Gallery of NSW is located here as well. Many large-scale public events are held here, including the Tropfest film festival.
