Things to do in Sydney
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EDITOR'S PICK
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.
The best way to view the harbour is by private yacht (yeah, right). Lacking this, just take a harbour cruise or catch any one of the many ferries that ply its waters. You can also fly above it via a scenic flight. The Manly ferry offers vistas of the harbour east of the bridge, while the Parramatta RiverCats cover the west. You can also visit some of…
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- All things to do
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Statement Lounge
Hidden underneath the State Theatre, this low-lit jazz-era bar blends Deco features with a modern makeover. Slink into this atmospheric locale for a quiet drink (it's rarely busy) or a show tune belted out by a cabaret chanteuse.
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Sydney Harbour Afternoon Tall Ship Discovery Cruise
75 minutes (Departs Sydney, Australia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Come aboard a grand old lady of the sea and set sail upon an authentic 1850s century Tall Ship for a 1 hour and 15 minute afternoon cruise on Sydney…Not LP reviewed
from USD$42.75 -
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North Fort
North Head Scenic Drive, heading south from Manly, provides stunning ocean, harbour and city views. Along the way is the Royal Australian Artillery National Museum at North Fort - tunnels, guns and history for the military-minded.
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Central Baking Depot
Once upon a time the best bakeries were confined to the suburbs, but CBD has brought quality baked goods into the heart of the CBD. Drop by for a savoury snack (pies, sausage rolls, croissants, pizza slices, sandwiches), or a sweet treat with coffee. Seating is limited to a modest scattering of tables and a window bench.
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Rozelle Markets
One of Sydney’s best bargain-hunter markets, with very few tourists. Sift through hippie jewellery, vintage clothes, plants, books and knick-knackery, with live folk music, palm readings and exotic food stalls as a backdrop.
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Dinosaur Designs
If the Flintstones opened a jewellery store, this is what it would look like: oversized, richly coloured, translucent resin bangles and baubles sit among technicoloured vases and bowls, and chunky sterling-silver rings and necklaces.
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Sydney Carnival
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Surfing Lessons in Sydney
by Viator
Want to learn how to surf? Where could be better than Sydney, the heart of Australia's surfing culture. For a great, fun-filled introduction to surfing, take…Not LP reviewed
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Lumière
It's a sheer delight to sit in the bakery section of this café and watch all manner of gorgeous things being readied for the ovens. For brunch you can't go past the ricotta hot cakes with sour cherries, honeycomb and mascarpone.
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Bang-on
Bang-On is a custom T-shirt shop with an extensive (and expensive) range of decals to print on non-sweatshop T-shirts: everything from obscure ’70s album covers to your favourite socialist icons and grinning David Hasselhoffs.
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Sydney Conservatorium of Music
This historic venue showcases the talents of its students and their teachers. Choral, jazz, operatic and chamber concerts happen from March to November, along with free lunchtime recitals on Wednesday at 1.10pm.
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Madame Fling Flong
Newtown’s best (and only) cocktail bar has got that scruffy Inner West thing going on with its retro lounge and shabby-chic decor. On Tuesday nights the Flong screens art-house movies from 8.30pm, but book ahead as seating is limited.
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Gannon House
Purchasing works directly from Aboriginal communities, Gannon House represents prominent artists such as Gloria Petyarre and other lesser-known names. You’ll also find Aboriginal artefacts as well as contemporary white Australian art.
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Chauvel Cinema
The revamped Chauvel Cinema, located inside the historic Paddington Town Hall, strives to offer distinct and alternative cinema experiences and to foster Sydney’s film culture. It also plays host to various quirky film festivals.
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Chinese Laundry
One of the longest-running clubs in Sydney, this underground warren has plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in. Local and international DJs spin floor-filling house, electro, techno, hip hop and break beats over three dance floors.
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Arabella
Bringing a touch of Beirut to Sydney is this lively modern Lebanese restaurant that serves up falafel and fried kibbe with fervour. It’s BYO and there’s no corkage fee, so you’ve no excuses not to shake it when the belly dancing starts.
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Bare Island
About 50m offshore at La Perouse is the strange Bare Island, a decaying, grass-tussocked concrete fort built in 1885 to discourage a feared Russian invasion. A 45-minute guided tour is the only way to access the island.
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Cream Tangerine
Bringing a touch of glamour to summertime drinking in Bondi is this place set on the terrace of the Swiss Grand Hotel. There’s an extensive drinks menu (a martini for every meal of the day), DJs and sunken sofas for watching the sunset.
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Rosehill Gardens
Out in the western ’burbs near Parramatta, this is one of Sydney’s most famous racecourses. The big-ticket annual event is the month-long Golden Slipper Festival, just before Easter. Now where did I put my silly hat…
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Jurlique
An international success story, this plant-based skincare range from South Australia is a decadent treat. There are other branches in Westfield Sydney, Westfield Bondi Junction and in Bondi if your skin is a little parched postsurf.
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La Gerbe d'Or
Sydney's most-loved patisserie, La Gerbe d'Or (pronunciation: with theek Parisian accent) has been baking mouth-watering French breads, cakes, pastries and quiches for 25 years. Their chunky beef-and-burgundy pies are legendary.
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Kitepower
Sydney Harbour’s too busy and the ocean’s too rough, but Botany Bay is perfect for strapping yourself onto a parachute and going surfing! Brush up your aqua-aeronautic skills with a Kitepower lesson.
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Opera Australia
Opera Australia is the big player in Oz opera, staging over 600 performances a year. The company is based both here and in Melbourne.
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Opal Fields
Billing itself as 'the world's largest opal retailer', this family firm has been turning out jewellery designs incorporating Australia's most famous gemstone for over 30 years. It has another store at 388 George St.
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Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery
For 30 years this high-powered commercial gallery has showcased innovative contemporary work, representing artists such as Tracey Moffatt, David Noonan and Bill Henson. It's great for a nosy even if you're not looking to buy.
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