On the must-see list, visit Sydney's two great icons. The climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge starts at 5 Cumberland Street. Tel: 9240 1100 and www.bridgeclimb.com. An exhilarating three-and-a-half hour climb on one of the world's most famous bridges. Although it will take you an hour to get kitted up, the breathtaking views make it worthwhile. Tickets start at $155.
Explore behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House on the backstage tour, which runs every day from 7am and takes two hours, followed by a light breakfast in the green room where staff, technicians and performers gather during breaks. Tel: 9250 7111 and www. sydneyoperahouse.com.
The enchanting Royal Botanical Gardens were established in 1816 and contain the site of the colony's first farm. They cover 75 acres in the heart of the city and the collection of Australian native plants and many species from overseas provide a tranquil refuge from the bustling city nearby. Check out the flying fox colony in Palm Grove, or the lush greenery of the Sydney Tropical Centre. They're on Mrs Macquarie's Road, and you can also enter via Macquarie Street and the Opera House precinct. Some of Sydney's most historic buildings line up along Macquarie Street. Visit Hyde Park Barracks museum, built as a home for 600 convicts and later orphans and immigrants. Sydney Mint, the first branch of the Royal Mint to be established outside London is next door. Over the road is Sydney's oldest church, St James, consecrated in 1824. And just further down the street is the NSW Parliament.
There are stunning 360-degree views of the city from the viewing deck of the Sydney Tower (Market Street, Tel: 9223 0933). Tickets (adults $22) include entry to the Skytour experience, billed as a virtual adventure through Australian culture, history and geography (www.sydneyskytour.com.au).
The Chinese Garden of Friendshipis at Darling Harbour (Tel: 9281 6863 and www.darlingharbour.com). Open daily from 9.30am-5.30pm and set within vibrant Darling Harbour, the garden is a peaceful oasis with a maze of pathways. There's a traditional Chinese tea house where you can sip a green tea overlooking ponds filled with Coy Carp, as well as stunning garoadens and pagodas.
Sydney Fish Market (Bank Street, Pyrmont, tel: 9004 1100) is the largest market of its kind in the southern hemisphere, a vibrant collection of seafood stalls and shops selling the freshest fish and
shellfish, all at the best prices. Try a prehistoric-looking (but tasty) Balmain Bug! Open every morning from 7am. Two of the best harbour walks are Bondi to Coogee and Spit Bridge to Manly—both an easy grade but long, so reasonable fitness would be required. The views are just fabulous, and both walks finish nears bars and cafés! The Sydney Ferries Go Walkabout brochure lists 16 scenic harbour shore walks.
Bondi Beach is not necessarily Sydney's best, but the one everyone has heard of. It's a superb sweeping golden beach nonetheless, with a cosmopolitan feel to the cafés and restaurants. Just don't go in the height of summer—it's worse than Benidorm.