Mark & Alice talking about Sydney

The Sydney region, referred then by the local aborigines as Warrane, has been inhabited for at least 50,000 years. Although urbanisation has destroyed most evidence of these settlements, there are still rock carvings in several locations.

You can use the above map as an index to some of the information. If you have additional info or would like to highlight tourist attractions that we have overlooked, please email me and let us know.

SYDNEY

A brief history of Sydney

The first Europeans to call Sydney home, were members of a penal colony - 568 male and 191 female convicts with 13 children, 206 marines with 26 wives and 13 children, and 20 officials. This was mainly because of the American War of Independence preventing Britain sending her convicts to the American colonies.

The First Fleet, commissioned by Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney, set sail for Botany Bay on May 13, 1787, led by Captain Arthur Phillip. They arrived at Botany Bay on the 18th of January, where upon anchoring, it was discovered there was no fresh water locally available. It was decided to go further north, to Port Jackson (now also known as Sydney Harbour). There they found a lush, pristine forest in a cove fed by a stream, where it was decided they would settle. A formal flag raising ceremony was held by Arthur Phillip on the shore to proclaim the Colony of New South Wales, in the name of the King of England on the 26th of January, 1788.

Captain Arthur Phillip named the cove where his party landed "Sydney Cove", in honour of Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney. Later usage of the name dropped 'Cove' and the area became known as Sydney. Transportation of convicts to New South Wales (NSW) was finally abolished in 1840 and shortly afterwards, in 1842, Sydney was declared a city.

The population grew rapidly during this period, helped by the discovery of gold and the gold rush of 1850. Australia received many American and Chinese immigrants at the same time. Sydney continued to grow and by 1925 became a metropolis of 1 million people. This grew to 2 million by 1963.

Today Sydney has diverse demographics with people from over one hundred countries contributing to its population. The population now has growing beyond 4,2 million people (sensus July 2002).

Trivia: Sydney officially became electrified on the 8th of July 1904. The first electricity was used for street lighting.

GEOGRAPHY

In brief, the geography of Sydney

Sydney is located between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west. Sydney features the largest natural harbour in the world, and also enjoys over 70 beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach. Greater Sydney has the world's largest suburban area. It is almost twice the size of Beijing, and six times the size of Rome or Greater London. A number of national parks are contained within the city's boundaries.

Although Sydney does not suffer from cyclones, and the earthquake risk is considered very low, some areas of Sydney have experienced bushfires, including ones in 1994 and 2002. The city is also subject to infrequent severe hail storms and wind storms (maybe every 5 to 10 years). The city has also faced occasional water shortages due to drought conditions in the general region.

The Central Business District (CBD) extends southwards for about 2 km from the point of first European settlement, Sydney Cove. The CBD is an area of very densely concentrated skyscrapers and other buildings, interspersed by several parks such as Wynyard Park and Hyde Park. The CBD is bounded on the east side by a chain of parkland that extends from Hyde Park through the Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens to Farm Cove on Sydney Harbour. The west side is bounded by Darling Harbour. Central Station marks the southern end of the CBD.

George St is the Sydney CBD's main North-South street. The streets run on a slightly warped grid pattern in the southern CBD, but in the older northern CBD the streets are less logical, reflecting their random placement in the early days of the city.

SUBURBS

Eastern | Inner West | Western | Northern | Southern

Eastern Suburbs
Bondi - Paddington - Darlinghurst - Coogee - Vaucluse - Rose Bay - Double Bay - Dover Heights

The eastern suburbs has much to offer: coastline, beaches, cosmopolitan shopping, wonderful restaurants and cafes as well as local markets. The eastern suburbs are well looked after by a mixture of public transport: buses, ferry, seacat, trains, and taxis.

Inner West
Annandale - Balmain - Glebe - Stanmore - Newtown - Pyrmont

Close to the CBD and the good things of city life: entertainment, restaurants, cafes and shops. Great access to the city and other suburbs.

Western Suburbs
Parramatta - Bankstown - Penrith - Blue Mountains

The Western Suburbs can be reached by a mixture of public transport. The west has an abundance of trees, parks, large shopping malls, open spaces, and fun parks. Keep travelling out west and you eventually reach the Blue Mountains and Penrith, the gateway to the Blue Mountains. Commuting takes about 45 mins � 1hour each way.

The west is also home to Parramatta which can be reached by a scenic ferry trip down the Parramatta River. Other attractions of the west include Bankstown Airport, Eastern Creek Raceway, Flemington Markets, Olympic City at Homebush, many sporting facilities, and the Neapean River.

North Shore / Upper North Shire & Lower North Shore/ Northern Beaches
North Sydney - Mosman - Kirribilli - Crows Nest - Chatswood - Roseville - Lindfield - Killara - Gordon - Pymble - St Ives

North of the harbour can provide more spacious accommodation and a more family oriented surrounding (i.e. good range of quality private and public schools). However commuting from the north shore may be time consuming and irksome. It is advisable to choose to live in close proximity to a ferry or a train station.

Closer to the harbour (and city) is more congested and expensive, but offers a much greater mix of people and culture, shopping and nightlife. Chatswood has a major shopping centre and cinemas. North
Sydney is Sydney's secondary CBD - where many of the IT, advertising, media and telecomms HQs are located.

Southern Suburbs

The shire offers down-to-earth, good Aussie living with a sense of community spirit. It has wonderful surf beaches and National Park bush areas. It is very much suited to those whom enjoy the outdoors. The shire is serviced by a rail system. Driving to the city ranges from forty to sixty minutes in peak hour.

TOURISM

arts&culture | buildings&landmarks | beaches&nature | museums

Possible attractions

further info

Arts and Culture:

As Australia's oldest and largest city, Sydney (like Melbourne) boasts a full roster of musical, theatrical and artistic activity throughout the year. The formal include the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Theatre Company, the Sydney Dance Company, and the Archibald Prize. A host of festivals include the Sydney Festival, a celebration of free performances throughout January. Many internationally known Australian rock bands have had their genesis in Sydney, from Midnight Oil to INXS.

Sydney also has been home to many visual artists, from the lush pastoralism of Lloyd Rees's depictions of Sydney Harbour to Jeffrey Smart's portraits of bleak urban alienation. Sydney is also home to several large ethnic communities throughout the greater metropolitan area, and a significant gay community who host the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras along Oxford Street which began on the 24th of June 1978 as a protest march and commemoration of the Stonewall Riots.

Art Gallery of New South Wales:
Sydney's premier art collection of Australian, European, Asian, contemporary, photographic and tribal art. A fine art museum and exhibition space holding regular art and culture events, displaying famous Australian and international artist's artwork. Excellent Aboriginal Art Display.

Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre:
Cultural Museum, Boomerang throwing, Didjeridoo Presentations, Native Plant walk and Retail Gallery.

Buildings and Landmarks:
AMP Tower Centrepoint:
View the city - from the harbour to the Blue Mountains in the west, the ocean in the east and Botany Bay in the south. Dining available in two revolving restaurants.

Circular Quay:
Nestled between the City Business District, the Rocks, the Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens, it is a main transport terminus for Sydney ferries, trains, buses and taxis. From here you can visit historical Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo by ferry via the ever beautiful Sydney Harbour. Multitude of Harbour Cruises available.

Circular Quay, the home of Sydney's ferries and a major intersection to its transport system
Circular Quay

Darling Harbour:
Darling Harbour is one of the world's great waterfront tourism destinations. On a spectacular harbour setting, the precinct has many of Australia's major tourist attractions, including the Sydney Aquarium and amenities such as the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf are two of Sydney's favourite dining and entertainment destinations, places where tourists and locals come to play it your way - darlingharbour.com.au

FOX Studios:
A real working movie studio with entertainment, shopping and dining facilities. This includes cafes, restaurants and bars, a number of leading retailers in fashion and homeware, 4 live venues, 16 cinemas, bowling and ice-skating - www.foxstudios.com.au

Government House:
Government House was constructed between 1837-1845. It is the most sophisticated example of a Gothic Revival building in New South Wales - hht.nsw.gov.au

Hyde Park Barracks:
Hyde Park Barracks, designed by Francis Greenway, was a home to convicts and place of punishment until 1848.

Hyde Park in the heart of Sydney's CBD
Hyde Park

Restaurants:
Sydney has some of the best restaurants in the world. Tease your taste buds with fresh rock & pacific oysters to King Island beef and cheese. See more. There also seems to be a culinary representation of every nation on earth among Sydney's restaurants.

Sydney Harbour:
Sydney Harbour is a people-friendly harbour with beautiful natural resources, a place where people have lived, worked and visited for thousands of years - www.livingharbour.net

A view from above North Sydney towards Sydney's CBD and harbour
Sydney's CBD from North Sydney

Sydney Observatory:
Historic Sydney Observatory is a museum about astronomy and its history. Their regular program of exhibitions, films, talks and night viewings gives you a glimpse of the history of astronomy and its history. Complete with state of the art 16 inch Telescope and a Planetarium.

The Sydney Opera House:
One of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the Opera House has become the icon for modern Sydney. As Australia�s premier cultural centre for opera, ballet, theatre and music, the Opera House features four theatres and several fine restaurants - sydneyoperahouse.com

The Harbour Bridge:
The bridge was finished on Saturday 19th March 1932 costing $20 million. The bridge is the largest steel arch bridge in the world being 134 metres high, 49 metres wide with a curve of 503 metres. The bridge has six million rivets in total, and weighs 52,800 tonnes. It stretches from Dawes Point on one side of the Sydney Harbour to Milsons Point on the other. With stunning Sydney Harbour and city views, the Harbour Bridge has a museum and also offers tours across the top of the Arch. Bookings are essential!

The world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge with a ferry in the foreground
Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Rocks:
The Rocks is the original settlement area for the convicts and troops that were sent to Australia in 1788. Full of history and colourful stories, as well as everything from markets to fine dining.

Beaches & Nature:
Bondi Beach:
World famous Bondi Beach, another icon of Sydney Australia. Surf, swim (between the red/yellow flags on the beach!). Myriad of restaurants and cafes catering to most, if not all, tastes. There is a Bondi to Coogee walk, mostly level or mild slopes, offering great coastal views and more beaches and cafes.

The world famous Bondi Beach
Bondi beach

Botanical Gardens:
The gardens have views of Sydney Harbour, Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The gardens were the first area of cultivated land on the Australian continent.

Sydney's botanical gardens lie between the CBD and the harbour
Sydney's botanical gardens

Featherdale Wildlife Park:
This park offers one of Australia's largest native wildlife collections, over 2000 animals. Visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal with Australia's native heritage. Cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus.

Manly Beach:
The first of a long pearl string of surfing and swimming beaches stretching from Manly to Palm Beach. The ferry ride to Manly from Circular Quay is still the preferred local's way of seeing Sydney's beautiful harbour.

Manly have their own website - go see.

The start of the world famous Manly Beach can be seen here
Manly Beach

Taronga and Western Plains Zoo:

Koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies - a large collection of Australian fauna as well as animals from around the world. The recent addition of 5 new Asian elephants make this a great day outing for both parents and kids.

On the harbour, it also offers great Sydney views. In summer, visit the night zoo. Take a ferry from Circular Quay.

www.zoo.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Aquarium:
Complete with glass tunnels, living coral, brilliantly coloured tropical fish and of course Sharks. The aquarium has an extensive collection of Australian aquatic life with over 11,000 animals.

This is another must-see in Sydney. It sports a walk under water display, a new penguin enclosure and many other truly great exhibits that explore Australia's rich and diverse aquatic life and habitats. A trip to Sydney Aquarium is fantastic fun for kids and adults alike.

www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Museums:
Museum of Contemporary art (MCA): Located in the Rocks, this museum offers work by contemporary Australian artists from television, film, video, laser, paintings, sculpture and other forms of visual expression. Great cafe and gift shop. Open 11am-6pm daily. Guided tours 12pm, 1pm and 2pm daily.

Museum of Fire:
Bushfires are a very real part of every Australian's life. Explore the fascinating history of fire fighting and the modern impact of fire in the home and the environment.

Sydney Tramway Museum:
Shoot through on a Bondi tram! or Take the tram with PARKLINK to the Royal National Park! Australia's oldest tramway museum (founded in 1950) and the largest in the southern hemisphere.

The Sydney Jewish Museum:
The Sydney Jewish Museum provides visitors with experiences and understanding of the events of the Holocaust by allowing them to meet, in a dignified and moving environment, those who were involved. The museum also deals with Jewish life from the first days of European settlement in Australia.

Vaucluse House:
Vaucluse House survives as one of Sydney's only 19th century harbour-side estates with house, kitchen wing, stables and outbuildings and is still surrounded by 12 hectares of formal gardens and grounds. Perfect for picnics.

Victoria Barracks:
First home to the British, then NSW and now the Australian Army - this colonial Georgian complex is still very active today. Open Thursdays from 10am, it has a flag raising ceremony and marching band, followed by guided tours of both the museum and the barracks.

Sydney Transport Infoline:
Transport Infoline provides reliable and accurate timetable, route, ticket and fare information for trains, buses and ferries in the greater Sydney area - bounded by Port Stephens in the North, Dungog and Scone in the Hunter, Bathurst in the West, Goulburn in the South West, Nowra in the South and Sydney in the East.

Sydney's weather today

Disability Access in Sydney

For some facts on Australia's geography and history, click here.

For maps, and population and geographic stats, click here.

Disability access in other cities:
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- Perth

Most of this info was sourced from:
- Australia tourism net
- NSW Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation
- National Library of Australia
- Search Australia

Further info can be sourced from:
- Australian Explorer
- Australia travel
- Australian Geographic
- Wilkins Travel Maps: Sydney
- Living Harbour
- GoSydneyCity.com

Coogee beach

Long Reef

Botany Bay

Cronulla

Sydney's Central Business District (CBD)
Sydney's CBD

North Head - the northen headland that guards the entrance to Sydney Harbour
North Head

Aerial images courtesy of AirviewOnline.com.au. For more photos of Sydney, click here.

Some more trivia:
- The Sydney Town Hall is over a century old. It has been the city�s major public and civic building, its clock a popular landmark with the marble steps leading up to the entrance.

- St. Mary's Cathedral is the spiritual home of Sydney's Catholic community.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a parade and pride festival for the gay and lesbian community, held annually in Sydney, Australia. It is one of the largest such events in the world. Despite the name, it is a festival which is not held on Mardi Gras, although in recent years it is during the Carnival season.

It began on June 24, 1978 as a protest march and commemoration of the Stonewall Riots. Although the march's organizers obtained permission, it was revoked, and the march was broken up by the police. Many of the marchers were arrested, though charges were eventually dropped.

The event was held again in 1979, with the name change to the "Sydney Gay Mardi Gras". In 1980 the first post-parade dance party was introduced, and in 1981 the parade was shifted to February. An increasingly large number of people not only participated in the event, but larger numbers of the wider community watched the parade. In 1988 the parade was renamed the "Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras".

The parade, whilst featuring many in the gay community with a penchant for exotic costumes and dance music, has always retained a political edge, with often witty visual commentary on their political opponents featuring in the floats. As homosexuality became more and more accepted in the wider community, more gay members of community groups and organizations have taken part in the parade representing those organizations, including the police force.

Parade 2004: photographer Donna Campbell

The Mardi Gras has continued to attract political opposition from various, mainly conservative Christian, sources. Each year the event is held, Fred Nile, a member of the Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament and a former minister of The Uniting Church in Australia, leads this opposition with a prayer for rain on the event. So far, these prayers have been unanswered and Mardi Gras has never had to have been cancelled due to inclement weather. Criticism of Sydney's Mardi Gras was perhaps at its strongest during the early years of the AIDS crisis, and reached another crescendo when the national broadcaster, the ABC, telecast the parade for the first time in 1994 (the first broadcast was a huge ratings success for the network). For the most part, Sydneysiders now accept the Mardi Gras as an important and vibrant part of the city's cultural landscape.

The Mardi Gras organization has struck financial trouble recently. This has been attributed by some to poor financial management, but others in the gay community have argued that this is actually a sign of the fact that homosexuality has "gone mainstream" and is now so integrated into the wider suburban Australian community the need to band together for such events is declining. Another explanation of this has been Australia's ongoing public liability crisis, which has seen massive insurance premiums placing a significant burden upon community and public events, if not preventing them.

However, Mardi Gras does enjoy much public support, and the event is sure to remain a vital part of Sydney culture.

See www.mardigras.org.au