Harbour Romance

Sydney Harbour, resembling a sparkling jewel, comes alive daily with a pretty maze of ferries, yachts, launches and kayaks criss-crossing its turquoise blue waters. Take your time to explore this gem and discover many unique islands, waterways and walks that line the rugged coastlines

Scenic Cruise
Hop on a Captain Cook Sightseeing Cruise and enjoy the many wonderful attractions around this world-renowned harbour such as the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and Luna Park. Stop by at Circular Quay to visit the Sydney Opera House or Darling Harbour to catch Australia’s largest collection of marine life at the Sydney Aquarium. Visit www. captaincook.com.au for more.

Sail Away
For a more romantic tetea- tete, sail away into the sunset with your loved one. Enjoy a twilight sail before mooring for the evening in a safe alcove in the Sydney Harbour. Your personal skipper takes his leave as you tuck into a sumptuous meal of champagne, seafood, wine and strawberries under a starlit sky and exchange sweet nothings with one another to the sound of gentle waves lapping. Go to www.sydneybysail.com.au and www.eastsail.com.au.

It's Showtime
Couples who prefer a night with some pizzazz can get on the Sydney Showboats which offer a three-course Indian banquet dinner package with an international cabaret show included. Think Moulin Rouge with a dash of Down Under style. Soak in the evening harbour ambience as you cruise around the Sydney Harbour and enjoy the glittering skyline of this vibrant city. Visit www.sydneyshowboats.com. au for more.

Sizzling Nightlife

Sydney is the perfect place to go to if you enjoy partying, visiting a casino or just hanging out Get into the groove with a pre-dinner drink in a cool wine bar or dance the night away in ultra-hip city club. Check out Ivy, Establishment, Hugo’s Lounge, Favela or The Basement. Catch a performance at the Sydney Opera House or a musical at one of the theatres around town. If the night is still young, head over to the 24-hour Star City Casino for some entertainment or a game or two.

Gift From The Heart

Sydney is a shopper’s paradise, from international brands to Australian designers, shopping malls to colourful weekend markets, your choice is mind-boggling.

Peddington
Start your shopping indulgence at the main thoroughfare of Paddington Oxford Street, which is lined with intriguing and ultra hip boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries. You’ll find brand names like Collette Dinnigan, Morrissey, Lisa Ho and Akira Isogawa as well as many up and coming Australian designers. Venture a little from the main strip and you’ll discover an even more eclectic collection of shops so take your time to explore.

Double Bay
High fashion street wear or an evening dress, Double Bay, is where Sydney’s high society shops. The haute couture of John Serafina, Saba and Paablo Nevada add a modern touch. Elegant shoes and accessories with a difference are easy to find here too.

Colourful Weekend Markets
The Rocks Market at the northern end of George St, holds surprises and delights every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Strolling under the sails, you’ll find more than 150 stalls selling art and craft, jewellery, frames, photography, artware, food, books, souvenirs and indigenous crafts and much more. Paddington Markets, located on the grounds of the historical Paddington Uniting Church, showcases the very best of Australian contemporary art, craft and fashion, directly by the artists and craft makers. Open only on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm, it is the perfect place to get that special one-of-akind gift, a discovery of novel concepts and new designs, a meeting place where locals and travellers mingle with Sydney artists.

Malls Galore
Queen Victoria Building or more affectionately known as QVB and The Strand Arcade are two of Sydney’s most beautiful malls which date back to the Victorian era. You’ll find a unique mix of jewellery and accessories, gift stores, downtown duty free, espresso cafes, haute couture and Australian glamour. Famous Australian department stores Myer and David Jones, together with a whole host of shops located at the Pitt Street Mall area, will no doubt satiate your appetite for shopping.

Sydney Essentials

There’s so much that Sydney has to offer. If time is what you lack, here’s a list of mustdos to appreciate Sydney fully. Don’t leave Sydney without checking off this list.

Go on a guided tour of the world- famous Sydney Opera House and remember to pose for some pictures in front of this architectural wonder!

Lover of wildlife? Make a pit-stop at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo or the Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World.

Shop for souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Check out Paddy’s Market (open Thurs – Sun) and Harbour side Shopping Centre in Darling Harbour.

See the best of Sydney city and its surrounding regions of Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Grand Pacific Drive and surrounds. Join a sightseeing tour with AAT Kings or APT Tours for a full experience.

Join local Sydneysiders on the scenic and refreshing Bondi to Bronte coastal walk which begins at the world-renowned Bondi Beach.

Cricket fan? Sign up for a tour of the Sydney Cricket Ground and you may even catch sight of an Aussie cricket star or two.

Enjoy the thrill of speed? Hop on the back of a Harley Davidson motorbike and explore Sydney from a different perspective.

Indulge in five-star dining. Dine at award-winning restaurants such as Marque, Quay, Tetsuya ’sand Claude’s.

Homesick for Indian food? Head on to Zaaffran’s at Darling Harbour or Aki’s at Woolloomooloo Wharf for some authentic Indian fare.

Make A Date With Sydney

[SUMMER]
31st DECEMBER 2009– MID FEBRUARY 2010
Vivacity Sydney celebrations kick off in true Sydney style with the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks display over Sydney Harbour. This is followed closely by the three-week Sydney Festival featuring the best of Australia’s arts – film, dance, theatre, music and visual arts. 2010’s Sydney Festival is pleased to play host to AR Rahman , the Oscar-winning composer of Slumdog Millionaire, and a cast of Bollywood dancers and musicians in an exclusive free outdoor concert at Parramatta Park on 16 January 2010. Don’t miss this exciting upcoming event. Visit www. vivacitysydney.com.

[WINTER]
28 MAY–12 JULY 2010
Vivid Sydney is a breathtaking celebration of music and lights that runs for six weeks. Only in the second year of its launch, this festival will transform Sydney city into a magical backdrop for Sydney’s artists. Famous icons such as Sydney Opera House and The Rocks morph into stunning works of arts. The biggest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the festival offers something for everyone from familyfriendly light art to cutting-edge contemporary music. Go to www. vividsydney.com for more.

[SPRING]
OCTOBER 2010
Crave Sydney, a major new event celebrating 31 days of food, outdoor art and fun. The Sydney International Food Festival and Darling Harbour Fiesta are just two of the many events during the festival. Indulge in good food and wine, arts and culture and the great outdoors. Work up your appetite for this delightful and mouth-watering event. Visit www.cravesydney.com.