Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Wild Life Sydney Zoo (1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, Sydney) – located within the vicinity of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, this zoo (opened in 2006) lets visitors see a range of animals – from koala bears, to huge crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, wombats, snakes, lizards, birds, and butterflies. Admission: A$40 (adult), A$31 (seniors & students), A$25 (children ages 4-15 years), A$130 (family of 4). Hours: 9 am – 8 pm (daily). See the zoo’s website for details: www.wildlifesydney.com.au
The Rocks (downtown Sydney)
The Rocks (downtown Sydney)
The Rocks (downtown Sydney) – this is the historic area of Sydney’s downtown area – located on the south shore of Sydney Harbour (just northwest of the city’s central business district). This was among the first parts of Sydney settled by the British in the late 1700s. Earning an unsavory reputation in the early & mid 1800s (due to becoming a slum frequented by visiting sailors and prostitutes), as well as gang activity. The Australian government carried out stages of slum clearance before World War I, the 1920s (during construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge), and the 1960s & 1970s. Nowadays, portions of The Rocks have been gentrified, which now includes a variety of souvenir and crafts shops (such as The Rocks Markets), some historic buildings (such as Cadmans Cottage, Sydney Observatory, and the Dawes Point Battery), as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Those interested in a tour of this district can sign up for “The Rocks Walking Tours” (www.rockswalkingtours.com.au), where visitors can learn more about its history. Tour groups weave their way through hidden narrow alleyways, along charming cobbled lanes and into shady courtyards, lingering by quaint terrace cottages — some of these sites could be overlooked by casual unguided visitor.
Taronga Wild! Rhinos
Taronga Wild! Rhinos
Taronga Wild! Rhinos (Sydney Harbour, Sydney) – this is a Wild in Art event that brings businesses, artists and schools together to create a spectacular world-class sculpture trail from the Sydney Harbour foreshore through the Blue Mountains to Dubbo and the Central West region of NSW.
Every February to April, a huge herd of wildly colorful rhino sculptures painted by artists and their small calves decorated by local schools charge into town as part of a mass public art exhibition to help raise awareness and valuable funds for Taronga’s world leading Black Rhino breeding program and in-situ conservation projects. See the organizers’ website for details: http://taronga.org.au
Sydney Pub Tours
Sydney Pub Tours
Sydney Pub Tours – this tour take adult travelers, of all walks of life, on a journey through some of the oldest and most charismatic pubs and bars in Sydney. By way of historical content and local folklore, the professional tour guide will not only inform, but entertain guests, as they venture deep into the heart of Australian Pub Culture, and experience firsthand how much these charming locations have shaped Aussie culture.
Price: from A$125 (dinner and drinks included). See the tour’s website for details: www.sydneypubtours.com
Sydney International Aquatic Centre
Sydney International Aquatic Centre
Sydney International Aquatic Centre (Olympic Blvd., Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney) – this venue is a paradise for swimmers. Built in 1994 and used as the venue of swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming competitions during the Sydney Olympic games in 2000, the public presently comes here to take part in various water-related pursuits (from swimming to diving, water playgrounds). There’s also a swimming school, and other activities, such as taekwondo classes. See its website for more details: www.aquaticcentre.com.au
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast, Queensland) – this is a popular beach for surfers (because of the swells that often form here). In addition, this is a full-fledged residential suburb of Gold Coast (where a number of resorts and apartments towers are readily found here), and a variety of outdoor events (from concerts to street festivals) are often held here.
Stadium Australia
Stadium Australia
Stadium Australia (Edwin Flack Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney) – this huge, 83,000-seat venue (a.k.a. “ANZ Stadium”) is a multi-purpose stadium, which was originally built for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. Nowadays, it’s best-known for sporting events (ranging from rugby to football and cricket). Various local & national teams (from the Quantas Wallabies, to the Socceroos, West Tigers, St. George Illawarra Dragons, and Cricket Australia) are based here. Along with sports, this stadium often holds rock & pop concerts (by artists such as AC/DC, U2, Bon Jovi, Eminem, Aerosmith, and others).
Snapper Rocks
Snapper Rocks
Snapper Rocks (Snapper Rocks Road, Coolangatta, Queensland) – this is one of the more popular beaches within the Gold Coast area. There is both terrific surf for the surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. For families, there’s also a shallow beach section for children.
Snapper Rocks (Snapper Rocks Road, Coolangatta, Queensland): esta es una de las playas más populares dentro del área de Gold Coast. Hay surf excelente para los surfistas y otros entusiastas de los deportes acuáticos. Para las familias, también hay una sección de playa poco profunda para niños.
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium (1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, Sydney) — located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour, visitors to the new SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are taken on a journey of amazing discovery through 14 newly themed zones, including Tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island, Shark Walk and the stunning new ocean tunnel walk through, Shark Valley.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is also one of the world’s largest aquariums – with over 700 different species and 13,000 animals in an impressive six million liters of water – SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is also the home to the world’s largest variety of sharks and rays, as well as Australia’s most famed marine animals, including the iconic platypus, little penguins and the famous dugongs. Admission: A$40 (Adult), A$31.50 (seniors and students), A$25 (child 4-15 years), A$130 (family of 4). Free for children under 4 years. Hours: 9 am – 8 pm (daily).
Royal Sydney Golf Club
Royal Sydney Golf Club
Royal Sydney Golf Club (Kent Road, Rose Bay) — located just 16 minutes (14 km) west of downtown Sydney, the facilities here comprise a world-class 18 hole championship golf course (home of the 2013 Emirates Australian Open), a 9 hole Centenary golf course, two golf practice areas, an indoor golf studio, 18 tennis courts, two bowling greens, two croquet lawns, a squash court, a Fitness Centre as well as an elegant Clubhouse. For info on playing here, go to: www.rsgc.com.au
