Welcome
Find out everything you need to know about getting to and hanging out in Australia's most vibrant city.
basic information
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Sydney is the capital city of the state of New South Wales and is the largest city in Australia with a population of 4.3 million.
Sydney has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, with rainfall spread throughout the year. The best times to visit are from October through April.
Known the world over for its famous beaches, amazing harbour and relaxed lifestyle, Sydney is regularly voted number one city in the world at travel awards.
So what are you waiting for ? This LLAMA guide to Sydney will give you all the links and information you need to plan your trip of a lifetime !!
Contents
- basic information
- getting there - visa requirements
- getting there - flights
- getting around - map of sydney
- where to stay in sydney
- Test your knowledge
- Sydney postcards
- top things to do in Sydney
- quick vid of sydney sites
- sydney guide-books
- where to eat in sydney
- best bars & pubs in sydney
- concerts & theatres in sydney
- where to shop in sydney
- Sydney mousepads
- getting out - domestic flights from sydney
- other useful info about sydney
- what's making news in sydney
- other useful sydney guide websites
getting there - visa requirements
Visit this lens for more information about visa requirements for Australia. getting there - flights
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Most international carriers fly to Australia or have affiliations with carriers that do. There are several major carriers flying direct to Sydney from the US.
- Qantas - Australia's national carrier with daily flights from New York and Los Angeles.
- V Australia - Australia's newest international airline commencing daily flights from LA to Australia from December 2008.
- American Airlines
travel agents
in-flight reading
books from or about australia
In a Sunburned Country
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/26/2009) 
True History of the Kelly Gang: A Novel
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/26/2009)
Cloudstreet: A Novel
Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)
A Fortunate Life
Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)
getting around - map of sydney
- Google Maps - Sydney
- For your on-line research, you can't beat google maps.
- Whereis.com
- whereis.com is a local Australian wesbites for maps & directions. This site also includes links at the top of the page to Australia's whitepages and yellowpages.
where to stay in sydney
Test your knowledge
Test your knowledge by clicking the link below for a 10 question quiz on Australia . . . .(right click and open in new tab / window)
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Quiz: Australia - the Land Down Under
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Test your knowledge, your mettle, your trivia (not trivial) pursuit, your multiple choice skills. See if you cut the mustard, are up to snuff, ace in the hole, all that good stuff. Take my quiz is what I'm saying! (Do you dare?) Good...
ausssie hotel search sites
- Wotif
- Wotif.com travel & accomodation website
- Zuji
- Zuji.com.au travel & accomodation website
- Late Rooms
- Find discounted last minute hotels in Sydney.
top things to do in Sydney
add your own suggestions . . .
Visit the koalas & kangaroos at Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is the nation's leading zoo, featuring Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species.1 point
Cheap Hotels
Cheap Hotels offer up to 75 percent off regular room rates for 85,000 top hotels in Australia and worldwide.1 point
Melbourne Hotels
Cheap Hotels and Accommodations in Melbourne. Most affordable accommodation room rates from the hotels in Melbourne.1 point
Sydney Hotels
Cheap Hotels and Accommodations in Sydney. Most affordable accommodation room rates from the hotels in Sydney.1 point
Climb the Bridge with bridgeclimb
Climb over the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with spectacular views of the harbour and beyond. Can be done throughout the day but I believe a suns...0 points
Take the ferry for a day in Manly
Take the ferry from circular quay to Manly for lunch at one of the many cafe's - experience the relaxing feryy ride how lucky Sydneysiders get to work...0 points
See an openair film with a Sydney Harbour backdrop
If you're in Sydney over the Summer check out one of the many OpenAir Cinema location - if you can secure tickets, the St George Open Air in the botan...0 points
Visit Sydney's Botanic Gardens
Relax in the brilliant green space in the heart of the city with great views.0 points
Eat, drink & play at Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay
Wander round this area, checking out the shops, bars & restaurant harbourside. Plenty to keep the kids entertained as well.0 points
Visit the Sydney Opera House
Hard to miss . . . why not take a tour or see symphony or opera while you're in town.0 points
Be a beach bum at Bondi
Visit the world famous Bondi Beach, but be aware, there are less crowded beaches close-by . . just ask your local cabbie !0 points
Grab some seafood at Doyle's at Watsons Bay
Catch the ferry over to Watsons Bay for a relaxing afternoon. Dine in the beer garden of Doyle's for great Aussie seafood.0 points
Sip cocktails on top of Sydney
Sip cocktails at Blu Horizons - a high rise bar on the top floor of the Shangri-La hotel with spectacular views of the city & harbour.0 points
Gay Travel, Holidays, Vacations, Retreats, Tours, Adventure Travel
Spirit Journeys hosts amazing gay travel, vacations, tours, trips, holidays & retreats at unique destinations that will inspire play, adventure & rene...0 points
Srilanka Vacations, Srilanka Holidays, Srilankan Resorts, Tours & Travel, Hotels
Srilanka Vacations - A Srilankan guide Tours & Travel guide. Srilanka Holidays, Srilankan Luxury Resorts, & Hotels, Srilanka turquoise Beaches and muc...0 points
have your say about sydney
if you've visited or live in sydney, let us know your thoughts
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byquick vid of sydney sites
sydney guide-books
Sydney (City Guide)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/26/2009)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $8.85
Streetwise Sydney Laminated City Street Map
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)
List Price: $7.95
Used Price: $7.29
Time Out Sydney (Time Out Guides)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $6.38 (as of 12/26/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $0.01
Sydney (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $15.64 (as of 12/26/2009)
List Price: $23.00
Used Price: $2.89
Australia (Country Guide)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $21.59 (as of 12/26/2009)
List Price: $29.99
Used Price: $7.00
where to eat in sydney
Sydney has a great diversity of restaurants with a particular focus on seafood and "asian fusion" dishes.
For premium dining, you have to check out the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards 2008 and their three hat restaurants.
Tetsuya's has been voted in the world's top ten restaurants in 2008 and it truly is a gastronomic feast of french / japanese fusion - but you do need to book about six weeks in advance to secure a table for the set $175 per head degustation menu - but well worth it.
Other recommended restaurants include:
The Boathouse - one of Australia's leading restaurants, showcasing the finest Australian seafoods.
Longrain - a contemporary restaurant and bar located only minutes from the CBD with modern Thai / Asian food.
Catalina - Plunge into Sydney food at its freshest best and Sydney Harbour at its most spectacular. Catalina is a restaurant experience like no other.
Mezzaluna - Mezzaluna has an innovative style, from its deliciously different culinary delights right through to its stylish appointments.
And if you want to grab a famous Aussie pie, you can't beat the Harry's Cafe de Wheels located in Woolloomooloo, 5 minutes from the CBD. You can't beat a pie with mushy peas & gravy !
For more Sydney restaurant guides and reviews check out eatability.com , Sydney eats or Sydney cafes.
Click into the 2010 calendar below to see 12 fantastic harbour pictures.
best bars & pubs in sydney
Here are the top places for a drink in and around central Sydney. If you've visited any of these, feel free to vote them up and down as I love them all or add your own fave . . .
Blu Horizon Bar
An attraction in its own right, the New York-inspired Blu Horizon Bar exudes urban sophistication. The exclusive cocktail lounge is located high above...0 points
Ivy
The party has started, doors are open and you%u2019re invited to be one of the first to check out stage one of ivy%u2019s dazzling constellation of li...0 points
Opera Bar
With spectacular and uninterrupted views, Opera Bar boasts the most enviable position in Sydney. Located on the lower concourse level of the Sydney Op...0 points
Slip Inn
Slip Inn is one of Sydney%u2019s original city destinations and remains a stylish and exciting multipurpose venue.0 points
Establishment
Establishment bar incorporates a lounge seating area together with the unique feature of a 42 metre marble bar which stretches predominantly the lengt...0 points
Paddington Inn
Name your poison... Whether it%u2019s fashion, food, fine wines, beers or cocktails in a freshly revamped space, the Paddington Inn has it all. And th...0 points
Cruise Bar
Located over three levels of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay, Cruise boasts stunning views across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Opera...0 points
Gazebo Wine Garden
We have made wine fun again, with an approachable fresh look at the way wine can be tasted & enjoyed. The garden atmosphere spreads inside, through ec...0 points
Welcome to The Argyle
The Argyle is Sydney's all-new destination, housed in one of Australia's oldest surviving commercial buildings, the Argyle Stores, at The Rocks. It is...0 points
The Australian Heritage Hotel
Built in 1913 its licence has been in continual use since the early 1800's. The Australian offers speciality pizzas including emu, crocodile and kanga...0 points
sydney photo cards
click into each for location details
concerts & theatres in sydney
Why not buy some tickets to a band, sporting event, concert or theatre show for your stay in Sydney. The main ticketing outlets are:Ticketek
Ticketmaster Australia
For more information on what's on in Sydney, check out What's On Sydney.
where to shop in sydney
Sydney has some great shopping - from the grandeur of the Queen Victoria Building (pictured) to a number of local markets, such as The Rocks Markets on weekends, shopaholics won't have a problem spending money in Sydney.Follow these links for shopping in the city and sydney designer fashion.
recent flickr photos of sydney
Crowd at Burns v Pat...
Railway Square, ca....
Twenty four pigs bei...
Film star Helen Twel...
Spectators on the la...
Sydney at night
Sydney mousepads
getting out - domestic flights from sydney
- Qantas
- Qantas flies domestically throughout Australia and New Zealand.
- Virgin Blue
- Australia's budget domestic airline.
- Jetstar
- Qantas' budget airline.
- Regional Express
- Services regional Australian locations.
other useful info about sydney
- Public holidays in Sydney
- Aussies love a long weekend - check out when public holidays fall in New South Wales.
- Worldwide Tipping Guide
- Australians do not have a custom of tipping but tend to generally "round up" rather than tip - and when they do tip its to a maximum of 10% in fine restaurants only. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but it is usual to `round-up' the fare to the nearest dollar or two. Waiters and waitresses do not rely on tips for their income - there is no need to tip the barstaff when you're ordering drinks at the pub.
- Australian Dollar exchange rates
- The currency in Australia is the "Australian Dollar" (AUD) comprising 100 cents. Click the link above for the latest exchange rates with major currencies.
sydney souvenirs
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what's making news in sydney
- Australia should expect Pakistan to put up a fight, says Roebuck
- August 22nd, 2009 SYDNEY - Australia faces a long struggle to survive at The Oval, believes noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck. ...
- British entry ICAP Leopard leads early in Sydney to Hobart yacht race
- SYDNEY, Australia ? British yacht ICAP Leopard took a slender lead early in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Saturday, with Alfa Romeo and four-time ...
- CA plans to keep stars from joining IPL
- Sydney: Cricket Australia (CA) is coming up with a plan to discourage talented youngsters from joining the Indian Premier League (IPL) by increasing the ...
- British Armed Forces descend on Australia for Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race
- Members of the British Armed Forces have descended on Australia to take part in the annual Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race as part of unique inter-service ...
news websites
- Sydney Morning Herald
- Sydney's leading newspaper.
- Daily Telegraph
- Sydney's tabloid newspaper.
- ABC News
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation
other useful sydney guide websites
other llama travel guides
stay tuned for more
To find more llama city guides, click llama guest-book
feel free to leave any comments or suggestions
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Reply
- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jun 24, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
- Another great lens! Welcome to All Things Travel.
check out "Australia" the movie
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Australia the movie
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Australia is the new Baz Luhrmann film starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Check out the latest news, trailers and more.
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