Nightlife

After dark Down Under Catch a live band or chill out at an all-night pub, risk a few dollars on the poker machines, play pool until sunrise, listen to Jennifer Lopez or Dean Martin on the jukebox and then leap into the surf.

It’s not all music. Comedy shows and live theatre (amateur and professional) stand ready to entertain. The range of nightlife depends on the size of the town – you’re unlikely to run into world-shattering talent in a small outback bar, though you might get lucky.

In Australia’s big cities, seasoned clubbers will discover that venues run all night, with top UK and New York DJs alternating with their Aussie counterparts. Nights of frenetic dancing may be followed by a ‘recovery party’ at a local pub. These can start from about 6am or 7am, allowing revellers to lurch, stagger or stroll from nightclub to pub without missing a beat.

Dining

Traditional English fare has given way to more cosmopolitan cuisine, particularly in the country’s larger cities. Visitors can thank the post-World War II waves of immigrants from southern Europe and, more recently, from Asia who brought with them spices, garlic and a variety of recipes. Fresh local produce and seafood (no longer coated in a heavy batter) are being served almost everywhere. We liked the crayfish (lobster), prawns, Sydney rock oysters (raw with a touch of lemon and black pepper), Moreton Bay bugs (a type of lobster), coral trout, coral cod, barramundi (wrapped in plantain leaves), bream, trevally, Tasmanian salmon, mud crabs, mussels and scallops.

The once-maligned “bush tucker” (a stew made of native specialties) is occasionally featured on menus in trendy restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Crocodile, buffalo, kangaroo (usually kangaroo-tail soup), witchetty grubs (large white insects) and damper (campfire-cooked bread) sometimes crop up on Outback/tourist-type menus. Do try Vegemite, a yeast spread that has the same standing that peanut butter has in North American cuisine. But it’s best to start with a small taste (and we mean small).

You’ll still find a definite British influence in the heart of blue-collar Australia, however. Steaks (beef) and chops (lamb) are popular and often cooked on a “barbie” (barbecue grill). The national dish remains the meat pie, a pastry shaped like a small pie and filled with mysterious meat in a dark gravy. (It is best eaten with “sauce,” which is the Australian word for ketchup.)

Beer still reigns as the national beverage. Every state has its name-brand beer (Swan Lager in Western Australia, Boags and Cascade in Tasmania, etc.) and its loyal drinkers. But wine, once called “plonk,” has mounted a strong challenge to beer. Wines from the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley and Swan River Valley are very good, sometimes great. You’ll find all the familiar varietals, plus one - shiraz - not often produced outside Australia.

Shopping

There are a wide variety of quality products on offer in Australia at very competitive prices. When shopping, sightseeing or visiting theme parks on tours, remember you have a choice of where and when to shop. Shop around and compare prices and quality before you buy. This will help you get the great bargains that are available across a range of stores in Australia.

As in other countries, some Australian businesses pay commissions to tour operators and tour guides to bring tour groups to their stores. These costs are often passed on to you, the customer, through higher prices for products and services. If you are on a tour, do not feel you have to buy ONLY from the stores you are taken to. You should have an opportunity to visit and buy from other stores so check your itinerary for free shopping time.

While you are in Australia you are covered by Australia’s consumer protection laws, which require businesses to treat you fairly. All stores must obey these laws. Industry and governments are also working together to introduce standards of professionalism, with these to be embodied in a set of Tourism Export Code of Conduct standards for industry to follow. Your country also has similar laws that protect your consumer rights and govern the professional standards of travel wholesalers and retailers. If you are not satisfied with what you have purchased from them, contact the relevant government authority for travel and tourism in your home country.

In Australia many stores sell duty-free and tax-free products and services. Make sure you keep originals or copies of your passport and travel ticket with you to take advantage of these discounts. If you buy an item and it does not work properly, you have the right to a refund or to have the item replaced or repaired. Also ask about the store’s policy on repairing or returning their products in your home country (keep your receipts). Before buying watches and cameras, check that they have an international warranty valid in your country. Always compare prices and itineraries for optional sightseeing and theme park tours. Restaurants usually have prices on a menu/noticeboard. Check before you order. You are not obliged to give your tour guide a tip.

Sydney is an eager host for just about anything that puts it on the world stage - from the heralded 2000 Summer Olympics to the 2003 Rugby World Cup. This is a city that thrives on the opportunity to show the world what it has grown into: a vibrant, cosmopolitan city renowned for its international cuisine, stellar architecture and spectacular scenery.

Sydney is the cultural and financial heart of the continent and home to nearly one-quarter of Australia’s residents. This is a city with a bustling vibe, and its residents always seem to be on the go. It’s perhaps more casual than many similarly sized European cities, but Sydney is by no means tame.

Sydneysiders worship their waterfront and put the harbor to good use. They sail, surf, swim and ferry across it - or simply gaze at the bay from one of the many waterfront cafes.

Sydney Opera House

No visit to Sydney would be complete without enjoying a fine opera performance at the Sydney Opera House. Your evening will include drinks and canapés upon arrival, the performance, a program and a one-course supper with wine and coffee in the Bennelong Restaurant.

Kosciusko National Park

The centerpiece of this scenic park in New South Wales is 7,310-ft/2,270-m Mount Kosciusko, Australia’s highest peak. One of the country’s primary ski destinations, the park is open year-round. Chairlifts take you to the summit for spectacular views of the Snowy River, the setting for Banjo Patterson’s most famous poem, “The Man from Snowy River” (from which a film of the same name was made). You can also hike to the top - it will take four to six hours. The country’s highest glacial lake, Cootapatamba, is also visible from Mount Kosciusko. Along the Snowy Mountain range are gum trees and mountain ash, full of highly vocal cockatoos and crows.

The Yarrangobilly Caves and a nearby thermal pool are a few hours’ drive down a winding road (often blocked by sheep) from Thredbo Village, a resort town at the south end of the park that offers luxurious accommodations. Scattered throughout the park are old summer huts available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Kosciusko Huts Association - the most desirable huts in the north end of the park must be reserved months in advance through the Tumut park station. About 150 mi/110 km southwest of Canberra.

Lightning Ridge

The only place in the world where the black opal is found, this town in New South Wales also is the best place to buy this rare gem. (Prices often are half those charged on the east coast.) But don’t spend all your time shopping. As interesting as the opals are, we found that the real attraction is talking with the unexpected mix of people in this mining town - you’ll meet more than a few who went there to make a fortune. The city is best seen as a flying day trip from Sydney. If time permits, extend your stay to swim in the artesian baths, try prospecting and tour the Walk-In Mine. 350 mi/565 km northwest of Sydney.

Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe and neighboring Norfolk Island were both former penal colonies. Located east of Sydney, the islands are part of New South Wales. Lord Howe, 490 mi/790 km northeast of Sydney, boasts the world’s most southerly coral reefs and was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Attractions include the ruins of the penal colony; pristine beaches; rare collections of plants, birds and marine life; and very friendly people. No cars are permitted on the island, which is a magnet for nature lovers and those who truly want to get away from it all. Norfolk is even more remote - 1,045 mi/1,680 km from Sydney. It once held some of the Bounty mutineers. Rocky, jagged cliffs and beaches run along its coast, with a covering of Norfolk Island pines in the interior. Norfolk’s a great place to go deep-sea fishing or to just hang out and meet some of the island’s 2,000 hardy residents. It is particularly popular with the mature traveler. There are quite a few small- and medium-sized places to stay, but few of them are near the beaches. Both islands can be reached by air from major Australian cities and Auckland, New Zealand.

Canberra

Drive through the Southern Highlands and sheep district to Canberra, Australia’s Capital. Highlights include guided tours of the National Gallery, New Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffen and panoramic views from Mt. Ainslie.In 1908, the government of Australia picked a spot, named it Canberra and declared that it would be the nation’s capital. Chicago architect Walter Burley was chosen to design the city, and after a few decades of fits and starts, Canberra came into being. Today, the city (pop. 307,000) is filled with lakes, gardens and, of course, government buildings. Don’t miss the dramatic Parliament House (built partly underground), the lakeside Australian National Gallery, Australian War Memorial and National Botanical Gardens. Canberra is best seen as a fly-in day trip (it is easily reached by air from Sydney and Melbourne) or during a long layover on a Sydney-to-Melbourne connection. For a change of pace, visit a sheep station in the hills beyond town and enjoy an Australian bush barbecue. 155 mi/250 km southwest of Sydney.

Broken Hill

This small city on the edge of the Outback was once known as Silver City. Today, it’s visited for its flourishing arts colony. It is in the western portion of New South Wales (near the South Australia border) and is well worth a two-night visit. We recommend a tour of the silver mines, which are in town, and the extravagant buildings that the metal financed. Nearby is the Silverton ghost town. You’ll need another day or two to travel the lonesome roads east of Broken Hill to see the White Cliffs opal fields, rugged scenery, lakes and Outback towns. Also nearby is the Lake Mungo area, where some of Australia’s oldest archaeological treasures have been found (some animal bones date back more than 40,000 years). 265 mi/425 km northeast of Adelaide.

Hunter Valley Wineries

The oldest wine producing district in Australia. The hunter offers green fields, early townships and more than 50 wineries. Cross the Hawkesbury River to visit historic Wollombi and the Old Tavern, then onto Wyndham Estate, the oldest winery in Pokolbin for wine tasting.

Blue Mountain Tour

An air-conditioned 4WD takes you to the Koala Park Wildlife Reserve for a visit with native animals. Continue into the heart of the Blue Mountains for “bush tea”, have lunch in Mt. Victoria, see “Three Sisters” in Katoomba, listen to aboriginal legends, and more.

Australian Wildlife Park

See over 500 animals and birds in their natural surroundings and discover many different species of kangaroo and wallabies. In the kangaroo “walkabout” you can feed and touch them. Wander through the rainforest or enjoy a fascinating walk amongst treetops on the elevated Koala.

Bridge Climb

Climb the world-famous Sydney Harbor Bridge for a 360 view of the world’s most beautiful harbor by day or the magic of Sydney lights by night. Professional Climb leaders give a thorough briefing on safety before your thrilling climb to the summit of 426 feet above sea level.

Caption Cook Cruises

Absolutely the best way to see Sydney Harbor! This popular coffee/tea cruise takes you to the Middle Harbor with views of magnificent homes and parklands. Luncheon cruises offer an international buffet and evening cruises offer Showtime dinners.

Sydney Shopping Spree Tour

Spend the entire day taking in the area’s finest factories and warehouses to see bargains you would never discover on your own. Your driver/guide knows all the hottest spots. Lunch is included if you can tear yourself away.

Olympic Venues Highlights

An afternoon tour featuring wrestling and boxing venues at Darling Harbor, tours of Bicentennial Park and Wetlands, the Aquatic Center, walk along Olympic Blvd., guided tour of Stadium Australia with visits to express galleries and track, and more.

Sydney Harbor by Helicopter

Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight over beautiful Sydney as an expert pilot provides an informative commentary of the area. An opportunity for “once in a lifetime” photos and video. Complimentary hotel pick-up.

Flights

Flight transportation within Australia can take an hour from Sydney to Brisbane or Melbourne, to five hours flying between Sydney and Perth. Routes to destinations like Alice Springs are limited and frequently book up early. Flights between Sydney and Cairns, though frequent, also tend to be busy so be sure to make those arrangements well in advance. We offer many combo packages with Australia and New Zealand and the three hour flights between Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney have several daily frequencies.

Our Airline Partners Serving Australia:

United Airlines

Qantas Airlines

Air New Zealand

Air Pacific

Passport/Visa Requirements: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which substitutes for a visa. The ETA is free and available through travel agents and airlines. (Most people get their ETA on the inbound flight.) Contact the nearest Australian embassy for more information.

Along with a current passport valid for the duration of your stay, the Australian government requires a visa from visitors of every nation, except New Zealand, to be issued before you arrive. If you are short-term visitor or business traveler, the process is easy and can be done in a few minutes on the Internet, using the Australian government’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). This is an electronic visa that takes the place of a stamp in your passport.

You can apply for an ETA yourself, or have your travel agent or airline do it for you when you book your plane ticket. There is a A$20 (US$13) charge, payable by credit card (Amex, Diners Club, MasterCard, or Visa). Assuming you do not have a criminal conviction and are in good health, your ETA should be approved quickly. You can also apply for the visa at Australian embassies, high commissions, and consulates. Children traveling on their parent’s passport must have their own ETA.

Fees mentioned in this section are in Australian dollars; the exact amount charged by the Australian embassy, consulate, or high commission in your country will depend on the foreign currency exchange rate.

Customs

There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. If you are unsure about anything declare it to Customs upon arrival.

Tax Free/Duty Free

Each traveller over 18 years of age can bring into Australia 1125ml of alcoholic liquor and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products duty/tax free. For other goods, including those intended as gifts, a duty/tax-free allowance of $A400 per person or $A200 per person under 18 is available. These articles must accompany you through Customs and must not be intended for commercial purposes.

Cash and foreign currency

If you bring in or take out of Australia more than $A10,000 cash or the equivalent in foreign currency (travellers cheques excluded), you must declare it to Customs. Failure to do is an offence.

Medications

Medicinal products brought into Australia are subject to strict controls and should be declared on arrival. It is advisable to have a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medical condition and the medication.

Luggage inspection

Luggage and hand baggage may be inspected before passengers board domestic and international flights. Also upon arrival into Australia all luggage may be inspected. You need to declare all items of a quarantine concern, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted. For further information please see Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs.

Passenger Movement Charge

Australia’s Passenger Movement Charge (departure tax) is $A38 per person and is pre-paid with your international airline ticket. Exemptions apply to children under 12 years and 24 hour transit passengers.

There may be other government, airport and sea taxes and levies applicable which are usually included in your ticket.

Beaches in Sydney

Sydney is paradise for beach lovers. Within the metropolitan area there are more than 30 ocean beaches, all with golden sand and rolling surf, as well as several more around the harbor with calmer water for safe swimming. If your hotel is on the harbor’s south side, the logical choice for a day at the beach is the southern ocean beaches between Bondi and Coogee. On the north side of the harbor, Manly is easily accessible by ferry, but beaches farther north involve a long trip by car or public transportation.

Lifeguards are on duty at most of Sydney’s ocean beaches during summer months, and flags indicate whether a beach is being patrolled. “Swim between the flags” is an adage that is drummed into every Australian child, with very good reason: The undertow can be very dangerous. If you get into difficulty, don’t fight the current. Breathe evenly, stay calm, and raise one arm above your head to signal the lifeguards.

Although there’s no shortage of sharks inside and outside the harbor, these species are not typically aggressive toward humans. In addition, many Sydney beaches are protected by shark nets, and the risk of attack is very low. A more common hazard is jellyfish, known locally as bluebottles, which inflict a painful sting — with a remote risk of more serious complications (including allergic reactions). Staff at most beaches will supply a spray-on remedy to help relieve the pain, which generally lasts about 24 hours. Many beaches will post warning signs when bluebottles are present, but you can determine the situation by looking for the telltale blue bladders along the waterline.

Topless sunbathing is common at all Sydney beaches, but full nudity is permitted only at a couple of locations, including Lady Jane Beach, close to Watsons Bay on the south side of the harbor.

Details of how to reach the beaches by bus, train, or ferry are provided below, but some of the city’s harbor and southern beaches are also on the Bondi Explorer bus route. These are Nielsen Park, Camp Cove, Lady Jane, Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly, and Coogee.

Inside the Harbor

Balmoral This long, peaceful beach — among the best of the inner-harbor beaches — is one of Sydney’s most exclusive northern suburbs. The Esplanade, which runs along the back of the beach, has several snack bars and cafes. You could easily combine a trip to Balmoral with a visit to Taronga Zoo. To reach Balmoral, take the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo and then board Bus 238. Raglan St., Balmoral, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Camp Cove Just inside South Head, this crescent-shape beach is where Sydney’s fashionable people come to see and be seen. The gentle slope and calm water make it a safe playground for children. A shop at the northern end of the beach sells salad rolls and fresh fruit juices. The grassy hill at the southern end of the beach has a plaque to commemorate the spot where Captain Arthur Phillip, the commander of the First Fleet, first set foot inside Port Jackson. Parking is limited; arrive by car after 10 on weekends and there’s a long walk to the beach. Take Bus 324 or 325 from Circular Quay. Cliff St., Watsons Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Lady Jane Lady Jane — officially called Lady Bay — is the most accessible of the nude beaches around Sydney. It’s also a popular beach on Sydney’s gay scene, although it attracts a mixed crowd. From Camp Cove, follow the path north and then descend the short, steep ladder leading down the cliff face to the beach.

Nielsen Park By Sydney standards, this beach at the end of the Vaucluse Peninsula is small, but behind the sand is a large, shady park that’s ideal for picnics. The headlands at either end of the beach are especially popular for their magnificent views across the harbor. The beach is protected by a semicircular net, so don’t be deterred by the correct name of this beach, Shark Bay. The shop and cafe behind the beach sell drinks, snacks, and meals. Parking is often difficult on weekends. A 10-minute walk will take you to historic Vaucluse House and a very different harborside experience. Take Bus 325 from Circular Quay. Greycliffe Ave. off Vaucluse Rd., Vaucluse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

South of the Harbor

Bondi Wide, wonderful Bondi (pronounced bon-dye) is the most famous and most crowded of all Sydney beaches. It has something for just about everyone, and the droves who flock here on a sunny day give it a bustling, carnival atmosphere unmatched by any other Sydney beach. Facilities include toilets and showers. Cafes, ice-cream outlets, and restaurants are on Campbell Parade, which runs behind the beach. Families tend to prefer the more sheltered northern end of the beach. Surfing is popular at the south end, where a path winds along the sea-sculpted cliffs to Tamarama and Bronte beaches. Take Bus 380 or 382 from Circular Quay via Elizabeth and Oxford streets, or take the train from the city to Bondi Junction and then board Bus 380 or 382. Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Bronte If you want an ocean beach that’s close to the city, has a choice of sand or grassy areas, and offers a terrific setting, this one is hard to beat. A wooded park of palm trees and Norfolk Island pines surrounds Bronte. The park includes a playground and sheltered picnic tables, and excellent cafes are in the immediate area. The breakers can be fierce, but the sea pool at the southern end of the beach affords safe swimming. Take Bus 378 from Central Station, or take the train from the city to Bondi Junction and then board Bus 378. Bronte Rd., Bronte, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Clovelly Swimming is safe at the end of this long, keyhole-shape inlet, even on the roughest day, which makes it a popular family beach. There are toilet facilities but no snack bars or shops in the immediate area. This is also a popular snorkeling spot that usually teems with tropical fish. Take Bus 339 from Argyle Street, Millers Point (The Rocks), or Wynyard bus station; Bus 341 from Central Station; or a train from the city to Bondi Junction. Then board Bus 329. Clovelly Rd., Clovelly, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Coogee A reef protects this lively beach (pronounced kuh-jee), creating calmer swimming conditions than those found at its neighbors. A grassy headland overlooking the beach has an excellent children’s playground. Cafes in the shopping precinct at the back of the beach sell ice cream, pizza, and the ingredients for picnics. Take Bus 373 from Circular Quay or Bus 372 from Central Station. Coogee Bay Rd., Coogee, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Cronulla Even on the hottest days you can escape the crowds by heading to Cronulla, the southernmost and largest beach in the metropolitan area. Good surf is usually running at this beach, and the sand is backed by a grassy park area. Cronulla is a long way from the city by train, however, and its attractions don’t justify a long trip if you’re not staying nearby. Kingsway, Cronulla, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Maroubra This expansive beach is very popular with surfers, although anyone looking for more than waves will probably be unimpressed by the rather scrappy surroundings and the lackluster shopping area. Take Bus 395 from Central Station or Bus 396 from Circular Quay. Marine Parade, Maroubra, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Tamarama This small, fashionable beach — a.k.a. “Glam-a-rama” — is one of Sydney’s prettiest, but the rocky headlands that squeeze close to the sand on either side make it less than ideal for swimming. The sea is often hazardous here, and surfing is prohibited. A cafe at the back of the beach sells open sandwiches, fresh fruit juices, and fruit whips. Take the train from the city to Bondi Junction. Then board Bus 391, or walk for 10 minutes along the cliffs from the south end of Bondi Beach. Tamarama Marine Dr., Tamarama, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

North of the Harbor

Bungan If you really want to get away from it all, this is the beach for you. Very few Sydneysiders have discovered Bungan, and those who have would like to keep it to themselves. As well as being relatively empty, this wide, attractive beach is one of the cleanest, due to the prevailing ocean currents. Access to the beach involves a difficult hike down a wooden staircase, and there are no facilities. Take Bus 184 or 190 from the Wynyard bus station. Beach Rd. off Barrenjoey Rd., Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. (more…)

Excursions of Sydney

For a Half Day

Manly: New South Wales has Manly Beach to thank for its sea and surf culture, for it was here, in 1902, that newspaper editor William Gocher first defied the state law against public bathing. The esplanade is now populated with rollerbladers, joggers and cyclists, while the white sand of the south beaches and the golden sands of the north beaches are crowded with swimmers, sunbathers and surfers.

A short ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly (located 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city centre) can also be reached on foot via the Manly Scenic Walkway from Spit Bridge in the city. The walk can take up to four hours but offers some of Sydney’s most breathtaking views, as well as skirting some of its most exclusive homes.

For a Whole Day

Blue Mountains: A 90-minute drive west from the city, along the Great Western Freeway, the dramatic, forest scenery of the Blue Mountains National Park is a major attraction for nature lovers. The cool eucalyptus (gum tree) forests harbour numerous bush-walks as well as radiate a blue haze that gives the area its name. More active visitors might like to go abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking or horseriding. The area’s most famous attraction is the Three Sisters - a geological feature named after an Aboriginal legend. The easiest way for visitors to see the Blue Mountains is by car, although there are hourly trains to Katoomba from Central Station.

Hunter Valley: One of Australia’s premier wine-producing districts, beginning approximately 100km (62 miles) north of Sydney, ‘The Hunter’ has more than 70 vineyards. Although busiest during the harvest months of March and April, most vineyards remain open to the public on a daily basis and offer a range of tours, restaurants and accommodation. Two of the more popular vineyards are Lindemans (one of the largest Australian wine companies) and Rothbury Estate, famous for its concerts throughout the March/April Harvest Festival, which is an annual celebration of Australian culture, gastronomy and wine. A two-hour drive from Sydney, Cessnock is the gateway to Hunter Valley and Pokolbin, 5km to the north, is home to its main visitor centre. Alternatively, trains from Sydney arrive at Newcastle (journey time - approximately 3 hours).