On Wednesday, August 28, 2002 4:06 PM, Reef Fish wrote:

(snip)
> "If you have only three days to
> sightsee in Sydney -- here's a list of what you should do (detailed
> itinerary) and why."

> To even the playing field somewhat, there should be NO MENTION of
> "Strike's Reef" OR scuba diving activity of any kind.   :-))

Bugger!  :-)

(snip)

>I was
> merely flabbergasted by the enormity and variety of what appear to be
> "must sees" in Sydney that could easily keep one busy for a month or
> three.  So, putting an arbitrarily SHORT span of "3 days" might force
> all the been-thar folks and Strike more of a challenge for the list of
> recommendations.

The problem with living in a place is that much of what we take for granted
might well be "must see" to somebody else who's just visiting!  :-)

Let's get the icons out of the way first!  :-)

An early morning climb to the very top of the Harbour Bridge.  This takes
about two-and-a-half hours and is not as arduous as it sounds.  Each group
is accompanied by a guide who delivers a commentary on all that you can see.
And from the top of the bridge you can see a great deal.  It's a good way of
putting the city - and ocean beyond - into perspective. :-)

Next - and just below the city side of the Bridge - The Rocks area.  This
marks the first European settlement into Australia.  There are some
interesting lane ways, shops, restaurants - and pubs!  (You can get a beer
in Sydney pretty much any time of the day!)  Close to the Circular Quay end
of The Rocks is the Museum of Contemporary Art.  From there, stroll around
the Quay to the Opera House.  For those interested in architecture there are
conducted tours.  For those who just want to say that they've seen it, it
makes a good backdrop for photographs! :-)

From the Opera House move up Macquarie Street and Government House.  (This
is the 'official' residence of the Governor of New South Wales - although
she doesn't actually live there!)  Next to Government House is the
Conservatorium of Music.  It's a wonderful piece of architecture originally
designed and built by a convict sent to Australia for forgery!!  In the
newer part of the building you can see the remains of early dwellings.  From
there wander through the Botanic Gardens towards either the NSW Art Gallery,
or the State Library (the latter also has some interesting exhibitions.)

Still heading south down Macquarie St and next to the State Library is the
NSW Parliament.  A little further on is the Hyde Park Barracks museum.  It
gives a good appreciation of the rigours of early settlement days.

Next comes St Mary's Cathedral and, a little further on, the Australian
Museum.  Both face on to Hyde Park, on the other side of which is the CBD
and major shopping area.  A visit to Gowings Store is a must for blokes who,
like me, don't enjoy shopping.  Sylvia - who can never drag me into shops -
complains that she can't drag me out of this one!  Gowings fronts on to
George St.  (All of the major streets run directly south from the Harbour.)
along George St you'll discover the Queen Victoria Building, floors and
floors of shops and eateries directly across the road from the Town Hall.
Turn west and stroll down to Darling Harbour - or catch the monorail that
gives a pigeon's-eye view of the city.  The Sydney Aquarium at Darling
Harbour is definitely worth a visit, as is the National Maritime Museum.
(You can go on board a decommissioned destroyer or see what life was like on
a submarine!).  The IMAX theatre is also in the Darling Harbour area.  And
there are lots of waterfront restaurants and 'Australiana' shops.  You can
also book a harbour cruise from here that will give a commentary on the
points and places of interest.

The Harbour itself is a must.  Take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly,
("Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care"!).  Walk through
The Corso to the ocean front and over on the right hand side you'll see
Shelly Beach. (You knew that I was going to slip that in somewhere!) Follow
the waterfront walkway and you'll discover a few restaurants.  Heading north
are Sydney's best beaches.  There's also a National Park, Ku-ring-gai Chase,
that gives stunning views back down Pittwater as well as giving the
opportunity to see parrots, kangaroos and wallabies in the wild.

In terms of animals, Taronga Park Zoo - on the other side of the Harbour
from the city - is another must visit place.  The view alone is worth it.

Well that should do for the morning of the first day .....!!!!!!  (I
suddenly noticed that I'd waffled on a bit!)  :-))))))

Strike