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You can use the above map as an index to some of the information. If you have additional info or would like to highlight tourist attractions that we have overlooked, please email me and let us know. |
| SYDNEY | |||
| A brief history of Sydney | |||
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The first Europeans to call Sydney home, were members of
a penal colony - 568 male and 191 female convicts with 13
children, 206 marines with 26 wives and 13 children, and 20
officials. This was mainly because of the American War of
Independence preventing Britain sending her convicts to the
American colonies. The First Fleet, commissioned by Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney, set sail for Botany Bay on May 13, 1787, led by Captain Arthur Phillip. They arrived at Botany Bay on the 18th of January, where upon anchoring, it was discovered there was no fresh water locally available. It was decided to go further north, to Port Jackson (now also known as Sydney Harbour). There they found a lush, pristine forest in a cove fed by a stream, where it was decided they would settle. A formal flag raising ceremony was held by Arthur Phillip on the shore to proclaim the Colony of New South Wales, in the name of the King of England on the 26th of January, 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip named the cove where his party landed "Sydney Cove", in honour of Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney. Later usage of the name dropped 'Cove' and the area became known as Sydney. Transportation of convicts to New South Wales (NSW) was finally abolished in 1840 and shortly afterwards, in 1842, Sydney was declared a city. The population grew rapidly during this period, helped by the discovery of gold and the gold rush of 1850. Australia received many American and Chinese immigrants at the same time. Sydney continued to grow and by 1925 became a metropolis of 1 million people. This grew to 2 million by 1963. Today Sydney has diverse demographics with people from over one hundred countries contributing to its population. The population now has growing beyond 4,2 million people (sensus July 2002). Trivia: Sydney officially became electrified on the 8th of July 1904. The first electricity was used for street lighting. 
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| GEOGRAPHY | |||
| In brief, the geography of Sydney | |||
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Sydney is located between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the
Blue Mountains to the west. Sydney features the largest natural
harbour in the world, and also enjoys over 70 beaches, including
the famous Bondi Beach.
Greater Sydney has the world's largest suburban area. It is
almost twice the size of Beijing, and six times the size of Rome
or Greater London. A number of
national parks are
contained within the city's boundaries. Although Sydney does not suffer from cyclones, and the earthquake risk is considered very low, some areas of Sydney have experienced bushfires, including ones in 1994 and 2002. The city is also subject to infrequent severe hail storms and wind storms (maybe every 5 to 10 years). The city has also faced occasional water shortages due to drought conditions in the general region. The Central Business District (CBD) extends southwards for about 2 km from the point of first European settlement, Sydney Cove. The CBD is an area of very densely concentrated skyscrapers and other buildings, interspersed by several parks such as Wynyard Park and Hyde Park. The CBD is bounded on the east side by a chain of parkland that extends from Hyde Park through the Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens to Farm Cove on Sydney Harbour. The west side is bounded by Darling Harbour. Central Station marks the southern end of the CBD. George St is the Sydney CBD's main North-South street. The streets run on a slightly warped grid pattern in the southern CBD, but in the older northern CBD the streets are less logical, reflecting their random placement in the early days of the city.
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| SUBURBS | |||
| Eastern | Inner West | Western | Northern | Southern | |||
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Eastern Suburbs Bondi - Paddington - Darlinghurst - Coogee - Vaucluse - Rose Bay - Double Bay - Dover Heights The eastern suburbs has much to offer: coastline, beaches, cosmopolitan shopping, wonderful restaurants and cafes as well as local markets. The eastern suburbs are well looked after by a mixture of public transport: buses, ferry, seacat, trains, and taxis. Inner West Annandale - Balmain - Glebe - Stanmore - Newtown - Pyrmont Close to the CBD and the good things of city life: entertainment, restaurants, cafes and shops. Great access to the city and other suburbs. Western Suburbs Parramatta - Bankstown - Penrith - Blue Mountains The Western Suburbs can be reached by a mixture of public transport. The west has an abundance of trees, parks, large shopping malls, open spaces, and fun parks. Keep travelling out west and you eventually reach the Blue Mountains and Penrith, the gateway to the Blue Mountains. Commuting takes about 45 mins – 1hour each way. The west is also home to Parramatta which can be reached by a scenic ferry trip down the Parramatta River. Other attractions of the west include Bankstown Airport, Eastern Creek Raceway, Flemington Markets, Olympic City at Homebush, many sporting facilities, and the Neapean River. North Shore / Upper North Shire & Lower North Shore/ Northern Beaches North Sydney - Mosman - Kirribilli - Crows Nest - Chatswood - Roseville - Lindfield - Killara - Gordon - Pymble - St Ives North of the harbour can provide more spacious accommodation and a more family oriented surrounding (i.e. good range of quality private and public schools). However commuting from the north shore may be time consuming and irksome. It is advisable to choose to live in close proximity to a ferry or a train station. Closer to the harbour (and city) is more congested and expensive, but offers a much greater mix of people and culture, shopping and nightlife. Chatswood has a major shopping centre and cinemas. North Sydney is Sydney's secondary CBD - where many of the IT, advertising, media and telecomms HQs are located. Southern Suburbs The shire offers down-to-earth, good Aussie living with a sense of community spirit. It has wonderful surf beaches and National Park bush areas. It is very much suited to those whom enjoy the outdoors. The shire is serviced by a rail system. Driving to the city ranges from forty to sixty minutes in peak hour.
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| TOURISM | |||
| Possible attractions | further info | ||
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Arts and Culture: As Australia's oldest and largest city, Sydney (like Melbourne) boasts a full roster of musical, theatrical and artistic activity throughout the year. The formal include the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Theatre Company, the Sydney Dance Company, and the Archibald Prize. A host of festivals include the Sydney Festival, a celebration of free performances throughout January. Many internationally known Australian rock bands have had their genesis in Sydney, from Midnight Oil to INXS. Sydney also has been home to many visual artists, from the lush pastoralism of Lloyd Rees's depictions of Sydney Harbour to Jeffrey Smart's portraits of bleak urban alienation. Sydney is also home to several large ethnic communities throughout the greater metropolitan area, and a significant gay community who host the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras along Oxford Street which began on the 24th of June 1978 as a protest march and commemoration of the Stonewall Riots. Art Gallery of New South Wales: Sydney's premier art collection of Australian, European, Asian, contemporary, photographic and tribal art. A fine art museum and exhibition space holding regular art and culture events, displaying famous Australian and international artist's artwork. Excellent Aboriginal Art Display. Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre: Cultural Museum, Boomerang throwing, Didjeridoo Presentations, Native Plant walk and Retail Gallery.
Buildings and Landmarks: AMP Tower Centrepoint: View the city - from the harbour to the Blue Mountains in the west, the ocean in the east and Botany Bay in the south. Dining available in two revolving restaurants. Circular Quay: Nestled between the City Business District, the Rocks, the Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens, it is a main transport terminus for Sydney ferries, trains, buses and taxis. From here you can visit historical Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo by ferry via the ever beautiful Sydney Harbour. Multitude of Harbour Cruises available.
Darling Harbour:
Restaurants:
Sydney Observatory:
The Rocks:
Botanical Gardens:
Featherdale Wildlife Park:
Taronga Zoo: |
Sydney Transport Infoline: Transport Infoline provides reliable and accurate timetable, route, ticket and fare information for trains, buses and ferries in the greater Sydney area - bounded by Port Stephens in the North, Dungog and Scone in the Hunter, Bathurst in the West, Goulburn in the South West, Nowra in the South and Sydney in the East. Sydney's weather today Disability Access in Sydney For some facts on Australia's geography and history, click here. For maps, and population and geographic stats, click here. Disability access in other cities: - Adelaide - Brisbane - Canberra - Melbourne - Perth Most of this info was sourced from: - Australia tourism net - NSW Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation - National Library of Australia - Search Australia Further info can be sourced from: - Australian Explorer - Australia travel - Australian Geographic - Wilkins Travel Maps: Sydney - Living Harbour - GoSydneyCity.com
Some more trivia:
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