The city is trendy, spirited and vibrant and has great dining, entertainment and nightlife. Sydney is noted for its liberal attitude and ranks alongside San Francisco as one of the gay capitals of the world. Like most modern cities, Sydney does lack a little in the historical department, but the cherished convict past has been well preserved. The native aboriginal culture, although a little over-marketed, adds depth.

The eco-friendly Australians have ensured that Sydney remains relatively green. There are some good beaches nearby and the unique wildlife is easily accessible. As the state capital, Sydney is the gateway to the beautiful expanses of the Blue Mountains and national parks of NSW beyond.

Relatively small and compact, the major attractions in the city centre can easily be covered in a couple of days although many visitors will happily hang out for longer. Sydney is justifiably a top tourist spot and arguably tops the bill for city destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sydneys opera, ballet, orchestra and theatre companies are found at the amazing Sydney Opera House. Tours are short and informative and restaurants and shops are located in the complex with the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain in the background. Hugging the harbour these magnificent gardens feature a massive variety of exotic flora.

Circular Quay includes the main ferry terminal and The Rocks, home to restored colonial buildings, winding cobblestone streets and unusual stores. Convict history is the focus with interesting shops selling locally handmade wares. Entertainment varies from didgeridoo players to live bands. Investigate nooks & crannies here to find excellent food without paying double simply for the view.

Walk through the giant Perspex tunnels of the Sydney Aquarium overlooking the harbour and be delighted by one of the worlds largest collections of stingrays, seals and sharks.

The Sydney Observation Level in the AMP Centrepoint Tower permits an outstanding panoramic view of the surroundings, day or night. A revolving restaurant offers a neutral western style menu, but nearby is a mix of restaurants with varying cuisine. Check out the Sydney Bonus Ticket that includes Aquarium Pass, Centrepoint Observation and Captain Cook Harbour Highlights Cruise.

At Fox Studios experience Titanic as an extra with your scenes captured on film, screaming included. Encounter animation with The Simpsons, transform in the Costume Box and more. Fantastic childrens entertainment is on offer and Bent St. caters for all - a great line up of cafes, restaurants and pubs. The Showring Market is colourful selling all sorts of goodies at weekends. A family day pass is available at the gate.

The Museum of Sydney, The Art Gallery of New South Wales and The Australian Museum (commonly known as The Museum of NSW) are all within walking distance of each other and display some magnificent pieces - affordable entry fees and most enjoyable.

Amidst the lush tropical environment of Taronga Zoo, lives some of the worlds rare and endangered wildlife. The Gorilla Forest in particular is a must see and getting there is simple, ferries depart from Circular Quay regularly. Zoo passes are available from Circular Quay inclusive of ferry fare.

Only 15 minutes from the city by Jetcat, Manly Beach feels a world away. Relaxed and unpretentious with tonnes of cafes and a magnificent clean beach, its safe for the family. Surfers have a dedicated area and the neighbouring beaches of Harboard and Curl Curl offer natural beauty. Bikes and roller blades can be hired, surf classes are available and parasailing off the Manly Wharf is also well priced.

A brief stroll along the esplanade leads to Shelley Beach, pretty much a secret little beach that is adored by locals for its pure tranquility. Rocky reefs allow for dive courses and snorkeling, catering for all at reasonable prices. Information can be obtained from the Information booth on the Manly Corso.

Home and Away fans may catch a glimpse of the Australian program being filmed at Palm Beach, about an hours drive north of the CBD. Safe for swimming and surfing with golden sands, clean water, picnic grounds and BBQ areas for all to enjoy.

Note: For your own safety, swim between the flags at all times and use sunblock!

Darling Harbour, incorporating the recently developed Cockle Bay Wharf is a modern waterside selection of shops and restaurants with an emphasis on Australian seafood, wines and goodies. Prices vary greatly, so peruse a few menus first.

Darling Harbour

Certain areas are famous for their consistently good nosh include Surry Hills with its contemporary Australian fare, commonly found in smart modern pubs and restaurants. Paddington maintains a good selection of old-fashioned pub fare loved by its partying and somewhat English community.

Leichardt further out pleases those with a passion for good Italian. For thick steaks look around the City or North Sydney and packed together down the bottom end of Liverpool Street are the Spanish Tapas Bars.

One is sure to find their favourite Asian dish in the decently priced restaurants in Chinatown. Cleveland Street is popular for its Middle Eastern selection with the accompaniment of a belly dancer or two to shake things up. Darlinghurst has many Vietnamese, Thai and Indian restaurants that dont compromise on flavour.

Pubs and bars are plentiful in Sydney. Some brew their own beer whilst most carry a selection of internationally appreciated ales and wines, with the City, Paddington, Darlinghurst and North Sydney easily accommodating the cheery hoards. The best known and liveliest bar and pubs however are found on swinging Oxford Street.

Home to a plethora of watering holes, is The Rocks and with names like the Lord Nelson, The Mercantile and The Battle of Waterloo, one is constantly reminded of the colonial past. Alive with music and laughter these pubs also provide excellent food. Elegant hotel bars provide an alternative venue.

The red light district of Kings Cross has a host of bars and nightclubs ranging from strip clubs to hip & happening dance clubs. Kings Cross encompasses both the well heeled and down and outs and has some exquisite restaurants.

Overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Star City Casino beckons those who like a flutter. Gaming facilities tempt visitors 24 hours a day, with a good selection of restaurants and bars.

For those who wish to splash out, Sydney Harbour Seaplanes depart from Rose Bay several times a day and flies along the remarkable coast.

For that special one-of-a-kind, unique garment or piece, you simply must visit the Paddington Markets. Kicking off at 10am every Saturday on famous Oxford Street, these chic markets will thrill. An eclectic mix of designers, artisans and jewellers produce smart contemporary products, at reasonable prices. Gourmet goodies, fresh produce and performances contribute to this offbeat weekly event. Feel free to haggle.

If the famous Australian opal beckons, then grab a free guide to opals in Sydney which explains what to look for when shopping for them. The Rocks carries the best selection by far.

The Metro Monorail running every 3-5 minutes links the city centre with nearby attractions. Supervouchers are available. The Metro Light Rail is a convenient means of inner city transport.

Taxis can be hailed anywhere. A percentage of the Taxi drivers in Sydney are very friendly and know their stuff, unfortunately, there are many who are not overly friendly or knowledgeable about the areas they cover. Changeover time is 3pm and it gets busy.

Beautiful Sydney Harbour can be explored in a variety of ways with prices to match. Cruises depart from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour, many offering something unforgettable. For those who simply want an hour of peace or are on a tight budget, you just cant beat a commuter ferry ride. Trot down to Circular Quay and jump aboard a ferry headed for Rose Bay, Mosman, Cremorne Point, Watsons Bay or Manly. Sydney Water Taxis provide a zippy alternative.

Interstate rail travellers arrive at Central Station and just outside are the interstate buses and Sydney coach station.

Sydneys Kingsford Smith Airport features both the Domestic and International Terminals and is located less than 10km south of the city centre. A good choice of airport buses and shuttles transport visitors to the city and around.

Scenic wine tasting in The Hunter Valley, is relaxing and a lot of fun. Located only 2 hours or so, northwest of Sydney, this picturesque area bottles some of the country's finest drops. Day tours include lunch and vineyard tours with wine sampling included.

Dolphin watching near Port Stephens is a pleasurable day out. Buffet lunches are generally included and tours are reasonably priced.

Cuddling a koala is a rare opportunity but not at the Wildlife and Koala Parks where you can view some other amazing creatures like native kangaroos. Take lots of film and hold onto tight to the nuts bag because they are very quick to snatch and hop.

Sydneys Explorer Bus Service gives a great insight into Sydneys history via its 24 stops. A highly recommended one-day pass allows you to get off and jump back on board at your own convenience. Alternatively, you can simply sit back for the round trip, approximately 1 1/2 hours.

With over 100 courses in and around Sydney, the Golf enthusiast will not be disappointed! Green fees vary but you can play at some of the country's famously designed courses.

Romantic Balloon Flights over this picturesque landscape at dawn are popular indeed and Helicopter Flight Tours are surprisingly competitive pricewise and can be as short as 20 minutes.

Sydney Festival from 8th-26th January includes a line up of events including films, live performances, exhibitions and food and wine festivals. Visiting bands and performers add a diverse international flavour to the event. Its worth catching a film in the Royal Botanic Gardens Open Air Theatre.

An international event famed for its edgy, colourful floats and performances, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras never fails to entertain and raise the odd eyebrow or two. Dance parties and wild celebrations occur from mid February until early March with the much-applauded strut down Oxford Street.

Join the thousands who line the shores of Sydney Harbour every Boxing Day to send off the flotilla of yachts competing in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.