Below are just a few websites of the most famous attractions you won’t want to miss.
1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney - http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/ Opened in 1816, the garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world. It is open every day of the year and access is free. It enjoys a stunning position on Sydney Harbour, immediately adjacent to the Sydney central business district and the Sydney Opera House.
For detailed information about the Gardens – click on the link below.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Botanic_Garden,_Sydney
If you would like to sign up for updates about what is going on at the Royal Gardens, click on the website below and type in your name and email address and hit the send button.
- http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/about/notifications
2. The Rocks, Sydney -The Guide to the Rocks –
http://www.australia.com/en/places/sydney-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-rocks.html
The Rocks area features a variety of souvenir and craft shops, as well as many themed and historic pubs. The Rocks Market operates each weekend, with around 100 stalls. During the week, shopping options include galleries exhibiting Australian artists, such as Ken Done and Ken Duncan, as well as Australian clothing and Australian opal shops. There are numerous historic walks through the area, visiting historical buildings such as Cadmans Cottage, Sydney Observatory and the Dawes Point Battery which was the first fortified position in New South Wales.
Two separate pubs in The Rocks claim to be Sydney's oldest surviving pubs: the Fortune of War and the Lord Nelson. Others in the area include the Observer, the Orient, the Mercantile, the Palisade and the Hero of Waterloo.
3. Sydney Taronga Zoo -
Discover the home of over 2,900 animals at your own pace with an entrance ticket to Taronga Zoo. Reach the zoo in Sydney Harbour by rocket ferry from Circular Quay and then ride the Sky Safari cable car on arrival enjoying the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
You can pre-purchase your Taronga entry ticket to save time and avoid queuing at the ticket booth. By public transport - Take the ferry to the Taronga Zoo wharf and then the bus or the gondola to the entrance at the top of the hill. Buying a ticket that includes the return boat trip from Darling Harbour, the gondola ride and the entry to the park is the best way to experience this attraction. You can also book this at your hotel. Wear good walking shoes and carry some water - it is set up on a hill!
Website for Taronga zoo:
4. Art Gallery of New South Wales -
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/
The Art Gallery of New South Wales, located in The Domain in Sydney, is the most important public gallery in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia. The Gallery's first public exhibition opened in 1874. Admission is free to the general exhibition space, which displays Australian art (from settlement to contemporary), European and Asian art. A dedicated Asian Gallery was opened in 2003.
For updates - http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/about-us/keep-me-updated/
For more information on the Gallery -
Website: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Gallery_of_New_South_Wales
5. Interactive map of Sydney’s attractions -
Website: - http://www.aviewoncities.com/maps/sydney.htm
This interactive map will take you to each attraction listed on the left side of the map, by placing your cursor on a name of a place, a picture opens up on a map. If you click on (most) of the names, the website will open and will give you information about that site. There is a + and – on the lower right side of the map. Hitting the + several times, will enlarge the map to the point names of stores, banks, restaurants, art galleries, etc, will be appear.
6. Downtown Sydney -
To find your way to the heart of downtown Sydney make your way to Martin Place - on the interactive map (above). Martin Place is a pedestrian mall in the central business district of Sydney. It has been described as the "civic heart" of Sydney. As home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Macquarie Bank, Westpac and other corporations, it is also a centre of business and finance. The Sydney GPO (General Post Office) and the Seven Network's Sydney news centre are also located on Martin Place.
Martin Place has become a national Australian icon in popular culture for attracting film and television productions and actors to the area. Martin Place runs between George Street and Macquarie Street, and provides entrances to the Martin Place railway station below street level; an underground city of magnificent restaurants and shops - a must see stop. Other cross streets includes Pitt Street, Castlereagh Street, Elizabeth Street and Phillip Street.
The history is of Martin Place is fascinating. For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Place
7. RED BUS HOP ON HOP OFF TOUR BUS – SYDNEY
WBESITE: http://www.redbuses.com/our-tours/sydney-hop-hop-off-tour/
The Red Bus is the ideal way to get around to all of the attractions you want to see during your pre tour time in Sydney. You can purchase a 24 or 48 hour pass. The website above will show the route the Red Bus travels with a brief description about each stop. You will be able to obtain a brochure at the airport before you catch your transportation to the hotel, or at the hotel information desk.
First tour starts at 8.30 am. Frequency 15- 20 minutes* Bondi Tours: depart from and finish at Stop A - Eddy Avenue (Central Railway Station) First tour starts at 9.30 am. Frequency 30 minutes All services terminate at 7.30 pm in peak season and 6.30 pm in off peak season
We hope you will find this information helpful in making your pre tour time in Sydney educational and highly memorable. It is a beautiful city and very easy to navigate.
Please email or call us with any questions or if you need assistance with any of the above items.