Sydney
The most famous building of Sydney (website: www.seesydney.com/) is the Opera House (website: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/). Since 2007, there is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The distinctive shape resembles the sail boats in the equally famous harbor. The Opera House every day except Good Friday and the first Christmas Day, between 09.00 und 17.00 clock can be visited.
The downtown area is reminiscent of the Manhattan skyline, the blue sky from Sydney, however, is unique. A beautiful view you have from the 305-meter Sydney Tower outside the Centre Point shopping center (opening times: Sun-Fri 09.00-22.30 clock, Sat 09.00-23.30 clock).
Among the many other attractions, the Taronga Zoo, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Australian Museum are particularly noteworthy.
The Rocks district (the birthplace of Australia) has been restored. Cobbled streets, craft shops and small restaurants are reminiscent of the early years. Here is one of Sydney’s oldest building, Cadman’s Cottage is located (1816) and the two oldest pubs in the city, the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo.
In the case of a tour of the Olympic Park here, the Summer Games were held in 2000 to visit the Olympic Village.
The districts of Chinatown, Paddington and Kings Cross stations are full of life day and night.
At Darling Harbour there are numerous attractions, including the Harbourside Shopping Centre, Gavala Aboriginal and Cultural Education Centre, the Panasonic IMAX Theatre, the Chinese Garden, Powerhouse Museum, National Maritime Museum, Cockle Bay Wharf and the Sydney Aquarium. In Sydney Wildlife World at Darling Harbour next to the Aquarium visitors can experience more than 6,000 animals in their natural environment (open daily from 09.00-22.00 clock).
Circular Quay Harbour cruises are offered. City tours and loads of bright red Sydney Explorer bus. At a distance of 36 km of bus stops at 26 different sites. The monorail provides another opportunity to visit the city.
There are many recreational parks in Sydney, including Hyde Park, The Domain and Centennial Park and the Botanic Gardens with impressive views of the bridge, the Opera House and harbor.
Sydney is also famous for its magnificent beaches. Manly in the north can be reached in 15 minutes by hydrofoil. Bondi Beach, Watsons Bay, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee are in the south. Almost all beaches can be reached by public transportation. For safety you should only swim where flags marking safe swimming areas.
In the mangrove swamps of the Botany Bay you can still find an interesting and diverse flora and fauna.
Beyond Sydney
New South Wales (website: www.visitnsw.com.au) has to offer in every season and for all types of leave something. Especially popular are visits to the vineyards in the Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. The Hunter Valley, where famous manufacturers such as Wyndham Estate, Rosemount Estate and McGuigan have their offers over 80 wineries and numerous restaurants. Can be located very close to Port Stephens, where they operate water and watch dolphins and whales. From the north-west of the city located Lightning Ridge black opals are the only ones in the world. On Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak 2218 m, and in the Snowy Mountains, you can go in winter (June to October), skiing, bush walks are very popular in summer. The largest resorts in the Snowy Mountains, Thredbo and Perisher Blue are in the latter there are also Guthega, Perisher Valley, Blue Cow and Smiggin. The relatively untouched by tourism, Broken Hill and the surrounding national parks show the true Australian outback wilderness, which is marked by ancient landscapes, Aboriginal culture and bizarre flora and fauna. 113 km outside of Sydney are the Menindee Lakes, which are eight times as large as the Port of Sydney and offer especially for lovers of motor or sail boat ideal leisure activities.
World Heritage
These areas are classified by UNESCO as places of high cultural and / or natural value is recognized that one wants to receive it as a heritage for mankind. Often, they represent an important epoch in the evolution history of the world’s dar. obtain further information from the Australian Heritage Commission, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601 (Tel: (02) 62 74 11 11 Fax: (02) 62 74 16 66th Internet: www.deh.gov.au). New South Wales has three famous, classified as World Heritage areas (see below).
Lord Howe Island Group (website: www.lordhoweisland.info): This group of islands located 700 km northeast of Sydney, covers an area of 146 300 hectares and includes Lord Howe Iceland, the Admiralty Islands, Mutton Bird Island and Balls Pyramid. The landscape consists of fertile plains, lush mountains and white sand beaches. Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird (875 m and 777 m high) are of volcanic origin, and provide a stark contrast to the flat areas on the coast. The southernmost coral reef in the world surrounding the island, some of the rarest plants, birds and marine animals of the world, offers a habitat. Due to strict conservation rules, there are only 400 beds for tourists, and also the number of cars is limited. Main means of transportation is the bicycle.
Willandra Lakes: This area covers 370,000 ha semi-arid landscape in southwestern New South Wales and is one of the first cremation places known to the world. Archaeological finds of skeletal remains and stone tools indicate that the homo sapiens inhabited the region 40,000 years ago. In addition, it houses a system of Pleistocene lakes, which occurred during the last 2 million years. Most of these lakes have sand dunes on the eastern shore. Mungo National Park is open daily for visitors and offers walks along the ancient walls of China, orange-white dunes.
Another nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site are the Blue Mountains. They are listed under the National Parks.
National Parks
For more information about parks and nature reserves in New South Wales can be obtained from NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville NSW 2220 (tel: (02) 95 85 64 44, Fax: (02) 95 85 65 55, E- Mail: info@environment.nsw.gov.au; Internet: www.nationaparks.nsw.gov.au).
Immediate vicinity of Sydney: The Sydney Harbour National Park provides forts, secluded beaches and breathtaking vistas. Sightseeing tours of the historic buildings are possible. The most popular trails are the way to Bluff Watson’s Bay, the Hermitage Foreshore road to Vaucluse and Manly magically beautiful hiking trail. The Fairfax road at North Head is also accessible to wheelchair users. The Royal National Park is the oldest national park in Australia and the second oldest in the world. Wattamolla Garie and are very suitable for swimming and Garie, Era and Burning Palms are popular with surfers. The park offers a variety of trails along its more than 30 km running headlands, cliffs, forests and beaches. Tents can be at Bonnie Vale, for camping in the bush, you need a permit. The Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is unique for its Aboriginal rock art known, which can be best seen on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. There are also numerous hiking trails, one of which is the Discovery route is wheelchair accessible. Is a splendid view over the sea and sailing facilities are excellent at Western Head. Throughout the park there are picnic facilities, in addition there’s a koala enclosure. The classification as a World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park is 90 minutes from Sydney. Here you can find eucalyptus forests as far as the eye ranges and stunning panoramic views – for example by the Eco Point out to the famous Three Sisters. You can also hiking through rain forests and orchards, take along crystal clear rivers or exploring the landscape of the gondola. The wheelchair-friendly Fairfax Heritage Walk from Blackheath leads to Govetts Leap lookout.
North East: The Myall Lakes National Park in the vicinity of Port Stephens is the largest lake district of the state and habitat for numerous species of water birds. There are numerous activities, including a rainforest walk at Mungo Brush, lakeside camping and accommodation in a houseboat. The mountainous Barrington Tops National Park in the Hunter Valley is traversed by six rivers and is known for its stark differences in height known: Visitors can explore a snow-capped peaks and the same day and subtropical rain forest. Gives the best views and hiking trails at Gloucester Tops, Carey’s Peak and Williams River. The Riverside Trail is also accessible to wheelchair users. The 12 km away from Murwillumbah Mt Warning National Park offers a lovely walk through villages in the rainforest and a challenging climb to the 1,100 m high volcano old. From the summit one looks at the bowl-shaped Tweed Valley, Dorrigo National Park and the Border Ranges National Park, both located in the tropical part of New South Wales. In the Border Ranges rainforest grows on the edge of an extinct volcano.
Centre: rock climbing and mountain walks are particularly in Warrumbungle National Park popular in the near Coonabarabram. The Grand High Tops walk through the remnants of ancient volcanoes is one of the most spectacular in Australia. The park is known for its bizarre rock formations.
Outback: The 130 km northeast of the gold mining town of Broken Hill National Park located Motwingee is a classic outback experience. Homestead Creek is the main campsite (advance booking required) in this park at the back of an ancient mountain chain. During a trip to Mootwingee Historic Site you can admire a large collection of carved into the rocks Aboriginal characters, as in the nearby National Park Kinchega camping and accommodation in the former sheep shearers quarters is possible (booking required).
Southeast: 450 km south of Sydney are the Kosciuszko National Park and the Snowy Mountains National Park. Here is Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko and Snowy Rivers, Murray and Murrumbidgee. Winter sports can be operated from June to September, during the summer are popular hiking through the alpine landscape. The main attraction of the Morton National Park are its waterfalls Fitzroy and Belmore Falls. Camping is available (advance booking required).
