| Sydney has long been recognized and renowned | | | | prison convicts, may find a trip to the Hyde Park |
| worldwide for its vibrant art and entertainment scene | | | | Barracks interesting.In addition, the State Library of |
| as well as for its lively sports calendar and fun-filled | | | | New South Wales offers a wealth of knowledge while |
| year-round festivals.The Opera House is the | | | | Macleay Museum provides an eye-opening exhibit of |
| centerpiece of Sydney's performing arts scene and | | | | over 9,000 stuffed birds as well as Charles Darwin's |
| the venue of choice for Australia's preeminent | | | | flea.Australia's leading art institution is the Art Gallery of |
| performances in ballet, opera, music and theatre. There | | | | NSW, which houses perhaps the most significant |
| is also the nearby Wharf, the base of such leading | | | | collection of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander |
| performance groups such as the Sydney Dance | | | | works. It also contains an impressive array of |
| Company, the Bangarra Dance Company and the | | | | European and Asian art. Visit the Museum of Sydney |
| Sydney Theatre Company.The Theatre Royal and the | | | | for its unique approach to narrating Australia's colonial |
| baroque State Theatre regularly stage traditional | | | | and indigenous history. The Museum of Contemporary |
| theater productions while the newly-renovated Capitol | | | | Art boasts of a fine international collection of art |
| is a favorite venue for long-running musicals. The Lyric | | | | pieces, and the Manly Art Gallery & Museum has a |
| Theater, Belvois Street and the Showroom, which is | | | | permanent display of over 800 paintings tracing the |
| housed in the Star City Casino, are other popular | | | | colorful history of beach culture.On the other hand, if |
| entertainment venues. The Ensemble regularly stages | | | | your idea of art and entertainment carries an |
| productions headlined by popular Australian actors.For | | | | epicurean yearning, then Sydney's vivacious club |
| foreign visitors with alternative tastes, we strongly urge | | | | scene will provide all the excitement that you need. |
| a visit to The Stables and the Performance Space. | | | | Virtually every year, there are new and hip places in |
| Meanwhile, for a taste of contemporary dance and | | | | the city that draw in the most upscale and |
| ballet, the Opera House and the Wharf are excellent | | | | sophisticated crowds, such as Darling Harbor, DCM, Q |
| choices while The Bondi Pavilion, Enmore Theatre and | | | | Bar, Mr Goodbar and Rogues are other popular |
| Seymour Centre are more than worth the visit. Jazz | | | | choices for foreign visitors looking for a swinging night |
| enthusiasts will love the Basement at Circular Quay | | | | out in Sydney.Lastly, the city's best bars and pubs |
| and Pontoon.The music scene is alive and thriving in | | | | include the likes of Longrain, the Grand Pacific Blue |
| venues such as the City Recital Hall, the Customs | | | | Room, Gilligans and Dugout Bar (underneath Burdekin |
| House and the Sydney Entertainment Centre, which | | | | Hotel). Business types, both foreign and local, usually |
| regularly stages international concerts. The Rose of | | | | converge at SlipInn, Wine Banc, Aqua Luna Bar and |
| Australia in Erskineville has developed an excellent | | | | Jacksons On George.While in Sydney, consider staying |
| reputation for the quality of its live bands.Sydney is | | | | in luxury in one of their MANY beautiful |
| also acclaimed for the quality and diversity of its | | | | accommodation spots. James Lush (ex-BBC and ITV |
| museums. For a fun and educational afternoon, The | | | | TV and Radio journalist, now living in Australia) gives |
| Australian and Powerhouse Museums are the places | | | | you the low down on all the great luxury |
| to explore. People with a fascination for naval ships will | | | | accommodation spots available in Sydney and the rest |
| appreciate The National Maritime Museum while those | | | | of Australia. |
| with a thing for ghosts, especially ghosts of dead | | | | |