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