-- H. RICHARDS, NEWMARKET
A: Sydney is loaded with attractions. Favourite spots are the Sydney Opera House (sydneyoperahouse.com), considered an architectural wonder. Built in 1957 by a young Danish architect it is open for tours and performances. The Sydney Aquarium (myfun.com.au) boasts the world's largest collection of Australian sealife. Later, drop by the Sydney Olympic Park (sydneyolympicpark.com.au/tourism), home of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. You can take a self-guided walking tour, bike tour or book a behind the scenes tour at the Visitor Centre. For more details on Sydney's top attractions, visit sydney.com/Sydney_attractions_p3252.aspx.
I spoke to a couple of Australian tourism representatives and they offer these suggestions for your trip Down Under.
"A good starting point is the official Tourism New South Wales website -- visitnsw.com/sydney.aspx. Click on the "Great Sydney Deals" symbol as well as the "accommodation" symbol.
The site is also an excellent resource for details on events, dining, attractions, and so on," says Donna Norton Lodge, public relations executive for Tourism Australia.
Rebel Neary, marketing manager for the Tourism Australia office in Canada adds that the websites australia.com and sydney.com are great places to look for accommodation in Sydney.
For people on a budget, "Glenferrie Lodge in North Sydney (glenferrielodge.com) is a great three-star option in one of the best harbour locations in Sydney," Neary says. They have shared rooms, single, double and family rooms. Another budget option worth considering is The Woolbrokers at Darling Harbour (woolbrokershotel.com.au). "Built in 1886, refurbished in 1991 and heritage listed, the Woolbrokers provides ideal stopover facilities for visitors to Sydney who want a fantastic location on a low budget."
If you would like to be right on the harbour, the Park Hyatt can't be overlooked (sydney.park.hyatt.com). "Most of the hotel's 158 guestrooms enjoy private balconies with views overlooking Sydney's spectacular harbour, Opera House and/or Harbour Bridge," she says. Another chic property in the heart of Sydney is The Vibe Hotel (vibehotels.com.au) in Darlinghurst.
