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~  Exploring  Sydney's  ~

Sydney boasts a rich mix of culture, food, festivals, museums, exhibitions and theatre, courtesy of its history and the many people that make up the nation.

Discover and explore Sydney's heritage village with The Rocks Walking Tours. The Rocks history is alive in the sandstone. Hear tales of our fascinating past and colourful characters while experiencing the present. For an unrivalled Sydney experience join our specialist guided tours for a leisurely stroll. The Rocks Walking Tours have been established since 1978 and are the only resident daily walking tour operating exclusive 90 minute regular tours.

Sydney Eastside's

Situated on the harbour's edge, Sydney's Eastside features the attractions around historic Macquarie Street. It includes the green outdoor spaces of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain and Hyde Park plus some of Sydney's premier cultural and heritage institutions. These include the Australian Museum, Hyde Park Barracks Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which houses some of the finest works of art in the country including Yiribana, a gallery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Parramatta

Parramatta was Australia's first European market town, developed to supply residents of Sydney with fresh produce. Today, Parramatta is the commercial centre of western Sydney. In the early days of the colony, Parramatta outshone Sydney Cove as the cultural and social centre. As a result, Parramatta has some excellent examples of colonial architecture including: Old Government House, Governor's Bath House, Tudor Gate House, Elizabeth Farm, Lancer Barracks and the regimental museum Linden House.

Parramatta is only 5kms east of Homebush Bay, the site of Sydney Olympic Park.

Sydney’s Hawkesbury Valley

Approximately one hours drive north west of Sydney City lies the charming Hawkesbury Valley. The country atmosphere at the historic towns of Windsor, Richmond and St Albans, and the quaint rural settlements of Kurrajong, Portland, Pittown, Colo & Wisemans Ferry, make up this picturesque area. Visit the numerous antique and craft stalls, or spend time talking with a local artist at one of the boutique galleries. The western end of the Hawkesbury River forms a peaceful boundary for the Sydney region, winding its way through the valley, dotted with charming hideaways and B&B's for that relaxing weekend away. Join a tour of the nearby glow warm caves, or for the more adventurous try abseiling or canyoning with one of the local tour operators. With over 15 percent of New South Wales fruit and vegetables grown in the area, pick up a copy of The Hawkesbury Farm Gate Trail map from the local visitors centre and tour the area. Stop and enjoy a wine at the historic Tizzana Winery, try gourmet goats cheese made locally at Willowbrae Cherve Cheese, or visit one of the numerous orchards and pick your own fresh fruit to take home with you.

Museum Of Sydney

This is the site of the first government house, and the museum preserves this and many other items of Sydney's social history including that of the original Aboriginal inhabitants. A modern museum on an historic site discovers this place they call Sydney. Built on the ruins of Governor Phillip's 1788 house, this site is a symbol of 1788 and of British Colonisation of Australia. Museum of Sydney explores the beautiful and bizarre worlds of colonial and contemporary Sydney through objects, pictures and new digital media technologies. The Sydney environment unfolds in a giant video-wall. The vital culture of the Eora, the indigenous people of Sydney, is acknowledged through image, object and memory of Sydney Kooris today. Convict Sydney, colourful and brutal, is explored in a giant showcase of goods and chattel. Ghostly characters argue and gossip about rights, sex, power, the past and the future. The Bond Store is an eerie place where more ghostly characters tell tales of plunder, lust and learning in this ocean-going town. Modern collectors chests contain hundreds of strange objects with curious stories about Sydney memories and emotions. Panoramic views of Sydney from 1788 to today stretch across walls and video screens. Harbour, bushland and city jostling for space. The Museum of Sydney Focus Gallery has changing exhibitions of art works from around the world exploring place, identity, culture and communication. The museum features a stylish shop and cafe. For an ongoing program of Events and Exhibitions: 1300 653 777 (Recorded)

Cadi Jam Ora First Encounters


To most visitors the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney is immaculately groomed, formal and distinctly European in appearance. There is not even the slightest hint that the site once supported people, plants and animals in a natural balance, as well as carrying the spiritual meaning of an Indigenous culture for thousands of years. Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters, the Gardens' most recent garden display, is set to change that perception. Featuring native plants that once grew around the Sydney Harbour foreshore, Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters creates an experience of what happened on this land at the time of European settlement. The site of the Royal Botanic Gardens is where Europeans and Aboriginal people had some of their earliest prolonged encounters, leading ultimately to the tragic demise of the Cadigal. The display's most dramatic feature is a a 50-metre long 'storyline' that weaves its way through four garden beds like a giant mythical serpent. The storyline presents an Indigenous perspective on the history of the site from the Cadigal dreaming to the present day. Aboriginal Guided Tour: Come on a journey of discovery with an Aboriginal guide and learn about the Gardens' rich Aboriginal heritage. Find out what this site meant to the Cadigal, original inhabitants of the Sydney city area, and what it means to Aboriginal people today. This one-hour Indigenous experience will give you an insight into plants of legend, plants that originally grew here, Aboriginal use of plants, and how the Europeans tried to establish the first farm here.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

The largest gallery in the city, and in Australia, the Art Gallery is home to some of Australia's best loved works of art including key works of the 'Heidelberg School'. Modern Australian artists include Lloyd Rees, Margaret Olley, Margaret Preston and Brett Whiteley. The Asian and Aboriginal galleries are particularly good. Visiting exhibition for Australia's major art prizes, the Archibald, Sulman and Wynee, is very popular. The Art Gallery of New South Wales located within a short walking distance from Sydney's CBD, is one of Australia's foremost art museums housing some of the finest works of art in the country. The gallery has a rich and diverse collection including key works of the Heidelberg School and favourite modern Australian artists include Brett Whiteley and Margaret Preston. There are permanent Australian, European, Asian, contemporary and photographic galleries. Of special interest to visitors is the Yiribana Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gallery, the worlds largest space devoted to the permanent exhibition of Aboriginal art. Combined with ongoing performances and guided tours, Yiribana offers an excellent introduction to the indigenous art and culture of this country. The Asian Gallery features art works of north and south-east Asia, China, Korea, Japan and India from prehistoric to modern times. The European collection includes an extensive collection of Victorian and Edwardian paintings as well as significant works from the French impressionists and 20th century modernists. The gallery is considered unique, as it is the only Australian gallery to have specially designed galleries for the display of contemporary art and the only Australian gallery with a dedicated photography gallery. Each of these spaces present ongoing exhibition programs including Australian and International artists. The varied and exciting exhibition program changes throughout the year. Lectures, films, performances and special events accompany most exhibitions. Guided tours and performances: ** Guided tours of the collection: Monday : 1.00pm, 2.00pm Tuesday to Friday: 11.00am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm Saturday : 1.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm Sunday : 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm ** Guided tours of Yiribana Gallery: Tuesday to Friday: 11.00am Saturday & Sunday: 1.00pm ** Free performances of aboriginal dance and didgeridoo: Tuesday to Saturday: 12.00pm Lists of major exhibitions at the 'Art Gallery of New South Wales' are listed under individual events and under names of the exhibitions. Please note there are also Auslan-Interpreted Tours once per month. For further information, contact Jonathan Cooper on voice/TTY: (02) 9225 1796, Fax: (02) 9221 5129, or e-mail: agjonath@ozemail.com.au

Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Muru Mittigar, Sydney's exciting Aboriginal Cultural experience. Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre is an exciting initiative of the Western Sydney Aboriginal Community. Located within the Penrith Lakes Scheme, Muru Mittigar aims to tell the story of the Darug people, the traditional owners of the area. Muru Mittigar provides visitors with a number of experiences including: * Aboriginal Cultural Museum * Boomerang throwing * Didjeridoo presentations * Nature walks * Retail gallery featuring fine arts and crafts The skill of Boomerang throwing is demonstrated in an open area, amongst native flora. Visitors are encouraged to try their own hand at Boomerang throwing and learn how this important item was not only used for sport but also an essential weapon for hunting. Didjeridoo presentations explain how the instrument is crafted and its cultural significance to many Aboriginal peoples whilst the Nature Walk explores native flora and fauna and how these resources were traditionally used. The newly opened retail gallery features fine arts and crafts from the local Aboriginal Community. For groups, dance performances, painting workshops and Bush Tuck a meal test tasting can be pre-arranged. The dance performances are held in either the indoor or outdoor amphitheatres, whilst he stories behind the dances are explained. Painting workshops give visitors the chance to paint their own souvenir artwork - while learning the meanings behind the designs and symbols used. Groups can sample traditional bush food such as Kangaroo, Emu, Wallaby, Fruits, nuts and more.

Aboriginal Discoveries

Sydney Aboriginal Discoveries offer Aboriginal tours in Sydney. Experience an enlightening and entertaining culture that is one of the oldest in the world. Our tours offer the visitor a venture into the Aboriginal history during a cruise, bushwalk or overnight camp. Visitors will be able to discover Aboriginal people's history and lifestyle, feast and share the knowledge of Aboriginal people of Sydney. Group bookings are essential

visitation: 2 300 000 fax : (02) 9457 9054 west head has some of sydney's best water views. intricate shoreline and deep waters offer great sailing, while walking tracks reveal quiet beaches and the chance to view spectacular stands of wildlfowers, sandstone cliffs, open forest, rainforest and heathland. there are many species of birds and marsupials that make the park their home. marinas are at bobbin head and akuna bay and there are many picnic areas throughout the park. aboriginal art can be seen on the basin track, while european history can be seen at beechwood cottage. there is an historic sphinx memorial is at north turramurra. kalkari visitors centre offers videos, wildlife dioramas and the opportunity to see wandering kangaroos and emus. the wildlife shop at bobbin head has souvenirs, posters, books, gifts, cards and park maps available. the discovery track is accessible by wheelchairs. activities : bushwalking, boating, fishing and nature study. barbecue and picnic areas available. park entry fee : car : $7.50 per car motor bike : $3.00 per bike coach: $3.00 per adult taxi : $3.00 per person : $1.00 per child boat trailer: $5.00 public transport: train : to turramurra, mt ku-ring-gai, berowra or cowan railway stations (walking track accessible from berowra and cowan). bus : 576 and 577 from turramurra station to bobbin head operated by shorelink coaches on sundays only. tel: (02) 9457 8888 ferry : from palm beach wharf to "the basin". tel: (02) 9918 2747 (to get to palm beach take bus 190 from wynyard station) guided tours : bushwalks and other nature activities are conducted by "chase alive volunteers". tel: (02) 9457 9853 accommodation : camping : available at the basin. access by ferry, boat or walkin from the west head road. bookings telephone: (02) 9451 8124 hostel : youth hostel at towlers bay. other : hotel/motel accommodation located along the pacific highway.

Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is Australia's first museum and leading natural science. Experience the stories of Indigenous Australians in their own words, or discover Australia's strange and notorious animals. With its combination of the latest technology, ongoing research and impressive collections, the Australia Museum always surprises. Visitors can explore exhibitions, CD-ROMs, Internet access, mini-labs, demonstrations, fascinating specimens and speak with trained scientific staff. Biodiversity: life supporting life explores the rich variety of life in Australia. Find out our plants, animals and ecosystems and how they work together. The Australian Museum's collection of Australian Birds and Insects is the best in the country. Enjoy the colours and sounds of our unique birds. Discover some of the world's most extraordinary bugs, beetles and butterflies and some notorious spiders. There are more than 850 of the world's most sought-after mineral specimens in the famous Chapman Mineral Collection. This is a dazzling tribute to Albert Chapman - the Australia cabinetmaker with an international reputation as a great mineralogist. Planet of Minerals offers a journey into the mysteries of the earth's inner core. A variety of displays bring to life the processes, which create these stunning natural works of art. Human Evolution: tracks through time follows the evolution of our species. Life-sized scenes and models as well as comprehensive displays, are used to explorer the customs of early humans, rituals and variety within the species. Discover a culture more than 100,000 years old in the new Indigenous Australians exhibition. From the Dreamtime to the struggle for self- determination and land rights, the exhibition tells the stories of Australia's first people in their own words. Skeletons provides a fascinating perspective of natural history and some regard this gallery to be the backbone of the Museums! More Than Dinosaurs is the Museum's permanent display of dinosaurs and Australia's own ancient megafauna. Follow the timeline back 4600 million years and discover stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex along the way. Search & discover encourages visitors to explore the extensive collection of CD-ROMs, books, magazines and fascinating specimens. Kidspace has been designed specifically to provide a learning and play area for children five years or younger. The Museum Shop provides a range of quality merchandise including specialised products, artefacts and books reflecting the Museum's philosophy.

ChinaTown

Located adjacent to Darling Harbour, Sydney's Chinatown is filled with restaurants, food halls and noodle bars specialising in genuine Chinese cuisine. At weekends it's crowded with locals and visitors for Yum Cha. Paddy's Market adjoins Chinatown and is Sydney's biggest and best traditional market offering just about everything a keen bargain hunter could want. Clothes, shoes, souvenirs and fresh food are just some of the items on offer at these markets. Shop at Market City for bargains in clothing and gifts.

The Haymarket area has many entertainment facilities and theatres, such as The Capitol or the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The Spanish Quarter, close to George Street also holds a great deal of opportunity for nighttime entertainment and food - Spanish style

Leichhardt

Leichhardt has developed over the years into a comfortable suburb with a strong Italian influence. If you feel like pasta, good coffee and gelato, then visit Norton Street in Leichhardt. Norton Street offers a treasure-trove of traditional Italian shops, cafes and restaurants and at the Norton Street Market visitors can buy the best olive oils, balsamic vinegar's, olives, Italian salamis, cheeses and breads. Sydney's Italian quarter - it's a must for those in search of authentic Italian cafes, trattorias and restaurants. Leichhardt was one of the first areas to provide outdoor dining and can accommodate the desire of those who like to dine late. Leichhardt is also a place where you can watch the locals promenade, purchase a good book or buy Italian homewares and bommenaires.