D i s c o v e r A u s t r a l i a

Bondi Beach

Bondi is the classic example of Sydney's beach culture:
- on the sand - lifesavers, boogie boards, beach volley ball and sun worshippers,
- on the promenade - joggers, power walkers and roller bladers showing off the best bodies in town while the tourists record the scene with their cameras. Bondi is also for those who never touch the sand - be seen with the rich and famous at the trendy restaurants and laidback outdoor cafes which draw locals and visitors alike for brunch, lunch and dinner. Shop for fashionable surf wear on the numerous shops. Bondi is the home of Australia's oldest life saving club, Bondi Surf Bathers established in 1906.

Bondi To Coogee Walk

Bondi to Coogee Walk is 6kms long and takes about 2 hours to complete.

This walk heads south from the promenade of Bondi Beach. It is mostly level, or gently sloping and combines coastal views, places to swim and places to eat. Easy to follow signs along the coast line.

Degree of difficulty: Easy to medium with a steep section Surfaces: Mainly dirt

Manly Beach

A visit to Manly by ferry provides the quintessential Sydney experience. A half hour ferry crossing of Sydney Harbour brings visitors to this cosmopolitan suburb nestled between a tranquil, inner harbour beach on one side and a popular surf beach on the Pacific Ocean. Manly is popular for water sports such as windsurfing, parasailing and scuba diving. The waterfronts are lined with cafes and restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the sea breeze or take a stroll; jog or bike ride along the famous beachfront promenade. Sydney Harbour National Park at Manly overlooks the entrance to Sydney Harbour and is the perfect place for a bushwalk. There are a number of popular scenic walking routes that link the beaches with the national parks. The Manly destination delivers an annual Calendar of Events, which provides a diversified programme of entertainment for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors.

Coogee

Coogee is a haven for families, couples and travellers alike. Joggers, swimmers, cyclers, rollerbladers, power walkers, and those just out for a stroll fill the atmosphere with a strong sense of health, enjoyment and relaxation. A coastal walk taking in cliffs, sandstone platforms, boardwalks, bays and beaches links Coogee to Maroubra Beach in the south and Clovelly, Bronte and Bondi Beach in the north. Gordons Bay, the next bay north of Coogee Beach, is a protected marine reserve and a haven for snorkelling and scuba diving. Reefs just off shore from Gordons Bay offer excellent surfing, while on calm days, Coogee Beach itself offers bay-like tranquillity. Coogee Bay Road offers smart restaurants alongside vibrant cafes and hip fish and chip shops.

With accommodation ranging from 5 star to serviced apartments and bed and breakfasts, and the facilities of Royal Randwick Racecourse for the racing carnivals, Randwick Ritz Cinema for the latest films, The Spot dining area, international standard golf courses, the Randwick shopping strip, nearby Centennial Park and Fox Studios, Coogee is an ideal place to base yourself on your Sydney holiday, or at the very least, visit.

Royal Botanic Gardens

The oldest scientific institution in Australia and site of the first farm in Australia, where 7500 trees now spread across 30 hectares of succulent gardens. Special features include: ** Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters: Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters is a new permanent garden display that remembers and acknowledges the Cadigal - the original inhabitants of Sydney's city centre - and their relationship with this land. The display creates an experience of what happened on the site of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney at the time of European settlement. Featuring plants that originally grew on the site of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, the display conveys Aboriginal people's prior use of this land, and explores the very different relationships Indigenous people and European people had with the environment at the time of settlement/invasion. Open Times: Royal Botanic Gardens: 7.00am - Closes at Sunset. Reception Hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Tours available at any time convenient to you. Garden Exhibition : Free Aboriginal Guided Tour: $16.50 per person (minimum 5 people) ** Sydney Tropical Centre: Focusing on the wonders of the tropical environments and their importance to us all. Open Times: 10.00am - 4.00pm Daily. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday Adult: $ 2.00, Children/Concession: $ 2.00, Family: $5.00 Telephone: (02) 9231 8104 ** Rare and Threatened Plants Garden: This newest attraction features plants from around the world which are rare or on the brink of extinction including the Wollemi pine-one of the world's rarest plants. ** Hong Kong Bank Oriental Garden: Plants from areas of China, Japan and Vietnam thrive in an orientally inspired landscaped setting. The herb garden displays a wide range of herbs used for culinary, flavouring, aromatic, medicinal and handicraft purposes. Visitor's can relax on the rosewood seats and enjoy the garden, sundial and fountain. ** Sydney Fernery: A wide diversity of fern species are exhibited under a slatted steel vault. Open Times: 10.00am - 4.00pm Daily. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. Palm Grove, Rose Garden, and other horticultural attractions. ** Visitors Centre and Garden Shop: Open Times: 9.30am - 4.30pm Daily. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. Free Guided Walks every day (except Public Holidays) at 10.30am. Self-guided audio walks available for hire at the Visitors Centre also. Education service including school holiday activities (booking essential) Telephone (02) 9231 8134. Trackless train tour around the gardens (30 minutes): Adult: $6.00, Children: $3.00, Concession: $3.00 Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Kiosk : Telephone (02) 9241 2419. Pavilion on the Park Restaurant and Kiosk: Telephone (02) 9241 1322. Provisions for the disabled: Guide dogs permitted, staff assistance available, ramps provided, wheelchair hire and disabled access map available from the Visitors Centre.

Hermitage Foreshore Scenic Walk

A narrow strip of land, which extends from Nielsen Park towards Rose Bay. The Hermitage Foreshore Walk provides an excellent opportunity to soak up the beautiful views. There are shaded grassy areas for picnics, quiet fishing spots, rock outcrops to view the harbour and sunny beaches where you can swim.

Manly To Spit Bridge Scenic Walk

The Manly to Spit Bridge walkway is one of the most scenic harbourside walking tracks in the world. Encompassing panoramic views of the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the walk contrasts modern harbourside suburbs and weathered Aboriginal Sites, native coastal heath and pockets of sub-tropical rainforest in Sydney Harbour National Park.

Sydney Harbour National Park

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Sydney Region offer a multitude of tours and experiences to suit all age ranges in a variety of locations. These include the following tours: Quarantine Station Ghost Walks and Heritage Tours Located at Manly the historic Quarantine Station was founded in 1832 to help protect Sydney's residents against epidemic diseases. Experience the lonely isolation of the burial grounds, the haunting shower blocks, autoclaves and old hospital wards. Goat Island Heritage and Goat Gruesome Tours Goat Island located in Sydney Harbour is one of our largest and most unique historic islands. Fort Denison Heritage Tours This Sydney icon is a must visit. Recently reopened after major restoration work, a self guided museum, guided tour of the Martello Tower and cafe make for an enjoyable outing. Middle Head Forts and Tiger Cages Tour Fear of invasion led to the construction of military forts around Sydney and the Middle Head Fort is ideal for exploring underground tunnels, sandstone gun pits and the "Tiger Cages" Bradleys Head Bush Food Tour Discover native foods and medicines whilst enjoying some of Sydney's best views. Bare Island Forts Tour In 1885, the Fort was built to protect Botany Bay against feared invasion. Explore the fort and learn about the varied history of this area. Childrens School Holiday and Educational Tours Including Treasure Hunts, Possum prowls, site studies and historic role plays. Picnic venues including Islands in Sydney Harbour National Park and Bushwalking. Sydney Harbour National Park protects a series of foreshore lands and islands in and around one of the worlds most beautiful harbours. Many of the areas now included in Sydney Harbour National Park once played a leading role in the protection of Sydney's residents from the threat of invasion from foreign fleets and infectious disease. When their value as defence sites faded in the decades after the Second World War, conservation of the harbour foreshores was the driving force behind the formation of the innovative national park. Today this heritage is appreciated by many visitors to the national park who come to explore its cultural and natural riches. In addition to its varied European cultural heritage, the park also protects a range of Aboriginal sites. These include rock engravings, axe grinding grooves and shell midden sites. On a sandstone outcrop at Grotto Point, Dobroyd Head, fine examples of Aboriginal rock engravings depict a giant kangaroo, a whale and several small fish. A visit to this tranquil setting encourages one to reflect on the pre-European history of Sydney and appreciate the natural beauty of the harbour. All Aboriginal sites are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Royal National Park

Royal National Park is situated on 16 000ha and was the first gazatted national park the world. Walk the coast for magnificent views, or experience the variety of habitats, including heath, rainforests, open woodlands and estuarine systems. Enjoy historic landscapes and short walks to lookouts with spectacular views over the park. Wattamolla, Garie and Burning Palms are some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Hire a row boat at Audley and take a leisurely paddle up Kangarro Creek. There are kiosks at Garie, Wattamolla and Audley. Bonnie Vale camping ground provides basic facilities (fees apply), other camping sites are limited with bookings and permits essential. Visit the Visitors Centre for maps, brochures and information on things to see and do in the national park. Take a Discovery Ranger guided tour to learn more about the national park. All walking tracks are open in the Royal National Park. There are over a 150km of walking tracks including the 26km coast walk from Bundeena to Otford, Uloola Falls, Karloo Pools, Lady Carrington Walk (9.6kms one way), Burning Palms and The Garawarrah Farm to Era Track. Activities: Swimming, surfing, canoeing, beach fishing, bushwalking, bush camping and nature study. Disabled access : Including Theatrette: general access to picnic areas, access to Ironbark Flat Visitors Centre and Bungonia Path.

BOTANY BAY NATIONAL PARK (NORTH)

visitation: fax : (02) 9661 787 tours : adult: $ 7.00 concession: $ 5.00 child: $ 5.00 family: $ 17.00 guided tours are available on saturday and sunday. groups on weekends by arrangement. botany bay national park conserves an amazing array of native plants and birds and boasts magnificent coastline views, with bushwalks, beaches, picnicareas and historic buildings, forts and monuments. less than an hours drive from sydney's centre, the park invites the visitor to find out more about our historic past at sites on both the north and south headlands of botany bay. north headland: several tourist attractions exist within the area. the laperouse museum commemorates the voyage of french explorer laperouse at the site of his 1788 landing. bare island fort, built in 1885 serves as a reminder of our early military history. the area also contains historic monuments such as the macquarie watchtower, pere recevours grave and laperouse monument. depending on fire conditions portable gas barbeques permitted. for details contact ranger on (02) 9311 3779.

KU RING GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK

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