On a historical wander around Parramatta, I thought I'd better do the dutiful thing, and check this…read moreout. Was surprised to find one of the best local history exhibitions I'd ever trod my weary way in to. In through the glass doors and I was met by a cheery smile from the gentleman staffing the Visitor Info counter and by a welcome blast of arctic-level aircon. Twas rather warm. Past the old (mail?) cart and a giant photo of Lennox Bridge (just outside) in times previous, down a somewhat underlit corridor and I found myself in the 'Parramatta People and Place' exhibition. With an emphasis on migrant contribution and a larger than usual recognition of Indigenous history (although it never really feels enough), the exhibit presents a wonderful collation of poignant objects and info spanning the history of the city. There's a lace christening gown made by convict women at Darlinghurst jail, who were later housed in the infamous Parramatta Female Factory. Leather shoes found in an archaeological dig. An artwork reconising the work of the nine Swann sisters - you don't see CV's like 'wife, mother, dentist, activist for international peace' often enough. There's a haunting poem by Oodgeroo Noonuccal honouring the Darug people, and the photo of Samuel Marsden, the notorious 'flogging preacher' which shows he had a drunkard's nose. The exhibition's free, there's a lovely spot to sit overlooking the river while the kids play on a big pirate ship, and a moving exhibition upstairs about the Chinese community's part in local history next to the Local Studies and Family History Library. A real treasure.

I had to write a piece on an historical site and decided to write about the Female Factory at…read moreParramatta - an unused site (except for parts that are now Cumberland Hospital) that used to be a gaol in colonial times. A friend and I went to the actual site to see what it was like for ourselves, took a few photos etc, but because it was unused there was no information we could have gotten other than from our own observations. Luckily, Parramatta Heritage Centre is like a miniature museum cum historical library with all the information I could possibly need for this paper. They also have exhibitions on site, and a permanent one called Parramatta: People and Place which is all about the Burramatta Aboriginal people and European settlement of the area. The information centre upstairs is volunteer run, and I have to say they are amazing people - I don't think people realise how much of a good job they do here. The man I spoke to was a great storyteller, providing me with a verbal account of what he knew of the Female Factory and pointing me towards some great sources. It's a great opportunity to find out more about the area, meet tons of interesting people, or like me, research and write up a decent essay.

The struggle between three and four stars is real and I think the bill for our lunch tipped the…read morescales towards the lower end. Strong message there: go for the experience, go for the cultural tour, don't go for the food. The cadre for this experience was fantastic: an island facing North Syndey, Rose Bay, the Harbour Bridge AND the Opera House. I mean when you really think about - because you probably just read that passively and took my word for it - this is a unique venue in the world most iconic harbour. Look at the pictures, as I said: fantastic. Now the restaurant itself: the entrees were nice if pricy which was expected, but the mains are just not to the level of the visual experience you are having - beyond the stuffy plastic gazebo under which you are lunching that is. The quality of the kangaroo meat was average, with a side of beetroot and Gorgonzola salad that lacked subtlety is presentation or refinement. Which in this context was disappointing. The wine list is nice and it saved the meal on my end. It is a shame that the restaurant has opted for a half-hearted elegant cuisine instead of a fine dining restaurant on the one end, or a simpler menu with quality products. The price is not high in itself but when measured against the quality of the meal ... The museum and the explanations about the fort's history are interesting and displayed in a very accessible set of little rooms next to the restaurant. I really enjoyed learning about this iconic landmark. I recommend it strongly but not for the food!

When you camera missed a fraction of second and the event can't be repeated until next day, at 1 pm…read moresharp!.... I don't have words for it! Yep, I'm talking about the 1o'clock gun firing at Port Denison, it's a tradition they kept on this fort. Port Denison it self play a major role on our defence system. There is a video room that playing some documentary about history of the island. Tour of the island also available with extra cost. Our tour guide was lovely, she is a bit camera shy though, explaining everything thoroughly. It's a good experience over all

Darling Harbour was a charming area nearby my Vrbo. I wish I'd spent more time in the area, as…read morethere were a number of restaurants I'd have like to visit, but I didn't have enough time. It was a lovely space to walk through, so if you're in Sydney, I recommend going by!

The backdrop of our window view from the Hyatt Regency Sydney, the Darling Harbour occupies a large…read moreportion of the western area adjacent to downtown Sydney. It was named after a former governor of New South Wales. Some famous attractions in the harbour include Chinese Garden of Friendship, National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, and Sydney Zoo. The pyrmont pedestrian bridge can get you across the harbor (East-West).

Circular Quay is a bustling, iconic waterfront precinct located on Sydney Cove between the Sydney…read moreOpera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It serves as a major transport hub--offering ferry, train, and light rail services--and is a primary tourist destination for dining, culture, and harbor views. A cruise ship terminal is also here. During our recent several days visiting Sydney, Gayle and I caught a Tram here (twice), took the Ferry to Manly (and back), and took Ferry in from Watson Bay. It was also the jumping off point to our tour of the Opera House and the Rocks. The other cool thing we did was reading the brass plaques recognizing 60 important characters of Australian literature featured in the Sydney writers walk.

What a fun, memorable area of Sydney. Full of tourism, localism and picturesque spots and views,…read moreit's an area not to be missed. Take a boat ride around the harbor or simply scroll along the water. Enjoy local dining and even watch cruise ships come in and out of the harbor. Personally, at sunset is the best time of day. You can enjoy the views as the sun is going down and get incredible pictures during sunset. The Sydney opera house can be viewed from all angles and you can learn about the history of Sydney and its amazing and unique history during a ride around the harbor.

Do you hanker for a good old European concrete beach experience? I know I do. Sometimes I just want…read moreto lie out on some hot, flat, concrete and watch the world go by. Well, if you brave the Clovelly Beach channel, you can do just this. There are all manner of life-forms on display: plenty of locals, big bellies and speedos galore. Perhaps The Beautiful People are less inclined to come to this beach, though that's not a steadfast rule. Getting in and out of the channel can sometimes be dangerous and difficult, but it gives you a great feeling of satisfaction when you succeed. I have proudly suffered cuts and bruises attempting to get out of this channel -- not so much from the waves, but from the other bodies being hurled at me by the waves. It can be a bit rough. Parking is damn tricky, so the bus is advisable. (There is also a beach at the end of the channel, so if lying on concrete and jumping into a channel is not your idea of a relaxing beach experience, you can do the whole sandy beach thing too. No waves down at the beach end: and it's good for kids.) Be sure to check out the rolling hills of Clovelly Cemetery while you're at the beach, it's an extraordinary place.

What up concrete!…read more This once-sweet little bay done got crocked with a lick of concrete, turning it into Sydney's answer to the Panama Canal, only smaller and in the Eastern Suburbs and you can't drive boats in it. I guess there had to be one dud beach on our coastline, and this, friends, is it. I want to know which genius decided this that what the locals really wanted was a block, grey, charmless platform because he simply had to be European. If this was in Italy we'd probably love it, but then again if Tony Abbott was in Italy we'd probably love him, too. I'm reliably informed there's a couple of friendly groupers that cruise about in the channel bit if you bring a snorkel mask.

The most beautiful harbor I've experienced on this planet! Natural beauty, awesome engineering &…read moresculptured landscapes. Romantic, thrilling & inspirational from every angle. This area is an alluring life experience & the perfect setting for relaxation or sight seeing. Ferries are a major form of transport in Sydney harbor & a great excuse to get out onto the water. Circular Quay is the main ferry hub & the perfect area to establish a temporary home base. Quey West Suites, Four Seasons or Shangri-La all have spectacular views of the harbor, Opera House & Harbor Bridge. Plus, these hotels are just a short walk away from the ferry terminal. Public ferries are slow & packed with locals during business hours. The high speed ferries operate more like a sight seeing tour with narration of the highlights along the way. High speed ferries offer multi day packages that include entry into some of the most popular sights. Taronga Zoo, Manley Beach & Darling Harbour shouldn't be missed.

Sydney exists around and because of the harbour and, immediately upon taking it in the first time,…read moreit becomes abundantly clear. The harbour is a working feature, still providing for active industry, but it has come to be so much more, adding to the overall feeling of the city. There are plenty of places to poke around the harbour, too, from Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, and Circular Quay on the south side to Manly and various other neighborhoods and historic sites on the north. It's probably impossible to avoid the harbour on a visit so simply be aware of it and take in the industrial, cultural, and natural resource.

We decided to stop by an oasis in the middle of Sydney: Chinese Garden of Friendship. The garden…read moreis a 1 hectare garden built by Guangzhou Landscape Bureau. It represents the collaborative efforts of Sister States, New South Wales, Australia & Guangdong, China. The space is super chill and inc a lake, koi pond and waterfall. At the end of the tour, you can stop by the tea shop for yum cha and real tea service. The area w/ the restaurant also has an upstairs space for private events. The entrance fee is only $12 AUD (~ $8 USD), and you can take advantage of a free guide. I highly recommend visiting CGF for a relaxing thing to do while staying in Sydney.

Beautiful place in Sydney to check out. You can spend 1-2 hours just wandering around checking out…read morethe beautiful scenery. If you're in Sydney and you're looking for a cheap activity, this is the place to check out!

As you arrive in Manly by ferry, you will encounter a beach area to the left of Manly Wharf. This…read moreis not the famed Manly Beach which is a couple blocks away. It is actually an area called the Manly Pathway of Olympians. It is a beach walk that is a walk of fame commemorating Olympic athletes from Manly. As you continue on the pathway away from Manly Wharf, you will find two popular attractions. The Manly Sea Life Sanctuary and Manly Art Gallery & Museum are located in this area. And if you look in the beach waters of Manly Cove here, you will notice that there is some netting. This is actually a shark net to prevent shark attacks. Interestingly, I didn't see any shark nets at Manly Beach though. This attraction doesn't compare to Manly Beach. But it may be worth exploring if you have just arrived in Manly or have some time before the next ferry leaves for Circular Quay on your way back to Sydney.