Sydney is the jewel of Australia's east coast. A thriving metropolis sitting proudly on the sparkling waters of the Pacific, Sydney is the home of the icons that represent the Wide Brown Land – the Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the white sails of millionaires yachts bobbing gently in the bay off The Rocks.

Sydney the Metropolis

This city is a major economic center, being positioned as it is as the Western gateway to the Asia-Pacific rim – And it shows. Like any major city in the world, there is a stark contrast between rich and poor in Sydney. While the wealthy are busy shopping at stores like Gucci, the homeless congregate at Central Station, the turn-of-the-century train station that is a reminder of yesteryear.

Signature Spots

The lively and neon King's Cross, home to strip clubs and trashy nightclubs, was once a dangerous neighborhood ruled by gangs and corrupt police. Now, it is just as kitsch, but perfectly safe for tourists who want to take a slice of the bedazzled drag queen world of the Cross – complete with street chatter in at least four or five languages. This part of Sydney is a cultural melting pot.

To really see Sydney, strap on a hard hat. This is what you will be wearing when you walk over the harbor bridge. Not at street level, but on steps that run over the bridge's arch. It is a vertigo-inducing walk (and there are plenty who turn back halfway) but if you bear heights, the view – and the feeling of accomplishment – is unbeatable.

Off the Beaten Path

The Hawkesbury River is Sydney's best kept secret. It's an hour's drive from the city center, yet seems a world away. The deep blue waters are ideal for swimming and fishing, and Lion Island is a myriad of inlets and coves to shelter your hired yacht (complete with crew) while you sip champagne on the deck. Along the Hawkesbury are historic villages, mangroves (similar to wetlands and bayous) that play host to a startling array of wildlife. This is one part of Australia where you can avoid crocodiles, though, so don't be too afraid of swimming.

The only way to better see Sydney than from the bridge is from the air. You can take a sea plane from Sydney to Rose Bay, taking in the coastline all the way to Palm Beach. With a few extra dollars in your pocket, you  might even take a helicopter ride. These are absolutely exhilarating – swooping low over the harbor and waving back to the pleasure-cruisers – but not cheap. A ride for six people, for an hour, will cost in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars.

Dining

When it's time to eat, there is really no better place than Sydney. Many of the world's top chefs have been lured Down Under by the weather, relaxed attitudes and unrestricted attitudes to food fashion. Sydney is well-known on the culinary circuit for it's cutting edge menus and avant garde chefs. Head to The Rocks for the best eateries.

Precautions

Like everywhere else in Australia, you will need to watch out for other creepy-crawlies. Of the ten most poisonous creatures in the world, all ten live in Australia. Spiders and snakes are the biggest danger, being so difficult to see until it's too late. Spiders are not particularly aggressive (except for Huntsman spiders, who jump at you, but even though these are huge and hairy they're not toxic) but snakes are easily provoked – and turn up occasionally in the middle of the city – so if you do stumble across one, move slowly but surely away.

Hotels

Accommodation in Sydney ranges from the ultra-budget (camping will cost you US$8 a night) to the ultra-luxurious (US$6000 a night for a Sky Suite). Average prices range from online specials of $70 a night for a very comfortable room in a good location to $300 a night for a more upmarket stay in the middle of the action.

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Sydney.

(Photo:Fotolia/Chee-Onn Leong)

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