Sydney Destination-Information Listings

Appin

This historic town named after the village of Appin in Scotland, dates back to 1811 and was the fifth village in the colony. In 1824, explorers, Hume and Hovell commenced their expedition to Port Phillip from this district and a monument stands on the road from Campbelltown commemorating the commencement of that journey. The rugged beauty of Wollondilly is a feature of the drive between Appin and Douglas Park, through Broughtons Pass and crossing the Cataract River. Two coal mines, which also operate an innovative, methane powered, electricity generating system, have been an important factor in the town's growth.

Balmain

A real pub culture and a contemporary dining scene. Historically Balmain was one of Sydney's oldest working class suburbs where many of Sydney's ferries were built. Today it's renowned for being one of the city's trendiest and most affluent suburbs. Some of Australia's well-known writers, actors and entertainers call this harbourside village their home. Balmain has more than its share of new and traditional Aussie pubs where you're encouraged to mingle with the locals. Eating options are plentiful with buzzing cafes and restaurants offering a range of experiences from pubs to al fresco- style fine dining. If you go on a Saturday, explore the market held in the grounds of the local church and see why it attracts people from all over Sydney. Balmain's colourful streets' and historical charm is combined with the fashionable food and shopping options of today. Balmain Highlights.... Arrive by ferry at the foot of Darling Street and walk up the hill into the village. Browse through the shops to find recycled art, contemporary galleries, jewellery and second hand books. Explore Balmain's working class origins by walking through the backstreets and discovering charming old buildings. The Balmain Walk pamphlet is available from the Watchhouse. Join the Balmain Historic Pub Tour - A walking tour taking in the history and local hotel scene every Saturday. Enjoy a drink and great live music at one of the many pubs': The London, The Commercial, The Cat and Fiddle, Sir William Wallace, The Royal, The Riverview. Take a gourmet self-guided walking tour incorporating the providores, hand made chocolate shops and other delectables. Visit Herbie's Spices for the Southern Hemisphere's largest range of culinary herbs and spices. Walk from Darling Street to the Dawn Fraser pool and see where Australia's greatest Olympian spent her youth.

Balmoral

This beautiful, harbourside beach offers visitors safe swimming and stunning scenery - including one of Sydney's best views of the heads.

Bargo

In Bargo, settlers first recorded sightings of the koala, lyrebird and wombat. Ex-convict, John Wilson, noted the tree animals in his diary describing the lyrebird as a pheasant, hence the name Pheasants Nest, and recorded the koala as being known to the Aboriginal people as Cullawine. The area boasts two sanctuaries. Wirrimbirra Sanctuary is preserved as a remnant of the original Bargo Brush. The property includes excellent bushwalking tracks, commercial native plant nursery, wildlife enclosures and cabin accommodation. The unique Dingo Sanctuary is located in a natural setting for Australia's native dog and is a great learning experience.

Berrilee

Berrilee is located approximately 30 kilometres north of Sydney in the Shire of Hornsby. Berrilee offers a pleasant country drive to the tranquil setting of Berowra Waters. Towns surrounding Berrilee include: Arcadia, Berowra, Berowra Waters and Galston.

Bondi

Australian beach culture.....with attitude Home to Bondi Surf Bathers, the oldest life saving club in Australia established in 1906, Bondi's beach-centric reputation is long established. With its lifesavers, surfers, sun worshippers and barefoot locals Bondi is a definitive example of Sydney's city beach culture. While the beach is popular, cross Campbell Parade and enjoy Bondi away from the sand. Take in the view of the Pacific from one of the laidback outdoor cafes or trendy restaurants, such as Hugo's, Moorish or Icebergs, that serve lively crowds with brunch, lunch and dinner. Watch for celebrities from behind your sunglasses. Don't have any? Bondi is the place to buy them, with an abundance of shops selling the whole gamut of fashionable surfwear and beach accessories or visit the popular beachside markets on Sundays. For accommodation Swiss Grand Hotel and Ravesi's offer beachside rooms whilst B&B's provide a more secluded environment a couple of streets back from the beach. Key Bondi Experiences... Enjoy the outdoor dining scene and watch the passing parade of roller bladers, skateboarders and exercise fanatics pounding the promenade from the comfort of your chair. Take the Bondi to Bronte scenic cliff walk and reward yourself with fish and chips or a fresh mango whip at the Bronte end. Learn to surf with 'Lets Go Surfing'. Swim in the newly renovated Bondi Icebergs surf pool. Visit the Marine Discovery Centre or enjoy a seafood lunch or perhaps a gelato at the famous Bondi Pavilion. Down on the sand, partake in a lifesaving demonstration at Australia's oldest life saving club. Shop till you drop at the nearby Bondi Junction mall and Westfield Shopping Centre (the largest in the Southern Hemisphere).

Bondi Beach

Inhabited by backpackers, billionaires, board riders and the body beautiful, Bondi is one of Sydney’s most eclectic and exciting precincts. A walk along its promenade gives you the chance to experience its carefree sun-drenched lifestyle. The main thoroughfare of Campbell Parade offers a wealth of surf shops, takeaway outlets, souvenir sellers, cafés, restaurants, bars and fish and chip shops. To discover some of Sydney’s other stunning beaches, follow the boardwalk to Tamarama (also known as Glamarama), Bronte and Coogee.

Brownlow Hill

Brownlow Hill is a rural area of New South Wales approximately five kilometres north-west of Camden and close to the University of Sydney Constorphine Farm, as well as Cogno's Wines. The Nepean River is also located nearby and Scenic Joy Flights over the area are available from nearby Camden Airport.

Buxton

Buxton, one of the pleasant village communities of the Wollondilly region of New South Wales, is named after a town in Derbyshire, England. Buxton is a regular destination for the popular steam train rides that are offered by the Rail Heritage Centre at Thirlmere. Buxton is above sea level 380 metres.

Cabramatta

A day trip to South East Asia With Vietnamese soup shops, Chinese grocery stores and Thai herb shops, Cabramatta gives you a unique slice of South East Asian life. It is an excellent place to learn about the exotic fruits, vegetables, meat and the special ingredients used in authentic Asian cooking as there are over a dozen types of South East Asian cuisine represented amongst the area's food shops. Cabramatta's restaurants are equally diverse. The focal point for Cabramatta is Freedom Plaza where local families congregate, women sell herbs and old men play cards. The Plaza contains a myriad of specialty shops, soup stands and take-away food stalls.

Campbelltown

Campbelltown is steeped in Australian Colonial History a city set in a rural background. Experience the heritage through one of the Heritage and Cultural walking tours or a heritage driving tour. Campbelltown's premier festival is the Fisher's Ghost Festival throughout the first two weeks in November and includes entertainment, a street parade, fun run, art show, carnivals, night markets, a rodeo and fireworks. At Campbelltown, you can get close to nature, see a koala and native flora and fauna while bushwalking along the Georges River Gorge. At the local observatory, view the southern stars in all their splendour. While in the area visit Mount Annan Botanic Gardens, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, where you will see native Australian flora presented by the Royal Botanic Gardens. The cultural precinct of Campbelltown includes the Campbelltown Arts Centre, Japanese Gardens, Sculptor Gardens, The Museum, Ceremonial Tea House and Quondong Visitor Information Centre. Collect your free walking brochures on Campbelltown from the multi award winning Campbelltown Visitor Information Centre 'Quondong'. Available are brochures on weekend country markets in the area, accommodation, attractions, activities and events. The locals at 'Quondong' will provide you with directions and let you know current exhibitions and special events.

Circular Quay

Circular Quay is part of The Rocks precinct - the historic site of Sydney’s first European settlement. Bursting with a colourful history dating back to convict days, The Rocks is a maze of sandstone lanes, cul-de-sacs and courtyards, jam-packed with shops, warehouses and terraces that were built in the early 19th century. While The Rocks was once home to Sydney’s dockworkers and stevedores, it’s now a magnet for international visitors, who flock to its many shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants.

Cliftonville

Cliftonville is located approximately 80 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Hornsby. The original inhabitants of the Cliftonville area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how they utilised the local area. Cliftonville is very popular with water-skiers. Towns surrounding Cliftonville include: Leetsvale, Lower Portland and Maroota.

Coogee

Coogee beach's bay-like tranquillity is popular with families, couples and travellers alike. It also attracts joggers, swimmers, cyclists and roller bladders, who all appreciate working out in Coogee's easy-going atmosphere. Coogee is characterised by a refusal to take itself too seriously. Don't miss the chance to go on an invigorating coastal walk along sandstone platforms, checking out Maroubra Beach in the south and Clovelly, Bronte and Bondi Beach in the north. If you fancy conquering the waves a surf school operates from Maroubra Beach. Or you can swim in the protected marine reserve of Gordons Bay, just north of Coogee Beach, a haven for snorkelling and scuba diving. Coogee Bay Road boasts smart restaurants alongside hip cafes and fish and chip shops. Away from the beach, try your luck at nearby Royal Randwick Racecourse on a race day. Or watch up and coming stars at a public performance at NIDA, the National Institute of Dramatic Art where many of Australia's fine film actors have studied. Join locals in the scenic coastal walk enjoying the wonderful ocean views, rock pools and flora and fauna. Relax over brunch at any of the numerous cafes offering all day breakfasts. Enjoy a meal with a view or a relaxed drink with friends at the beach side Aquarium Bar, Cushions, Coogee Bay Hotel or the Clovelly Hotel. Immerse yourself in a marine wonderland by scuba diving or snorkelling at Gordons Bay with one of the local dive operators. Play a round of golf at one of the international standard golf courses.

Couridjah

One can only speculate on the origin of Couridjah's Aboriginal name meaning "Home of the white ants". Located on the old Loop Line railway, it's hard to believe that this sleepy little hamlet once served as the major railhead for local produce from as far as Bargo. The little railway station is famous for its appearance in television advertising and film.

Cronulla Coast

The Kurnell Peninsula in the Botany Bay National Park marks the place of first contact between Aboriginal Australians and Lieutenant James Cook, who landed here in 1770, paving the way for the establishment of a British Colony in Port Jackson in 1788. You can walk on the actual spot where Cook landed on Kurnell’s’ Monument Track as well as visit the Discovery Centre at Kurnell whose exhibitions and displays explains the Aboriginal significance of the area. Located south of Sydney is the Sutherland shire stretching from Kurnell to Boat Harbour, Cronulla, Sutherland and the world class Royal National Park where you can explore rugged coastline and lush Australian bush. The area's known for its Aboriginal significance, and is the place of first contact between Aboriginal Australians and Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. The relaxed beachside suburb of Cronulla is well known for the surfing, and offers relaxed dining with views of the beach. A ferry across the Port Hacking River offers access into the Royal National Park where short walks or extended hikes are available to explore the rugged coastline and lush Australian bush.

Darling Harbour

Alive with activity day and night Darling Harbour is hugely popular with visitors to Sydney. It has developed into one of the city's largest dining, shopping and entertainment precincts. One of Sydney's hotspots, King Street Wharf, just five is five minutes walk from the city centre and presents a broad range of casual dining and entertainment options. Cockle Bay Wharf, on the eastern side of Darling Harbour, offers three levels of terraces, waterfront promenades, al fresco cafes and five star restaurants. Across the water lies Harbourside Shopping Centre, offering a fresh and dynamic mix of shops, restaurants and food outlets with stunning views of the city skyline. Darling Harbour is home to Sydney Aquarium, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the IMAX theatre, the Outback Centre, the Chinese Garden of Friendship and nearby Powerhouse Museum. Darling Harbour can be navigated by foot or above ground on the famous monorail. Take a ferry, cruise, sailboat, yacht or speedboat tour from Darling Harbour. Learn about Aboriginal heritage at Gavala Aboriginal Art and Cultural Education Centre located within Harbourside. Take the light rail to the Sydney Fish Market for the freshest seafood in town and join a guided tour or learn to master seafood via a gourmet cooking lesson. Visit Star City for the Lyric Theatre, clubs and casino.

Darlinghurst

Just east of the city centre, Darlinghurst starts near Hyde Park at Oxford Street and extends towards Kings Cross at William Street. Darlinghurst and Paddington, two suburbs with contrasting personalities, share different ends of Oxford Street with the Darlinghurst section (roughly up to Taylor Square) coming alive at the glitzy annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. By day alternative fashion, homewares and music stores attract a crowd. Yet night time is when Darlinghurst comes into its own with theatres, gay-friendly bars, live music, clubs and other late night entertainment available all week. Darlo, as it is known by locals, has a number of popular breakfast and late night dining spots, most of which represent good value. The area's cafes have huge people-watching potential, in particular in Victoria Street where casual dining options abound. For example you can enjoy schnitzel, Turkish delights or noodles. Afterwards go for coffee at the achingly trendy Tropicana cafe, which has been attracting the in crowd for decades.

Double Bay

This harbourside precinct with its cosmopolitan café society is home t o a number of designer boutiques, making it perfect for those with a penchant for upmarket fashions. Be sure to wander past the grand residential homes of the coiffed and manicured locals and you’ll notice how Double Bay exudes European assurance. It has the benefit of a down to earth side too - the Wheatsheaf pub hosts live bands and attract young crowds to its courtyard. To the east is Rose Bay, where you can fly via seaplane over Sydney Harbour to the Northern Beaches. Or simply watch the seaplanes taking off and landing from Rose Bay’s Steyne Park next to the ferry wharf, a great spot for a picnic. In between Double Bay and Rose Bay is Redleaf Pool where you can join locals for a dip in the harbour. Double Bay is easy to get to by bus and train or car, as straightforward access parking is available. Or go via ferry from Circular Quay and sail past some of Sydney Harbour’s most exclusive suburbs on your way. Explore the European-style lanes and arcades for silverware, fine jewellery, antiques, art and gifts. Take up residence at one of Double Bay’s five star hotels. Pamper yourself in sumptuous surrounds at the myriad of hairdressers and beauticians. Relax al fresco in Double Bay’s famous cafes and restaurants and watch celebrities and business personalities go past. Charter a yacht from nearby Rushcutters Bay.

Douglas Park

The village of Douglas Park is a fine example of what living in Wollondilly is all about: So close to the city yet far enough away to retain a rural atmosphere. The town is named after Dr HG Douglass, an eminent man in his time, serving as clerk of the Legislative Council and later as an elected member. The rugged beauty of the district is a feature of the drive between Douglas Park and Appin. The drive will take you over the Nepean River causeway, a popular local swimming and canoeing spot.

Galston

Galston is located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Hornsby. A pleasant semi-rural suburb at the northern edge of Sydney, Galston was originally known as Upper Dural. In 1886, Alex Hutchinson suggested that the small hamlet, about 3 kilometres north of Dural, should have a change of name to give it an identity of its own. He named it Galston, after a Scottish town near Kilmamock, an area famous for its coal output. Galston has successfully retained its serene, peaceful atmosphere. It offers boutique galleries and bazaars, nurseries with garden cafes and a multitude of bushwalks through the Galston Gorge. It is also home to the Galston Country Music Festival in September each year, which attracts thousands of people from around Australia. Towns surrounding Galston include: Arcadia, Dural, Hornsby Heights and Middle Dural.

Glebe

Replenish your soul with alternative food and therapies. Glebe is a popular residential area renowned for its New Age vibe. It’s architecturally interesting with its charming mix of workers’ cottages and grand 19th century abodes inhabited by a colourful mix of residents including artists, old time locals and students of Sydney University. The area is renowned for its array of alternative therapy outlets and quality bookshops and has a good selection of restaurants and cafes. Whilst there is an admirable range of upmarket dining options, the wholesome menus of the cheerful cafés more accurately reflect the essence of the Glebe experience. The Saturday market provides an outlet for local craftspeople to sell their work as well as a mix of bric a brac, clothes and New Age essentials. Key Experiences: Enjoy lunch at one Glebe’s cafes specialising in organic and wholesome gourmet delights. Visit an onsite herbalist or enjoy a massage or pamper session at a local holistic health centre. Wander along tree lined Glebe Point Road and visit the famous Gleebooks or the numerous health food and alternative health shops. Explore the back lanes and discover historical hidden treasures such as Toxteth Estate and Lyndhurst. Take a stroll along the water’s edge or enjoy a picnic in nearby Bicentenary Park.

Haymarket

Capturing the colour and excitement of Asian streetlife, Chinatown and Haymarket offer an exciting mix of restaurants, food halls, noodle bars and quirky gift shops. Bargain-shops and Asian supermarkets also bring many visitors to the area, especially on weekends. Haymarket has become a late-night entertainment precinct, with bars, theatres and cinemas pulsating into the night. The lively Spanish Quarter, an 80 metre stretch of pizzaz, is close by.

Homebush Bay

The home of the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush Bay continues to offer a world-class destination in Sydney’s geographic heart. You can join one of the popular tours of venues including ANZ Stadium, an Olympics focus point and now host to premier sporting events. Or go swimming at Sydney Aquatic Centre where you can compete with family and friends in the same pool used by champion record breakers. The Sydney International Tennis Centre, too, is a world-class venue, used not only for state, national and international tournaments, but also for training and hire by the public. As well as being Sydney’s major sporting venue there are an ever-increasing range of attractions, activities and cuisine and entertainment options. For example with more than seventy retailers you can find bargains galore at the nearby Direct Factory Outlet (DFO).

Kings Cross

Vibrant and diverse entertainment all day, every day Kings Cross, the most densely populated square kilometre in Australia, buzzes with nightclubs, live music, adult entertainment and more than two hundred of the city's finest restaurants, bars and cafes. Australia's best known entertainment district never sleeps and holds appeal for late night revellers, jet-lagged travellers and the energetic in-crowd with bars that attract the stars, and restaurants by signature chefs such as Neil Perry and Luke Mangan. Away from the bright lights, the Cross boasts some fine examples of colonial and art deco architecture such as Elizabeth Bay House and Tusculum House. Nearby Woolloomooloo offers a multitude of waterfront al fresco dining experiences along the restored Woolloomooloo Wharf providing stunning views of the city skyline and harbour surrounds. Inside is the ultra modern five star hotel, W Sydney and the stylish Water Bar, tended by master cocktail makers. Pamper yourself at Spa Chakra, a premier day spa located inside W Sydney. Woolloomooloo is also home to Harry’s Café de Wheels. Busy til the early hours serving the post-party crowd, Harry’s is more than a pie shop, it’s an institution not to be missed. Key Experiences Stop by El Alamein or “dandelion fountain” in Fitzroy Gardens, a favourite meeting place for locals and travellers alike. Take a walking tour of the Australian Navy’s historic Garden Island. Pamper yourself with a Korean-style body scrub perfect for relieving stress and improving well-being at the Ginseng Bathhouse located within the Crest Hotel, Kings Cross. Dance all night at the popular clubs of the Soho Bar and Sugar Reef, or relax in the hip environs of the Peppermint Lounge, Hugo’ s Lounge, or Lotus. Breakfast with the rich and famous at any one of the numerous coffee shops lining Challis Avenue, Macleay and Victoria Streets and Darlinghurst Road.

La Perouse

La Perouse is an historical haven that blends Aboriginal, French and Colonial traditions. Named after the navigator Jean-Francois de Galaup de La Perouse, the first Frenchman to arrive in Australia in 1788, this treasure is resplendent with beaches, bays and bushland. La Perouse’s museum contains original maps, antique scientific instruments and intriguing relics recovered from the wrecks of La Perouse’s frigates Boussole and Astrolabe. The museum is also the starting point of a walking trail ending at Endeavour Lighthouse where you’re rewarded with spectacular views across the bay to the site of Captain Cook’s landing place. Worth exploring and accessible via a bridge from La Perouse is the tiny Bare Island, the site of a fort completed in 1885 to strengthen Sydney’s coastal defence. On weekends there are Aboriginal artefacts, all of which are for sale, on display at the park. Just to the north is tranquil Yarra Bay, a great spot from which to view sailing boats racing across Botany Bay.

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta Reserve is a 73 hectare bushland and parkland reserve located within two kilometres of the Parramatta Central Business District. It is the largest bushland remnant surviving in the Parramatta Local Government Area. It is also recognised as one of the most significant and beautiful bushland remnants in Western Sydney.

Lakesland

The orchards of Lakesland grow a wide range of stone fruit, including persimmons, a popular export product to Asia. The district is most famous for producing the first cherries to reach the Sydney markets each year. The property, known today as Mowbray Park, was purchased in 1876 by William Barker who successfully claimed the title Baron Mowbray.

Leichhardt

The traditional Italian quarter If you are a lover of good pasta, good coffee and gelato you can't go past Leichhardt, a suburb infused by years of strong Italian influence. Leichhardt's main road is Norton Street, which offers a range of traditional Italian shops, cafes and restaurants. The best olive oils, balsamic vinegars, olives, salamis, cheeses and breads can be found at Norton Street Grocer and is a must for those in search of authentic Italian fare. Leichhardt's streets are filled with an infectious energy, never more so than whenever the Italian soccer team are playing. The centre of Leichhardt's focus is on the recently developed Italian Forum - a huge plaza surrounded by a plethora of shops selling everything from designer labels to Italian homewares and fresh pasta. Descend the Forum's own version of Rome's Spanish Steps, a popular meeting place, and browse the menus of the outdoor cafes and restaurants most of which stay open late. Leichhardt's been credited with pioneering the concept of al fresco dining, now a standard in cafes and restaurants all over Sydney. Leichardt Highlights Watch the locals whilst enjoying an Italian pastry or the finest hand-blended roasted coffees. Fine dine at one of the multi-award winning restaurants. Watch a gelato-making demonstration. Join the late night dining scene at one of the friendly authentic Italian restaurants that line Norton Street and the Italian Forum. Enjoy an arthouse movie at the Palace Norton Street Cinema.

Maldon

Maldon is a scenic area with the main southern railway winding its way to Picton and beyond and is also home to the Maldon Cement Works which creates a fairy land of lights at night. Maldon is an area for the adventurous, with the kart track, and is also home to the annual motorcross "Thumper Nats".

Manly

A visit to Manly by ferry provides you with the quintessential Sydney experience. The thirty-minute cruise across Sydney Harbour puts you in a relaxed mood to enjoy this easy-going and cosmopolitan suburb. With the famous surf beach on the Pacific Ocean side and a serene inner harbour beach on the other, Manly has the best of both waterfront worlds and is a popular place to swim, windsurf, parasail, snorkel, kayak, surf and scuba dive. The palm-tree lined Corso leads you onto the promenade, where you can take a bike ride or roller-blade along the front or relax and enjoy the sea breeze in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Manly’s Sydney Harbour National Park makes for ideal bushwalking with numerous routes linking the beaches with the national park. As well as inviting you to enjoy its natural wonders Manly also offers a tempting year-round calendar of diverse and appealing events.

Menangle

The village of Menangle grew to service the operations of Camden Park Estate. The opening of the railway in 1863 enabled overnight milk deliveries to the Sydney Market, beating the summer heat in the days before refrigeration. Call into The Store which was built about 1904 and is still a country store selling everything from antiques to groceries and saddlery to ice creams. The railway bridge over the Nepean River is the oldest in use today.

Moore Park

Green oasis of Sydney's entertainment capitol Home to Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG, Sydney Football Stadiuym (SFS), Entertainment Quarter and Centennial Parklands, Moore Park offers its visitors recreation options galore. Cricket legends are born at the SCG, which doubles as a venue for Australian Football. Neighbouring SFS is a rugby fan’s heaven, and hosts major league and union games. Both are considered among Australia’s best venues. Great entertainment, shopping and dining is on offer at the Entertainment Quarter. Enjoy late night shopping at the huge range of outlets on Bent Street, grab a casual bite then catch a movie at a state-of-the-art cinema. Entertainment Quarter is also home to the historic Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries, both of which host an array of events and exhibitions. Sporting events and cultural activities regularly occur in the spectacular natural setting of the nearby Centennial Parklands, whose wide-open spaces are a hit with city-weary Sydneysiders. In fact, the spacious surrounds of the whole of Moore Park provide visitors with a welcome respite from the bustle of the neighbouring CBD. Moore Park Highlights Join the SCG Tour Experience and get lambasted by a "coach" in the dressing rooms of Aussie Stadium. Feel the thrill of the competitive arena by joining diehard fans at a sports game. Pick up the freshest produce around the Entertainment Quarter ' Farmers' Market held every Wednesday, or visit the general weekend markets. Explore Centennial Park atop rollerblades, on horseback or by bicycle. Join a park ranger tour by spotlight in Centennial Parklands. Bring a rug and enjoy a movie under the stars at Centennial Park's Moonlight Cinema (December to February).

Mosman

Positioned on the harbour and blessed with several pocket-sized harbour beaches, Mosman is one of Sydney’s most sophisticated shopping areas. You will find designer boutiques, antiques shops and hip cafés strung out along Military Road, as well as the renowned Taronga Zoo. For nature lovers, Mosman offers spectacular bushwalks through Bradley and Middle Heads, part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. On Mosman’s eastern side is Balmoral Beach, with its winding promenade walk, where locals keep in touch while exercising themselves, their children and their dogs. There’s a strip of cafés and restaurants, enclosed harbour baths and wonderful picnic spots.

Mosman and Balmoral Beach

Positioned on the harbour and blessed with several pocket-sized harbour beaches, Mosman is one of Sydney’s most sophisticated shopping areas. You will find designer boutiques, antiques shops and hip cafés strung out along Military Road, as well as the renowned Taronga Zoo. For nature lovers, Mosman offers spectacular bushwalks through Bradley and Middle Heads, part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. On Mosman’s eastern side is Balmoral Beach, with its winding promenade walk, where locals keep in touch while exercising themselves, their children and their dogs. There’s a strip of cafés and restaurants, enclosed harbour baths and wonderful picnic spots.

Nattai

Nattai is a small village on the way to Burragorang Lookout and is featured in the Scenic Drives of Wollondilly brochure. Nattai is a romantic landscape of massive sandstone escarpments, such as Grant Head and Golden Moon Bluff. Yet in spite of the towering cliffs, the Nattai is one of the most accessible wilderness areas in New South Wales. Its recreation value is greatly enhanced by its accessibility and proximity to Sydney.

North Parramatta

North Parramatta is located approximately 20 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. The community of North Parramatta grew around the building of Lake Parramatta, a dam offering an alternative to the Marsden Street weir. The Marsden Street weir provided water of poor quality due to the shale/clay geology of the Toongabbie Creek catchment. In contrast, Lake Parramatta offered a clean and reliable water supply. James Pye, a local orchardist and owner of the ‘Lamb and Lark’ Inn at Baulkham Hills, offered the land at nominal cost so that the dam could be built. The dam was finished in 1856 under the supervision of “Percy” Simpson for a total cost of $17,000 pounds. The sandstone used for the dam was quarried locally at North Rocks. This residential suburb also plays host to the Lake Parramatta Reserve offering a tranquil retreat from city life. Towns surrounding North Parramatta include: Baulkham Hills, North Parramatta, North Rocks, Parramatta and Westmead. Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au

Northern Beaches

North of the city of Sydney, the beautiful stretch of coast from Manly to Palm Beach has a relaxed beachside ambience and lots of opportunities for recreation. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and Pittwater on the other, the peninsula covers about 18 km of open coastline with great seaside dining, surf beaches, waterways and boatsheds. On the other side of Pittwater is Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which has pockets of rainforest with a river, creeks, waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art.

Oakdale

Oakdale is both a fruit growing and coal mining town. The service station and general store between Oakdale and Belimbla Park features an unusual dome roof. The Burragorang Driving Tour Brochure highlights historic buildings and drives through Nattai, Oakdale, The Oaks, Belimbla Park and surrounds. The brochure is free and available from the Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre.

Orangeville

Orangeville is a rural town of New South Wales with pockets of natural bushland on the Silverdale Road between The Oaks and Silverdale. Visitors can take in the scenery of Orangeville and surrounds when taking the Warragamba Waters Scenic Drive, a map for this is available from the Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach has become recognisable around the world as Summer Bay from the Australian TV soap Home and Away. Palm Beach is the exclusive, high-end of Sydney's long stretch of the northern beaches; is everything you'd expect from the insular-peninsula amid the playground of the nation's rich and famous. Palm Beach still retains traces of its early character; although mansions dominate the southern corner. Most of the beach area, apart from the small protected areas at either end, it is permanently exposed to the elements. Barrenjoey Head looms over North Palm Beach, which is unpatrolled at its furthest tip. This section of the beach is usually where you find the surfers, joggers and hikers on the Barrenjoey Lighthouse bushwalk. The North Palm surf club, is where you will find a kiosk, car park and other facilities are located at roughly in the middle of the beach. This is the ideal place to sit and enjoy the broad ocean view. The southern end of Palm Beach is a more protected environment for swimming than the waves further north. Also there is a 35-metre ocean pool which sits on the rocks at the end of the beach, deep enough for laps but with a shallow end that is ideal for kids. It is well lit at night and has its own shower and toilet. Activities: Surfing, ball games, bushwalking, walking up sandhills Features : Ocean pool, surf, view, toilets & showers

Pheasants Nest

In this district the white settlers first recorded sightings of the koala, lyrebird and wombat. Ex convict, John Wilson, noted the three animals in his diary describing the lyrebird as a pheasant, hence the name Pheasants Nest, and recorded the koala as being known to the aboriginal people as Cullawine.

Picton

The administrative centre of Wollondilly Shire is Picton, which is reached, in an easy 90-minute drive from Sydney or by train. Originally known as Stonequarry, the first land grant was to Major Henry Colden Antill. His son built Jarvisfield, which, today, provides the clubhouse for the Antill Park Golf Club. Picton thrives on it’s past with many historic buildings in the town and surrounding areas. Its railway heritage is particularly significant and is symbolised by a unique and splendid railway viaduct. The Picton Walking Tour brochure highlighting the towns and historic building is available from the Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre.

Razorback

On top of Razorback is the panoramic lookout over Picton, Cawdor Valley, Camden and Sydney. These areas were used in scenes and backdrops from some of Australia's earliest black and white films, "Smiley" and "Smiley Gets a Gun" with Chips Rafferty. Razorback is the site for the historic Anthony Horden's Tree "While I Live I'll Grow" and was also made famous with the Truckies Blockade in the 70's where there is now a monument to the event.

Silverdale

Silverdale is a fine example of urban growth containing a mix of small to medium and large residential allotments surrounded by rural outskirts. Silverdale is located 30 minutes drive from Penrith and is next to the historic township of Warragamba. Silverdale population is (as at Census 2006) 3,272 and is 170 metres above sea level.

Sutherland

The place of first contact between Aboriginal Australians and Captain Cook The Kurnell Peninsula in the Botany Bay National Park marks the place of first contact between Aboriginal Australians and Lieutenant James Cook, who landed here in 1770, paving the way for the establishment of a British Colony in Port Jackson in 1788. You can visit the Discovery Centre at Kurnell whose exhibitions and displays explains the Aboriginal significance of the area. Located south of Sydney is the Sutherland shire stretching from Kurnell to Boat Harbour, Cronulla, Sutherland and the world class Royal National Park where you can explore rugged coastline and lush Australian bush. The relaxed beachside suburb of Cronulla is well known for the surfing, and offers relaxed dining with views of the beach. A ferry across the Port Hacking River offers access into the Royal National Park where short walks or extended hikes are available to explore the rugged coastline and lush Australian bush.

Sydney Eastern Suburbs

The eastern suburbs lie between Sydney’s city centre and the coast, and include some of Sydney’s best beaches and hippest neighbourhoods. Oxford Street, Paddington’s high street, is Sydney’s fashion artery, a 1-km boulevard of boutiques and cafés , surrounded by pretty Victorian terrace houses. Nearby Centennial Park is 220 hectares of palm-lined avenues, fig-tree groves and paperbark-fringed lakes with a chic café and cycling and horse- riding tracks. Kings Cross is Sydney’s premier nightclub district that’s sedate by day and a riot of neon and noise by night. It’s a 15-minute walk east of the city. Only 10 kilometres’ (six miles) from the city, Bondi is Australia’s most celebrated beach, where people-watching is as much fun as surfing and sunbathing. Find out more about Coogee and Double Bay.

Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is alive with ferries, yachts, launches and kayaks. Laze on a chartered yacht moored in one of the bays or unwind on a cruise vessel departing from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. Sydney Harbour islands – Fort Denison, Shark, Clark, Rodd, Goat and Cockatoo – have great cultural and historical significance. Some of the sites resonate with Aboriginal history, while others reflect a European past with convict-built structures and old forts. Extending over 30 hectares, the Royal Botanic Gardens occupy one of Sydney’s most spectacular locations, right on the edge of the harbour. Sydney Harbour National Park includes most of the harbour islands and large amounts of foreshore.

Sydney Olympic Park

Destination information for Sydney Olympic Park

The Oaks

The Oaks offers a welcome rest point along a scenic drive through the Shire. Originally called "The Private Village of Vanderville" by the original owner, Emmeline Ann Ausannah Wild, but given the name "The Oaks" in 1810 by George Caley, Government Botanist, after dominant she-oaks and river oaks in the forests. The Wollondilly Heritage Centre has some special treats with audio-visual programs and fascinating displays of the local past, including mining, fruit growing, timber, water and the Burragorang Valley. A self drive tour booklet of the district is also available from the centre.

The Rocks

The Rocks precinct - the historic site of Sydney’s first European settlement. Bursting with a colourful history dating back to convict days, The Rocks is a maze of sandstone lanes, cul-de-sacs and courtyards, jam-packed with shops, warehouses and terraces that were built in the early 19th century. While The Rocks was once home to Sydney’s dockworkers and stevedores, it’s now a magnet for international visitors, who flock to its many shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants.

The Rocks and Circular Quay

Circular Quay is part of The Rocks precinct - the historic site of Sydney’s first European settlement. Bursting with a colourful history dating back to convict days, The Rocks is a maze of sandstone lanes, cul-de-sacs and courtyards, jam-packed with shops, warehouses and terraces that were built in the early 19th century. While The Rocks was once home to Sydney’s dockworkers and stevedores, it’s now a magnet for international visitors, who flock to its many shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants.

Thirlmere

Thirlmere was named after a lake in Cumberland, England. Today it is known for the Thirlmere Rail Heritage Centre which runs Steam Train rides from March to November inclusive on the first and third Sunday of the month. In March the town celebrates the traditional start of the steam season culminating in an annual Steam Festival. Also on the third Sunday of the month is the Thirlmere Rail Craft Markets. Thirlmere Lakes National Park offer swimming and canoeing as well as a very scenic location. These are among the last undisturbed freshwater lakes in the Sydney region.

Warragamba

The gateway to Sydney’s water supply, the village of Warragamba is quiet retreat nestled by the side of Warragamba Dam. A visit to the village will reveal some quaint shops, houses, and narrow streets giving visitors insight into life during the construction of the dam. Silverdale is a fine example of urban growth containing a mix of small to medium and large residential allotments surrounded by rural outskirts.

Winston Hills

Winston Hills is located approximately 30 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. Winston Hills was formerly part of Governor Macquarie's plan to make the area a ‘Model Farm’. The large migration of Italian and Maltese migrants after World War II helped to sustain farming well into the 20th Century. During the 1960s developers purchased large portions of these properties, naming their development Winston Hills Estate in 1965 after Britain's wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill who died that year. The area was made a suburb in 1972. A residential town at the end of the Hills M2 Motorway. Towns surrounding Winston Hills include: Baulkham Hills, Northmead, Seven Hills and Toongabbie.

Woolloomooloo

Woolloomooloo offers a multitude of waterfront al fresco dining experiences along the restored Finger Wharf providing stunning views of the city skyline and harbour surrounds. Inside is the ultra modern five star hotel, W Sydney and the stylish Water Bar, tended by master cocktail makers. Pamper yourself at Spa Chakra, a premier day spa located inside W Sydney. Woolloomooloo is also home to Harry’s Café de Wheels. Busy til the early hours serving the post-party crowd, Harry’s is more than a pie shop, it’s an institution not to be missed. Nearby Kings Cross, the most densely populated square kilometre in Australia, buzzes with nightclubs, live music, adult entertainment and more than two hundred of the city's finest restaurants, bars and cafes. Australia's best known entertainment district never sleeps and holds appeal for late night revellers, jet-lagged travellers and the energetic in-crowd with bars that attract the stars, and restaurants by signature chefs such as Neil Perry and Luke Mangan, Away from the bright lights, the Cross boasts some fine examples of colonial and art deco architecture such as Elizabeth Bay House and Tusculum House.