The Funky Site

NSW - Sydney

Created July 2001, last updated July 2001.

Sydney is one of the most vibrant and well known cities in the world, and despite being untrue is thought by many to the the capital of Australia. It is Australia's largest city and usually scores highly on the quality of life surveys. Sydney was the focus of the world during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and having been there I can attest to the amazing atmosphere and buzz during the 'best ever' Olympic Games.

There is certainly plenty to do in Sydney. The southern suburbs of Coogee and Bondi are both worth a visit, there's a lovely revolving restaurant at the top of the AMP Tower, and the Rocks market makes for a good day out. Darling Harbour provides plenty of attractions including an IMAX cinema, restaurants, the Sydney Aquarium, plus the original Fish Opera, a light show using moving water. As with any city, there are plenty of museums and shopping districts to keep you happy!

Bond beachi

Bondi to Coogee walk

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour at night

Darling Harbour monorail

Helicopter

Shrine of Remembrance

Sydney Harbour

Sydney Museum

Sydney skyline

Sydney skyline at night

The Bounty

The City

The City from the AMP Tower

The Manly ferry

View over Darling Harbour

Xmas in Sydney

The Sydney Opera House is instantly recognizable across the world due to it's original and striking design. Built on Bennelong Point and overlooking the harbour, this magnificent building was finally opened to the public in 1973, only fourteen years after building began. Contained with the Opera House are five entertainment venues, the largest and grandest being the Concert Hall. At night the Opera House is always lit, with multicoloured lighting and effects used for special occasions (such as the 2000 Olympics). See the official website for information, current events etc.

Opera House at sunset

Opera House

Opera House at night

Opera House during the Olympics

The other well known icon of Sydney is the Sydney Harbour bridge, affectionately referred to as 'the coathanger' by locals. It's the world's largest steel arch bridge, but not the longest (that's the Lupu Bridge in Shanghai, China). It is now possible to climb the steel arch which provides mesmerising views over both the harbour and city (see the official website). Facts and figures; The top of the arch is 134 metres above the sea;1400 workers built it; 16 were killed in the making of the bridge; before they opened the bridge they put 96 trains on it to make sure it would hold the weight of the cars, buses and the trucks that would use it; three boats were made to carry 81,000 cubic metres of cut steel to make the bridge; the bridge was opened on the 19th March, 1932.