Sydney Hotels

Sparkling Sydney Harbour, dominated by the dramatic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is one of the most recognizable cityscapes in the world. And it provides a perfectly fitting gateway into the sparkling, culturally ambitious city of Sydney. You may wonder whether or not you even need a hotel in Sydney. A bustling business center, the city doesn't close down when workers leave their offices. All-night pubs, cutting-edge dance clubs, and a variety of reviews could keep you out until dawn. Fancy a late-night meal or a final coffee - that's not a problem. Be seen on trendy Oxford Street from Darlinghurst to Paddington or try the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Surry Hills, the quay or the Rocks. There are almost too many choices. But eventually you'll need a Sydney hotel to prepare you for another day - and night - of its pleasures.

From the ocean you enter the harbour through The Heads, dramatic cliff portals between Circular Quay in the city and the beachside suburb of Manly. The tops of The Heads are covered by Sydney Harbour National Park, which stretches along the rugged harbour side. This haven for native plants and birds delights and surprises visitors.

Guests are also struck by the harbour's beauty, especially at night when the high-rise towers around Circular Quay, the girders of the Harbour Bridge and the 'sails' of the Opera House are all lit up. It's then that the harbour waters take on a magical swirl of reflected colors - red, blue, green. By the way, the Opera House is the venue for a wide variety of concerts and programs - not just Opera.

In the center of the harbour is a series of islands, the most well known being Fort Denison, with its tiny sandstone castle, which once housed the worst of Sydney's convicts. At Cadmans Cottage, The Rocks, you'll find the Sydney Harbour National Park Information Center where you can arrange a visit to Fort Denison and other islands.

There is far more to Sydney than just the harbour. See early Australian and Aboriginal works at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Learn about the continent's natural and cultural history at the Australian Museum or view the temporary exhibitions at the State Library of New South Wales. The Museum of Sydney is the place to understand the city's history. The Sydney Observatory and Aquarium offer fascinating journeys into the heavens and the seas. Want to get back outdoors? Then take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens.

With plenty to see and do, and locals that will make you feel like you have been there forever, Sydney is an exciting and satisfying destination.