Sydney, Australia, also sometimes lovingly referred to as “the Harbour City” remains one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and was ranked the 4th most popular in 2008 by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Originally a British Colony, Sydney is Australia’s largest city and the capital of the state known as New South Wales with a population of 4.34 million people. Anyone who visits here tells you that their primary reason for their love affair with Sydney is her residents. Australians, in general, are some of the friendliest hosts to international tourists in the world, even welcoming to some of the most stereotypical, southern Americans (I’m from the south in America, so I can get away with saying that).

Upon arrival in Sydney, avoid asking your hotel for directions and step outside to a coffee shop or a local market and ask someone for help, just to prove my point that there’s either something in their drinking water or this is one laid back culture, with some friendly folk.

Among the 2.7 million international visitors to Sydney in 2008, some of the typical major attractions of course include the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Royal Botantical Gardens, but Sydney is also known for world class parties and international festivals that rival anywhere in the world. The hippest of the jet set crowd flock to Sydney year after year for different reasons such as the annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Celebration. A party lasting several days, Mardi Gras includes a spectacular parade with over the top drag queens, and sold out concert events featuring performers in the past that have included Boy George, Cyndi Lauper, Chaka Khan, Kylie Minogue, Deborah Cox, Olivia Newton John and Jimmy Sommerville. Mardi Gras parties and events sell out months in advance, as do hotels in late January/early February. Remember, our winter is their summer and the Sydney weather in January is fantastic! Oxford Street is where you will find the nucleus of gay nightlife and activity before, during or after Mardi Gras.
Sydney is also world renowned for its place in the fashion world, holding its own with Paris, Milan and London, by hosting a bi-annual fashion event called the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, which attracts fashionistas from around the globe. All major fashion houses, have a presence in Sydney.

A short drive from Sydney is the world famous Bondi Beach where celebrities and common folk alike come to soak up the sun and strut their stuff on this “see or be seen” scene. It’s fine for a little fun with people watching, but if you are looking for world class beaches and oceanic beauty, a side trip from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef is a “must do” for those who feel they may never get that far “down under” again in their lifetime.

There are two primary ways to visit the reef from Sydney, and they are first to fly to Cairns and venture out by boat from there, or to fly to Hamilton Island, enjoy a resort stay there, and take a day trip by boat out to the reef and some of the most gorgeous beaches that the Whitsundays Islands have to offer. I would personally avoid Cairns, and take the Hamilton Island route as it is far more inviting as a vacation destination. During your excursion from Hamilton Island to the reef, you will find thin strips of sand that peek up out of the crystal blue water just enough to stand on. From a distance, one would swear people are walking on water. Such natural beauty is worth the time and expense to see, and if you aren’t scuba certified, don’t let that stop you. You can most certainly appreciate the beauty of the reef via snorkel. Just always stay aware of your location, your nearest swimming partner and the boat. It is easy to keep your head down for a while, and then look up to find that you can no longer see the boat. Trust me, it’s a horrifying feeling.
Air service to Sydney from the west coast finally has some competition, and thus has introduced some occasional low pricing on a host of airlines that now include V-Australia (V as is Virgin group), Qantas, Air New Zealand and United. From the U.S. east coast, you will no doubt connect via Los Angeles or San Francisco on one of these carriers, so if you have the time ask if the fare you are purchasing allows a free stopover in L.A. or San Francisco for a little extra bang for your buck. If you don’t have the miles or the budget to upgrade to business or first class, I would personally ask my doctor for something to help me sleep because from the either west coast gateway city, you are talking about 14+ hour flights, sitting up almost perfectly vertical. Trust me; sleep is your friend on that flight.

Upon arrival in Sydney, there is a large variety of hotels for every budget that are centrally located, comfortable and immersed in Australian hospitality. From the budget conscious at the Sheraton Four Points or Travelodge, to moderate hotels such as the Swissotel or Westin Sydney, to luxury properties such as the Four Seasons Sydney or the Sheraton on the Park, there is something for everyone.

For custom itineraries to escorted tours to fit almost any budget, contact Turtle Creek Travel at 214-928-9238 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Please visit http://www.turtlecreektravel.com for other vacation ideas.