Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Australia: Top 10 Things to Experience in Sydney
RiverCat from Circular Quay to Paramatta
Eleven historic properties and Australia's oldest public building, Old Government House, are there because this up-river city became Sydney's farming community shortly after its founding. Paramatta's Visitors' Centre has a fine museum with thoughtful permanent and temporary exhibits.
The Australian Museum
Not clustered with other sites, but worth it to hike across the enormous Hyde Park to explore. Australia's premier natural history museum it was established way back in 1827 by forward-looking emigrants who saw the need and value in preserving Australia's uniqueness.
Spit Walk
On the harbor north shore, the city of Manly has its own aquarium (Oceanworld), but thats no the reason why Manly made the top ten. That would be its own one way Spit Walk, a tough but rewarding 4 to 6 hour hike around coves, along beaches, and up to the stunning promontories.
The National Maritime Museum
This museum puts an emphasis on the special relationship that exists between Australia and the United States despite the vast ocean separting us. The Spirit of Australia, the worlds reportedly fastest boat, if here along with exhibits that include the mention of 2 million Europeans arriving in 1977 to escape World War II troubles.
Sydney Aquarium
With more than 12,000 indigenous aquatic animals including incredibly cute platypuses, which are smaller that anticipated, and much-feared slat water crocodile, which is, to put it midly, larger than expected. The Aquarium was purposefully built around the Seals natural environment.
Sydney Wildlife World
Darling's Harbor new attraction , offers up-close views of Australia's unusual flora and fauna. If you can't get to the Outback this is the next best place. Featuring nine different, recreated habitats like the remote Kimberely , visitors can watch koalas doze and view face-to-face incredibly poisonous snakes and reptiles behind glass.
Darling Harbor
An entertaiment/convention/cultural complex on Cockle Bay contains four of Sydney's Top Ten Attractions, like The Powerhouse. Said to be Australia's largest museum, it enchants visitors with 400,000 display objects ranging from a curious, elaborate Strasburg clock to a NASA space station.
The Rocks
Australia's oldest neighborhood. Adjacent to Circular Quay, Sydney's harbor/hub, The Rocks delights no matter how many times you visit its excellent Visitors' Centre, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings, like Cadman's Cottage.
The Opera House
A well known staple of Australia. At the minimum, visitors should take the frequently given hour long tours of Jorn Utzon's almost 40 year-young, gullwinged design that he never saw completed. At the maximum, they should see a play in one of the two theaters, hear a concert, or thrill to an opera!
Harbor Bridge
Nicknamed the Old Coathanger, is Sydney's number one attraction. Its Bridgeclimb has enchanted more than 2 million visitors since first being offered in 1998. Tethered together in groups of 12, participants slowly approach the span's 440 feet summit where, arms up-thrust, they celebrate one of life's golden moments. Completed in 1933 and 1,650 feet long.
Information from Jaxfax and article by Harold Harbaugh

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