The drain at the Southern end of the golf coast at Palm Beach is a great place to do windsurfing, the water is pretty clean and it’s quite a good place to sail in a north easterly. However, since the hills around Pittwater are quite high wind consistency is pretty poor and it can get somewhat gusty at times.

Balmoral too is good for windsurfing, but it can be a real pain in the butt when trying to get out through the moored yachts. The only place I know where you can do that is from the southwestern end of the beach, here to you will have to spend half of your time going backwards and forwards between the island and all the boats. However, if you do manage to get out it’s probably not bad since there are often people out there. Anyways, the only times this place is of any good is in north easterlies, since it is fairly hilly around Balmoral. You need to also be aware that Middle Harbour becomes pretty polluted after heavy rains, the water becomes very thick brown from all the storm water drains and the overflow from the sewerage system.

Collary / Long Reef is another place where you can do your surfing is also a popular location with them ocean going sailors.

If you are a novice and is looking to learn windsurfing then Narrabeen lakes is where you can do that. It’s pretty much a closed area of water and one side of the lake is shallow enough to stand in for a long way out. However the problem here is that it can get seriously crowded at times and the lake itself is merely 200-300 metres across.

Another good place to go windsurfing is the Rose Bay. It’s ok, pretty good in northerlies, and north easterlies, but being in the main harbour it can be a bit dirty. Much of the bay is not at all deep you can stand quite a long way out.

You can also try out Mayall lakes, which is about three and a half hours drive up north from Sydney. This is also a pretty pleasant place to camp.

Smith Lake is in the same direction as Mayall Lakes but is further away and a much nice place to sail. The lake has a sandy bottom and you can stand in quite a number of places. Great place for smooth water sailing

Geroa is another place you can tryout as well, Geroa seems to get very good winds, usually five knots more than the surrounding places

Games:

The majority of Sydney residents seem to be fascinated with chess. This looks obvious because If you go for a stroll in downtown Sydney, especially around the Hyde Park area, you would see many people playing chess on normal size chess boards that are placed on park benches or on the ground, while some have chosen to play their game on the giant sized Chess board that is painted on concrete.

During lunchtime, there is a sudden population surge in this area because many folks gather here to play a game of chess with a colleague, while enjoying their lunch in one of the many trendy cafés that are located in the area. If you are lover of the game, then get your self to Hyde Park, may be you too can join in since it seems anyone can join in.

Drinks and Food

As a foreigner, when talking of Aussie cuisine, to me it seems Aussie pies are the best-known examples. These are hand-held savoury pastries that are being made using different types of meat, carrots, English peas, potatoes, and possibly other vegetables. Aussie pies are similar to American potpie but can be hand held. Mind the filling, as it could be hot

Dress

It seems many Australian men prefer wearing white shirts and black suites for work. It is somewhat true with women as well, but unlike men they often wear red shoes or pink ribbon with their black attire. However, you will also see plenty of them renegades that are dressed in what they think as comfortable casual cloths.

Tipping

Tipping is not practiced, very rarely if ever, would be much appreciated if you give a tip, but that will only make it look obvious that you are a visitor to the city. May be you can save the change to pay for the ever increasingly expensive hotels or to have another pint of beer.

History

Captain Cook discovered the Sydney area in 1788. He landed in Botany Bay at a spot called la perouse, and proclaimed Australia as a British colony. However, it was the Dutch who discovered the area 200 years before them Brits did, but they were too slow to stake their claim! There is a statue of Captain Cook in Hyde Park. You can visit Botany Bay if you want to see some early convict history.

The historical Fort Dennison (an island), where they jailed the convicts is now a restaurant. They kept them convicts here as prisoners because the shark infested waters around it made it impossible for them convicts to getaway by swimming ashore. 

Australia Day, Sydney

On the 26^th of January each year Australians celebrate Australia day. On this day in 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip became Governor of the Colony of New South Wales. A multitude of events are held all over Sydney on the 26 January, celebrating the anniversary of the beginning of British settlement. If you want to learn more about the Australia day visit the Australia day website at www.australiaday.gov.au

ANZAC Day

On ANZAC Day Australians commemorate all them brave Australian soldiers who fought for Australia in the two world wars, and those who are fighting to protect the nation even today. The beautiful monument built on their behalf is in Hyde Park, you can pay respect any time of the year, but it will be in April that the monument will see most of its offerings of remembrance.

This is a railway service operating from 5AM till midnight 7 days a week, links the domestic and international terminals to all city circle railway stations. For additional information you can call 02 8337 8412 or visit the website www.airportlink.com.au.

Buses

Sydney Busses operates in the entire city. The main bus terminals are at Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central Station. You can find more information about Sydney Buses from:

• Bus kiosks located at Circular Quay, Wynyard Station and Queen Victoria Building (QVB) & Railway Square (Central Station).

• Calling 131 500 or www.131500.info

• www.sydneybuses.info

Trains

Metropolitan services

You can use the CityRail leisure and tourist tickets to get you where you want to go. For travelling around the city centre you can take the City Circle Line (Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall, Central, Museum and St James Stations). There is a station also at Martin Place. Ticket vending machines are open 24 hours. Information about CityRail services is available from:

• Train kiosks at circular Quay and Central Stations

• Sydney Transport Infoline: www.131500.info Tel: 131 500    

• City Rail website: www.cityrail.info.

Interstate and Intrastate Services

The main junction for interstate and intrastate rail services is the Central Railway Station. You can find additional information about interstate and intrastate train services from:

• Train kiosks at Central Station

• Sydney Transport Infoline: www.131500.info Tel: 131 500

• Countrylink Infoline: www.countrylink.info Tel: 132 232.

Ferries

Taking a ferry to and from the city will give you a delightful experience. You can catch one at the Sydney Harbour. For further information you check call or visit:

• Ferry kiosks at Circular Quay and Manly

• Sydney Transport Infoline: www.131500.info Tel: 131 500

• Sydney Ferries website: www.sydneyferries.info.

Light Rail

Sydney’s latest transport system is the Monorail. You can ride the Monorail on any day or hour of the week.

You can even take a Tram ride from historic Central Station through vibrant Chinatown and Darling Harbour to the Star City Casino, the Sydney Fish Markets and Wentworth Park.

Call Metro Light Rail on 02 9285 5600 or visit www.metrolightrail.com.au if you need to know any more information.

Monorail

The monorail has a wonderful city loop with eight stops throughout the CBD. There is a monorail departing every 3-5 minutes and takes approximately 15 minutes to finish the circuit. Single trips or day passes can be bought at every station. Dial 02 8584 5288 or visit www.metromonorail.com.au for additional information.

Taxis

There is an abundance of taxis in Sydney, you can either hail one that is passing you by on the street or get one at ranks at Circular Quay, Wynyard Station, or at the Town Hall Station. You can ask your hotel concierge if you need a taxi to pick you at the hotel.

Sydney & Bondi Explorer (Tourist buses)

If you are looking to having most comprehensive hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours available, then you can check that out with the 27 stop ‘red’ Sydney Explorer and 19 stop ‘blue’ Bondi Explorer. They are the only timetabled services, which offer a minimum 20-minute service frequency and include travel on the regular Sydney Buses network (blue travel zone).

You can purchase one day or two day tickets from both Sydney and Bondi Explorer. You can even buy your ticket on board the bus.

For additional information dial 131 500 or visit www.sydneyexplorer.info

City Hopper (Train)

You can ride the City Hopper train and enjoy unlimited all day rail travel in the area bounded by Kings Cross, North Sydney and Redfern.

Visit www.cityrail.info for additional information.

SydneyPass (Tourist ticket)

The SydneyPass is available for 3, 5, and 7 days. With this you can enjoy unlimited travel on the Sydney and Bondi Explorer buses, all CityRail trains within a bounded area, all Sydney Buses and all Sydney Ferries, and return AirportLink train transfers. Your ‘SydneyPass’ tourist ticker also provides you with discounts into Sydney’s major attractions. You can purchase a SydneyPass ticket onboard the Explorer buses as well as from tourist outlets, travel agents and most CityRail Stations.

Visit www.sydneypass.info or phone 131 500 if you need any more information.

Day Tripper Ticket

If you are looking for ‘all in a day’ ticket then the Day Tripper ticket is for you. This ticket provides you with access to all three modes of Government transport in Sydney.  You can utilise your ticket to travel in all regular Sydney Buses, Sydney Ferries and CityRail Suburban Services within a bounded area.