Between mid May and early August they travel north to give birth and mate at this time of year they tend to swim at 4-5 knots (5-9km/h) and will have frequent down times. They may pass close by the boats to check us out as they swim, but will tend to keep moving north. They can be very lively, especially the large pods of males as they jockey for dominance in anticipation of the mating season.

Late August – December: The whales are voyaging south, Mothers with their newborns and males after the mating season. They have a propensity to spend more time on surface and swim slower (so that the calf can keep up!) although rarely you will see some long down times. This part of the season is best for Muggings were the whales would come up close to the boat and investigate us!

Other Whale Species

June – November: Other whales species will sporadically appear, here are some you might be able to see off Sydney.

The Blue whale

The biggest animal on the planet, you may see one or two per season. They can be difficult to watch with long down times and erratic directions!

Southern Right whale

The second most common visitor to the sea around Sydney, they often swim into the harbour or bays along the coast searching for a secure place to mate and give birth

Pilot whales and False Killer whales

Frequently seen in large pods these mammals are prone to beaching.

Dolphins

Both Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose or ‘flipper’ type) and common pacific dolphins live in our coastal waters.

Schools in Sydney and New South Wales are renowned worldwide for having high a quality curriculum and innovative teaching. Computer technology, Internet, digital and multimedia materials are a part of everyday activities so students develop as creative and independent learners.

International students learn together with Australian students in safe, friendly, multicultural classrooms. Students are encouraged to participate and develop personal skills and confidence.

Teachers in New South Wales are highly qualified, university-trained professionals.

Subjects being offered are English, mathematics, science, history, geography, visual and performing arts, technology, languages and physical education. Specialist teachers teach English as a Second Language for international students.

There are pastoral care teams with dedicated curriculum coordinators as well as counsellors and careers advisers to look after the well-being of each student in all the schools

Universities

Australian universities have a high regard internationally and are ranked among the top universities in the world. Sydney and nearby regions offer a variety of options for international students.

Sydney and surrounding regions attract students from all corners of the globe. All universities offer a wide range of courses with degrees in the Sciences, Arts, Business Studies and Humanities. Further than this, each university has specialisations and strengths, which make it unique. These may comprise courses in Medicine, Nursing and related health areas, Engineering, Computer Studies, Law, Education, Sport and Exercise Science, Behaviour and Social Sciences, Tourism and Hospitality, Psychology, Dentistry, Management, Agriculture, Viticulture and Veterinary Science.

All universities places a very high level of importance on research, which ensures that the courses on offer are at the leading edge of knowledge, and are constantly being updated to reflect new developments. Many Australian researchers are trailblazers in their fields, and include in their number several Nobel Laureates, and Fellows of the Royal Society. Australian PhD degrees have an outstandingly high reputation internationally, and most universities will provide opportunities for international graduates to apply for PhD places.

All universities offer Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees. There are also many universities that offer professional Doctorates and other Graduate Diplomas.

Learning English

There are many reasons why someone will want to study the English language. Some may be looking to improve their English for work or career purposes, others may have a personal interest or because they have it in mind to travel or because they must reach specified English entry standards.

Irrespective of the cause for learning English, colleges in Sydney and New South Wales offer programs to help students in achieving their goals.

There are privately owned and government owned English language colleges. These can be specialist colleges or a part of a high school, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institute, private vocational provider or a university. Colleges can be small boutique institutions or large international providers.

Vocational education and training

Technical and further education graduates expand practical workplace skills and academic qualifications to progress directly into a career or to gain credit transfer to an Australian university.

Intensive English programs and university preparation courses increase competency for tertiary studies.

Certificate to advanced diploma level, and diploma-to-degree courses cover subjects such as:

• Business
• Information technology
• Marketing
• Engineering and building
• Child studies
• Telecommunications
• Hospitality and tourism management
• Applied sciences
• Design and visual arts
• Television and media
• Environmental studies and land management
• Sport and recreation

In Sydney and New South Wales, government Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes as well as non-government colleges provides vocational courses. Government to ensure the quality of curriculum, staff and teaching practices carefully monitors these institutions.

A remote yet accessible World Heritage-listed destination, Lord Howe Island, is the perfect place to get away from it all. This is a magical island in the Tasman Sea, which is only a two hours’ flight from Sydney or Brisbane.

Here is a place where you can revitalise, de-stress and calm your soul. Lord Howe Island is one of just four island groups in the world possessing World Heritage status, a tribute to its “amazing volcanic geology, its marvellous range of ecosystems, its rare collection of plants, birds and marine life… and last, though by no means least, its exceptional natural beauty.”

Encircled by the world’s southernmost coral reef, Lord Howe is Australia’s prime birdwatching spot. Watch red-tailed tropic-birds somersaulting backwards during their courting ritual. The island is home to 130 permanent and migratory bird species, while more than 500 species of fish and 90 species of coral thrive in its crystal-clear waters.

Spectacular views from Lord Howe’s Mt Gower will take your breath away and walks on the island will give you a delightful experience of nature. Lord Howe’s iconic Ball’s Pyramid is the largest monolithic sea rock in the world. The majestic twin peaks at southern end of the island, Mt Lidgbird and Mt Gower are 875 metres tall.

Blue Mountains National Park

This magnificent land of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines and hazy blue eucalypt forests boasts luxury retreats and the world’s steepest railway. The Blue Mountains National Park, reachable from Sydney by road or rail under two hours, is one of eight national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

The Blue Mountains National Park, a scenically dramatic region of forested ravines and pristine bushland about 120 km west of Sydney by road, is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. It is listed for its extensive eucalypt forests and natural biodiversity.

The Wollemi Pine, world’s oldest species of tree found in Wollemi National Park, is unique to the Blue Mountains. The region is so densely forested the 40-metre-high trees escaped detection until 1994, flourishing undisturbed in a remote valley less than 200 km from Sydney.

Designated walking trails criss-cross Blue Mountains National Park, passing streams and waterfalls, descending into cool gorges and snaking around sheer cliffs offering spectacular views.

The region’s most famous rock formation is The Three Sisters, a trio of pinnacles best viewed from Katoomba, the largest of 26 mountain towns and villages. These include Wentworth Falls (near a beautiful waterfall of the same name), Faulconbridge and Katoomba. The settlement of Blackheath, full of colonial history, is renowned for its Rhododendron Festival held in November each year.

Enjoy a plethora of adventure activities, art and craft galleries, fine dining, stylish shopping and romantic escapes. Grand Edwardian country hotels predominated in the early 20th-century. An abundance of luxury guesthouses, spas and eco-retreats are available for you to choose from to spend the night. Gardens in these parts are a delight. One of the most striking is Everglades Gardens, laid out in the 1930s by Danish-born landscape designer Paul Sorensen. Don’t miss the tearooms!

Barrington Tops National Park

Barrington Tops National Park, situated about 320 km north of Sydney is a mixture of eucalypt forests, rainforest, subalpine woodlands, swamps and grasslands.

Rainforests occupies only about 0.3 % of Australia yet these shelter about half of all Australian plant families and about a third of the country’s mammal and bird species. Few rainforests are easier to reach than those within Barrington Tops National Park, an easy drive from Sydney.

The park, which includes eucalypt forests, subalpine woodlands and wetlands, also includes a 25-kilometre-long plateau set amongst long-extinct volcanoes. It’s reachable even to those with limited mobility; criss-crossed with an excellent network of tracks offering short, easy walks, steep overnight treks, and much in between.

Villages in the vicinity include charming Gloucester, which is nestled in a valley under a range of hills called The Bucketts, is home to both a school museum and a folk museum. Another town, Stroud, was founded in 1826 in the green Karuah Valley. It still looks the same as it did in the 1850s. Gold mining and cedar cutting history is preserved in small museums at Paterson, Dungog and Clarence Town.

In the Barrington Tops National Park you can spot the eastern grey kangaroo, red-necked and swamp wallabies, red-legged pademelon, platypus, northern brown bandicoot, yellow-bellied glider, sugar glider, mountain brushtail possum, koala, long-nosed potoroo, three-toed earless skink, stuttering frog, grey-headed flying-fox, short-beaked echidna and common wombat.

The birds you can spot ranges from the magnificent wedge-tailed eagle to smaller species like the White-throated needletail, Rufous scrub-bird and wompoo fruit-dove.

Dorrigo National Park

Dorrigo National Park in the rainforest-rich North Coast region of New South Wales is about 450 km north of Sydney (halfway between Sydney and Brisbane). Take the Pacific Highway south from Coffs Harbour, turn right at the Bellingen/Armidale turnoff, then come up the beautiful Waterfall Way.

Dorrigo’s rainforests, on the edge of the Great Escarpment, are amongst Australia’s most easily reached. Dorrigo National Park’s well-known boardwalks (on forest floor and at treetop level) make the going easy for visitors.

Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is a foremost CERRA interpretation centre. The plateau rises to 1586 metres and is at the centre of the now extinct Ebor Volcano, which helped create the region’s topography about 18 million years ago.

You can choose to take short strolls under the rainforest canopy, or to tackle longer and more challenging like the trek (just under 5 kilometres) to the top of Casuarina Falls. It starts from the Never Never picnic area along Sassafras Creek and passes through cool rainforest and eucalypt stands and Aboriginal historic sites. Views of McGrath’s Hump and the Great Escarpment are truly breathtaking.

Mount Warning National Park

The sun’s rays hit Mount Warning before anywhere else on the Australian continent. This 1156-metre-high mountain is the leftover central plug of the Tweed shield volcano.

The park is located about 800 km north of Sydney; near the place the Tweed River meets the sea at the border of New South Wales and Queensland.

The iconic attraction of the national park, Mt Warning, is a volcanic remainder once used by mariners as a landmark to warn them of offshore reefs. Captain James Cook gave the mountain its ominous-sounding name in 1770. The local Bundjalung Aboriginal people know the mountain as Wollumbin, meaning Cloud Catcher.

Sunrise is a predominantly magical time at Mt Warning. Under the established laws of the Bundjalung Aboriginal people, only certain people can climb Mt Warning, so if you choose to respect their wishes, consider a stroll along the 200-metre Lyrebird Track or a picnic at the Korrumbyn picnic area as an alternative to attempting the nine-kilometre return journey.

Mungo National Park

One of the world’s most significant human cremation sites, Mungo National Park, is also Australia’s first World Heritage-listed national park. The park is situated 987 km west of Sydney, and 110km northeast of Mildura

Mungo National Park is a part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, a chain of dried-out lakes that were once strung between Willandra Creek and the main channel of the Lachlan River in Outback NSW.

Lake Mungo has dried out approximately 14,000 years ago, a huge crescent-shaped dune, called the Walls of China, stretches along the eastern shore of the lakebed. The wind and water are constantly eroding these dunes, of mud and sand. What remains today is a fragile landscape of crinkled, fluted outcrops and shifting sand, which changes colour from a daytime khaki to the vibrant yellows, oranges, and deep wine reds of sun set.

It was at Mungo, that a young scientist stumbled across “Mungo Woman”, the remains of a cremated skeleton of a human. Six years later, he found Mungo Man, buried in a pit strewn with ochre.

Stone flake tools are strewn across the landscape, and peeking out of the mud are prehistoric wombat holes, fossilised chunks of Eucalyptus trees, and the bones of long-dead marsupials, including extinct buffalo-sized wombats and giant kangaroos.

Kosciuszko National Park

This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one of the world’s best national parks and the biggest in New South Wales. Kosciuszko National Park, which is located about 400 km southwest of Sydney, is five hours by road or 50 minutes by air. Rising above the park is Australia’s highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko.

The mountainous region between the Australian Capital Territory and the Victorian border is a wild and stunning region and Kosciuszko National Park, spreading almost 675,000 hectares, cocoons the best of it.

Here, in the highest elevations of Australia’s Great Dividing range in the Snowy Mountains, you can walk through alpine herbfields, explore caves and limestone gorges, enjoy scenic drives and stay at historic huts and homesteads – all within sight of the tallest mountains in Australia.

Famous mountain villages in the region are Charlotte Pass Village, the highest resort village in Australia; Thredbo Village, with its great restaurants, and Jindabyne.

Ground elevations Kosciuszko National Park ranges from just 213 metres above sea level up to 2228 metres. The alpine section of the park includes a wetland that is even mentioned in the Ramsar list (a group of wetlands around the world internationally recognised for their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological importance). Some of Australia’s most popular and most beautiful rivers, including the Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee, flow from this area. Apart from its winter role as a skiing and snowboarding paradise, the Biosphere Reserve supports wildlife such as the grey kangaroo, the red-necked wallaby, swamp wallaby and wombats.

Montague Island, Narooma

Montague Island, which is mostly Famous for its penguin and seal colonies, is also a superb location for whale watching during the season. The island is located 10km southeast of Narooma and about 350 km south of Sydney.

Montague Island becomes the temporary home of Hundreds of Australian fur seals (up to 700 animals during breeding season) from late August to early December. A separate species, New Zealand fur seals also visit the island regularly. The island is a breeding ground for at least 15 bird species – including about 8000 pairs of penguins.

Small penguins flourish on the island and other bird varieties include crested terns, silver gulls, Australian gannets, mutton birds, hawks, sea eagles and three species of shearwaters.

To safeguard Montague Island’s unique environment, access is limited to regular organised tours run by licensed operators from Narooma and guided by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers.

Guided tours include plants, animals, the island’s Aboriginal and European past and the Montague Lighthouse, first lit in November 1881. The lighthouse, 21 metres tall and able to be seen well out to sea, was converted to automatic operation in 1986. It is still an essential part of Australia’s coastal navigation system.

From September to November, guided tours expand to include whale watching, as humpback and southern right whales travel south on their annual migration from warmer tropical waters to the cooler waters of the Antarctic.

Solitary Islands Marine Park

Solitary Islands Marine Park is a tiny group of islands, which are spread in an area about 75 km along the Coffs Coast, from Muttonbird Island in the south to Plover Island in the north. These Islands give protection for marine species at the same time providing idyllic conditions for diving, fishing and whale watching. The Solitary Islands Marine Park is located Near Coffs Harbour, some 550 km north of Sydney.

The biggest marine protected area in New South Wales looks breathtakingly beautiful with blue-green seas swirling around jagged islands, and beaches in sandy coves.

Underwater, Solitary Islands Marine Park is one of Australia’s extremely popular scuba diving environments. Divers swim with turtles, take pictures of shoals of multi-coloured fish and move smoothly past banks of rainbow-hued coral. The park’s amazing marine diversity derives from the merging of two great ocean currents: the warmer waters of the East Australian Current, flowing from the tropical Coral Sea; and the cooler northward flow from the Tasman Sea.

Here you will have the pleasure of witnessing greater than 550 species of fish, four turtle species and a variety of marine mammals cruising around 90 species of coral and a host of active ascidians (better known as sea squirts). Each autumn and winter, humpback whales migrate north to calve in warmer waters.

In spring, they go south again to their Antarctic feeding grounds. Coffs Harbour, and the sea around Solitary Islands Marine Park, is among the finest locations in Australia for whale watching, by land and by sea.

Sydney Harbour National Park

Sydney Harbour National Park area (which includes harbour islands and surrounds) was created in 1975. Ever since its birth the area covered by the park has grown rapidly, taking in historic Fort Denison and little Goat Island in 1995. North and South Head, with their huge cliffs standing like giant sentinels at the doorway to the harbour. Sydney Harbour’s islands are Shark Island, Clark Island, Goat Island, Rodd Island and Fort Denison.

Sydney Harbour beaches incorporate Washaway Beach, Reef Beach, Obelisk Beach and Cobblers Beach. The last two, located around Middle Head, are both nude-bathing areas. Other prominent beaches include Chowder Bay (just north of Bradleys Head), Nielsen Park near Vaucluse and Balmoral Beach near Mosman.

The splendid harbour at Sydney’s heart, with its dark green sea, world famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, is so popular that many visitors (and Sydneysiders) don’t realise that it’s also a National Park. Protected beaches within Sydney Harbour National Park include Nielsen Park, where you can lounge on the beach or unwind under a shady tree, Washaway Beach, Reef Beach and further beaches stretching north of Dobroyd Head not far from Manly.

Dolphins are recurrent visitors to the park and whales drop in too, delighting both city’s inhabitants and visitors alike. Harbour surroundings include heathlands, woodlands and eucalypt forests, with walkways between for easy exploration.

Coffs Harbour, Coffs / Mid North, New South Wales

The Nymboida River is one of the classic rivers of the world, it’s dramatic granite gorges and rainforest-lined banks produce rapids renowned among whitewater enthusiasts. Rafting is undoubtedly the best way to fully appreciate the river’s stunning beauty.

Sydney Golf

You can play golf in most cities but in Sydney you will find some of the best golf courses. Unlike in other cities, where you often have to compete with other players for space, here in Sydney you can enjoy a quiet game while admiring the spectacular scenery that is all around you. If you are lucky you might even get to see a marsupial bouncing about on the golf course.

Take a ride on the Manly ferry from Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour to Manly.

From the ferry you will have an excellent view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, an opportunity for you to take some great pictures to show your friends and folks back home. Arrive a little early to ensure a good position in the queue. Aim for either the front or the back of the Manly Ferry for the best view.

Your journey will last approximately half an hour allowing you time to enjoy some of the best scenery Sydney Harbour has to offer. It can get a little choppy as you approach Sydney Heads so be prepared to retreat inside.

Half-Day Sail on Sydney Harbour

The half day sail aboard the luxury yacht “Katrina”, will give you some very special photo opportunities and many delightful memories of Sydney Harbour. As you sail up Sydney Harbour, you will find many of Sydney’s hidden secluded bays and small beaches. Kick your shoes off, feel the power of the wind as you sail along silently

Ride the Sydney Ferry from Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour to Darling Harbour and back

The trip to Darling Harbour from Circular Quay lasts just about ten minutes taking you under the Sydney Harbour Bridge as you head out of Sydney Cove. The short trip will give you more photo opportunities of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and of the Sydney Opera House.

You’ll most likely stop at Balmain along the way. Darling Harbour is full of attractions including the Imax Theatre, Sydney Aquarium, Monorail and the Powerhouse Museum plus many Harbourside shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Walk from Manly Ferry Terminal (Manly Wharf) to Shelly Beach

While in Manly you will feel it is more like a seaside town rather than being a part of the largest city in Australia. The ocean side is east of Manly ferry terminal (Manly Wharf). Just cross the road and walk the length of Manly Corso.

Stop and marvel at just what Manly Council was thinking off when they commissioned the steaming pile of sculpture just outside the ferry terminal.

An abundance of pubs, cafes and shops will yearn for your patron along the way. Manly boasts a million places to eat so you won’t starve.

As you come within reach of Shelly Beach look out for the rock art to your right (Shelly Beach is an excellent spot of diving) Once you’ve reached Shelly Beach you can walk up to and across the car park for cliff top views out to sea.

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

The best surfing beaches are up on the North Shore however, the city’s south and east have plenty of choices as well.  Surfing being an extremely popular activity in this city, you’ll find the waves at the better breaks packed on a good day, and there are a few beaches were you should be wary of the locals and their particularly violent rep.

Here are some delightful locations, where you can practice your passion anytime you feel like it.

Maroubra Beach

Maroubra Beach is the place where you will find aggressive, territorial locals most. Be warned, they’re not the friendliest bunch of people you’d like to meet even not so often, an encounter will make you realise, no wonder why they are popularly know as dickheads. However, If you do manage to get yourself a place at the Maroubra Beach, you will find some great long waves; it’s generally an easy paddle out, so make use of the rip near the rocks for an express trip back out. Usually the place gets pretty crowded, especially if there’s good surf — but that’s mainly because it’s by far the best surf beach in the eastern suburbs.

Tamarama Beach

Tamarama Beach in the eastern suburbs of Sydney is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council. This beach is popularly known amongst the locals also by its nickname ‘Glamarama’, because this is the beach where them who are seriously beautiful or trend setters come to sunbathe and swim or simply try to be seen.

Situated about 1 kilometer south of the world famous Bondi Beach and a couple of hundred metres north of Bronte Beach Tamarama has a small but perfectly formed ocean beach. The best of what Tamara has on offer to those who come to this area are are its pretty landscapes, gully, parks, beach, ocean, quiet surrounds and convenient location nestled between Bondi and Bronte beaches.

Bondi Beach

This Sydney’s iconic beach suburb is not a good destination for them diehard surfers, but then, there is something to be said to your folks when you return home, that you went surfing at the world famous Bodi Beach while in Sydney, I guess.

Since the surf at Bondi Beach is not at all challenging like in other locations, there is a surfing school here for them absolute beginners. Similarly to Manly Beach, Bondi Beach too has a very international crowed and tends to be very laid back.    

Cronulla Beach

Cronulla Beach is situated on the southern outskirts of Sydney. This area also known as “gods country” became famous recently because of racial riots, so, be warned if you have dark skin, may be you might draw some flack from the more cerebral amongst the locals. The beach point is good but it is the nearby shark island you wouldn’t want to miss. Awesome on a normal day, when there is a swell you will get the ride of your life, the place gets seriously over crowded however. 

Manley Beach

Manley Beach though looks as if one long beach is actually three beaches that run together. The area, compared to other northern beaches, is easily accessible even if you don’t have a car. You can do surfing here but like the Cronulla Beach this too gets seriousl crowded but mostly with foreigners. There are some surfing schools that are offering lessons for beginners.     

Queenscliff

Queenscliff is basically the north end of Manley; the place is easy to get in to and is great to have a nice and easy beach break. If you are a decent rider then you might want to head out to the Queenscliff Bombora. Though it is a bit of a puddle to get there, actually much further than it looks, over here you will find the waves massive and powerful, the spot is definitely only for them experts. 

North Avalon

If you are interested in seeing some young crazy ass surfers in action, then this is the best place to spot them. The High School across the road even offers surfing as a subject so you certainly will run in to some pretty tidy surfers here. The place is quite a distance from the city, so if you choose to travel this far up north, you should be ready to allocate an entire day for your visit.

North Narrabeen

In an area where there are plenty of great beaches, North Narrabeen is famous as one of the best places to surf. Depending on which ways the swells go, this area offers some very different options for them surfers, but then it’s all a quality ride. Being a very crowded beach, North Narrabeen seems to be infested with locals who are always itching for a fight, so if you want to practice some peaceful surfing you can head up to North Point, they tend not to venture up there.

Newport Beach

In Newport you have two options, the northern end is a beach break with nice long waves. However, this place too gets crowded with locals. At the south end there is a reef break with great barrels, but be ready to do some a hard paddling to get there. After you are finished with surfing, pay a visit to the huge beer garden at the Newport Arms hotel      

Loads of condoms have been distributed for free as a response to the increasing numbers of Sydney backpackers seeking diagnosis and treatment for new infections, especially Chlamydia.

In keeping with recent research, backpackers were more likely to report drinking alcohol in excessive amounts and then not using condoms while having sex, thereby increasing the risk of them contracting an STI.

The rising number of heterosexual backpackers with new sexually transmitted infections has now become a major concern to them health officials in Sydney. According to them from amongst those who suffer from an STI some also have HIV infections that they have acquired in other countries on the way to Australia.

The basic safe sex messages sent by them has fallen on deaf ears, have caused some alarm with the authorities.

It is very important that backpackers should always carry condoms with them because research shows, countries that are popular with backpackers, have higher rates of HIV and STIs than Australia.

Sydney health authorities and councils have now teamed up with the NSW Backpackers Operators Association to promote better sexual health practices among young international travellers.

This is why, making an effort to stop STIs from spreading some more, them folks at the Sydney health authorities and councils have taken the necessary steps to distributing free condoms for backpackers, at places where backpackers are accommodated.

Through strategically placed advertisements in Sydney backpacker magazines, the authorities are looking to educate the young international travellers on the negative effects of getting contaminated with the incurable disease.     

Figures presented at the Australasian sexual health congress in September showed number of people who have contaminated chlamydia are rising rapidly in major cities, and that five per cent of people under 25 are now believed to have the disease.

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.