Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design
415 Bourke Street
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9361.4555
www.object.com.au
Surry Hills is the up and coming arts district in Sydney and Object is a great gallery to see newly discovered designers. The group even has its own magazine and travels the world putting Australian design on the map.

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9250.7111
www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Nearly 15 years in the making, this spectacular building opened in 1973, but doesn’t look a day over 4. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzan, it is home not necessarily to the opera, but to the ballet, symphony, jazz, drama, special events and even bars and restaurants. As if the building itself isn’t inspiring enough with its sail-like rooflines, it is also covered with more than a million gleaming Swedish ceramic tiles, soaring at 220 feet.  You cannot leave Sydney without seeing it.

The Rocks
Corner of Argyle and Playfair Streets
Tel. +19 (0) 2.222.222
www.therocks.com
The landing of the First Fleet took place here in 1788.  This historic district features Sydney’s oldest building, Cadman’s Cottage. An easy walking tour will lead you to several museums, including the Geological & Mining Museum, many other historic buildings, restaurants, crafts and fine shopping. 

Sydney Bridge Climb
www.bridgeclimb.com
Sydney’s bridge climb may not be for the acrophobic, but for the rest of us, it’s a unique chance to get the lay of the land.  The only climb of its kind in the world, enjoy the views as well as the experience.

Bonza Bike Tours
Sydney Opera House Car Park
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9331.1127
www.bonzabiketours.com
Rent a bike and tour wherever you like or go on one of the arranged guided tours. It’s an excellent way to see Sydney and more fun than spending an hour at the gym for a work out.

The Book Kitchen
255 Devonshire Street
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9310.1003
www.thebookkitchen.com.au
Tetsuya of London’s David Campbell brings organic fare to this spot, built in an old garage. It’s a cozy place to read books on food and wine, while snacking on fresh organic produce.

Flying Fish
19-21 Pirrama Road (Pyrmont)
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9518.6677
www.flyingfish.com.au
Dine on seafood from around the Australian continent while surrounded by waterfront views. Designer Michael McCann has created this uber-cool new restaurant/bar from what used to be a giant wooden warehouse at Pier 21, Jones Bay Wharf. Get your crab prepared straight from the indoor tank by chef Peter Kuruvita and staff.

Tetsuya's
529 Kent Street
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9267.2900
www.tetsuyas.com
Tetsuya’s, a Japanese/French eatery with beautiful decor, overlooks a Japanese garden. If you only go to one gourmet restaurant in Sydney, make it this one.  Some say the best ocean trout in the world can be found here.  Be sure to taste the sweet corn soup and the basil ice cream for dessert.  Reservations are a must.

Coast
Cockle Bay Wharf (Darling Harbour)
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9267.6700
www.coastrestaurant.com.au
A true Sydney experience in style, Coast offers a large deck and massive glass panes that front the harbor, plus a well-informed and professional staff.  The recently renovated restaurant serves up Italian cuisine under the hands of locally famous chef Stefano Manfredi.

Bathers Pavillion
4 The Esplanade
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9969.5050
www.batherspavillion.com.au
If you like long, relaxing lunches this is the place to go. Imagine a summer on the beach, the waves rolling outside and the sun coming through the window—now add produce grown from local farmers and seasonal menu changes and you have Bather’s Pavilion.  It will remind you of what coming together for a meal should be.

Longrain Restaurant & Bar
85 Commonwealth St.
Tel.+61 (0) 2.9280.2888
www.longrain.com
Although surprising to some, Australia has some of the best Thai food in the world.  As one of the best Thai restaurants anywhere, one can understand why Longrain only takes reservations for lunch. For a cocktail, be sure to try the Bloody Longrain.

Rockpool
The Rocks NSW
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9252.1888
www.rockpool.com
Neil Perry's award-winning dining room still impresses. The prix fixe of AUD150.00 per person includes tax and service and is well worth the experience of enjoying marvelous food in this equally attractive setting.  If you don't get there you can taste his food on Qantas International First Class on the flight home from Sydney.

Seans's Panaroma
270 Campbell Parade
Bondi Beach
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9365.4924
This ordinary looking cafe on Bondi Beach serves food that is unpretentious, but delicious.  Try the Bangalow pork, Australia's finest, rimmed by mounds of crunchy cabbage, prunes, and roast sweet potatoes.

Icebergs
One Notts Avenue
Bondi Beach
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9365.9000
www.idrb.com
The dining room is impressive and the fresh fish is even more so.  Choose from a variety of catches each day while looking out over the ocean.  Go for lunch on a clear day after you've spent the morning on the beach.  Pricey but worth it, this is not your average beach restaurant.

North Bondi Italian Food
118-120 Ramesgate Avenue
Bondi Beach
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9300.4400
This Italian restaurant shares an owner with Icebergs.  On the opposite side of the beach and the opposite side of the food spectrum, it is another success of a restaurant.  The more casual Italian menu is rich and authentic. As if you needed another reason to come to Bondi.

Jimmy Liks
188 Victoria Street
Potts Point
Tel. +61 (0) 2.8354.1400
www.jimmyliks.com
Casual Thai food as only the Aussies can do in rooms with traditional, communal tables.  The tables are long enough to avoid rubbing elbows with those seated next to you, but enable socialization and chitchat between patrons.  This is a local place foodies will love and with no reservations needed.

Aria
One Macquarie St.
East Circular Quay
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9252.2555
www.ariarestaurant.com
For first time visitors, this classic, international restaurant is a must at least once. The decor is contemporary and comfortable and the views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are spectacular.

Claude's
10 Oxford St. (Woollahra)
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9331.2325
www.claudes.com.au
This french restaurant has been around for over 30 years and has gone through numerous changes.  The one constant is the exceptional Aussie inspired food.

The Queen Victoria Building
455 George Street
www.qvb.com.au
Now affectionately known as the QVB, this glorious domed structure fills an entire city block. It was originally a concert hall, then the city library, and is now the home of some of the finest shops in Sydney, including jewelers, perfumers, arts, antiques, fashion and much, much more. More than 100 shops and restaurants are ready to serve your every taste.

Simon Johnson Quality Foods
181 Harris Street
Tel. +61 (0) 2.8244.8220
www.simonjohnson.com
Here you’ll find the most exquisite gourmet foods, a select range of homewares and kitchen apparatus, recipes and information on chefs and restaurants.
 
Aboriginal Art Shop
Stage Door, Sydney Opera House   
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9247.4344 
Conveniently located next to the Stage Door, the Aboriginal Art Shop has a wide selection of indigenous Australian paintings, artifacts and products as well as masks and sculptures from Papua New Guinea. The shop specializes in quality gift items such as jewelry, scarves, books and T-shirts. 

City of Sydney
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
This site is a great resource for locals and tourists alike, giving weather and business information, as well as a list of events happening in the city.

Icebergs
1 Notts Ave. (Bondi Beach)
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9365.9000
www.idrb.com
Also one of our favorite restaurants, we have put it up again in the night life section because the bar is such a hot spot and they have an enormous swimming pool, directly on the beach.  Icebergs also offers a prime location in a vintage, but very up and coming Sydney neighborhood, right on Australia's most famous beach.

Lowenbrau
Corner Playfair & Argyle Streets
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9247.7785
Here the beer and fun flows freely every day--open late, seven days a week. Menu includes German delicacies such as bratwurst, schnitzels and mouthwatering strudels, plus one of the largest ranges of beers from all over the world, including original Lowenbrau and Franziskaner beer on tap.

The Pontoon Bar
North Promenade, Cockle Bay Wharf
Darling Harbor
Tel. +61 (0) 2.9267.7099
www.pontoonbar.com
The perfect Sydney location and a stunning view of Darling Harbour are what make The Pontoon Bar stand out in a sea of restaurants.  Futuristic interior decor, swanky menu options and a vibrant atmosphere ensure it will maintain its place on the nightlife radar.