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Sydney, Australia, is a grand host that welcomes the world to its stage. In fact, the city thrives on the opportunity to show the world what it is: a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with trendsetting international cuisine, stellar architecture—think of the Sydney Opera House—and a spectacular harbor setting.

Sydney is the cultural and financial heart of the Australian continent. Nearly one-fifth of the residents of Australia live there, and Sydneysiders are always on the go—many of them back and forth over the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge. They sail, surf, swim and ferry across the water—or look out over bays or beaches from one of many waterfront cafes.

Must See or Do

Sights—The architecturally stunning Sydney Opera House; the historic The Rocks district; the view of the skyline from the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Tower; the view from North Head, Manly.

Museums—Early Australian, contemporary and Aboriginal art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; contemporary pieces at the Museum of Contemporary Art; natural and cultural history at the Australian Museum; the temporary exhibitions at the State Library of New South Wales; the city's history at the Museum of Sydney; the early days at the Rocks Discovery Museum.

Memorable Meals—A plate of fresh Sydney rock oysters at Sydney Cove Oyster Bar; Chinese food in Chinatown; the sheer artistry of food presentation at the highly acclaimed Tetsuya's; the the city's best burger at Mary's in inner-city Newtown; modern Australian cuisine at the award-winning Quay overlooking Sydney Harbour at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks.

Nightlife—A world-class performance at Sydney Opera House; enjoying the view and libations at Cargo Bar & Lounge on King Street Wharf; dancing at the super-hip Hemmesphere; the Friday-night buzz around the more casual pubs of Taylor Square in Darlinghurst; drinks overlooking Coogee Beach at the rooftop Coogee Pavilion.

Walks—A walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens; a breezy stroll across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (preferably from the north to the south side at sunset); a saunter down Oxford Street, from Paddington to Darlinghurst; the Manly Scenic Walk; the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Especially for Kids—Taronga Zoo; the Shark Reef Snorkel at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium; interactive science and design exhibits at the Powerhouse Museum; admire koalas at Featherdale Wildlife Park; the fair and rides at Luna Park.

Geography

Located on an inlet on the southeastern coast of Australia, Sydney is a sprawling city. Visitors will likely spend most of their time in Sydney's center in the downtown area, which generally includes the Central Business District, The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

The best place to start getting acquainted with the city's layout is Circular Quay, the city's transportation hub. As you face the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to your right is the famous Sydney Opera House with the Royal Botanic Gardens beyond it. To the left, beneath the bridge, is The Rocks, which curves around the bay to Darling Harbour, where you'll find the city's oldest pubs, the Sydney Observatory and other attractions. The tall buildings bordered by Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Hyde Park make up the Central Business District (also known as the CBD).

A 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride southeast takes you to Kings Cross, with its restaurants and nightclubs, as well as some of Sydney's most hip neighborhoods. Paddington is lined with fine-art galleries, trendy clothing stores and stately Victorian houses. Darlinghurst is known for its trendy cafes and nightclubs. Oxford Street is Sydney's—and Australia's—gay mecca and site of the famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in February. To the south is Surry Hills, a hipster hot spot full of great dining options.

North of the bridge and easily accessible by ferry from Circular Quay lies Sydney's second most popular beachside area for tourists, Manly and its famous beach. Manly is only the first of a string of northern coastal beach suburbs such as Freshwater, Newport, Avalon and Palm Beach—all spectacular and seldom explored by tourists. To the west are a host of grungy inner-city suburbs, including artsy Glebe and Newtown. Southwest is the Italian enclave Leichhardt. To the east are the iconic harborside suburbs with unbeatable views of Sydney's waterfront: Rushcutters Bay, Rose Bay, Double Bay and Vaucluse, as well as the wealthy eastern suburbs of Woollahra. Beyond that lie Sydney's most iconic beach, Bondi, and the trendy eastern beach suburbs of Bondi, Bronte, Coogee and Clovelly.

History

The Aborigines inhabited the Sydney area for tens of thousands of years before the first European settlers landed there on 26 January 1788. British Capt. Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack and named the settlement in honor of Lord Sydney, who was then the British Home Secretary.

Phillip's mission was to establish a penal colony at Sydney Cove (today known as Circular Quay) for the boatloads of convicts and troops he'd taken with him—1,300 on all on four ships.

The reluctant colonists (known as "First Fleeters") were ill-prepared to settle the continent, but after much hardship, the settlement began taking shape in the area now called The Rocks. Over the next century, Sydney's secure harbor spurred the city's emergence as the country's economic hub.

Sydney didn't shed its reputation as bland and provincial until the mid-1950s, when enlightened leadership led to the construction of such landmarks as the Sydney Opera House. Explosive growth, coupled with a booming economy, helped turn Sydney into one of the world's most attractive, cosmopolitan and multicultural cities.

Potpourri

Australian Mary Donaldson, now Crown Princess of Denmark, met Crown Prince Frederick at the Slip Inn in Sydney during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Sydney was 114.4 F/45.8 C, and the lowest temperature ever recorded was 25 F/-4 C.

There are 200 different ethnic cultures in Sydney, which translates to its eclectic mix of traditions, styles, architecture and, most noticeably, food. Foreign-born residents make up 43% of the population, and immigration comprises 75% of the city's annual population growth.

Sydney's first currency was rum and led to a rum rebellion.

The Sydney Opera House was estimated to cost A$7 million to build, but ended up costing A$102 million. Most of the funds came from a state lottery.

Famous Australian comedian and actor Paul Hogan used to work as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney's indigenous funnel-web spider is rated the world's deadliest arachnid.

The seaside suburb of Manly was named after Sydney founder British Capt. Arthur Phillip's admiration of the "manly" build of the Aborigines.

The penthouse at the reinvented Star (a casino, entertainment and dining hub) was designed for Leonardo DiCaprio while he was in Sydney filming The Great Gatsby. It became his home during his Sydney sojourn.

Location

Most cruise ships arriving in Sydney dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, West Circular Quay. This overlooks the Circular Quay wharfs and Sydney Opera House. It is also adjacent to Sydney's major historic area, called The Rocks.

Taxis are available immediately outside the terminal, and trains, trams, buses and ferries to other parts of Sydney all depart from near the wharf area of Circular Quay. The Central Business District is a 10- to 15-minute walk or short taxi ride away.

Within the terminal is Cruise Bar and a selection of restaurants, including one of Sydney's best, aptly named Quay. Both have spectacular views. ATMs can be found nearby, as can free Internet access and tourist information at Sydney Visitors Centre, located on the corner of Argyle and Playfair streets in The Rocks.

Shore Excursions

As alluring as Nova Scotia's scenic routes are, you might also consider visiting Cape Breton Island's only city. Along with a boardwalk-edged waterfront, Sydney has numerous historic buildings, including Cossit House Museum. Believed to be the oldest residence in the city, it was erected by the town's first Anglican minister, Ranna Cossit, in 1787. Other heritage buildings are St. George's Church (where Cossit preached); St. Patrick's Church (the island's oldest Roman Catholic church); and Jost House (a 1700s home containing exhibits and special collections).

All can be seen on Can$10 Ghost Walks organized by the Old Sydney Society on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in summer (phone 902-539-1572; http://www.oldsydney.com/tours.html). If you're interested in a different kind of nightlife, check out Casino Nova Scotia's Sydney location on George Street, or simply kick back with the locals (and some live music) at a harborfront pub.

Note that Sydney also makes a good base for touring, as it offers easy access to less-developed neighboring communities on the so-called Marconi Trail, such as Sydney Mines (on the north side of Sydney Harbour) and Glace Bay (11 mi/18 km northeast). The former is home to the small but interesting Heritage Museum and Fossil Centre. The latter is where you'll find the Marconi National Historic Site: Dedicated to the Italian radio pioneer, it has a replica of the wireless station that broadcast the first transatlantic message to Europe at the turn of the 20th century. Another Glace Bay highlight is the Cape Breton Miners' Museum. Be sure to take the tour: After you're issued a hard hat and a protective cape, a retired miner leads you down to a damp, cramped mine typical of the 1930s.

As an added bonus, the Marconi Trail's marquee site, Fortress of Louisbourg, is only 18 mi/28 km southeast of Sydney, and Baddeck is 50 mi/81 km west.

Location

Sydney is the cruise port for Cape Breton Island. The cruise passenger terminal contains a small gallery and tourist information center with helpful attendants who can help visitors book alternative excursions or rent a car.

Don't try to spend too much time in Sydney—the main attraction is Cape Breton Island's beautiful scenery.