Sydney, Australia - Part 2

The city's main thoroughfare and oldest street in Australia, George Street, named after King George III in 1810, runs up from Circular Quay, past Wynyard CityRail staion and Town Hall to Central Station. A whole host of streets run parallel to George, including Pitt, Elizabeth, and Macquarie. Macquarie Street runs up from the Sydney Opera House past the Royal Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park. Martin Place is a pedestrian thoroughfare that stretches from Macquarie to George Streets. It's about halfway between Circular Quay and Town Hall in the heart of the city center.

Nearby on Market and Pitt Streets are the Sydney Tower and the boutique-style chain stores of Pitt Street Mall. The Sydney Tower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere and resembles a giant steel pole skeweering a golden marshmallow. The Sydney Tower was opened to the public in August 1981 and is ranked as one of the safest buildings in the world as its design was made such that the tower is capable of withstanding earthquakes and extreme wind conditions. Standing more than 984 ft, the tower offers stunning views across Sydney and as far as the Blue Mountains. The turret has a capacity of 960 persons and contains two levels of restaurants, a coffee lounge, an Observation Deck, two telecommunication transmission levels and three plant levels. Three high speed double deck lifts take approximately 40 seconds to travel from top to bottom. For the adventurers, Skywalk is a unique 45 minute high altitude outdoor walk on top of Sydney Tower. Dressed in protective clothing and safety-harnessed to external walkways, Skywalkers experience a buzz unmatched by any other Sydney attraction, at double the height of Sydney Harbor Bridge and the same height as the Eiffel Tower. Step out onto the clouds as you venture across the glass-floored viewing platform for unique 360-degree views over glittering Sydney and beyond.


In the heart of the city, the area is home to the main department stores and two Sydney landmarks, the Town Hall and a historic shopping mall, Queen Victoria Bulding (QVB). The Sydney Town Hall at George and Druitt Streets is possibly the only non-religious city building to retain its original function and interiors since it was built 120 years ago. Accommodation in the 19th century building includes the Council Chamber, reception rooms, the Centennial Hall and offices for the Lord Mayor and elected councillors.

The Queen Victoria Building has been described by Pierre Cardin as "the most beautiful shopping center in the world". This Byzantine style building which occupies an entire city block on George Street between Druitt and Market, was built in 1898 to replace the original Sydney Markets. It subsequently accommodated a concert hall which eventually became the City Library. The building was remodelled in the 1930s and used for different purposes, including municipal offices. In 1984 it was completely refurbished as a shopping center with more than 200 shops retaining the turn-of-the-century charm of the building.

The Australian Museum is on College Street down Park Street on the other side of Hyde Park. This museum is a natural history museum displaying thematically all things Aboriginal with its traditional clothing, weapons, and everyday implements. There are examples of stuffed Australian mammals and birds, an insect display, and a mineral collection.


Bordering the south-western end of George Street is Sydney Chinatown. Sydney’s original Chinese community settled in The Rocks, but moved here in the early 1900s. Many of these people were market gardeners and traders, and shops and restaurants naturally followed – especially in Dixon Street, the heart of Chinatown. At the corner with Hay Street, there is a tree stump gilded in gold which is said to bring good fortune to the Chinese community. Opposite the tree on the east side of Chinatown is the magnificent Capital Theatre that plays host to major internatinal and local productions including Australian singing superstar Kylie Minogue. Check the Friday edition of the Sydney Morning Herald, for informationon what's currently in production at the Capital or any of the local theaters. The annual Sydney Festival kicks off after New Year's and continues through January with recitals, plays, films, and performances at venues throughout the city.


Situated on a hill overlooking Chinatown is Cinema District with the three largest cinema in Sydney that merged into one complex. The Cinema District also houses many arcades, Internet cafes, fast food restaurants and pubs and is very popular after dark. Nearby Liverpool Street boasts Sydney’s growing ‘Spanish Quarter’.


To the west is Darling Harbour. Many tourist head to Darling Harbour for the Harbourside Festival Marketplace, a huge structure beside the Pyrmont pedestrian and monorail bridge that's crammed full of cheap eateries and a few interesting shops. Within Darling Harbour is the Australian National Maritime Museum, the largest Chinese Garden of its type outside of China designed by expert gardeners from China's Guangdong Province, an IMAX Theatre, and the world reknown Sydney Aquarium. After a long day of walking, take the ferry back from Darling Harbour if you are staying at the Rock or Circular Quay.