I timed my visit to Sydney for this event in November 2014 and I did not regret one bit of it…read more The coastal walk was simply awesome and as we actually started walking from Coogee to Bondi, we should be tired by the time we got to Tamarama but we were not. I did not realize Tamarama was considered the end of the exhibition but I felt it did not matter much which side you started from. The 2 km stretch of exhibits between Bondi and Taramara was over very quickly as you marveled at the sculptures. Set against the clear blue sea with frothing waves (at some parts) and beautiful blue sky dotted with some clouds, it was just quite breathtaking. Just take your time and bask in the beauty all around the place. No rush, no hurry and you will not feel like you are being hemmed in by the crowd. Some parts can be more packed but as long as you are not in a rush, people do give way or move on after a while. We went on a Friday afternoon so maybe it was not that crowded compared to the weekend.

We happened to be in Sydney during the last weekend of Sculpture by the Sea. The captain of our…read moreplane recommended checking it out and I'm so glad we did. This is a large public modern art exhibit along the water. The exhibit is completely free and it's filled with creative works. The only downside is that it is extremely crowded. But can you really blame the crowds for wanting to enjoy beautiful interactive art at such a magnificent setting?

A giant outdoors botanical garden. Free entry always, which makes this even better…read more There are many sections to this garden. Each section dedicated to plants from different parts of the world. There is also a succulent garden with species from around the world. A palm house. Giant green spaces for picnics, trails around the park and along the water for runners and walkers. Benches to rest all along the park. Let me repeat, this is a huge park. By the waterfront you have a great view of the harbor bridge as well as the opera house. There is a small visitor center, a snack bar restaurant and also a fine dining restaurant. Various tours are offered if you feel like learning more about the plants or the birds or the history. Something for every taste here.

Upon returning from Taronga Zoo to Sydney Harbor's Circular Quay, we continued our sightseeing and…read moreexercise at the Royal Botanic Gardens, which is adjacent to the Sydney Opera House. We walked along its well-paved, well-maintained waterfront pathways and into a few of the 15 various themed areas (Australian Rain Forest, Rose Garden, The Calyx, Fernery, Palace Garden, and Australian native collection). These gardens offered stunning views, a peaceful oasis, self-guided tours, and free Wi-Fi. Also, the Royal Botanic Gardens is home to the National Herbarium of New South Wales, which plays a leading scientific role. It took us several hours to complete our walk because we stopped several times to admire the various trees, plants, and flowers in different areas, before my allergies told me to exit the gardens. But, we saw many visitors and residents, families, couples, or singles making their day in the gardens through exercise or relaxation. Along the way, we also saw several well-dressed couples staging their wedding photos with professional photographers, the gardens providing beautiful, natural backdrops. We'd love to return to complete admiring the garden grounds, but I'll make sure to take medication before going, as I didn't realize how sensitive I would be to the native plants, trees, and flowers.

Cockatoo Island's vast abandoned factories, unused alleyways and shipping docks provides an…read moreexciting location for visitors to see a huge range of Street Art in one location. And because of its dynamic and live nature, the art will change and evolve, giving visitors something different to see throughout the course of the festival which runs from 4 November - 11 December, 2011. We are delighted one Sunday that the weather is perfect and that public transport for a Fun Day ticket is only $5 so we take advantage of this offer and catch the ferry over to Cockatoo Island for the street art display called Outpost. When we arrive we are met with a colourful cup wall and a huge expansive chalkboard floor which our toddler runs too and grabs chalk from the baskets to begin her own graffiti. On hot days because of the asphalt it can be incredibly hot so make sure young one are covered up and it wouldn't hurt to have cover for yourself. Children scoot and skate around us as this place is perfect for this kind of activity. We then choose to walk down the working tunnel which leads to the Turbine Hall. It makes for a wonderful experience to see art from Ben Frost, Everfresh and The Beastman. We exit and go into the Turbine Hall where the Kidzoom Home project shows a movie installation and three commodore pile up installation inside. On the other side we sit in one of the many cafes and have a refreshing drink and coffee. Our Toddler decides she is off and goes into the junk room with other kids to construct her own sculpture she loves it. Following this we go into a big room with hanging t-shirts and profiles on different graphic artists and then go over to the X Box room to do some dancing. This exhibition is progressive, dynamic and worth those who are keen to take the short trip from Circular Quay for the day. Relax with a cocktail in the Cockatoo Island Bar at the end of the day. Verdict: One in a million experience that you must go and see.

"Mrs Macquarie's Chair (also known as Lady Macquarie's Chair) is an exposed sandstone rock cut into…read morethe shape of a bench, on a peninsula in Sydney Harbour. It was hand carved by convicts in 1810, for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales." - Wikipedia Located near the Royal Botanic Gardens, this is a great landmark to view the Syndey Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I recommend jogging around the whole gardens and taking a break at/around Mrs Macquarie's Chair to take in the air and scenery.

Great views of Sydney Harbour from this location…read more If you're walking and don't know what you're looking for you can miss it. The monument is an unmarked and simple concrete seat, but it plainly says Mrs Macquarie's Road... on it. Easy place to sit and relax, maybe not the best views on the peninsula, but it's peaceful enough. Plenty of flora around, the sounds of the harbour and water are evident. You are within a quarter mile of the Botanical Gardens on one side and Art Gallery of NSW on the other.

It's great to see so many laneways in Sydney being revitalised this year due to Sydney's Art and…read moreAbout festival. A handful of artists have been given the opportunity to breathe life into many grey and banal walls that live between buildings in the city streets. Dungate Lane is one these laneways that has been brought to life by artists Shannon Crees and Claire and Mie Nakazawa. On one side of the lane, Shannon Cree's brightly coloured exotic animals line the wall staring at you as if they're wondering what you're doing in their laneway. On the opposite wall in the lane Claire and Mie Nakazawa's awkwardly looking character with her outstretched hand offering a cupcake plays on the title of their work "hidden sweets" and alludes to Sydney's hidden laneway art.

I would say this is the most recognized opera house in the world... easily. It is gorgeous,…read moreespecially when there are special occasions where it may be lit up in colorful displays. What really surprised me was that the exterior consists of small tiles... who knew. One drawback is that it is not easily accessible. Loads of stairs to climb and the distance from any transportation option to the entrance is huge. Once inside you will still be walking quite a distance and many many stairs. You will not be able to enter here without staff assistance if you are not walking perfectly well. The inside is as gorgeous as the outside, there are several bars and restaurants inside and out and serivce is great. I came here for my very first opera and even so I could only afford the 'cheap' seats, I must say that my view of the stage was great and the sound quality was excellent. A great help were the small screens on which the translation of the opera followed along. Sort of like closed captioning for the happenings on stage. Helped me tremendously as I tried to follow along, but do not understand a lick of Italian. What else can be said that hasn't been said a million times? Oh yeah, don't forget to visit Benny the seal who hangs out on some stairs in back of the building facing the water of course.

Whether I saw the Sydney Opera House from the inside, by land, or by sea, this civic structure is…read morean iconic as I've ever seen in my travels. My only other frame of reference was our previous visit to the Oslo (Norway) Opera House. Both are waterfront cultural landmarks designed to merge art with public space. I think the comparison is relatively weak, but I did enjoy Oslo's stark and walkable white marble roof designed to resemble a glacier, encouraging public interaction. Yet, its hard to beat Sydney's sculptural sails. We took the inside tour, with one regret being running out of time and not having the opportunity to enjoy a performance here, preferably in either the huge Orchestra or Opera Halls. Heck, I would have settled for one of the plays on the lower level. The biggest highlight though was getting to see the projection on those Sails commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Australian Navy. Absolutely Stunning!

I was here for a convention…read more I will say it's a huge space! You can be on level 3..but the wrong part of level 3. Pay attention to the signs of the meeting rooms. There was a lot going on the weekend of my convention. Staff was good and knew exactly where everything was and what areas to go. Bathrooms were clean. It's definitely a nice spot for a gathering. The cafe is only open mon-fri, which is a bit of a disappoint as events were going on all weekend. Lots of space for any event. Also convenient location if traveling the light rail.

Well, here we are, and I'm writing a review about an exhibition centre…read more Have I hit rock bottom? Run out of ideas? Or just had an unexpected experience that I felt compelled to write about even though I'm tireder than a goat herder? I'm here to tell you, it's the latter. Who knew, right? I mean, a big empty room is a big empty room, yeah? But nah. Nah, it ain't. The convention centre here is huge, we're talking a series of colossal, clean warehouses big enough to store a battery of brontosauruses (brontosaurii?) in. Chuck a car show, a Good Food & Wine show, a whatever you want in there and its game on, get going. But the best thing about this joint is how damned easy it is to get in & out, especially for me having to come over the bridge. Straight onto Harris Street, and into the car park. Then, no long walks. Up the stairs and you're right there in D-Harbour, right outside the convention centre. Same leaving. In, out, no muss. Easy off BAM.

The National Maritime Museum is a great place to understand the effect that water has had on the…read morehistory and culture of Sydney. Many great exhibits on First Nation issue as well as the Landing of the First Fleet.

MuSeaUm. Interesting…read moreto see the historic ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Had a nice view both from land and from the sea.