|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
Centrepoint Tower (AMP Tower Centrepoint) – The
Centrepoint Tower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. Take
the elevator up to the observation deck and two revolving restaurants. Kids will
get a fantastic view of Sydney, the "paradise of waters." The tower is also
open at night, stunning views of the lights of Sydney. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly – Sydney has
a great harbor and a favorite activity is to take the ferry from Circular
Quay to Manly. You'll pass by the stunning Sydney Opera House. You can also
take harbor cruises around Sydney Harbour and waterways. Click here
to get the ferry
schedule. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 Circular
Quay is itself an interesting spot for kids. Walk around The Rocks,
the oldest district of Sydney, with cobblestone streets and stone buildings.
Stop in at the Sydney Visitor Centre, once a home for sailors, to get tourist
information and see historical displays. On the weekends, there are open
air markets on George St. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
The Justice and Police Museum – In the 19th century,
Sydney was a convict colony, giving law and order a tough time. The museum,
originally the site of the Police Court, provides a glimpse of the prisoner's
lot in life – the Magistrates court, cells, and mug shots of notorious
criminals. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Observatory Hill – The hill is perfect
place for kids to run around on the grass or picnic under the big fig trees.
The Sydney Observatory (now a museum of astronomy) was built over
the site of an old windmill. For a 100 years, this was the spot where astronomers
observed the southern skies. You can arrange to visit the observatory for
nighttime viewings. Click
here for more information. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge – Walk the pathway
that starts on Cumberland Street (The Rocks) and goes across the bridge
to Milson's Point on the other side. Before you start your walk, stop
in to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Pylon Museum and Lookout. Climb
up the pylon for a view of the boats in the harbor. From Milson's Point,
walk over to Kirribilli Wharf to take the ferry back to Circular Quay. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Take the monorail – The monorail runs
from the city center around Darling Harbour and around in a loop. If you're
at the Centrepoint Tower, start your monorail ride the City Centre station.
Get off at the Darling Park stop for the Sydney Aquarium, or Harbourside
for the National Maritime Museum. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Sydney Aquarium – This excellent aquarium
has native fish and coral from the Great Barrier Reef, saltwater crocodiles,
Australian fur and harbor seals, huge sharks and stingrays. "Best I’ve
ever seen," writes a friend. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Chinese Gardens – The gardens are
a lovely spot, landscaped with lakes, streams, and exquisite plantings in
a traditional Chinese style, and a teahouse. The garden was designed by
Sydney's sister city in China, Guangdong. Don't miss the big carp in the
ponds. Close by, stop off in Chinatown for delicious Chinese food. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Australian National Maritime Museum –
The Maritime Museum focuses on the sea, starting with the arrival of humans
in Australia 50,000 years ago. Exhibits in the museum include stories of
the convicts' arrival, also by sea, different types of navigation, and a
warship to explore. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Pyrmont – From the National Maritime
Museum, walk on the pedestrian-only Pyrmont Bridge over the Darling
Harbor. Or, head over to one of the prettiest parks, Pyrmont Point Park,
highly recommended by an 11 year old girl who lives in Sydney. You can take
the board walk all the way around or continue on Pirrama Rd to the end of
the point. The park has a large grassy area, perfect for picnics, with bar-b-ques,
kid's play area, and a fine view of the harbor. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Other
parks in the vicinity are the James Watkinson Reserve (Mill St.)
and Wentworth Park, both with children's play areas and grass. The Bicentennial Park at Rozelle Bay (Glebe) is splendid for picnics
too. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Australian Museum – The natural history
of Australia is unique, along with aboriginal cultures that originated thousands
of years ago. The Australian Museum has extensive exhibits of aboriginal
peoples, not just from Australia, but also from Asia, Africa and the Pacific
Islands. The collections of fossils and animals are also extensive. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Hyde Park and Royal Botanic Gardens –
After you've done the museum, go across the street to Hyde Park, and run
from the Pool of Reflection at one end of the park, to the Archibald Fountain
at the far end. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
For longer
stroll in the park, make your way through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs. Macquaries Point where you can relax and watch the boats go
by. Don't miss a chance to plunk down on "Mrs. Macquaries Chair,"
a stone bench and huge rock named after Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife
of the governor. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Taronga Park Zoo (Mosman) – Take the
ferry from Circular Quay to the Taronga Park Zoo, situated with a view of
the harbor on the headlands of the harbor. The zoo has a wonderful selection
of animals native to Australia – kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, echidnas,
dingoes, koalas, platypuses, wombats! |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Beaches – Looking for a beach day,
but don't want to brave the crowds at Bondi Beach, head south for Bronte
Beach or Coogie Beach. Great for little kids. Nielson Park
(Vaucluse) is a popular family beach, good swimming and picnic tables.
In north Sydney, head to Balmoral Beach. Other family beaches on
the northern coast are Manly, Curl Curl, and Dee Why. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
Sydney day trips |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Based on a true
story, in 1787 teenage Mary Bryant is transported on a convict ship
to Botany Bay (Sydney). In the colony, Mary and her new husband
dream of escape. They sail a small boat three thousand miles in
open sea to Timor – the remarkable journey of a courageous
young woman. (Chapter book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Humorous,
handy hints for the new convict, sentenced to seven years transportation
to Botany Bay. Tips for how to survive eight months at sea in
an overcrowded ship with terrible food, avoid floggings with the
"cat," ideas for escaping and making friends with aborigines
who know how to survive in the bush, and if you're lucky, with
a pardon you can start a new life. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Hilarious,
wacky story of Limpey, a cane toad who can't understand why humans
hate them. Limpey and his cousin Goliath (who nearly ends up squished
on the road) head to Sydney for the Olympic Games, determined to
become official mascots. (Chapter book)
For Limpey's next adventure: Toad
Heaven
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The
Sydney Opera House is such a world-famous landmark, find out about
this fascinating building – who designed it (Danish architect
Jørn Utzon), design challenges (a foundation strong enough
to support the heavy building), what's on the roof (white ceramic
tiles), construction of the immense "glass curtains."
Excellent color photographs.
(Chapter book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(More children's
books on other Australia pages) |
