2. Sydney is the largest city in Australia, and the state Capital of New South Walles. Sydney has a metropolitan area population of approximately 4 million and an area of approximately 12,000 square kilometres. Its inhabitants are called Sydneysiders, and Sydney is often called "the Harbour City". It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflected in its role as a major destination for immigrants to Australia. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets. Sydney has hosted major international sporting events, including the 1938 British Empire Games, 2000 Summer Olympics and the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The main airport serving Sydney is Sydney Airport. Sydney is considered an alpha+ world city, listed by the Loughborough University group's 2008 inventory and ranked 16th among global cities by Foreign Policy’ s 2008 Global Cities Index. According to the Mercer cost of living survey, Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, and the 66th most expensive in the world. Sydney also ranks among the top 10 most livable cities in the world according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting and The Economist.
3. Sydney has a wide variety of cultural institutions. Sydney's iconic Opera House has five theatres capable of hosting a range of performance styles; it is the home of Opera Australia—the third busiest opera company in the world, and the Sydney Symphony. Other venues include the Sydney Town Hall, City Recital Hall, the State Theatre, the Theatre Royal, Sydney, the Sydney Theatre and the Wharf Theatre. The Sydney Dance Company under the leadership of Graeme Murphy during the late 20th century has also gained acclaim. The Sydney Theatre Company has a regular roster of local plays, such as noted playwright David Williamson, classics and international playwrights. In 2007, New Theatre (Newtown) celebrated 75 years of continuous production in Sydney. Other important theatre companies in Sydney include Company B and Griffin Theatre Company. From the 1940s through to the 1970s the Sydney Push, a group of authors and political activists whose members included Germaine Greer, influenced the city's cultural life The National Institute of Dramatic Art, based in Kensington, boasts internationally famous alumni such as Mel Gibson, Judy Davis, Baz Luhrmann and Cate Blanchett. Sydney's role in the film industry has increased since the opening of Fox Studios Australia in 1998.
4. Sydney's most popular nightspots include Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and The Rocks which all contain various bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Star City Casino, is Sydney's only casino and is situated around Darling Harbour. There are also many traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants in dinner city areas such as Newtown, Balmain and Leichhardt. Sydney's main live music hubs include areas such as Newtown and Annandale, which nurtured acts such as AC/DC, Midnight Oil and INXS. Other popular nightspots tend to be spread throughout the city in areas such as Bondi, Manly, Cronulla and Parramatta. The most important museums in sydney are Australian National Maritime Museum, The Australian Museum, The Powerhouse Museum, The Museum of Sidney and The Museum of Contemporary Art.
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6. Australian National Maritime Museum Australian Museum Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour Circular Quay Star City Casino
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9. Sydney Taronga Zoo : Go behind-the-scenes at Sydney Taronga Zoo for an interactive and close up encounter with Autralian wildlife. Feed a wallaby and take photos with a koala during this intimate small group tour which has a maximum of only eight participants. Led by an experienced zookeeper, you'll learn interesting facts about Australian animals as you meet them face-to-face at Sydney Taronga Zoo.
10. Sydney Harbour Family Pirate : Children as well as the whole family will be entertained throughout this Sydney Harbour pirate cruise and everyone is encouraged to get involved. Pirate and mermaid fancy dress costumes are encouraged and rewarded. Haul on a rope and help set the sails, sing along to the pirates songs, participate in the many games and activities, including a treasure hunt onboard the ship or simply sit back in comfort and style and enjoy the views of Sydney's magnificent harbour.
11. Hotels nearest to airport -Holiday Inn Sydney Airport: . Conveniently positioned, Holiday Inn Sydney Airport is located only minutes from the international and domestic airport terminals providing regular transfers to and from the hotel. Situated in the centre of the local business district, the hotel provides you with easy access to the CBD via the motorway or the 2 minutes walk to the nearby Mascot train station will have you in the city within 10 minutes. -Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport : 130 rooms, open 24 hours and located in the heart of the Airport Precinct. Only 10 minutes walking distance to the Domestic Terminal and train station. 10 minutes drive to International terminal. -Ibis Sydney Airport : Ibis Sydney Airport is located 1 km from the domestic and 3 km from the international airport
12. Banks: ANZ Arab Bank Bank of Cyprus BankWest Citibank Commonwealth HSBC ING Direct National Australia Macquarie Reserve St George Suncorp Metway Westpac
13. Hospitals: -Mater hospital -St vincent’s hospital -Hunters Hill Private Hospital -Colvin Jean Hospital -Royal Prince Alfred Hospital -Balmain Hospital -The Prince of Walles Hospital
14. Dog parks: Sydney has 27 Dog Parks among wich are: Simpson Park, Sydney Park, Booralee Park, Sir Joseph Banks Park (nearest to airport), Enmore Park, Green Bank Park . Regulations -On Lead Dogs must be under the control of a competent person by means of a leash in public areas. - Off Lead Dogs are permitted leash free in designated areas as long as they are under effective control of a competent person. - Pick Up After Your Dog A person in charge of a dog must carry a plastic bag or similar and pick up and properly dispose of all dog faeces.