Information correct as of April 20, 2009
SYDNEY
Population: Contents:
Approx 4.3 million In Short l About Sydney l 5 Must Do's l Our Crew Recommend l
Eating l Shopping l Nightlife l Sleeping l Quick Facts l Our Partners
Time Zone:
GMT +10 For all advertising and corporate enquiries please email
arrival.guides@virginblue.com.au
Electricity:
220 – 240v 50Hz
Tourist Information:
Cnr of Argyle and Playfair St, The Rocks
Open: Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm
www.sydney.com.au
Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance, Fire, Police: 000
Newspapers:
The Australian
Sunday Australian
Daily Telegraph
Sunday Telegraph
IN SHORT
The hugely successful Olympic Games in 2000 propelled the already
popular city of Sydney to the top of world class cities. Celebrated as
"sunny, sexy and sophisticated", what was once a colony for deported
convicts has been transformed into one of the world’s hottest capitals.
The Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are the best known
icons but scratch beneath the surface of this city and you’ll find a
pulsating heartbeat that never slows.
arrival.guides@virginblue.com.au
ABOUT SYNDEY 5 MUST DO’S
Sydney is a metropolis and a multi-ethnic magnet All tours and activities available with our
for people from around the world. Sydney harbour partner GoDo. For more information, please
itself is breathtakingly beautiful and you can’t go visit www.virginblue.com.au/tours
wrong spending time either on the harbour or on
the shores of it. Whale Watching Sydney
Experience majestic humpback whales just
The City, or the Central Business District, CBD, is outside Sydney harbour. Half day voyages depart
compact. This is the area in front of the Circular daily from Darling harbour & Circular Quay. Get up
Quay with the Opera House and the historic close & personal to the whales, dolphins & other
Rocks, where the gleaming glass and steel sea life. All cruises are guaranteed to see whales
buildings of the business quarter reach skyward. and are certified eco-tours.
Up the road a little is the Pitt Street Mall and
stunning Queen Victoria Building which houses Hot Air Ballooning in Sydney
some serious shop-a-holic tonic. To experience one of life's most breathtaking
moments, join us to fly in this premier ballooning
Kings Cross offers a distinctive mix of worldly location. Once aloft, look east to view Sydney's
pleasures on the one hand, and good restaurants world famous skyline or west to the stunning vista
and low-cost housing on the other. of the Blue Mountains. After, you celebrate with a
champagne breakfast in our historic cottage
The inner-city suburbs to the east of the City, like garden.
Darlinghurst and Paddington with its long Oxford
Street, have some of the best shopping, pubs and Wildlife, Whales and Wine Safari - 2 Days
entertainment and are known for arty and home- Get up-close and personal with the best nature
ware shops that reek of good taste, trendy clothing has to offer. Pat a koala, kangaroo and other
shops and hip eateries and bars, largely due to the native animals. Sail with Dolphins and the
strong gay influence. Humpback Whales at Port Stephens. Sample the
best chocolates, cheeses and wines the Hunter
North of Sydney lies Manly with its restaurants and Valley has to offer. Relax as we take care of it all
beach life. Famous rock band Australian Crawl for you!
had the right idea so why not get on board the
Manly ferry as it ‘cuts its way to Circular Quay ‘. Kayaking On Sydney Harbour
Glebe is another, student-dominated ‘inner Kayak around one of the most beautiful harbours
suburb‘. Fashionable Double Bay, a short drive in Australia and see the world from a different
from the city centre, is an exclusive area famous perspective. Discover Sydney Harbour's hidden
for its boutique hotels and shopping with great beaches, explore the wilderness foreshore and
views of the harbour. experience this majestic harbour like very few
visitors ever will!
Horse Riding In Centennial Park
See Sydney's fabulous Centennial Park from the
comfort of your saddle. Your personal guide will
prepare you and your horse and will accompany
you throughout this scenic ride of unique parts of
Centennial Park. An hour's tour of Sydney like
none other!
Blue Mountains Scenic Day Tour with River
Cruise
If you are in Sydney on a short stay, this tour is
perfect! Visit all the essential Blue Mountains
tourist destinations - Echo Point and the Three
Sisters, Scenic Railway, Candy Store at Leura -
Cuddle Koalas, walk under rainforest canopies,
ride the steepest rail incline in the world - own
expense.
Virgin Blue’s
more accommodating than ever
Top Hotels in Top Destinations:
Top Cities Australia
Sydney from.............................................. $35
Melbourne from......................................... $75
Gold Coast from......................................... $68
Cairns from................................................ $76
Adelaide from............................................ $54
Perth from ................................................ $53
Brisbane from............................................ $84
Canberra from........................................... $100
Darwin from.............................................. $105
Hobart from.............................................. $115
Earn Velocity Rewards with every booking made
Go to virginblue.com.au/hotels
COMBINE IN-FLIGHT SERVICE WITH ROOM SERVICE.
Now you can get a hotel room with your favourite airline. Just book your flight then find the
accommodation that’s right for you. Last minute or year round, hotel deals are a click away.
*All hotel prices are in AUD, per room, per night, based on two people sharing a twin/double room, including tax,unless otherwise stated. Rates are subject to
availability and may not be valid during peak periods such as public holidays or events. Please check individual hotel Terms and Conditions at time of booking.
Velocity Points are not redeemable via HotelClub directly.
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OUR CREW RECOMMEND EATING
The Opera House Thanks to large-scale immigration all of the world’s
Sydney’s Opera House at Bennelong Point is like cuisine is generally represented here. The current
the USA’s Grand Canyon in the way that mere "typically" Australian cuisine, Mod Oz, blends fresh
pictures cannot convey its magnificence. Where raw materials in a fusion of Asiatic and European
once there were tram depots there now stands culinary styles. And within a few decades Australia
one of the 20th century’s finest structures and has earned a place among the world’s leading
Australia’s most renowned symbol. It was wine-producing countries.
inaugurated in 1973, after a planned building time
of five years turned into 16 years and a budgeted "BYO", Bring Your Own, means that you can take
cost of eight million dollars became 102 million. your own wine to a restaurant - even to some that
The Opera House comprises five principal are licensed to serve alcohol!
auditoria each holding between 300 and 2700
seats for opera, films, theatre and concerts. ARIA
Overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera
Cruise around Sydney Harbour House, head chef Matt Moran offers spectacular
The magnificent Port Jackson is one of Sydney’s food and a beautiful dining experience.
great assets, and it is best viewed from the Address: ARIA 1 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
seaward side. There are a number of midday
cruises to choose from. Ferries depart from Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
wharves 4 and 5 at Circular Quay. Situated on the cliffs of Bondi Beach, this
restaurant will not only wow your taste buds, but
The Rocks also let your eyes feast upon the panoramic views
The oldest part of Sydney; where the colonists over this famous beach.
settled in the 1780’s. What was once dark, dirty Address: 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach
dockland is now postcard picturesque and very
much a hot-spot. Several of the city’s best hotels
and restaurants are situated here and there are
weekend markets offering a range of wares.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
It is only in recent decades that the ancient culture
of the aborigines has received serious attention,
both from white Australians and the rest of the
world. Here is not only the first permanent
exhibition of aboriginal art, but also an important
collection of modern Australian artists.
Royal Botanic Gardens
With 27 hectares and over 400 species of tropical
plants sloping down towards Farm Cove – the
Royal Botanical Gardens are a wonderful park
with winding walkways among flowers and palms
and are one of Sydney’s major tourist sights. The
Royal Botanic Gardens are perfect for picnics and
a great day out.
Sydney Tower
Also called AMP Tower Centrepoint. You can’t get
any higher in Sydney - the tower stands a total of
305 metres high. A dizzying lookout point where
you can see for yourself that the residential
suburbs stretch literally as far as the eye can see.
Here you will also find a rotating restaurant.
arrival.guides@virginblue.com.au
.
NIGHTLIFE SLEEPING
From old-fashioned pubs to cool cocktail lounges, Hotel bookings are available through our
in Sydney everyone can find a favourite from partner HotelClub. For more information visit
among the watering holes. But don’t order a "pint" www.virginblue.com.au/hotels
at the pub, here a large draught beer is called a
"schooner". Swissotel
5 Star property
Jazz clubs, rock clubs and night clubs are to be The Swissotel Sydney On Market Street is
found in nearly every quarter. But if you want to be unquestionably one of Sydney's finest hotels and
certain of finding a really hot dance palace and promises you a truly memorable visit to Australia's
disco you would be best advised to make for Kings most enticing city.
Cross, Darlinghurst and the area along Oxford Address: 68 Market St, Sydney
Street. This is Sydney’s traditional entertainment
district, whilst Taylor Square is the heart of gay Shangri-La Hotel
Sydney.
5 Star property
A perfect place in the city of Sydney, the Shangri-
Home
La Hotel gives you incredible harbour side
One of Sydney’s hottest and largest night spots. experience bearing that unmistakable Shangri-la
There are three floors, several bars, terraces, excellence.
huge dance floor, extreme hi-fi system and DJs. Address: 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney
Address: Tenancy 101, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling
Park Travelodge Wynyard
4 Star property
The Basement
Featuring luxurious accommodation and
A jazz institution at Circular Quay which also convenient amenities, the Travelodge Wynyard
tolerates music from around the world. Address: Sydney with its light-hearted ambiance is just the
29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay place for you to escape from the busy world.
Address: 7-9 York St, Sydney
Mercure Hotel
4 Star property
Situated close to the central station, the Mercure
Hotel Sydney proves to be the perfect base for
exploring the enchanting and vibrant parts of
modern city.
Address: 881-820 George St, Sydney
Oaks Goldsborough Apartments
4 Star property
Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments features fully
serviced apartments near the bustling district of
Darling Harbour, Sydney's hub of dining and
entertainment.
Address: 243 Pyrmont St, Darling Harbour,
Sydney
Ibis Hotel World Square
3 Star property
Ibis Hotel World Square has the perfect location
from which one can explore and enjoy Sydney
whether on business or pleasure.
Address: 382-382 Pitt St, Sydney
arrival.guides@virginblue.com.au
SHOPPING
Sydney offers fantastic shopping opportunities. It
doesn’t matter what you are looking for, you will
find it here. Most shops are open between 9am
and 5:30pm on weekdays but on Thursdays you
can do evening shopping until 9pm.
Oxford Street:
One of the best shopping districts can be found
along Oxford Street through Darlinghurst,
Paddington and Woollahra. Designer shops,
galleries, tattoo parlours, booksellers, furniture
shops wall to wall - and an abundance of cafés to
boot. On the clothes racks you will find Japanese
and Belgian sizes as well as Australian brands like
Gary Castles and Nine West. Collette Dinnigan’s
store is at 33 William Street, and a couple of doors
further along, at number 39, there is Belinda
Serper’s super-coola shoes and bags.
Pitt Street Mall and George Street:
Pitt Street Mall right in the centre of the city - at
Sydney Tower - leads to several large shopping
centres, such as The Strand, Centrepoint, Mid-City
Centre, Sky Garden and Sydney Central Plaza
with the city’s largest food court. More shops than
you can manage in a week. One passage leads to
Queen Victoria Building, an elegant shopping and
restaurant mall in a palatial one-time vegetable
market dating from 1893 which now houses
designer clothes and quality souvenirs. Galeries
Victoria, 500 George Street, is one of the newer
shopping temples. Myer & David Jones:
Shopping malls and small stores are the mainstay
Flea Market: of Sydney’s shopping scene, but
Paddington Bazaar on Saturdays is the most these two large department stores are holding
popular flea market with an unrivalled collection of their own.
quality, bric-a-brac and pure junk.
Address: 395 Oxford Street, Paddington Myer
Address: 436 George Street
At Bondi Sunday Market local designers and Phone: (02) 9238 9111
craftsmen sell their own work alongside other Internet: www.myer.com.au
more or less valuable antiques and second hand
items. These markets operate on Sundays until David Jones
1700 h during the summer season. Address: 86-108 Castlereagh Street
Address: Bondi Beach Public School, Campbell Phone: (02) 9266 5544
Parade, Bondi Beach Internet: www.davidjones.com.au
Weekend markets at Kirribilli:
The train takes you right there – and then you can
stroll down and check out Luna Park if you don’t
get too freaked out by the giant smiling face
entrance.
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QUICK FACTS VIRGIN BLUE PARTNERS
Airport:
Sydney International Airport (the official name is Rental Cars:
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport) lies Europcar is the preferred car rental partner of
8 km to the south of the city. Virgin Blue & Pacific Blue. Select from a wide
range of vehicle types and reserve online for a
Terminal: special rate available to our Guests only. Velocity
Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal for Virgin Blue Members earn Velocity Points when booking with
Guests. International Terminal for Polynesian Blue Europcar. Or why not redeem your Velocity Points
and Pacific Blue Guests. to make your next booking. Book online or
1300 13 67 37 in Australia.
Public transport: www.virginblue.com.au/cars
SydneyPass is a must have ticket for anyone
Bluetix:
staying in Sydney for 3 days or more. It’s the only
ticket that includes bus, train and ferry transport as Bluetix is a premium ticketing agency providing
well as premium sightseeing services. It is a access to excellent seats and waitlist programme
practical and economical solution, designed for major concert, theatre and sporting events
specifically with tourist needs in mind. Australia-wide. Velocity Members earn Velocity
SydneyPass includes unlimited travel on Sydney Points when booking with BlueTix. Or why not
and Bondi Explorer services, regular bus, train and redeem your Velocity Points to make your next
ferry services as well as return AirportLink train purchase. www.virginblue.com.au/bluetix
transfers. SydneyPass offers travel flexibility as
each 3, 5 and 7-day ticket can be used over an Airport Parking:
eight day period; you choose which days suit you Avoid fighting the crowds to find the perfect
best. It also includes fantastic discounts to popular parking spot by pre-booking and guaranteeing
tourist attractions and venues. Tickets are your parking spot with Airport Parking. Velocity
available from AirportLink ticket offices, on board Members earn Velocity Points when booking with
Explorer buses and TransitShops (located at Airport Parking. Or why not redeem your Velocity
Circular Quay, Wynyard and Queen Victoria Points to make your next booking. Book at
Building). Visit www.sydneypass.info for full www.virginblue.com.au/parking
details of service inclusions.
Travel Partner Offers:
There are a variety of transport modes you can View our special deals and offers on
use to see the sights of Sydney. Bus, train, light accommodation, holiday packages, events, car
rail and monorail networks service the CBD, giving hire, insurance, parking, currency exchange and
you many options to see Sydney from a different much more. Velocity Members can earn and
perspective. Buses, trains and ferries also provide redeem Velocity Points when booking with a range
extensive services to Sydney’s suburbs. Major of travel Partners. Visit
CBD transport interchanges are located at Circular www.virginblue.com.au/travelextras
Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central Station.
There are many different ticket options available Velocity Rewards:
including single and weekly tickets that provide
travel on a variety of bus, train and ferry public Make velocityrewards.com.au your destination.
transport and privately run services. Light rail and With a great range of travel Partners, you can earn
mono rail tickets are sold separately and are not and redeem Velocity Points for car rental,
included within government transport tickets. For accommodation, theme parks, concert tickets and
further information on bus, rail and ferry ticketing much more. Velocity is the perfect travel
options visit: www.131500.info accessory to reward you faster - join free online
today at www.velocityrewards.com.au
Taxi:
Costs approx $35 - $45 - 20-25 minute to the city.