Sydney city guide

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Check out The Scene's recommendations for Sydney. Is your favorite spot not here? Send us your suggestions.

See

Sydney's famous architecture is a must-see, but you don't have to pay $200AUD (and relinquish your camera) for the Bridgeclimb, nor don a novelty suit for the Skywalk at Sydney Tower. Instead, climb the southern pylon of the harbor bridge for under $10 AUD and take your own photos of Sydney's skyline.

Then take the commuter ferry from Circular Quay to Manley for great sea-level views of the harbor. If you're peckish, pick up some fish and chips and eat them on the beach. When you get back, check out the aboriginal collections at the Museum of Contemporary Art (the cafe's good for seafood, too). Art fans should also visit 2 Danks Street in Waterloo and Roslyn Oxley9 gallery in Paddington for striking contemporary work.

Fish fanatics will relish the shark-infested Great Barrier Reef oceanarium at Sydney Aquarium, while stargazers can admire the southern constellations at the Sydney Observatory. Wildlife enthusiasts can also take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens -- see if you can spot the fruitbats. Discover Sydney's transportation history at the 19th century Hyde Park Barracks, designed by Francis Greenway to house male convicts shipped over from Britain. Look out for the chess players in the park en route. The Sydney Theatre Company is where Cate Blanchett, Toni Colette and Geoffrey Rush first trod the boards.

Be seen

For panoramic harbor views, try the ECQ Bar (for wine and tapas) or Cruise (cool cocktails, hot staff). If your idea of a visual treat focuses less on the windows and more on the crowd, try sleek and sexy 70's-inspired model hangout Middle Bar, or Hugo's Lounge where the It-crowd sip champagne in the sophisticated leather-and-wood surroundings.

Lotus Bar offers laid-back elegance and superior cocktails, while the red-and-retro Mars Lounge's mixologists blast its urban chic patrons to another planet with space-age concoctions. Keeping with the galactic theme, Orbit has stellar views, as does the Soho Bar in pleasantly seedy Kings Cross, which courts the cooler celebrities -- make for the candlelit Leopard Lounge. Though cigars have been taken off the menu at Wine Banq, the live music remains and the wine list flaunts Australia's riches alongside Antipodean and Old World rivals.

If you believe bigger is better, Water Bar's breathtaking interior and monster cocktail list draws a stylish, shimmying clientele, while DCM caters to Sydney's committed clubbers, where the mixed crowd let rip to pumping house.

Eat

Sydney's restaurant scene is vibrant and exciting, not least because of its abundant supply of fresh seafood and its Pacific Rim cuisine.

You'll need to book your table at Tetsuya's before you leave home -- there's a hefty waiting list to try chef Tetsuya Wakuda's French-influenced Japanese delights. The Surry Hills set kick back with cocktails and Thai food at Longrain; the food at Spice I Am is just as good. Also in Surry Hills is La Sala, Darren Simpson's vine-entwined homage to all things Italian. Sydney has some of the best yum cha (dim sum) in the world, since many of Hong Kong's chefs emigrated in the 1990's -- head to Haymarket to Chinatown for tea and dumplings. For fusion food, try China Doll at Woolloomooloo Wharf, which combines Asian-inspired cuisine with fabulous waterfront views. At Cockle Bay Wharf, the stunning Coast serves up modern Australian cooking with an Italian twist. Catch whole line-caught Barramundi at Glass Brasserie, while Sydney Cove Oyster Bar serves up lipsmacking Sydney Rock or Pacific oysters au naturel or garnished with Thai salsa.

Beaches

Sydney's beaches are world-famous for their golden sand and perfect surf. Though Bondi and Manly are the best known, there's a plethora of beaches to choose from, each with their own crowd.

To get the best out of brash, bronzed Bondi, skip the crowds with an early morning jog or head to the Bondi Icebergs where waves crash into the ocean pools. Catch some rays on the sundeck and enjoy people-watching in style. Then explore further afield -- take your pick of the southern beaches with a scenic walk from Bondi to villagey Coogee, taking in the teeny bikini crowd at Tamarama and Baz's favorite, Bronte Beach, en route.

Stroll along Manly's promenade to Shelly Beach for snorkeling. North of the Harbor Bridge, try Balmoral -- a quiet beach perfect for swimming; sun-worshippers seeking an all-over tan go to Obelisk.

Sydney's northern beaches are known for their waves and yards of unspoilt sand. Hire a car and follow the coast road to take in the natural splendor of Warriewood, Avalon and Bilgola, and millionaire playgrounds Whale and Palm Beaches.

Shop

Avoid the tacky tourist shops in the Rocks: head instead to the Saturday market in Paddington for bohemian stalls -- pick up trendy jewelry, clothing and crafts. Also check out the groovy boutiques in the area -- try Von Troska for women's fashions.

Surry Hills is another center for gifts, homewares and fashion -- don't miss Wheels and Doll Baby on Crown Street for cutting-edge rock and roll fashions, or A-list designer Lisa Ho's vintage-inspired creations -- her flagship store is here.

Australia boasts some of the world's brightest rising designers -- look out for Jayson Brunsdon for understated glamour, Josh Goot for on-trend tailoring and Kirrily Johnston for innovative elegance.

If casual's more your thing, pick up your boardies and surfer tees on Gould Street in Bondi.

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