by Annette Radford

Created on: September 15, 2008   Last Updated: September 16, 2008

It is said that if you want to see the best a city has to offer, ask a local. I am Sydney born and bred, so here is a selection of the best this wonderful harbourside city has to offer. Many of these attractions are available all year round, from the mountains to the sea, from quiet little hide-aways to bustling night-life. But spring in Sydney, September to November, is the best season for some very special reasons as the world found at the Year 2000 Olympic Games.

No visit to Sydney would be complete without a ferry ride and especially in spring, take the ferry to Taronga Park Zoo. By mid to late October many animals have babies making their first appearance. Zoo staff schedule shows and photograhic opportunities abound. It is a good idea to get a printed list of the shows and times at the gate so you don't miss the best bits. There is also a chair ride over the zoo, the price of which is included in the admission. The views out over the harbour are unforgettable and it is a good overview to start your Taronga experience. There are also night viewings from the time daylight saving starts in late October. Many Australian animals are nocturnal so they are most active at night.

The Blue Mountains are at their best in spring. The gardens at Leura are really spectacular, with both native and exotic blooms in their glorious brilliance. Don't miss the mountain views at Katoomba. The clouds and fogs of winter have given way to a light green freshness; the nose-cleansing aroma of eucalyptus is not yet as overpowering as it can be in the heat of summer. There are a number of world-class restaurants where diners can enjoy their meals while taking in dizzying views from awe-inspiring mountain drop-offs. Australian native foods are also available. There are also chairlift rides and a railway that plunges down into a steep-sided valley, but wait until you try the trip up again. You are strapped in, facing the valley floor, and dragged backward up an almost perpendicular slope. Those less adventurous can take the chairlift.

Many little corners of Sydney are settled by people from one particular culture. Haymarket, in the heart of Sydney, is Chinese, Leichhardt is Italian, Earlwood/Marrickville is Greek, Campsie is Korean and further out, Cabramatta is Vietnamese; many others are to numerous to list. These are the fabulous places to go not only for the best restaurants but also to see the culture of the amazing ethnic mix that is Sydney. There are festivals happening at various

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