There’s something about Sydney. The irresistible lure of the harbour. Ferry rides across city, fresh seafood by the truckload and most of all, plenty to see and do. June and July bring a cool change to Sydney, yet winter always sees the city warm up, and turn cosy.

Must Dos
No doubt you're ready and raring to see some of Sydney's most famous: The Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park and Sydney Tower. One of the most popular ways to familiarise yourself with this "city on the water" and to see the harbour in all its widereaching splendour, is to take a ride on water. Departing from Circular Quay, whatever route you choose, you'll take in some amazing scenes of Sydney on the way and end up somewhere you'll be happy to spend the rest of the day, like Balmain, Rose Bay, Manly or the not-to-bemissed Taronga Zoo.

Sydney's award-winning 'zoo with the view' is just 12 minutes from the city by ferry and offers a Free Flight Bird Show, held in the Zoo's amphitheatre overlooking the harbour, as well as photo sessions with the koalas (session times from 11am till 3pm).

Or a day of shopping, the highlights will have to be the Queen Victoria Building, described by Pierre Cardin as "the most beautiful shopping centre in the world", as well as The Strand Arcade where you will find the latest collections from Australia's top designers.

Just minutes from central Sydney is one of the world's great waterfront destinations, Darling Harbour. Visit an exciting range of attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops, including The Australian National Maritime Museum, Panasonic Imax Theatre and Sydney Aquarium. Open everyday from 9am to 10pm, Sydney Aquarium is one of the most spectacular, and you'll take a journey under Sydney Harbour housing over 500 species of aquatic animals.

Don't forget to visit bustling Bondi, Australia's oldest Life Saving Club. See the locals participating in a wealth of outdoor activities, and end up in one of the many cafes and restaurants along the promenade, overlooking the coast, for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Some of Sydney's Secrets
If Sydney's winter isn't enough to cool you down, make a trip to Minus 5 lounge at Sydney's Circular Quay (ph +612 9251 0311). Minus 5 is a winter wonderland, chiselled entirely from ice. The extraordinary bar is constantly kept at minus five degrees celsius, meaning patrons can only stay for 30 minutes to avoid frostbite or hypothermia. Everything but the floor is translucent and entirely enveloped in a surreal and eerie blue glow. Walls, stools, tables, sofas, glasses, the bar and elaborate sculptures are made only of ice. For a AUD30 entry fee (including a cocktail) guests are taken to an air-locked 'warming room' and provided with parkas, sheep-skin boots and double gloves (the inner gloves are sterilised) to wear over your going-out clothing.

Sydney also plays host to the second largest fish market in the world with a huge variety of seafood most countries can only wish for. If you don't know how to shell a crab, or tell the difference between a male and female mussel, there's an even better reason to head there. Located in Bank Street, Pyrmont, Sydney Fish Markets (ph +612 9004 1111) have a cooking school where capable chefs walk you through each dish. From AUD70 per person you can master the art of fine Aussie cuisine, including seafood barbecues, chilli crab, salt and pepper squid, plus lots more.

For something extra special go for a heli-tour with panoramic views of Sydney, with the flexibility of going somewhere different like a romantic twilight flight, Terrigal beach, or a lunch package at Sydney's famous wine country – the vineyards of Hunter Valley.

There is still endless excitement to be had…here is where to go to find out more:
www.seesydney.com.au
www.sydney.com.au
www.sydneyoperahouse.com.au
www.131500.com.au (for all your public transport needs)