The major gateway to Australia, Sydney is one of the world’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities. Blessed with a mild, Mediterranean climate, glamorous beaches and wrapped around a sinuous blue waterway, Sydney serves its natural wonders with an equally impressive array of worldly accomplishments, including a rich and spicy cultural mix, a casual and relaxed lifestyle and an appreciation for the good things in life.

Its harbour is Sydney’s crowning glory. This vast waterway reaches deep into the heart of the city, branching out in a filigree of rivers, creeks, bays and inlets. A harbour cruise is an integral part of any visitor’s experience of Sydney, whether it’s from one of the commuter ferries that scuttle back and forth across the harbour or from the deck of a racing yacht with spray hissing from the bow.

Sydney has more than 40 beaches and they run the range, from merely exceptional to absolute world class. From the legendary surf beaches such as Bondi and Manly to the tranquil, tree-fringed beaches of the inner harbour to the golden crescents of the northern beaches, there is something here for every outdoor taste, whether it’s windsurfing, scuba diving, a day out on a racing yacht or an afternoon sprawled out on a beach towel with a book and sand between the toes.

Sydney’s chefs have developed a culinary style all their own. Drawing inspiration from the ethnic melange that is the city’s population, fired by the array of fresh produce at their disposal and eager to experiment, Sydney’s chefs have installed freshness in the city’s dining rooms, freely mixing the cuisines of Asia and Europe, breaking most of the rules and creating ripples that are felt at restaurant tables around the globe. Along the way, some extraordinary talents have emerged. The name of Tetsuya Wakuda is revered around the world for his subtle, passionate food that marries the classical traditions of Europe and the Orient.

The reason for this rich variety of dining experiences is the cultural melting pot that is the city’s population. Over the past half century the city’s original Anglo-Irish population base has been enriched by migrants from all over Europe, the Middle East and every corner of Asia. Sydney is now one of the most ethnically diverse cities on the planet, and this rich multiracial heritage is highlighted in the city’s restaurants. Out of this cultural intermingling has emerged a fusion-food cuisine that is Sydney’s signature style, one that allows creative chefs to select from a broad palette of styles and ingredients and come up with a taste that is unique.

Aboriginal culture is one of the ingredients that sets Australia apart, and in Sydney’s museums and galleries, visitors can trace the roots of Australia’s Aboriginal culture in an artistic tradition that stretches back for more than 50,000 years. Within the context of the contemporary art world, Australia’s Aboriginal art has emerged as one of the most original and exciting forms of creative expression. Several of the city’s galleries specialise in Aboriginal art, sourcing works direct from artists in Arnhemland, the Central Desert region and the Kimberley, some of the wellsprings for the renaissance of contemporary Aboriginal art.

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