Sydney

One of Sydney’s huge plus points is its natural setting. There’s the beautiful harbour, lush parklands, more than 50 beaches, and stunning views of water and sky at almost every turn. And the climate is enviable. Then there are the man-made attractions: the Opera House and Harbour Bridge remain the city’s icons – the former finally making it on to the National Heritage List in 2005 as recognition of its importance to the Australian psyche. Sophisticated bars and revamped pubs abound, the gay and lesbian scene is the biggest in the southern hemisphere, and the restaurants are among the best – some would say the best – in the world, making the most of fantastic local produce, especially seafood. There is also an ethnic diversity that matches London and New York (Sydney’s multicultural make-up includes residents representing 180 different nations).

Admittedly, cultural institutions suffer in comparison with other major cities – but who wants to be indoors when sun and surf beckon? Most of the city’s popular activities happen outside – be it eating and drinking, lazing on the beach, or yachting, swimming or surfing. Sydneysiders’ carefree approach to life is all part of the charm too.

As Australia’s largest city, Sydney is first in many national arenas – banking, business, movie-making – but it’s increasingly strutting its stuff under a global spotlight too. Literally so in the case of Australian fashion designers, whose work is appearing on catwalks and in stores in London and New York. The city’s self-confidence is evident in recent large-scale inner-city developments, including the huge, high-rise World Square project and the mega-bucks revamp of the Hilton Sydney hotel.

Local history

The city was inhabited for tens of thousands of years by Aboriginal people, but when English explorer Captain James Cook arrived in 1770 they were dispossessed of their land. Those who didn’t flee were either killed or put in reserves. Today Sydney’s population reflects the nation’s changing immigration policies which initially aggressively canvassed 'whites only', but have since accepted the country’s place on the Pacific Rim.

Local politics

It was all change on Sydney’s political scene during 2005, but one figure came out practically unscathed: Clover Moore, lord mayor of the City of Sydney. Her amazing popularity stems from her defiant independence from all political parties and the championing of many public causes such as a city-centre congestion tax and fight against Sydney Airport’s plans to develop a large commercial complex.