Welcome to Sydney, pride of the East Coast and unofficial capital of Australia. There’s good reason Conde Nast Traveller readers voted it World’s Favourite City (ahead of such contemporaries as Paris, New York and Rome) – and Aarons Hotel is your gateway to experiencing the best Sydney has to offer.

Sydney’s Famous Paddy’s Markets

Not 20m from Aarons doorway, Paddy’s is the biggest and best markets Sydney has to offer, and is… well, how do you describe an enormous old brick train station, hollowed out and bursting at the seams with 400 stalls - and growing every day. Get lost (we’re not joking – the place is huge!) amid a sea of everything and anything you can imagine, from fresh fruit and vegetables, to clothes, sheepskin, souvenirs, toys, CD’s, cosmetics, and a million other weird and wonderful items. Tailor made for shopping trips. With free entry, Paddy’s is open Thursday 10am – 6pm, and Friday to Sundays 9am – 4.30pm.

Taronga Zoo

Sprawled down the side of a gentle hill overlooking Sydney Harbour, and surrounded by natural bushland and the historic suburb of Mosman, Taronga Zoo is home to Australia’s most diverse collection of native and imported flora and fauna. No ordinary zoo, Taronga is famous for its spectacular water views, and overlooks Sydney Cove, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Featuring daily animal feedings and the newly installed Great Southern Oceans exhibit, there’s also a Zoo Safari Chairlift that traverses the zoo high overhead.

Darling Harbour

Sydney’s premier tourist and entertainment area, the Darling Harbour district is full to bursting with attractions. From the harbourside dock to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition centre, the Cockle Bay dining complex to the recreation reserve and art installations, there’s hours of fun to be had exploring Darling Harbour. An elevated monorail stops at intervals around the harbour, including Star City casino.

Manly Beach

One of Sydney’s most popular beaches, Manly is 25 mins drive from the city and packed full of attractions. Stretch out on the golden sands and tan with the beautiful locals, learn to surf at the surf school, or roller blade or walk along the beautiful promenade. Manly also has loads of restaurants, shops and cafes, and the Manly Oceanworld aquarium.

Blue Mountains

Just 2 hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are an experience not to be missed. Majestic landscape and natural surroundings are dotted with exciting restaurants, hidden health spa’s, and loads of other curiosities from café’s to waterfalls. Take in the fresh mountain air on a bushwalk, indulge yourself on a shopping tour, or enjoy a romantic escape at one of the many bed and breakfast retreats.

FJ Tours offer a variety of Full Day Blue mountains tours. Why not visit their website www.fjtours.com.au or check out our Rates and Hot Deals Page for our Accomodation and FJ Tour Package!

The Art Gallery of New South Wales

One of Australia's leading art museums located within beautiful parklands overlooking Sydney Harbour and only 15 minutes walk from the CBD. Over one million visitors a year enjoy its permanent collection of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian and Contemporary art.

Enjoy lunch or high-tea in the stunning award-winning Restaurant or enjoy a coffee in the deli-style Café.
Open daily 10am - 5pm, Wednesdays until 9pm

Free general admission *costs apply to some exhibitions www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Chinatown

Right around the corner from Aarons Hotel, Chinatown is a hustling, bustling few blocks straight out of Shanghai. From the lantern-lined streets packed with vendors and entertainers, Chinatown never fails to disappoint the curious traveller. Shopping centre’s full to bursting with Asian boutiques and designer fashion vie with a plethora of yum cha restaurants and hidden food halls to surprise the adventurous. Grab some fresh Asian produce from the market grocers, or even better, visit during Chinese New Year to see the dragon dancers and take part in the celebrations.

IMAX Cinema

Ever wondered what the worlds largest movie screen looks like? Wonder no more - the eight story-high IMAX 3D cinema experience is just a short walk from Aarons Hotel, in Darling Harbour. Experience the latest blockbusters and documentaries in exhilarating 3D vision, for a movie-going experience like no other.

Southern Promenade, Darling Harbour; phone 02 9281 3300.

Star City Casino

The heart of Sydney’s entertainment district, the Star City Complex includes Sydney’s showpiece casino, a multitude of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and the glorious Lyric Theatre for unrivalled live entertainment.

Phone 02 9777 9000

Sydney Fish Markets

For a seafood dining experience like no other, hit the amazing Sydney Fish Markets. Situated right on the water and surrounded by hundreds of fishing boats of all shapes and colours, this is where the locals come for the city’s freshest catch. It doesn’t come much better than a delicious seafood platter lunch by the waters edge. Just watch out for the seagulls!

Pyrmont Bridge Road; phone 02 9660 1611

Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse is Sydney’s largest public museum – get lost among a host of different exhibitions, programs and hands-on discovery installations centred around the fields of science, design, technology, industry and the arts.

Open daily 10am - 5pm. Phone 02 9217 0444 (Recorded Info Line).

Circular Quay

A bustling hive of excitement and activity, Circular Quay is home to glorious cafes and creative street entertainers, and is the gateway to many of Sydney’s best tourist attractions. The Quay’s many terminals’ are home to one of the best ways to see the harbour – by ferry. Ferries run throughout the day to Manly, Taronga Zoo, Fort Denison, and CockatooIsland, among many other places. There’s also a major bus terminus that services the city and Bondi Beach, and a train station that circles the city centre.