Sydney Things to Do Tips by dlandt

OK, I spent several years in the Navy so I like to see this stuff, but I thinks its a must see. The Australian Maritime museum isn't as large and doesn't have the depth of the one in Amsterdam, but it makes up for this by having more ships and boats open tothe public. Part of their institutional charter is to restore and preserve older vessels, and you can see them, even if not all are open to the public. The restoration rooms requirte a guided tour. They have here an older destroyer and a submarine, the HMAS Vampire and the HMAS Onslow. Both of these are accessible to the public with a museum ticket and they have cheerful, volunteer guides to show you around. Alternatively, you can wander through as you will. Certain sections, like the engineroom are sealed off for safety reasons, but you can go to most of the exciting parts, like the gun turrets and bridge. Inside the museum they have several exhibits devoted to colonial settlement, the fishing industry, ocean transport, migration and of course the navy. Downstairs is the section devoted to WWII. I found this to be an interesting, educational stop that taught me quite a bit about the history of Australia in general, and its role in WWII in particular. If I were going to do one thing in Sydney, this would be it.

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Phone: 61 2 9298 3777
Address: 2 Murray Street
Directions: Darling Harbour, on the other side of the monorail tracks and bridge.
Website: http://www.anmm.gov.au/
Other Contact: fax 61 2 9298 3780

Located in Darling Harbour, this place is neat to see. They specialize in Aboriginal arts and crafts, all for sale. They also have very pretty German girls who are very well versed in aboriginal cultural centers around Australia. Best of all, they have free demonstrations of the didjeridu several times per day. You learn a little about the instrument, its histoy, and how its played, complete with a picture show in the back while they play a short, three piece recital. The picture isn't good, but it was the only one we managed to get that is decipherable as we were still learning howo to work the camera.

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Address: In Darling Harbour

This place is sacred and they ask that you refrain from picture taking inside. Not everyone refrains, but I did. Of all the war memorials I have seen, this is one of the most stunning and you should visit if you go to Sydney. Despite the fact that the ANZACs fought the Japanese in defense of their homeland in New Guinea, they tend to figure the Gallipoli campaign much more prominently. Indeed, I would say the Gallipoli campaign is a part of their national identity as well as their history. As I travelled Australia, the pattern of a great monument to Gallipoli, and smaller ones for other wars repeated itself over and over.

There is a memorial service every day at, I believe eleven o'clock. Going here was, for me, a somber, reflective experience. There is a small, one-room museum at the base that displays various pictures and war memorabilia from conflicts from the Boer War to the Persian Gulf War. By now it probably has stuff from the Iraq War.

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Address: Hyde Park
Directions: The south end of Hyde Park, it can't be missed.

A walk through Hyde Park is relaxing and refreshing. I highly recommend it as you move about the city. Best thing is, its free! There are a few statues of local historical figures, and of course the ANZAC Memorial at the south end.

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