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Sydney, Australia

Sydney is the Harbour City. It is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia with an enviable reputation as one of the world's most beautiful and liveable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. The city is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on the planet.

Sydney is a major global city and one of the most important cities for finance in the Asia-Pacific. Sydney hosted the first Olympics of the new millennium, and continues to attract and host large international events. The city is surrounded by nature and national parks, which extend through the suburbs and right to the shores of the harbour.


History

Sydney is one of the oldest European settlement in Australia, having been founded as a British penal colony on 26 January 1788 by Arthur Phillip (now celebrated as Australia Day, the national public holiday, with major festivities around the city and the Harbour). The settlement was named "Sydney" after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, who was the British Home Secretary at that time.


The people

Sydney is one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet, with one third of its population born overseas. European settlement rapidly displaced the Aboriginal people of the Sydney area with colonists largely coming from England, Ireland and Scotland. The Australian goldrush attracted more immigrants, including a significant number of Chinese, with about one in four Australians with convict descent also having some Chinese ancestry. In the early 20th century, Sydney continued to attract immigrants - mostly from the U.K. and Ireland, with the White Australia Policy preventing non-European peoples (and even Southern Europeans) from settling. Australia's immigration patterns, and consequently, that of Sydney, changed significantly after WWII, when migrants began to arrive from countries as diverse as Italy, Greece, Germany, Holland, China, New Zealand, India, the Philippines, Poland, Lebanon, Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa and the Pacific Islands. Sydney's culture, food and general outlook well reflect these contributions to the majority Anglo-Celtic institutions and social establishment.

Sydney is recognised worldwide for its vibrant gay community. Every year, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is celebrated on the first weekend in March, drawing people from all over Australia and the world for the celebrations.

Sydney became the centre of the world's attention in September 2000 when the city hosted the Summer Olympics - officially announced by the IOC Chairman at the closing Ceremony to be the "the best games ever"! The Olympics saw a major building and renovation program take hold of Sydney, positioning it as one of the great world cities of the 21st century.



Climate

Sydney is comfortable for travellers to visit any time of year. The city enjoys over 300 sunny days each year.

• Summer (December to February) is the best time to enjoy Sydney's beachside outdoor lifestyle. Temperatures usually reach around 26°C (about 79°F) but it can be very hot, with temperatures climbing to over 40°C (104°F) for a few days each summer. Summer days can be humid, and sometimes have searing dry winds, but they frequently end with a "southerly buster", a cold front sweeping up from the south, bringing a clearly noticeable drop in temperature, rain and thunder. Within hours, the storm can pass and the evening continues cooler. Hot windy days can create a risk of bushfire, and on days of severe risk national parks and walking trails may be closed. 'Total fire bans' are also common - they will be announced on weather reports and on signs at national park entrances (also on the website of the Rural Fire Service web). Occasionally low pressure systems drift down from the tropics, giving periods of more unstable weather. You won't need to pack much more than T-shirts to visit Sydney in summer, but remember your hat and sunglasses.

• Autumn (March to May) is still warm with mild nights. There can be good days for the beach in March, but you can't count on it. It is a good time for visiting attractions, going to the zoo, catching ferries around the harbour without the summer crowds. You may need a warm top for the evenings, especially for May.

• Winter (June to August) is cool, not cold. Average July maximum temperatures are 17°C, and daytime temperatures rarely drop below 14°C, but night-time temperatures can fall to below 10°C. Most rain falls as a result of a few off-shore low pressure systems, which usually result in two or three rainy weeks during winter. The Icebergs will be in the ocean doing their morning laps, but most of Sydney will be well away from the beach. It does not snow in Sydney, and unless you intend spending long periods outside, you can usually get by with just a warm top. Sydney is a year-round city, and only the outdoor water-parks close for the winter. If the beach isn't your scene, and you don't like the heat, winter may be your time to visit.

• Spring (September to November). Spring days are great for exploring Sydney's attractions, bushwalking, cycling, and the outdoors. Beaches are generally patrolled from the end of October, and Sydneysiders start flocking to the beaches in November.

Sydney's Western Suburbs, which lie away from the coast, tend to be hotter during the day and a little cooler during the night. They miss the afternoon sea breezes and the night-time warming effect of the ocean.

Sydney has air conditioning in all public buildings, and on some public transport. It is common to catch a bus or train without air conditioning on hot days. Carry water during summer and remember sun protection year round.

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Thanks to our sponsors

Welcome to Australia’s largest hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour. With 682 rooms including 14 suites, you can enjoy simple comforts and stellar convenience at the best location in Sydney. You’re gonna love it here!

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Australian Open of Surfing Festival! 16/2 - 24/2 2013

Mix the world's best surfers with action sports, music, art, fashion and skateboarding all for free and all on Manly Beach and you get the Australian Open of Surfing!

The ASP tour's best will hit Manly on February 11 to launch the country's biggest ever action sports and youth culture festival, the Australian Open of Surfing presented by Hurley and Billabong. 

The Australian Open of Surfing festival will combine world-class athletes, artists and fans in a celebration of youth-culture, innovation and athleticism at Manly Beach - the birthplace of modern surfing.

For more information: 
Visit their Web site 

ScreenSaver Forecast by yr.no

Most of the attractions of Sydney in one ferry ride

Ferries famous Manly Ferry is a "must do" for visitors and makes the 30 minute trip regularly, day and night. Manly Ferry timetables and information about fares, passes and attractions are available from www.sydneyferries.info 
Also departing from Manly Wharf and Pier 2 are high speed ferry services operated by Sydney Fast Ferries and Manly Fast Ferries. Manly Fast Ferry offer an hourly service through the day, to Manly, Monday to Friday, along with extra services on the weekend. 
Sydney Fast Ferries operates between Manly and Circular Quay from Monday through to Friday in the Morning and returning to service in the afternoon. The journey takes approximately 15 - 30 minutes.

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Check out the Surf in Manly, Sydney

You can Check out this online LIVE web cam on CoastalWatch.com to see how is the surf in the beaches of Manly. You can also see the forecast for the next days and weeks.
Check this two sites:

Web site Coastal Watch
Web site Swell Net

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Adventure Film Festival by Patagonia

Adventure Film™ is an international forum for the best and most inspiring independent films of the year. The Festival encompasses all aspects of adventure from serious exploration to environmental heroism to gripping tales from the edge of the believable. With films from around the globe, adventure art, and powerful keynote speakers, the annual Adventure Film Festival continues to change lives and inspire. Presented by Patagonia Australia The 2012 Adventure Film Festival will be celebrated in Sydney, November 9–10 at Chauvel Theatre.

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