Destinations / The best capital cities in the world / Sydney

  Sydney is one of the most desirable locations in the world. You can live there,  work there, or just  enjoy special moments in this wonderful place. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales state, and it was founded by the English colonists 200 years ago. Sydney was first populated by the Irish and British convicts. The city is blessed with beautiful natural harbour and the tourists are truly impressed when they get to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, which are two precious landmarks for the city. Sydney enjoys a temperate climate, a resonable cost of living and a nice range of leisure choices , with high level of safety, education and health care as well. Sydney is the oldest and the largest city in Australia, which lies on a stunning harbour, making it a great destination all year round. The capital city is one of the most beautiful cities in the country with a perfect location, where the land gets united with the water of the Golf Jackson,  which make Sydney a fantastic natural port on the South-Eastern coast of the Australian continent. The oldest and the most cosmopolitan city is considered as one of the most lively and pleasant place to live and stay.

 

 

 

  The Sydney Opera House is a majestic structure, considered as one of the wonders of the modern world. The fascinating design made by Jørn Utzon, includes massive shell-like roofs. The structure became an instant iconic masterpiece since it was completed in 1973, and now represents the country. The idea to build the magnificent opera came after the Second World War when the Australians realized that they need a world-class opera house. In 1954 the Government of the state decided to build a new Opera House at the Bennelong Point, an elegant location at the end of the Royal Botanic Gardens. An international competition  was otganized  and there were invited the architects who supposed to design the exclusive complex. The design included  two main halls, a restaurant and public meeting rooms. The construction was estimated to last over five years. Utzon had technical problems, because he required advanced technology not yet available. But the Government ignored his request and pressured him to start the construction in 1959. The preparation for the construction soon backfired. After the completion of the grand podium that had a wide stair of about 86 meters, many years had been spent later to redesign the roof. The shells were made of pre-cast concrete sections plated with white glazed tiles. Unfortunately the shells of the roof were too heavy for the columns that supported the roof, so they were demolished and rebuilt. Because of this an other events that created some precess of rebuilding, that brought lacks of funds, the structure was very slow constructed. In 1966 Utzon resigned and removed to his native country, in Denmark and he did not come back to see his landmark completed. The construction of the Opera House was handed over to a group of architects from Australia. The exterior was completed by then so they worked only for the interior. Finally the structure was completed in 1973, and had a total cost of about A$102 million.

 

 

  The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a huge steel arch bridge that makes the connection between the city center and the residential areas in the north. Thanks to its sheer size and ideal location, the bridge became one of the symbols of Sydney and a great landmark in Australia. The plans for the bridge project were made already in the 19th century, and tenders were invited there. None of the 24 proposals were accepted so the plans were shelved until 1922. At that time a worldwide tender produced an excellent design by Dorman and Long , which was an English firm. The design included an immense single-plan bridge with four huge pylons. The process of construction started in 1924 and by the end of 1929 the construction of the arch began. From each shore a 503 meter long span was erected. Some long cables anchored  the underground supported by  two back structures. In 1932, 1400 men worked for a period of eight years for the bridge and  then the bridge was opened. The total cost of the bridge was about A$13.5 million. The Harbour Bridge is not only the most photographed landmarks in the city but it is also the place that offers some stunning views over the beauty of the harbour, especially over the Opera House. From a platform close to the top of the 68 meter high pylon, the tourists can have an outstanding 360 degree view over the city of Sydney. The ideal way to admire the amazing bridge is the popular BridgeClimb, a 3,5 tour with two hours walk to the top of the arch, about 134 meters above the sea level.

 

  

  The Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in the city, and it is one of the most proeminent landmarks. The tower has about 309 meter and was built in 1981 as a communication tower and a tourist facility. The high speed elevators take the tourists to the eight floor turret in just 40 seconds. The turret is nicknamed “ the golden bascket” and includes two restaurants, an observation deck, and a coffee lounge. The enclosed observation deck opens a 360 degree view over the Sydney from a height of about 250 meters. The Sydney Tower was the greatest project of the Centre point which started in 1970 with the construction of the shopping center, located in the very heart of Sydney’s Central Business District. In 1972  the first shops and also the offices had been opened, and two years later the imposing structure was completed. At that time the construction of the tower’s shaft  started. The turret was built on the bottom. After a slow evolution of seven years the tower was finally completed in September 1981. The tower is designed to stand in front of earthquakes and storms, and it is stabilized by 56 cables which weigh 7 tons each of them.

 

   

  The gardens with the Domain form one large green oasis in the very heart of Sydney, located between the Central Business District and the harbor. The gardens cover an area of about 30 hectares and are surrounded by the Domain, which serve as a buffer between the marvelous gardens and the city. The gardens act more like a friendly park, and are  perfect for picnics, allowing you to walk very close to the plants and the trees. The gardens include several species of plants from Australia and abroad displayed across the thematic gardens like the Palm Grove, Oriental Garden and Herb Garden. Some of the plants that live in this place are very rare, for example the recently discovered Wollemi Pine, the Dinosaur Tree and the cycads. There is not only nature, you will also see some architectural landmarks as the Government House, and a copy of the Monument of Lysicrates, which was sculpted by Walter McGill and raised up here in 1870. The Royal Botanic Gardens were founded in 1816 as a part from the domain of the Governor Macquarie. In 1830 the gardens were enlarged with the construction of a sea wall and in 1831 the gardens were officially opened to the public. During the time different sections of the gardens were developed. The first section was the Palm Grove, established in 1851, including the world’s best collection of palm trees, with more than 140 species, featuring the cabbage tree palm, a Sydney native species. Close to the Palm Grove is the First Farm, which represents the site of the colony’s first cultivated farmland. An immense Victorian building, the Garden Exhibition Palace, was constructed in 1879 for the Sydney’s International Exhibition. The structure appears with a central dome, but the palace was destroyed by fire in 1882.

 

  The incredible gardens include some majestic structures that impress the visitors. One of them is the Tropical Centre, which was opened in 1990, and consists of two glasshouses. One of the glasshouses is shaped as a pyramid, and the second one is shaped as an arc. The last glasshouse  is dedicated to exotic plants from tropical areas from all over the world. At the Eastern edge of the gardens  the National Herbarium is situated. The National Herbarium is an amazing research institution which houses over a million of different dried plants. The Royal Gardens also have a large pond where many ducks and birds are fed by tourists. The birds that can be seen in the park are the sacred ibis, the sulphur Crested Cockatoo, the rainbow lorikeet.

 

 

  The recreational area that forms the Darling Harbour is truly fascinating with remarcable attractions, including the most popular museums of Sydney. During the 19th century this harbour was the largest seaport in Australia. The first wharf was built in 1811 and the port was  prosperous  until the end of the Second World War. During the time the harbour suffered many damages and changes. In 1984 the Government of New South Wales decided to redevelop and renovate the area and in 1988 Queen Elisabeth II officially opened the renewed Darling Harbour. Once the area was an industrial centre but now it has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and many notable attractions. The most popular attraction that dominates the harbour is the Sydney Aquarium, which is the ideal home for the largest collection of marine animals. The aquarium boasts a 145 meter underwater tunnel from where the tourists are able to admire the sharks, sting-rays, and many species of fish which are adorable. The Darling Harbour houses many popular museums, such as The National Maritime Museum,The Motor World Museum, and the Powerhouse Museum.

 

  The National Maritime Museum is dedicated to the Australia’s maritime history. It includes some interesting permanent and temporar exhibits, that relate some captivating subjects, such as the arrival of the First Fleet, the immigration waves and the sea trade.  Different vessels  are shown at the museum. The largest one, Vampire, a destroyer was built in 1952.

 

The Powerhouse Museum is an interactive museum housed in a former power station. It is an exclusive science museum based on technology. The exhibitions boast a large collection of subjects describing the space, design and computers. The Darling Harbour is also home to the Sydney Convention Center, Star City, an IMAX theatre and an overwhelming Chinese Garden that enchant the visitor’s eyes.

 

 

  The oldest museum on the Australian continent, the Australian Museum includes an extraordinar collection of natural history and anthropological artifacts. The museum was established in 1827 as a Publick Museum in New South Wales, and soon became the finest and the most precious museum of its kind in the whole world. In the early times of the Australian Museum the organizers collected unique flora and fauna that were displayed in its interior, that supposed to entertain and attract people. The museum became very quickly renowned for its unique exhibits and inlcudes majaestic history and works that reflect treasured time. Nowadays the displays are thematically and the Aboriginal collection from the museum is one of the most highly acclaimed of all the exhibits of the museum. It took a big interest in the environments of the country and its biodiversity, trying to educate the public about the continent’s previous natural resources, and the terrific cultures of its people. Its natural resources are truly wonderful and intriguing. Here you will find sections dedicated to Earth Sciences including vertebrates and invertebrates, paleonthology and geosciences, evolutionary biology, and a great collection of more than 100,000 artifacts from indigenous Australia, Asia, Africa and America. The Australian Museum offers all sorts of events  and educational programs for every member of the family, attracting everybody’s attention. 

 

  Sydney is a picturesque destination filled with remarkable sightseeing places, that are truly fantastic.   The city is a very popular tourist destination thanks to its sunny weather, fine beaches and memorable landmarks full of mystery and elegance. Here the tourists will get to see the most stunning panoramas that really characterize the beauty of the country, and will enjoy lovely moments. It will be an unforgettable experience, full of exciting adventures in the most  pleasant ambiances. 

 

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