The James Craig

What they say: Our maritime history lives on, and its your to share.

What I say: After the disappointment of the Maritime Museum the James Craig was a breath of fresh air. Our guide took us around the boat, explaining all about its history, how it was saved and rebuilt and all the workings of it. It was very interesting and he managed to answer nearly all of my dumb questions.

It's run and maintained by a team of volunteers but is a working vessel and regularly puts out to sea. You can join her on a cruise, if you have the time and money - all the way to Hobart if your really flush.

Inside has been stripped out for parties etc, it used to carry coal and grain, but the officers quarters are still there, including the captains bath tub - I liked that!

Where: Wharf 7, Pyrmont, just beside Darling Harbour

When: 10am to 4 pm most days - but it does go out on sails most weekends - either the Saturday or the Sunday. Check the website (click the title) for the sailing calender.

How much: $10 for adults.

Australian National Maritime Museum

What they say: To bring maritime heritage to life and preserve it for future generations

What I say: It was alright. And the enthusiasm in that statement comes from the majority of it being free. Although you do have to pay to go on the actual boats moored in the harbour.

The gallery is quite large and there are various features on whaling, beach life (swimming cossies and the like), a section on Australian Naval history, a little bit about the convict ships and an oddly large section about the influence of the American on Australian seafaring history. I know I am slightly biased but where was the British influence? Surely a bit more valid?

If you have been to the Maritime Museum at Greenwich in London then this will be a bit of a let down. There just wasn't enough stuff and there wasn't enough to play with! There is so much scope for interactive exhibits at this sort of museum as well.

Where: Darling Harbour

When: Daily 9.30 am - 5.00 pm (6.00 pm in January). Every day except Christmas Day.

How much:

Free Museum ticket - Includes free entry to all museum galleries, Maritime Heritage Centre at Wharf 7, the North Wharf and marina to view the small fleet of historic vessels, Cape Bowling Green lighthouse and family films on Sundays and during school holidays.

Big ticket, Adults $25, ankle biters $13 - Includes entry to HM Bark Endeavour replica, destroyer HMAS Vampire (audio guide), submarine HMAS Onslow (submarine will re-open 1 Dec) the 1874 tall ship James Craig and children's activities and theatre shows when applicable.

Taronga Zoo

What they say: Taronga Zoo is the nation's leading zoological garden, featuring Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species. What makes Taronga something special is its location. It is situated on elevated land along the waterfront, in one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Opera House.

What I say: First opened in 1916 the zoo retains its Victorian feeling entrance but once inside it is a modern and well thought out zoo. Spread out over a large hillside overlooking Sydney Harbour it is zoned into Great Southern Oceans, Reptile World, Wild Australian, Australian Nightlife, Backyard to bush, African waterhole and Wild Asia They are also currently building a new state of the art elephant enclosure.
Many of the areas are walk through (rather than cages for the animals) for example the roos and wild bird aviary so you can get right up to the animals. Which is pretty cool. The Great Southern Oceans exhibition - which is newly opened features seals and penguins as well as information about their habitat and lives. Fabulous view can be seen from the underground viewing windows in the caverns meaning you are not just restricted to peering into the top of a big tank and you can actually see the animals swimming around. If this is not enough fun for you then there is also a small man made beach with a spouting whale to play on.

Throughout the day are various talks and shows so you can get more insight into the animals lives - check at the information kiosk on the way in for full details. We caught the wild bird show and it was fun as well as informative.

The Taronga Food market is a bit of a let down, just the usual burgers, fries and pasta that you would get in any mall - but there are lots of places to picnic and this is a much more fun idea.
It also has some of the best view over the harbour to the bridge and Opera House and you get the added benefit of a giraffe in the foreground of your shot!

Where: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, Sydney. Parking is limited but taking public transport is so much more fun. There is a ferry from circular quay and then a gondola ride to the top. There are also several buses which go right to the top entrance.

When: 365 days a year from 9-5pm (which in my opinion is too early to close in summer)

How Much: Adults £39, Ankle biters (4-15) $19, or become a friend of the zoo and visit every day for $92 per adult

Walk over Sydney Harbour Bridge

What they say: its exhilarating and healthy

What I say: Get onto the bridge either at The Rocks or Millsons Point, it is well sign posted at both ends, or if you are at The Rocks end ask in the Tourist Information Centre.
The walk takes a leisurely 20 mins and affords excellent view of the Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and the busy shipping lanes. It can be particularly spectacular at night. Take a hat in the day, it is somewhat exposed and a cover up at night - this time exposure is more wind related. Security guards patrol the bridge, not that there would be problems but good to know.
There are excellent cafes at both ends if you need some sustenance before the walk back. For a fee you can access one of the pylons but if its heights your after then go for the Bridge climb, yup, all the way to the top - right beside the flags.

Where: Sydney Harbour

When: 365 days a year

How much: Free

Hyde Park Barracks Museum

What they say: Hyde Park Barracks has been many things to many people over the past 190 years, but never a prison or an army base. As many as 50,000 convicts transported to New South Wales from around the old British Empire spent some time at the Barracks. Later the old building was a temporary home for thousands of female immigrants and infirm or destitute women. By the turn of the 20th century its rooms and corridors echoed to the sound of a range of public servants. Today it is a museum of its own history and a window into our past.


What I say: This is a fascinating museum which charts not only the history of the barracks itself but also of the people who passed through the doors. The museum is arranged over three floors. The first dealing with the convicts and the convict hulks, the second with the uses for the barracks over the years - a convict barracks, a female immigration depot, a destitute asylum, courts and governments offices and finally a museum. The top floor has been refurbished to represent the convict barracks of 1819-1848, with the convict hammocks displaying just how close quarters were.
The stories are one of brutality and harsh values. Read the court entries (displayed on user friendly computer screens) to see some of the flimsy reasons for transportation - the theft of Calico or stealing a candlestick. Although there were a fair few highwaymen and murders in there too. For those foolish enough to consider a further crime once arrived in Australia the threat of retransportation to Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) or Norfolk Island was held over the convicts. A threat for many worse than death.
This is an excellent museum giving key information about the formation of the colony in colourful and hands on detail. Social history at its best.


Where: Queens Square, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000


When: Daily 9:30 - 5pm. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day


How much: $10 adult. Or join the Historic Houses Trust and get entry for free http://www.net.au/.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain

What they say: Please walk on the Grass! We also invite you to smell the flowers, hug the trees and picnic on the lawns.

What I say: This is a little patch of Eden in the middle of the city. You could wander around for a whole day and not see everything, so lush and extensive these gardens. You need to pay to get into the tropical centre - which is very good, full of beautiful and unusual plants, but if you just wanted to stick to the free stuff there would be more than enough to amuse you and all members of the family.

Wherever you enter the gardens (and there are many gates) make sure you wend your way to where the gardens meet the harbour. Possibly one of the best photo opportunities in Sydney - the harbour bridge and Opera house in full sun drenched glory. Fantastic.

The gardens are broken into regions- The Middle Garden contains Wollemi Pine, are and threatened plants, ferns, begonias, camellia's and the palm house. The palace gardens bring you the tropical centre and the rainforest walk whilst the Lower Gardens have herbs and orientals.

If you take a picnic you will be in good company, the lawns are littered with couples and families enjoying the space and greenery. If you like more visual then edible meringues then come in the spring and summer and sticky beak at the many outdoor weddings taking place.

The only disappointment was the Gardens shop - I had perhaps expected more plants, seeds etc, but it was a fairly mixed bag of tourist fare.

Where: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000

When: The Domain is open 24 hours a day every day. The Botanic gardens are open 7am to 5pm in the winter and until 6pm in the spring and 8pm in the summer. Check the website before you go.

How much: Free (other than access to the Tropical Centre which is $5.50 for an adult.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

What they say: The Art Gallery of New South Wales is the leading museum of art in New South Wales and Sydney, and one of Australia's foremost cultural institutions. It holds significant collections of Australian, European and Asian art, and presents nearly forty exhibitions annually.

What I say: Coming soon

Where: Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

When: Open every day (except good Friday and Christams) : 10am - 5pm, Late closing every Wednesday: 9pm

How Much: Free