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Where to startA leisurely saunter down Oxford Street in Darlinghurst and King Street in Newtown will get you acquainted with Sydney’s gay centres. We also have a strong web-based scene, so do some groundwork before you arrive – Evolution Online at www.eevolution.com.au is a great place to start. Failing that, pick up the local street press once you’re in town. Where to eat Sydney chefs are culinary trailblazers. But don’t let the thought of high costs and acidic waiters put you off – there are gastronomic delights to be experienced all around the city at reasonable prices. Our own Little Italy can be found on Norton Street, Leichhardt; and check out the Spanish Quarter on Liverpool Street. Other tasty areas include China Town, East Sydney, Newtown, Surry Hills and, for a bit of class, the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Circular Quay. Where to shop Whether you’re after designer threads, quirky off-beat fashions, or op-shop gear, Sydney has it covered. The city (particularly Castlereagh Street), Oxford Street in Paddington and Queen Street in Woollahra will lure you with the beautiful but poisonously expensive. Surry Hills (particularly around Crown Street) has cutting-edge styles covered, and Newtown is great for second-hand beauties. If you’re a mall slut, visit Pitt Street, the MLC Centre or the Queen Victoria Building in the city, or Bondi Junction Westfield. Alternatively, have a stroll through the Glebe or Paddington markets. Where to party Let’s talk Oxford Street first. If you’re after the full-on club experience, you can’t go past Arq or the Midnight Shift. For a more laid-back pub-club vibe, check out the Colombian or Stonewall. For straight-out (pardon the pun) pubs, head to the Oxford or Flinders. If sleek and sophisticated is your thing, strut to Slide. For the more left of centre among you, Phoenix is a blast. For chick-specific venues, it’s the Bank in Newtown on a Wednesday night or Sly Fox on Enmore Road. At the time of writing, the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, the birthplace of Priscilla, was under renovations but it should be re-opening soon. It’s an institution in gay Sydney – thankfully more laid-back than the Oxford Street venues. Check it out if you can. And of course we can’t forget Sydney’s world-famous Mardi Gras festival. Mardi Graas 2009 will launch on February 7, with the Parade and Party scheduled for February 28. Visit. mardigras.org.au for updates. Where to get away from it all Visit the rolling hills of the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine producing region, for farmers markets, boutique wineries and quality restaurants. If you’re after luxury retreats and romantic getaways located in World Heritage-listed landscape, take the 90min drive west of Sydney to the Blue Mountains. Alternatively, head to laid-back Byron Bay on the North Coast and soak in the hedonistic bohemian vibe. Apart from the pretty-as-a-picture scenery of New South Wales’ Central Coast national parks and reserves, there’s plenty going on all year round with festivals, museums, galleries and seaside markets. The southern coastline of New South Wales unfolds in a series of bays and coves, and Marine mammals take pride of place. |
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