Australia Day is just around the corner and so is the Ferrython!

After having astounded the world with its spectacular New Year Eve celebrations, Sydney is getting ready to celebrate its national day, the Australia Day, which falls on January 26, 2010. On this day, the whole of Australia joins in national spirit to celebrate its history, heritage and identity.


Among all cities of Australia, Sydney is the most famous for its highly spirited celebrations of the Australia Day. The celebrations in Sydney also stand out as they are more or less concentrated around the Sydney Harbour, in the vicinity of the iconic landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Ferrython, a race of the ferries, is the biggest highlight of Sydney’s Australia Day celebrations. The race begins near the Sydney Opera House with the firing of the ancient cannon at Fort Denison. The ferries go around the Shark Island and further on towards Watson’s Bay to return to the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is the finishing point of the race.

The Australia Day Parade of vessels decked out to look their best is another highlight of the day where watercraft of all shapes, sizes and kinds compete for the Best Dressed Vessel title.


Sydneysiders as well as tourists rush to make sure they are at the best vantage points much earlier to the actual race so that they get a direct, uninterrupted view of the race. Though there are several points on the foreshores from where you can watch the race, the cruise boats are always the best vantage points for all festive activities around the harbour, as they can take you closest to all the thrill and action!

Spring in Sydney

While spring is the best time of the year anywhere in the world, spring is rather special in Sydney. Spring is generally cool, though towards late spring, it grows warmer.

During early spring, the weather is just great in Sydney for a walking expedition. At The Rocks, at the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the buildings remind one of a historic past, and the souvenir shops reflect a cultural past as well as a glorious present!

Explore Chinatown on foot! Gorge on a wide yummy variety of Chinese food at restaurants that stay open late into the night! The Chinese temples are worth a re-look even if you have seen them before.

Head for the beaches, for this is the best time for trying your skill at surfing and skiing! Play beach games or just laze around and enjoy the sun – there’s nowhere like the beaches in Sydney and that too during the spring!

Take a ferry ride or enjoy a romantic cruise around the Sydney Harbour!

Take a monorail tour of Darling Harbour before you choose just where to step in – a restaurant, a coffee shop, or a boutique?

Most assuredly, in Sydney, one finds a spring in every step!

Hopping islands and walking bridges

How would you like to hop a few islands just for the heck of it? If you are game, October is the time and Sydney is the place for it. This is just one of the incredible and amusing events that are part of Crave Sydney. Sydney Harbour Island Hopping is an event where a hopper ferry will take you visiting several islands around Sydney Harbour in one day. The islands too gear up to match the occasion and the mood. While Fort Denison presents you with an array of delicious food, Clark Island gives you a taste of its art and culture and Garden Island lets you a glimpse into their naval history. Shark Island takes the form of a land of wonder and fantasy - a world of unrestrained imagination! Rodd Island will have fabulous music playing in its dance hall where you can dance away a few hours with your partners and friends at the Tea Dance. And then when you stop to rest your tired feet, you can have a light-hearted chat or a tete-a-tete over a cup of tea. For more of cruising fun, go for the cruises around Sydney Harbour that serve you food and wine, and loads of entertainment full of music, dance and magic.

Or are you the outdoors kind? The kind who can make your own fun? Then go for the Perfect Picnic at Clark Island and enjoy the day your own way! The Seven Bridges Walk is yet another option if you are the rugged, sporting kind. This is a community walking event that takes place on October 25, a Sunday, involving the famous bridges of Sydney, and the participants can choose their own start and finish time anywhere between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from any of the seven villages along the course of the walk. The funds raised from this healthy endeavour goes to charities that support health causes, such as beyondblue, Diabetes Australia NSW, Cancer Council and the Heart Foundation NSW.