Sydney,
with a population of almost 4 million, and covering almost 1120 square kilometres
(700 square miles), is a remarkably easy city to move around in. 
An
excellent train, bus and ferry service covers all points of the greater
metropolitan area. Roadways, although congested in peak hour times, are
generally well planned and driving is not too harrowing an experience.
Unless visitors to Sydney are specifically seeking out friends in outlying
areas, most will have no real need to travel too far away from the central
city area and the harbour. Most Sydney tourist attractions are either within
the central business district, close to the CBD, or at points around the
harbour. The exceptions are Bondi and Manly - surf beach suburbs situated
south and north of Sydney Heads.
If you've only got a week or a few days in Sydney, your time would be best
spent by taking a walk around the wider CBD area, visiting The Rocks or
spending time on the harbour. The harbour is Sydney and on a warm day, with
a clear blue sky, there is no better place on earth. 
Climate
Sydney enjoys a temperate climate with a mild winter, and has more than
340 sunny days a year. Average minimum temperatures in the winter months
of June through to August are 9-11 degrees Celcius (48-52 Farenheit). The
summer season is from December through to February.
Currency
Dollars and cents. Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Coins: 5 cents,
10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2. The Australia dollar is floated on
the world currency market and is presently fluctuating at around 60 to 62
cents to the US$. For the current exchange rate, and conversion to other world
currencies, use this currency conversion guide.
Health
Sydney, like most parts of Australia, presents no real health risks for foreign
visitors. Tap water is good, restaurants and eating places are required by
law to maintain a high standard of food preparation, and the city is generally
clean. Smog is less of a problem than with cities such as London, Hong Kong
and Bangkok, but is still quite high. Exposure to the sun can be a problem
for those who are fair-skinned. Also, those with little experience in swimming
in the surf should be cautious when swimming at Sydney's famous surf beaches,
Bondi and Manly, and should always swim between the warning flags erected
by lifeguards. Medical costs in Australia are not exhorbitant like in the
United States and Europe, but travel insurance is still recommended.
The New South Wales Travel Centre is situated at 11 York Street, just above
Wynyard Station. It is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm
Saturday.
The CitiRail Host Centre is opposite No. 5 jetty at Circular Quay. It is open
from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
There is an information kiosk in Martin Place, near Castlereagh Street, that
is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
There are information booths at the top of Sydney Tower and at Darling Harbour,
both open seven days a week.
Shopping
Hours
Generally 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday; 9am-9pm, Thursday; 8.30am-4pm, Saturday.
Shops in tourist areas may be open on Sundays.
Essentials
Electricity voltage: 240.
Units of measure: metric.
Public phones: 40-cent local calls (Sydney metropolitan area).
Phone directory assistance: 013 (Sydney area), 0175 (Australia),
0103 (International).
Coffee: around $2 a cup, sometimes less, quite often more in tourist
areas.
Petrol (gas): hovers around 70 cents a litre (about $2.80 a gallon).
Emergency phone number for police, ambulance and fire is 000.
