Sydney’s acres
of coastline and parkland make
it a dream destination for sports fans and lovers of the great outdoors.
During the summer, Bondi shows off the bodies beautiful of surfers,
sunbathers and rollerbladers.
The region boasts some of the world’s top surfing
conditions and the best beaches for beginners are
Curl Curl, Manly, Freshwater or North Bondi. Surf fanatics in search
of bigger waves should head for the beaches of North Narrabeen,
Newport, South Maroubra, South Bondi and Queenscliff.
Waves aside, the ocean pools offer
swimmers a magnificent alternative to chlorinated lanes. Scuba divers
are also well supplied, with a number of local marine parks.
For the international yachting set, Sydney Harbour is the starting
point for one of the biggest fixtures of the year, the 2,000 kilometres
(1,240 mile) Sydney to Hobart race.
Australians have a passion for cricket and Sydney
is no exception. The cricket season (October to March) includes
Test and World Series Cup matches at the Sydney
Cricket Ground, Driver Avenue (telephone: (02) 9360 6601).
During the rugby and football
season (March to September) soccer games, rugby league and rugby
union matches are held at the Aussie
Stadium, Moore Park (telephone: (02) 9360 6601). Sydney’s
Aussie Rules football team, the Sydney
Swans, plays at the Sydney Cricket Ground and enjoys considerable
support.
Tickets to sporting events are available from Ticketek
(telephone: (02) 9266 4800).
Fitness Centres
Body conscious Sydney has a large number of gyms, including:
City Gym
Address: 107 Crown Street
Telephone: (02) 9360 6247)
Gold’s Gym
Address: 23 Pelican Street
Telephone: (02) 9264 4496)
Bayswater Fitness
Address: 33 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross
Telephone: (02) 9356 2555).
Single entry at these centres cost A $15, A $20 and A $15 respectively.
Bush walking
The national parks in and around
Sydney offer some impressive bush walks. Routes and information
can be obtained from Sydney Harbour Parks (telephone: (02) 9247
8861) or the National
Parks and Wildlife Service (telephone: (02) 9585 6444).
Golf
The Lakes Golf Club is among Sydney’s most
select golf courses. Non-members are welcome on Mondays and Thursdays.
Address: Corner of King Street and Vernon Avenue, Mascot
Telephone: (02) 9669 1311
Other clubs include:
Marrickville Golf Club
Address: Wharf Street
Telephone: (02) 9558 1876)
St Michael’s Golf Course
Address: Jennifer Street, Little Bay
Telephone: (02) 9311 0621).
Both these clubs are open to the public on particular days and times,
including daily afternoon public play. Green fees for 18 holes start
at approximately A $20, but can rise to over A $100 at private clubs.
Rollerblading
Rollerbladers are part of the scenery in Sydney, especially at Centennial
Park and Manly Beach.
Blades and protective clothing can be hired at:
Manly Blades
Address: 2/49 North Steyne, Manly
Telephone: (02) 9976 3833
Website address: www.manlyblades.com.au
Centennial Park Cycles
Address: 50 Clovelly Road
Telephone: (02) 9398 5027
Website address: www.cyclehire.com.au
Scuba Diving
Sydney has good visibility and many colourful local
marine parks, which are ideal
for snorkelling and scuba diving. Operators include:
Pro Dive Travel
Address: 478 George Street
Telephone: (02) 9281 5066
Website address: www.prodive.com.au
Sydney Dive Academy
Address: 462 Bunnerong Road, Matraville
Telephone: (02) 9311 0708
Website address: www.sydneydive.com.au
Squash
The Surry Hills Squash Centre is located in the centre of Sydney
Address: 525 Crown Street
Telephone: (02) 9699 9222
Website address: www.hiscoes.com.au
Surfing
Some company's provide great courses for beginners:
Let’s Go Surfing
Address: 128 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
Telephone: (02) 9365 1800
Website address: www.letsgosurfing.com.au
Sydney Safe Surf
Address: The Pavilion, Marine Parade, Maroubra
Telephone: (02) 9311 2834
Website address: www.safesurfschools.com.au
Swimming
The beaches at Avalon, Coogee, Clovelly and Austinmer
have ocean pools.
The site of many dramatic Olympic moments, the Sydney International
Aquatic Centre is open for public swimming.
Address: Homebush Bay
Telephone: (02) 9752 3666
Website address: www.sydneyaquaticcentre.com.au
The underground Cook & Phillip Park Aquatic Centre features
Olympic pool, wave pool and hydrotherapy bath, and is right in the
city centre.
Address: 4 College Street
Telephone: (02) 9326 0444
Website address: www.cookandphillip.com.au
Tennis
There are several tennis courts all over Sydney. The central courts
include:
North Sydney Tennis Centre
Address: , 1a Little Alfred Street
Telephone: (02) 9371 9952
Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre
Address: 7 Waratah Street
Telephone: (02) 9357 1675
Jensen’s Tennis Centre
Address: Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills
Telephone: (02) 9698 9451
Windsurfing
Balmoral Windsurfing, Sailing and Kayaking School
Address: 2 The Esplanade
Telephone: (02) 9960 5344
Website address: www.sailboard.net.au
Yachting
Every weekend, Sydney Harbour is dotted with the
sails of 100's of yachts and provides further information for those
wanting to join in.
Sydney Harbour Escapes (t
Telephone: (02) 9328 4748
Website address: www.sydneyharbourescapes.com.au |
