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When you arrive into Sydney you will have to clear customs, remember to declare any food products and don't carry any fruits if you are caught you will receive a massive fine and possible prosecution.

Usually customs will let crew go through quickly only if you all go together, so once you have your suitcase wait for everyone and go as a group. Customs will not let individual crew go through, if you try to you will probably end up having to queue with passengers.

 

Customs allowance for airline crew:
Tobacco: 250 cigarettes or 250 gms cigars or tobacco
Liquor: 2.25 litre alcoholic liquor including wine, beer or spirits.
The value of merchandises not exceeding Aus $450.00, this excludes alcohol and tobacco.

 

Sydney is the most populous city in all of Australia, one-fifth of the population of Australia lives in Sydney. It has a population of over 4,200,000 people. Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales, and is the site of the first European colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, leader of the First Fleet from Britain. A resident of the city is referred to as a Sydneysider.

 

The city is built around a huge harbour and hosts many tourist attractions as well as a number of beaches, bays and a couple of national parks. During your stay you will have plenty to see, if you decide to hire a car remember they drive on the left (opposite to Dubai). The roads are generally good and major routes well signposted. Speed limits and distances are expressed in kilometers and vary substantially from 50 kph in residential and heavy traffic areas to 110 kph on freeways. Drink driving is a serious offence and heavily policed. The legal limit of .05% is quite low - roughly equivalent to two small glasses of wine in the first hour and one an hour thereafter for men, less for women.

 

 

If variety is what you’re looking for, look no further, Sydney has it all. There are two main shopping areas which are City and inner suburbs.

 

THE CITY

All the European designers and ‘big brands’ are located in the heart the CBD (Central Buisness District). The major department store is David Jones or “Dee Jays” as it’s locally known is situated on the corner of Elizaberth Street and Market Street. David Jones stands as the oldest department store in the world and Australia’s premier retailer.

 

Train station: St James or Museum

 

 

 

THE QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING

If you continue down Market Street you will cross the The Queen Victoria Building, affectionately known as the QVB, has been described by Pierre Cardin as the most beautiful shopping centre in the world. This beautiful building takes up and entire City block, boasting more than 200 shops, it is the jewel in the crown when it comes to iconic colonial architecture.

 

THE PITT STREET MALL is located behind David Jones. This along with Martin Place is a mecca for city workers during the lunchtime rush hour. It is here you will find other established shopping arcades like the The Strand, Imperial Arcade, Sky Garden.

 

At the southern end of Pitt Street Mall you will find CENTREPOINT which houses over 130 specialty stores and forms the foyer to the 305 metre high AMP tower. Other shopping areas in or close to Pitt Street Mall include the Glasshouse and the MLC Centre which are linked to one another via a covered overpass. Further down towards the Quay is Chifley Plaza, home to a selection of the world's most famous and stylish international brands.

 

THE INNER SUBURBS

Paddington is located in the (inner) eastern suburbs. The main shopping area (Oxford Street) is at the top end, towards Bondi Beach. The most convenient mode of transport is bus or taxi. On the main strip you will find an array of Top Australian designers and many up and coming designers. While on the side streets you will find many vintage clothing/furniture stores, urban designers and home décor shop keepers.

Station: n/a. Buses: Watson Bay Bus from the city 380 or L82 from Circular Quay or Elizabeth Street

 

 

 

Every Saturday from 10am to 4pm, there are 250 stalls selling a wide range of products at Paddington Markets 395 Oxford Street, Sydney, like fashion (women’s, men’s, kids) - jewellery (gold, silver, resin) - home wares, furniture and soft furnishings - art, craft - wood, iron and leather goods - baby products - beauty and health products - photography. Also there is a range of food and an area to relax and eat or drink coffee while watching the bustle of the markets.
For those of you with a sweet tooth don’t forget to stop by Max Brenner, 437 Oxford Street. Trust me, it’s worth it!

 

KING STREET NEWTON has been the melting pot of Sydney culture since the early 1970’s, mainly due to the large University population in the immediate vicinity. The shopping in Newtown can only be described as exciting. Especially for those who like a vintage variety and urban pop. Everything is on offer from fine arts, antiques, home wares, jewellery, music etc. Here you will find all the sub-cultures of a large city – punk, gothic, skater, hippy, mod, you name it, Newtown has it.

 

KING STREET is home to some amazing cafés, Restaurants and bars. I will share this information very soon so check the crew say page for my suggestions soon.

Station: Newtown. Located in the centre of King Street

 

 

 

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

It is one of the most distinctive and famous 20th century buildings, and one of the most famous performing arts venues in the world. Situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, with parkland to its south and close to the equally famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Walking distance from the hotel with many restaurants and drinking dens around the area.

 

TARONGA ZOO

Head for Circular Quay pick up the all-inclusive Zoopass that also includes return ferry, Sky Safari/bus and Zoo admission. One of the best zoo's in the world, featuring Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species. Situated on elevated land along the waterfront, in one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour overlooking Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

 

Taronga Zoo is approximately 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay and the CBD. (Ferries depart Circular Quay, every quarter past and quarter to the hour). Open daily 09:00 to 17:00 http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/

 

MANLY BEACH

Situated seven miles north-east of Sydney on the lower Northern Beaches. Surrounded on three sides by water, Manly is the perfect destination to enjoy both the habour and the 18 ocean beaches, coves and inlets to swim, sail and surf. Take a walk along ‘the corso.’ This plaza offers shopping and a large variety of places to eat and drink. On weekends and public holidays an outdoor Arts and Craft Market is held in Sydney Road close to the corso. You will find an abundance of hand-crafted items here. - it's well worth the trip.

 

 

Sydney there are many great pubs, jazz haunts, rock venues and nightclubs in most quarters of the city - from Darling Harbour to Kings Cross, Oxford Street to The Rocks.

One of the most novel things you can do while you're in Sydney is to have a drink at MINUS 5°, the very cool new vodka ice lounge near the Opera House at East Cicular Quay. Everything at Minus 5° is made completely from ice - the whole room, the bar itself, tables, chairs, stools - even the curtains.

 

TANK NIGHTCLUB

Tank incorporates three bars, a dance floor and a private lounge lined on one side by individual private booths. The underground space combines the original exposed timber columns, beams, huge basalt footings with funky white glossy graphics and modern wall sculptures. The look has been described as "Studio 54 meets Paco Rabanne."

3 Bridge Lane, Sydney CBD

 

CANDY APARTMENT

Candy's Apartment is one of Sydney's premier nightclubs for progressive DJs acts, live acts with some of the biggest names from Australia and Internationally.

22 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross