J is for Justice

Sydney is full of history and no more so than in the spooky of jails in and around the city... and one of the very easiest to get to in right in the heart of the city. Hyde Park Barracks, which saw around 50,000 convicts come to stay during its operation in the 1800's. Also currently the host of the Convict Sydney exhibition, entry to the Barracks is only $10 and is easily accessible from Martin Place and St James train stations.

Just a hop, skip and a short ferry ride away from Hyde Park Barracks is Cockatoo Island, with UNESCO World Heritage Listed prison buildings and a constant stream of art and other exhibitions, Cockatoo Island should not be overlooked if you are on the lookout for a piece of Sydney's history. Details on how to get there and tour dates/times are all on the Cockatoo Island website and remember to take your lunch money with you as there are no ATMs on site. 

If all this seems a little bit ordinary, why not head north to Maitland where you can play out your own jail break, armed and all at the Maitland Gaol. Battlezone Playlive run laser skirmish at the Maitland Gaol, with twilight sessions for the bravest of the brave, this is a very unique way to experience this historic location! Of course it is still possible, and very worthwhile, to visit the Maitland Gaol at a slower pace by joining in on one of a wide range tours to get a real sense of this historic location. Tour details, activities and a bit of history are all available on the Gaol's website. More information about laser skirmish is available at the Battlezone Playlive website.

I is for I am Really Excited about Sculptures by the Sea!

It is almost that time of year again, like a mecca for Sydney photographers bot amateur and professional alike, Sculptures by the Sea provides three weeks of delight for the eyes as art is installed along the Bondi to Tamarama cliff side walk. This year is sure not to dissapoint as Sculptures by the Sea celebrates its 15th anniversary and will include artwork by Anne Ferguson, Bert Flugelman OAM, Ron Robertson-Swann OAM and Ken Unsworth AM, just to name a few.

Sculptures by the Sea is a 100 percent free event and will be held from 3 to 20 November 2011. Bring your towel and soak up the sun along with your culture and enjoy my personal favourite event in Sydney.

Find out more about the event, the art and the sculptures for this years event at the Sculptures by the Sea website.

H is for Halloween

What are you getting up to this Halloween? The 31st of October is not traditionally a holiday celebrated in Australia, but more and more we are coming around to the idea of dressing up and getting set to party on the spookiest day of the year. Personally I am choosing between sexy bunny or sexy kitty this year - staying true to the concept of a tight dress and animals ears, but of course! Anyway, I thought I would let you know about Sydney's best party for this year's (close enough to) Halloween weekend.

Magique Halloween Circus, which will be held at Luna Park on Saturday 29th of October, is an adults only dress up party guaranteed to keep the neighbours awake into the early hours of the morning. Magique Halloween Circus will feature incredible entertainment including trapeze, fire twirlers, illusion shows, pole dancers, hypnotists, jugglers and more. Check out the trailer or visit the Magique Halloween Circus website for more information, but remember, if you want to be there on the night be sure to get in quick because tickets are selling out fast.

G is for Gardens

So even though the weather has been unusually cool, it is still springtime and a perfect time for stepping out and discovering some of the beautiful gardens that Sydney has to offer. 

I have mentioned the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney in my earlier posts but if you are after something special why not jump onto the Open Gardens website to see which beautiful gardens are open near you. With a low entry fee and gardening talks Open Gardens offers a gardens enthusiast with a cheap and unique day out.

This weekend, 8th & 9th of October, there are four gardens open across Sydney at:

Sherwood - 45 Parklands Avenue, Lane Cove

Botanica Lodge - 70 Wattle Tree, Drive, Theresa Park, 

Silky Oaks - 140 Russell Lane, Oakdale

Litchfield Park, 19 Murray St, Jewells 

Each garden has something different to offer so why not see them all for a relaxing way to spend a weekend. Be sure to find out all the details you need and garden opening times on the Open Gardens website. 

F is for Fiesta

Hoping the weather clears up here in Sydney, the sun has been away from my beautiful city for too long!

Either way be sure to make your way into the city this long weekend and to Fiesta in Darling Harbour. Fiesta this year will be the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority's 20th annual Latin festival, and will consist of three days absolutely packed with dance groups, music well into the evenings, food, 14 dance classes which will be held throughout the festival, demonstrations, competitions, and to top it all off - a carnival street parade on Monday! 

Parking is available in the city and Darling Harbour, but like all events in the city I would recommend you take public transport for a stress-free day out.

To check out the action-packed program, learn more about the performers or download an event map visit the Darling Harbour website.

E is for the End of an Era

Today’s post is a tribute to Betty’s soup kitchen, which after more than 15 years has sadly closed its doors. Betty’s has been an Oxford Street institution for so long and fed many a hungry Sydney-sider over the years. A sign of the times and a reminder to us all to get out and visit our small businesses and restaurants, these local haunts have so much to offer and really need our support to stay in business so I set a challenge to everyone reading this to visit your favourite hangout this week and support Sydney’s small businesses.

D is for Dining

The Crave Sydney International Food Festival is coming up which makes October a great time of year to get out and taste all that Sydney has to offer. Throughout the festival restaurants that are home to some of Sydney's best chefs are offering great deals, keep an eye on the Loving Sydney's Special page as I will do my best to keep these updated or check out the Crave Sydney website for details.

On the 1st to the 2nd of October you can choose to see a wide range of chefs and cuisines in one location at the Festival's World Chef Showcase, a steep $310 for a full day ticket but well worth it for a devoted foodie. If you want to be involved but don't want to part with that much cash however, why not visit the Night Noodle Markets which will be held in Hyde Park North from the 10th to 14th of October and the 17th to 21st of October from 5pm to 9pm. Find out all you will need to know about both events on the Festival's website.

Separately, but still on the subject of incredible dining, I must mention a Surry Hills restaurant I happened upon last weekend. The Nepalese Kitchen at 481 Crown Street offers cheap and delicious Nepalese cuisine in a gorgeous atmosphere. Why not try their signature goat dish, a truly authentic tomato based curry that will leave you wanting for more, and there is plenty more to choose from not in the least including the best momos outside of Kathmandu.

The Nepalese Kitchen is BYO and open from 6pm to 11pm daily. I would recommend booking ahead by calling 02 9319 4264 to avoid disappointment.

C is for Chinatown

Sydney has by far the best Chinatown in the country. Dixon Street is guaranteed to satisfy your tastebuds with a huge range of restaurants to choose from and plenty of places to pick up a dumpling on the run.

Be sure to check out Market City and Paddy’s Markets with everything from Bananas to Boomerangs for sale at a great price and to recover pay a visit to the Chinese Garden in Darling Harbour a stunning Chinese sanctuary in the heart of the city.

Better yet, why not plan your day in the city to align with the Expo of Chinese Tea from the 14th to the 16th of October at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

For more details on upcoming events in Sydney’s Chinatown visit http://www.chinatown.com.au/eng/.

B is for Beaches

If you have been following my posts you would know that I am a huge fan of Sydney's beaches, particularly the those in the Eastern Suburbs such as Bronte, Bondi, Tamarama and Coogee. But really Sydney has so many beaches to choose from with each offering something different. 

Bondi is definitely the place to be seen. Super crowded in summer but perfect on a warm spring day, with markets, surfing lessons, cafes, a huge selection of restaurants and easy public transport and parking. Bondi is my home away from home and by far my favourite beach in Sydney.

Although, if it is a quiet escape you are after, head to Northern Sydney. Along the northern coastline you can choose from Manly, Dee Why, Curl Curl, Whale Beach and the beautiful Palm Beach (the location of Australia's Home and Away series). 

South Sydney also offers a few beaches that are well worth a visit with the famous Cronulla Beach and the secluded Wattamolla at Royal National Park.

So as soon as the weather (finally) warms up get acquainted with some of Australia's most beautiful beaches right here in Sydney.

A is for Astronomy

September is a great time for some star gazing... The evenings are getting warmer and before clicking over to daylight savings time the Sydney Observatory is still offering two sessions for star viewing each night.

At $17 an adult and $10 for a child the Observatory is a relatively cheap way to see the stars from the centre of the city and maybe even learn a thing or two. 

For something a little more personal or if you have a group together, the Observatory also offers group visits, birthday parties and even private telescope viewings at a location of your choice. All of the Observatory's offerings can be found on their website at www.sydneyobservatory.com.au or visit them on Facebook.