A metropolis down under | Sydney

Why go?

With its superb climate, wonderful beaches, excellent dining, diverse shopping, lively nightlife and casual, friendly atmosphere, Australia's oldest city is undoubtedly one of the world's most appealing. Built on low hills interspersed with wooded bays and inlets, Sydney is visually dominated by the bulk of the Harbour Bridge, the downtown towers and the glittering white shell-shaped roofs of the Opera House - an intricate confusion of water and buildings that provides dramatic views at every turn.

With its thriving cultural scene and active nightlife, Sydney has something for everybody from comedy clubs to casinos, carnivals to cricket and live bands in busy pubs to opera and ballet. For lovers of good food, the combination of high-quality local produce, innovative chefs and relatively low prices make eating out one of Sydney's greatest pleasures. 

What to do?

One of Sydney's most famous spots is the Sydney Opera House. Built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings. Take a backstage tour for an intimate view of what it might be like to perform in one of the world's most famous arts centres. Take the ballet package which includes a guided tour, a three-course meal at either Guillaume or Aria Restaurant - two of Australia's best - and an Australian Ballet Company performance.

Catch a glimpse of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Manly Beach and Sydney's impressive skyline from 1,000 feet up in a uniquely memorable helicopter flight.

View Sydney in all its breathtaking glory from Sydney Tower Eye and the Observation Deck. See Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from a different perspective, watch the ships sailing into Botany Bay and the Blue Mountains rising up in the east. At 250 meters (820 feet) the Observation Deck is the highest viewing platform in the city, and boasts 360-degree panoramic views across the skyline.

No trip to Australia is complete without a visit to Bondi beach. The popular beach in Sydney's surrounding suburb is the prefect place for a spot of surfing, or a dip in the ocean. During migration months you can see pods of whales and dolphins, and if you're lucky even fairy penguins that swim close to shore of among the surfers. Swimmers are advised to swim between the yellow and red flags as strong currents make some areas of the beach dangerous for swimming.   

If you're travelling with kids head over to the Sydney Aquarium, home to over 11,500 animals including the mystical dugongs. Discover an underwater world full of movement, colour, beauty and intrigue.

Sydney's Taronga Zoo is a zoo with a view, where young and old can come nose to nose with animals of the world. Entertainment is mixed in with education with keeper talks and presentations as well as a free flight bird show and a seal show.

Head out of Sydney, along the great western highway and into the foothills to Blue Mountains National Park.

Check out the Aboriginal sites, decorated with extraordinary stencil paintings, the astounding views of precipitous valleys from lookout points perched high on cliff tops, the bizarre rock formations created by aeons of erosion and an enormous variety of plants and wildlife.

Where to eat?

Whatever you're looking for there is a variety of restaurants to suit every diner with restaurants specialising in vegetarian and vegan dishes and others to suit organic, gluten free, halal and kosher diets. Similarly, if you are looking for specialized cuisine, look no further as you'll find Asian, Mediterranean, African, South American, Western or good old Australian cuisine to suit every budget.

If you're looking for elegant dining at the water's edge, Aria, www.ariarestaurant.com,  is the right spot, with dining rooms opening out onto the shimmering waters of the harbour and the sails of the Opera House. Try something a little different dining at their kitchen table - a glass-enclosed table for eight in the middle of the action behind the scenes, where diners can watch their dishes being created before tucking in. The mod-Oz cuisine makes the most of sophisticated and instantly palatable flavours, poached Western Australian crayfish being a standout. The sommelier will assist you to find the perfect wine from an extensive and potentially intimidating list.

No punches are pulled at Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab, www.harryschillicrab.com.au. Just as the name implies, it's all about two things: Harry, the owner and Harry's crustaceans. Apart from the famous Singapore chilli crab the menu offers plenty of options for those who want to venture beyond the Queensland mud crabs, with plenty of Chinese and Malaysian classics. Fans will be pleased to find traditional Peking duck and sweet and sour pork, but the menu also offers an array of Malaysian sambal and, of course, plenty more shellfish and crustaceans.

Bourke Street Bakery, www.bourkestreetbakery.com.au, stuffs its small corner shop with impressive artisan breads, pastries and gourmet goods that keep the Surry Hills regulars coming back time and again. Space is tight, but somehow not cramped, and you can curl up in the window-box bench seats with the Sydney Morning Herald, a chocolate croissant and an espresso made from quality Belle Caffe beans.

Where to stay?

Spend a few nights at Australia's first conservation-led luxury resort bordering the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage site. The Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, www.wolganvalley.com, is located between the Wollemi and the Gardens of Stone natural parks. Just a three hour drive from Sydney, or a 45 minute helicopter ride, it feels like a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, www.fourseasons.com/sydney, is showcase of luxury. Located in Sydney Harbour, by the city's historic Rocks area, the hotel is just a short walk from the Sydney Opera house and the major shopping and business phone.

The Star City Sydney, www.star.com.au, is not just a hotel but a holiday in itself. Part of a huge casino complex - the only one in New South Wales, the hotel also hosts numerous restaurants, bars and clubs and a fantastic spa. It is considered one of Sydney's premier entertainment venues, just walking distance from Darling Harbour. 

How to get there?

Emirates is currently offering a special reduced Economy Class fare to any one of the four destinations in Australia - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The starting price is €893.52 including taxes. Tickets must be purchased by the 29 February 2012 and commencement of travel from Malta must be between the 1 and 31 March, though the return date can be outside this period. 

Emirates also offer hotel packages through Emirates Holidays.

Emirates operates daily flights between Malta and Dubai via Larnaka in Cyprus. The Malta flight arrives in Dubai at 00.55hrs giving passengers convenient onward connections to any of the four destinations in Australia. Tickets can be purchased through www.emirates.com.mt, from Emirates Sales Office on 2557 7255, or the local travel agent.