G'day. Here's the first of your day-to-day guide for an unhurried seven-day visit to Sydney. Pick and choose what you want to do. If you haven't been to Sydney before, it might be a good idea to take a look at your Sydney Travel Guide now. We'll then consider what to do for the day, see what other people say (and you can join in with your own message on our Bulletin Board, if you wish), and look at an aspect of the Australian language.

• Your key to the city
  Circular Quay is a good jump-off point to many of Sydney's attractions. Of course, "quay" is pronounced "key" - so this is really your key to the city.
• The Rocks
  This is the birthplace of modern Australia. It's not only a place that exhudes an air of the past but is also a place of restaurants, shops and innumerable attractions. Here's one walking tour with pictures. Feel free to stop wherever you wish and take interesting byways.

Some points of interest

• Museum of Contemporary Art
  If walking from Circular Quay to The Rocks along West Circular Quay, the museum is to your left. Consider visiting the museum now or at a later time. Entry is free. There may be a charge for special visiting exhibitions.
• Doyles
  This is but one of the many restaurants in the area. There are other fine restaurants in the Overseas Passenger Terminal, in the hotels, and other parts of The Rocks.

Dining and shopping

• Sydney cuisine
  A backgrounder on Sydney restaurants and the varied fare they offer.
• Guide to Australian opals
  If you're planning to buy opals while at The Rocks or elsewhere, it's good to know what kinds there are.

• Australian money
  Familiarise yourself with Australian currency. Yes, the coins can be quite confusing.

What they say

• Very historic site
  "The Circular Quay area is very nice ... all of the ferries end up there, and it serves as a transportation hub for the buses and subway as well. The Opera House is adjacent (east side of the Harbour), as well as a huge city park (The Domain?) where the Royal Botanical Garden is. The Rocks area is very historic, and is adjacent to the Harbour to the east. The Bridgeclimb starts in The Rocks. This area could be covered in one day of walking."

Aussiespeak

• G'day and All That
  Knowing a bit of the local language always helps, mate.

Day 2 - House and Gardens