World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Sydney  - Sport
Sport

Sydney's acres of coastline and parkland make it a dream destination for sports enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors. During the summer, Bondi shows off the bodies beautiful of surfers, roller-bladers and sunbathers. The region boasts some of the world's top surfing conditions and the best beaches for beginners are Manly, Curl Curl, Freshwater or North Bondi. Surf aficionados in search of bigger waves should head for the beaches of North Narrabeen, South Maroubra, Newport, South Bondi and Queenscliff.

Waves aside, the ocean pools offer a spectacular alternative to chlorinated lanes for swimmers, and scuba divers are well served 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 2000km (1240-mile) Sydney to Hobart race.

The cricket season (October to March) includes Test and World Series Cup matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Driver Avenue (tel: (02) 93 60 66 01); while during the football season (March to September) soccer games, rugby league and rugby union matches are held at the Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (tel: (02) 93 60 66 01). Sydney's Aussie Rules football team, the Sydney Swans, play at home at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Tickets can be bought from Ticketek (tel: (02) 92 66 48 00).

Bushwalking:
The national parks in and around Sydney offer some spectacular bushwalks. Routes and information can be obtained from Sydney Harbour Parks (tel: (02) 92 47 88 61) or the National Parks and Wildlife Service (tel: (02) 95 42 06 66).

Fitness centres:
The best-known gyms include Bodyline Fitness Centre, 100 Walker Street (tel: (02) 99 56 55 33); Fitness Network 256 Riley Street, Surry Hills (tel: (02) 92 11 27 99) and Hotel Capital Relaxation Centre, 111 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross (tel: (02) 93 68 08 18).

Golf:
The Lakes Golf Club Ltd on the corner of King Street and Vernon Avenue, Mascot (tel: (02) 96 69 13 11), is among Sydney's most exclusive courses. Other courses include Riverside Oaks, O'Briens Road, Cattai (tel: (045) 603 299), and St Michael's Golf Course, Jennifer Street, Little Bay (tel: (02) 93 11 06 21).

Roller-blading:
Roller-bladers are now just part of the scenery in Sydney, especially at Bondi Beach and Centennial Park. Blades and protective clothing can be hired at Bondi Boards and Blades, 148 Curlewis Street (tel: (02) 93 65 65 55) and Centennial Park Cycles, 50 Clovelly Road (tel: (02) 93 98 50 27).

Scuba diving:
Sydney has good visibility and some colourful local marine parks, which are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. Operators include Pro Dive Travel, 428 George Street (tel: (02) 99 70 77 45) and Sydney Dive Academy, 687 Anzac Parade, Maroubra (tel: (02) 93 49 63 33).

Squash:
The Australian Squash Club, 283 Miller Street (tel: (02) 99 55 08 71), is centrally located and one of the largest in the city.

Surfing:
With cleaner beaches and easier-to-ride boards, everybody is joining the surf crowd. Outfits such as Let's Go Surfing (tel: (02) 93 65 18 00) and Sydney Safe Surf (tel: (02) 93 11 28 34) provide initiation courses for beginners.

Swimming:
Water babies can find ocean pools at Wylie's Bath's (Coogee), Avalon, Clovelly and Austinmer or sample the Olympic pool at Sydney International Aquatic Centre, Homebush Bay (tel: (02) 97 52 36 66).

Tennis:
White City, at 30 Alma Street, Paddington (tel: (02) 93 31 41 13), is an exclusive tennis centre, as is Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre, 7 Waratah Street (tel: (02) 93 57 16 75). A little less exclusive and slightly more egalitarian is Jensen's Tennis Centre at Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills (tel: (02) 96 98 94 51).

Windsurfing:
Balmoral Windsurfing, Sailing and Kayaking School is located at 2 The Esplanade (tel: (02) 99 60 53 44).

Yachting:
Every weekend, Sydney Harbour is dotted with the sails of hundreds of yachts. To join in, contact Australian Sailing Academy (tel: (02) 99 60 30 77).



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
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