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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, rollerbladers 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. Scuba divers are also 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-March) includes Test and World Series Cup matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Driver Avenue (tel: (02) 9360 6601); while during the football season (March-September) soccer games, rugby league and rugby union matches are held at the Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (tel: (02) 9360 6601). Sydney's Aussie Rules football team, the Sydney Swans (website: www.sydneyswans.com.au), play at home at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Tickets can be bought from Ticketek (tel: (02) 9266 4800; website: www.ticketek.com.au).
Bushwalking: The national parks in and around Sydney offer some spectacular bushwalks. Routes and information can be obtained from Sydney Harbour Parks (tel: (02) 9247 8861) or the National Parks and Wildlife Service (tel: (02) 9585 6444).
Fitness centres: Body-conscious Sydney has a proliferation of gyms, including City Gym, 107 Crown Street (tel: (02) 9360 6247), Gold's Gym, 23 Pelican Street (tel: (02) 9264 4496), and Bayswater Fitness, 33 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross (tel: (02) 9356 2555).
Golf: The Lakes Golf Club Ltd on the corner of King Street and Vernon Avenue, Mascot (tel: (02) 9669 1311), is among Sydney's most exclusive courses. Other courses include Riverside Oaks, O'Briens Road, Cattai (tel: (02) 4560 3299), and St Michael's Golf Course, Jennifer Street, Little Bay (tel: (02) 9311 0621). Rates for 18 holes start at around A$50.
Rollerblading: Rollerbladers 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) 9365 6555), and Centennial Park Cycles, 50 Clovelly Road (tel: (02) 9398 5027).
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) 9281 5066), and Sydney Dive Academy, 687 Anzac Parade, Maroubra (tel: (02) 9349 6333).
Squash: The Surry Hills Squash Centre, 525 Crown Street (tel: (02) 9699 3233), is centrally located.
Surfing: Outfits such as Let's Go Surfing (tel: (02) 9365 1800) and Sydney Safe Surf (tel: (02) 9311 2834) provide initiation courses for beginners.
Swimming: The beaches at Coogee, Avalon, Clovelly and Austinmer have ocean pools. The site of many dramatic Olympic moments, the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, Homebush Bay (tel: (02) 9752 3666) is open for public bathing. The amazing underground Cook & Phillip Park Aquatic Centre, 4 College Street (tel: (02) 9326 0444), features Olympic pool, wave pool and hydrotherapy bath right in the city centre.
Tennis: White City, 30 Alma Street, Paddington (tel: (02) 9360 3766), has excellent facilities but is restricted to members at certain times. Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre, 7 Waratah Street (tel: (02) 9357 1675), is less exclusive, as is Jensen's Tennis Centre at Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills (tel: (02) 9698 9451).
Windsurfing: Balmoral Windsurfing, Sailing and Kayaking School is located at 2 The Esplanade (tel: (02) 9960 5344).
Yachting: Every weekend, Sydney Harbour is dotted with the sails of hundreds of yachts. To join in, contact Australian Sailing Academy (tel: (02) 9960 3077).
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General
