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conxGuide: Sydney
The home of Australia's gay Mardi Gras
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| Gay Neighbourhoods |
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Although becoming more mixed in the last decade, Oxford Street is the traditional heart of gay and lesbian Sydney and is the home to many of the city's bars and clubs. |
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Lesbians have been hanging out in Newtown for years and now gay men are moving there and to neighbouring Erskinville and Redfern. |
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Affectionately called Dykeheart, Leichhardt is home to lots of lesbians and Sydney's Italian community. |
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| Events |
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| Best Known For |
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Mardi Gras |
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Beaches |
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Great food |
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| Three Must Dos |
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Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay or Manly to see the city from the harbour. |
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Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. |
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Walk from Bronte Beach past Tamarama to the north end of Bondi Beach where you can treat yourself to a flat white. |
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| More Local Info |
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For a city of Sydney's stature, there's a surprisingly limited amount of gay and lesbian information online. Probably the best general source is the Mardi Gras website. |
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The online version of the Sydney Star Observer, the local queer newspaper, has limited listings but a lot of current info. |
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Check out Three Gay Days: Sydney, a great overview of Sydney, in the conxLibrary. |
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| Tips |
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Sydneysiders take their coffee very seriously and you can find independent good quality cafes everywhere. A "white" coffee has cream while a "black" does not. A "flat white" (probably the most common cafe order) is similar to a "no foam" latte. If you're looking for a weaker, North American style coffee, try McDonalds. |
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Purchase your duty free on arrival at Sydney airport. As you walk from your arrival gate to the customs hall you will pass by a large, well-priced duty free area. Rather than lugging your duty free purchases around with you on your flight you can skip that hassle and simply buy them as you arrive in Australia. |
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Australians can use colourful expressions in conversation so don't be surprised if you sometimes don't quite follow what's being said. And, yes, they do say "mate" an awful lot. |
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How To Get There
By Plane
All flights arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (airport code SYD) located 13km south of downtown Sydney.
Australia has very strict quarantine rules to protect local agriculture. As your flight pulls up to the terminal you will be reminded that you must declare any food, plant or animal products you bring into Australia. As you enter the terminal from your airplane you will pass large bins where you can throw away any fruit, sandwiches or other snacks you didn't eat on the flight. Teams of sniffer dogs patrol the baggage claim area and any prohibited goods will be confiscated.
There are three terminals at the airport, Terminal 1 for international flights, Terminal 2 for domestic flights operated by Qantas and Terminal 3 for domestic flights operated by other airlines such as Virgin Blue.
Unless you have to travel outside the city, you won't need to rent a car as public transportation is good and taxis plentiful. Taxis are available outside the arrivals level at all three terminals and it will cost about $25 to get into central Sydney.
Airport Link is the quick "train" (or subway) service from Kingsford Smith into the city. The station is located at the north end of the arrivals level in the International Terminal. Train fares are not a flat fee but based on the distance travelled. A one way fare from the airport to Museum is about $14. You can save about 25% if you purchase a return trip ticket. If two or more of you are travelling together you'll find it is less expensive to take a taxi into the city.
Bus service from the airport is limited and not direct, so it's not a recommended option.
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Gay and Lesbian Options
| None of these B&Bs are exclusively gay and lesbian; however, all are gay owned and operated and are popular with queer guests. |
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Ardmore House - A small B&B in a Victorian terrace house a short walk from King Street in Newtown. (Newtown Station) |
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Bed & Breakfast on Cleveland - Another small, gay owned B&B, well known for their to-order cooked breakfast. (Redfern Station) |
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Brickfield Hill Bed and Breakfast Inn - A small B&B in Surrey Hills, a short walk from Oxford Street. (Central Station) |
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Governors on Fitzroy - A B&B in a restored Victorian terrace house a short walk from Oxford Street. (Central Station) |
Gay Friendly Options
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Altamont - A small moderate boutique style hotel with reasonable rates. (Kings Cross Station) |
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Bayview Boulevard - A gay-friendly corporate-style hotel with great views of the city and harbour. (Kings Cross Station) |
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Blue - a luxury hotel with a unique location, built on a wharf in Sydney harbour. Taxi is the best way to get there. |
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Chloe's - a two bedroom house in Newtown ideal for two couples travelling together. (Macdonaldtown Station) |
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Hughenden - formerly gay owned, this well-located 4 star boutique hotel is still a good option. Not close to a train station, so get there by taxi, |
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Hyde Park Plaza - a good midrange hotel in a prime location within steps of Oxford Street and downtown Sydney. (Museum Station) |
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Ibis World Square - good value in the heart of Sydney, minutes from Oxford Street. (Museum or Central Stations) |
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The Kirketon - a traditional favourite with gay visitors for its style, price and location. (Kings Cross Station) |
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Ideally located with both Oxford Street and the centre of Sydney just steps away. This is a good choice for those looking for a reliable brand name hotel close to everything. A great rooftop pool. (Museum Station) |
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Beautiful, centrally located luxury apartments with full kitchen and laundry. You get apartment style space and amenities with hotel style service. Small gym and pool. (Town Hall Station) |
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Medina on Crown - another great Medina apartment style hotel a short walk from Oxford Street. (Central Station) |
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Morgans - formerly gay owned, this apartment style hotel is still popular with gay travellers. (Kings Cross Station) |
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Park Regis - in the heart of Sydney, a short walk away from Oxford Street. (Town Hall Station) |
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An excellent choice for those on a budget. Just a block from the heart of Oxford Street. Rooms are basic but clean and some have a balcony with nice city views. (Museum Station) |
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Quay Grand Suites - 5 star luxury on the harbour with stunning views of the Bridge, steps from the Opera House. (Circular Quay Station) |
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Rafael Casanova - a good mid-range hotel with a great location. (Metro: Urgell) |
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Hotel Stellar - a good 3 star hotel close to the foot of Oxford Street. (Museum Station) |
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Sullivans - a 3 star hotel, at the top end of Oxford Street. Very popular with gay travellers. Best access is by taxi. |
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Travelodge Wentworth - very basic and just a block from the foot of Oxford Street. Good value for money. (Museum Station) |
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Vibe Hotel Sydney - conveniently located, stylish 3 star hotel close to Oxford Street. (Museum Station) |
Oxford Street is littered with cafes and restaurants of varying quality, most of which will have a gay following simply because of their location. But also try a meal at a local pub or get a takeaway lunch at one of the many (usually excellent) sandwich shops in the food courts in downtown Sydney. The Food Hall at David Jones department store, while pricey, has excellent prepared lunches and dinners. Here are some recommendations (both on and off of Oxford Street) that are worth checking out because of the food, the crowd or the experience.
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bills - with three locations in the Oxford Street area, from celebrity chef Bill Granger. (433 Liverpool, 359 Crown or 118 Queen Street, Woollahra, Museum Station) |
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Cantina - tapas style dining with a Mediterranean menu. (245 Oxford Street, Museum Station) |
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Coluzzi Bar - a busy place with terrific coffee. Grab a stool and a pannini and watch the world go by. (322 Victoria Street, Kings Cross Station) |
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Dank Street Depot - great for breakfast, coffee or lunch in a design and gallery district. (1/2 Danks Street, Redfern Station) |
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Fish Face - a busy and noisy seafood resto, try to get a table out on the street. (132 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross Station) |
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Fratelli Fresh - if don't mind waiting in the line-up for the Café Sopra hidden away upstairs you're in for a treat. (7 Danks Street, Redfern Station) |
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Marigold - an excellent choice for dim sum (or yum cha as it's called here). (683-689 George Street, Levels 4 and 4, Central Station) |
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MCA Cafe - great for lunch, morning or afternoon tea and for people watching. Spectacular views of the Harbour and Opera House. (140 George Street, Circular Quay Station) |
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Phamish - very busy, excellent Vietnamese restaurant. Expect to line as no reservations are taken. (354 Liverpool, Museum Station) |
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Tandoori Palace - curries and more in a hip atmosphere. A long time favourite with the locals. (86 Oxford Street, Museum Station) |
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Una's - a local institution with a meat heavy Austrian style menu. (340 Victoria Street, Kings Cross Station) |
Men
| Sydney has a strong pub culture where the atmosphere is more relaxed than the pumping club scene. Pop into most pubs late in the afternoon or early in the evening and you'll really meet the locals. That being said, pubs are open late too and the crowd can morph over the course of a few hours. Unless otherwise noted, all are on or near Oxford Street with Museum being the closest train station. |
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Arq - probably Sydney's most popular take-off-your-t-shirt dance club. Right in the heart of things. (16 Flinders Street) |
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Bank Hotel - a Newtown institution completely reno'd with a hopping night for the boys on Thursdays. (324 King Street, Newtown Station) |
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The Colombian - don't let the sophisticated look fool you. It's hopping inside pretty much all through the night. (117-123 Oxford Street) |
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The Flinders - Sydney's oldest gay bar, still kicking after all these years. Check out the restaurant too. (63 Flinders Street) |
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The Green Park - not strictly a queer bar as it attracts a mixed bag of locals, but is especially busy with gay boys late on Sunday afternoons. (360 Victoria Street) |
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Manacle - Sydney's leather bar. Is temporarily without a home base, so check the website for up to date info. |
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Mars Lounge - a smart cocktail lounge, catch Prada boys and lipstick lesbos in the natural environment. (16 Wentworth Avenue) |
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The Midnight Shift - probably Australia's best known queer spot, the Shift Upstairs is a crowded club while the Shift Downstairs on the main floor is a video bar. (41 Oxford Street) |
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Mr Mary's - a bit of an outpost, but a friendly pub with DJs and drag. (106-110 George Street, Redfern Station ) |
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The Oxford - an industrial looking pub on the main level with Gilligans, more a dance bar upstairs. (134 Oxford Street) |
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Palms - a relatively quiet, laid back pub, good for sharing a few drinks with friends. (124 Oxford Street) |
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Slide - a cool and trendy crowd at this dance club in an elegantly renovated bank. (41 Oxford Street) |
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Stonewall - with drag queens and twinks and everything in between, it's an essential stop on a Sydney pub crawl. (175 Oxford Street) |
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Taxi Club - a bit off the beaten track, with a diverse clientele. A favourite with the trans community. (40-42 Flinders Street) |
Women
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Bank Hotel - a Newtown institution completely reno'd. An essential stop for the girls on Wednesdays. (324 King Street, Newtown Station) |
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The Sly Fox - Sydney's main lesbian hangout with pools tables and performers (drag or otherwise). (199 Enmore Road, Newtown Station) |
Gay Men
| Sydney has both bathhouses (or saunas) and cruise clubs. While you can meet men for sex at both, bathhouses have some non-sexual facilities (like gyms or sauna rooms) while sex clubs do not. Guys in bathhouses remove their clothes while in cruise clubs they may not. |
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Bodyline - probably Sydney's most popular bathhouse. (10 Taylor Street, just off Oxford Street at Taylor Square) |
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HeadQuarters on Crown - a cruise club with a variety of themed areas. (273 Crown Street, Museum Station) |
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Kingsteam - the only bathhouse on Oxford Street. (38-42 Oxford Street, Museum Station) |
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Signal - a cruise club with play rooms and a lounge. (corner of Riley Street and Arnold Place, just off Oxford Street) |
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Sydney City Steam - a gay owned bathhouse in the commercial area of Sydney. (357 Sussex Street, Town Hall Station) |
Other Stuff For Your "To Do" List | |
The Opera House |
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Stroll around Sydney's icon, the Opera House, to get spectacular views of the city and harbour. Try to work in a performance in one of the main halls so you can have a cocktail in one of the harbour-facing lounges at the interval. Or better yet take the unique backstage tour. It's also the perfect place to be on New Year's Eve. |
Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge |
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Get a one-of-a-kind view of the city. The Bridge Climb follows along catwalks, up ladders, steadily to the summit. The Discovery Climb takes you inside the workings of the Bridge, giving you a behind-the-scenes look. The climbs at twilight are hugely popular and should be booked in advance. |
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras |
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The most famous gay and lesbian event anywhere, Mardi Gras is an exuberant pride festival that culminates in the night time parade and party in late February. Mardi Gras also hosts a number of other events throughout the year including Sleaze Ball in October |
Luna Park |
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An old-style amusement park in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge, Luna Park is free and a great way to kill a sunny afternoon. Enjoy the rides and games and relive a bit of your childhood. Luna Park is also the site of fun parties like Toybox. |
Beach Culture |
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The north end of Bondi, Sydney's best known beach, as well as Tamarama are both relatively close to Oxford Street and very popular. The harbour beach at Redleaf attracts a lot of boys. But also check out clothing optional Lady Jane. Take the ferry to Manly (and it's almost as good as a harbour tour). Or if beaches aren't your thing, dive into very gay popular Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Pool. |
Footie |
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Australians are sports mad (and will bet on anything that moves). Enjoy the real flavour of Sydney at an Australian Football League match during the season which runs from March through September. Or during the summer drop into a slightly more leisurely experience at a cricket match. |
City Tour With Attitude |
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Take a city tour like no other. Tours by Diva is a hilarious ride through Sydney hosted by one of the city's top drag queens who provides commentary with attitude. See Sydney icons, the old and the new, you'll stop for champagne at the Opera House and return to Slide on Oxford Street for a cocktail. |
The Rocks |
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This is where it all began. Sydney sprung up from a modest convict settlement in the area beneath the Harbour Bridge now known as The Rocks. It now teems with terrific restaurants and galleries (like the Museum of Contemporary Art which happily combines both) as well as the Rocks Market each Saturday and Sunday. |
Retail Therapy |
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Sydney has unique shopping at almost every turn. Upper Oxford Street is home to quirky, one-of-a-kind shops like Sweet Art, lots of local designers and the Saturday Paddington Market. The Toolshed is a great stop for leather and fetish gear while The Bookshop Darlinghurst is probably Australia's best queer source of books and mags. Also check out all the new shops on Crown Street. The Queen Victoria Building in central Sydney and Bondi Junction (on the way home from the beach) are great shopping malls. |
Blue Mountains |
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Great for a day trip out of the city, the Blue Mountains have postcard picture views and is home to some of Australia's unique wildlife. Drive yourself (go up the M4 motorway and back down Bells Line of Road) or take a backroads eco tour, Either way, it's a nice contrast to the hustle of Sydney. |
Hunter Valley |
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This world famous wine making region can also be done as a day trip, but with so many fine wines to enjoy, why rush? Two hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley region has over 100 wineries, restaurants, cafes, local cheese, olive producers, and a range of gay-friendly accommodation options. |
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