Insider's Guide to Sydney

TRAVEL

The Insider’s Guide To:

SYDNEY Sights set on Sydney? If you’re heading Down Under you’ll need some insider knowledge on wining, dining and reclining in the gay capital of the Southern Hemisphere.

56 DNA

DNA 57

TOURISM AUSTRAlIA / DAPA

: Throw From left p on the rim sh another s an Aussie it’ barbie – . Sydney’s tradition exotic as as cuisine is . Sleep with d it is varie s in Taronga al the anim And Snore ar Zoo’s Ro kage. pac

58 DNA

TOURISM AUSTRAlIA / TONy yEATES

TOURISM AUSTRAlIA / JAMIE MACFADyEN

What to eat Does Australia have a national dish?

Not as such, although Aussies do eat the animals on the national coat of arms – kangaroo and emu are both high in protein, low in fat and delicious. Australia is a multicultural society and nowhere is this more apparent than on the menus of Sydney’s restaurants. From polenta to pizza, sushi to samosas, Australia’s largest city caters to the cosmopolitan palate. One staple of the Sydney diet is Thai food and Newtown’s King Street has Thai restaurants in abundance – as well as a host of other flavours. Try Thai Pothong or for something a bit different the Paju BBQ Korean Restaurant. Newtown’s café culture also lends itself to a late brunch and serendipitous wanderings through its many shops. Stanley Street in East Sydney is another stand-out treat for foodies. Bar Reggio (Italian) and La Mint (French fusion Vietnamese), a stone’s throw from the main strip, are both worth a nibble. On Monday night you can grab a $5 steak at The Foresters in Surry Hills or if you’ve got cash to burn and fancy a high-end meal at an iconic Australian landmark, head to Guillaume at Bennelong – it’s inside the Sydney Opera House. Guillaume’s is fine dining but his mashed potato is heavenly.

Thai Pothong: thaipothong.com.au Paju BBQ Korean Restaurant: urbanspoon. com Bar Reggio: barreggio.com.au La Mint: lamint.com.au The Forresters: foresters.com.au Guillame: guillaumeatbennelong.com.au

What to drink What’s Sydney’s speciality? What do the locals enjoy?

Aussies like to drink. In fact, it’s something of a national pastime – from the cold climate vineyards of the Adelaide Hills with their sumptuous sauvignon blancs, to dark Bundaberg rum from Queensland. In Sydney, it’s not only what you drink, but where you drink it. From sipping a stubby-clad “coldie” at the quintessential Sunday-arvo barbie, to harbour-side cocktails, you’re almost spoilt for choice.

You may be surprised to learn that Australians don’t drink Fosters – it’s an export beer only.

In pubs, beer on tap comes in a pint (big glass) schooner (medium-sized glass) or a middy (small). Most pubs have a wide range of bottled beer, both domestic and imported. The Beauchamp Hotel (pronounced “Beech’um”) midway up Oxford Street has a mixed crowd and provides nice surrounds for carousing.

Australia produces heaps of great wine, so check out a wine bar like Love, Tilly Devine on Crown Street, or Timbah in Glebe. Darlinghurst has many small bars worth discovering like Pocket, Sticky, Shady Pines and Ching-a-ling. These are not strictly gay bars but are full of gay people.

The Beauchamp Hotel: thebeauchamp.com.au Love, Tilly Devine: lovetillydevine.com Timbah: urbanspoon.com Where to stay?

What are the high-end hotels? Are there boutique options?

TRAVEL bring something warm. Winter is cold. Closedtoe shoes are a must in nightclubs and throw a collared shirt and pants in your suitcase for fine dining. Beachwear? AussieBum, of course, but other local faves to check out include Marcuse, 2eros, Tribe and 2wink.

What to Wear What’s appropriate for the climate, local convention, and importantly, beachwear?

The laidback Aussie attitude extends to attire.

Shorts and singlets or T-shirts are the national costume for most Aussies during summertime.

Don’t forget your sunnies and hat! If you visit during the cooler months (April to October)

Where should i go out?

Where are the gay venues, or gay-friendly straight venues? What’s the protocol?

Like most large cities, Sydney has a diverse nightlife, which caters to varied tastes. Oxford Street is the main drag for gay clubs, while Kings Cross a few blocks away is mainly straight. Gay Sydney can get quite sleepy >>

What should i Pack?

What should I bring from home and what should I pick up when I’m there.

Sunscreen. In summer, don’t go anywhere without sunscreen. The sun Down Under is intense. No matter what your skin type and previous experience in other hot countries you will burn if you’re not wearing SPF 15+. Bring plenty of shorts and T-Shirts – Sydney is pretty humid. The strength of the Aussie dollar makes shopping a little exy in Sydney right now, but if you like to hit the stores while you’re away, head to the city centre. A $1.2 billion revamping of Sydney’s CBD shopping centre off Pitt Street Mall means it’s now brimming with designer shops.

: Hot From left hot = weather arama Tam guys on Bridge, Beach. opera. boys and

TOURISM AUSTRAlIA / DARREN TIESTE

TOURISM AUSTRAlIA / DARREN TIESTE

The Shangri-La is central and sophisticated. It’s five-star, has a great cocktail bar and amazing harbour views. If your tastes lean towards the boutique, check out Establishment Hotel. The Oaks Hyde Park Plaza and Pullman Sydney Hyde Park are both on College Street, metres from Oxford Street; both are convenient options for Mardi Gras and most nocturnal activities.

The Travelodge on Wentworth Avenue is more affordable and only a short walk to the gay strip. For something completely different, stay overnight at Taronga Zoo. Wake to the roar of lions after a night in an architecturally designed tent, a sumptuous roast feast, drinks in the main tent and up-close animal encounters.

The Shangri-La: shangri-la.com/sydney Establishment: merivale.com.au/ accommodation/establishmenthotel Oaks Hyde Park Plaza: oakshotelsresorts.com/ oaks-hyde-park-plaza Pullman Sydney Hyde Park: accorhotels.com The Travelodge: travelodge.com.au Taronga Zoo: taronga.org.au/roarandsnore

DNA 59

>> midweek, so head to Stonewall on Oxford St. It’s usually busy most nights, with a friendly crowd. The Colombian, just down the road, is also popular mid-week. On weekends, your options swell considerably. The Oxford attracts an older, beary crowd pretty much all week. You can try Arq, Midnight Shift or Nevermind.

On Sunday, and something of an institution is the Beresford. It’s definitely the place to be seen on a Sunday arvo/evening. If you prefer the more hirsute gentleman, head to the Lord Roberts Hotel in East Sydney for Bears night.

Sydney has plenty of circuit parties throughout the year. Jump online to see what’s happening during your stay. Check out samesame.com.au – it’s a great resource for all things gay in Sydney.

Stonewall: stonewallhotel.com Colombian: colombian.com.au Oxford: oxfordhotel.com.au Arq: arqsydney.com.au Midnight Shift: themidnightshift.com.au Nevermind: nevermindclub.com.au The Beresford: merivale.com.au/ theberesfordhotel.com.au The Lord Roberts: lordrobertshotel.com.au

TOURISM AUSTRAlIA / DAPA

RIlEy MCFARlANE PHOTOGRAPHy

mardi gras 2013 What’s the best way to enjoy it?

If you really want to see the parade and you’re not lucky enough to be invited to a private party, limited tickets are available to VIP viewing areas – check out the Mardi Gras website for details. Or you can try your luck for a free spot on the parade route along with a couple of hundred thousand other people. Crowds start gathering early in the morning and by parade time they’re at least 10-15 people deep. There’s much more to Mardi Gras than just the parade, which is on 2 March 2013. There’s Fair Day (10

: An From left a on oper open-air arbour.

Sydney H ardi A sexy M ller.

Gras reve

60 DNA

February), Harbour Party (23 February) and the Mardi Gras Drag Races (1 March). Check out the Mardi Gras website for details and plan your activities well in advance. Buy your post-parade party tickets online before you get here. It can sell out.

Mardi Gras: www.mardigras.org.au

What other cities should i go to?

Definitely Darwin in the Northern Territory.

(Full story page 66 this issue).

The Gold Coast in Queensland. Q1 is the tallest hotel in the Southern Hemisphere and also has an amazing day spa. Broadbeach is less touristy, and has lots of lovely cafés and bars.

Palazzo Versace is a must stay hotel for luxury label lovers and next door the Marina Mirage boasts high-end boutiques, beautiful restaurants and is situated right on the water.

Melbourne in Victoria. It’s Australia’s second city and equals Sydney for restaurants, bars and clubs. Melbourne is slightly more bohemian than Sydney but no less sophisticated. Fly from Sydney in around one hour or drive in 10 hours.

Byron Bay is a popular destination for gay travellers and Sydneysiders alike. It’s very gay friendly with beautiful beaches and lush tropical hinterlands.

Top tip: remember that Australia is very big geographically – about the same as the USA. So if you want to go to another city you will need to fly there. am i saFe? Australia has a very low crime rate.

Pickpockets are virtually unknown, even in the big cities. Muggings and physical attacks are rare. However, acts of violence against gay men do happen from time to time. You’ll see plenty of guys holding hands in the city centre, but not so much in outer suburbs and definitely not in country areas. To avoid becoming one of the few exceptions, common sense is your best ally against mishap. As with any large city, avoid walking alone at night, particularly in unlit backstreets… even when you’re drunk and think you’re invincible. should i hire a car?

Or catch cabs and public transport?

There are plenty of cheap places to hire cars in Sydney. If you’re comfortable driving on the lefthand side it’s definitely an option, particularly if you’re heading out of Sydney. Although, the city centre isn’t set out on a grid and has a lot of oneway streets, so it can be a little confusing. If you’re leaving Sydney it’s better to fly. Australia is vast – you can fly for six hours and still not have left the country. Sydney’s transport system of buses, trains and ferries is reasonably efficient, usually on time but occasionally dirty. Cabs are everywhere and quite affordable for cross-city trips or to ferry you back to your hotel after a few drinks.

TRAVEL Where are the hot guys?

Club? Beach? Sex venue?

North Bondi is regarded as the gay end of the iconic beach. It helps that there’s an outdoor gym there, too. Speedo-style briefs are essential beachwear here. Or do the Bondi To Bronte Coastal Walk (3.5km one way) for a combination of beaches, parks and spectacular views, and we’re not just talking about the men. Make sure you stop off at Tamarama Beach (nicknamed Glamorama) for guaranteed hotties.

On Saturday night, it’s shirts-off at Arq and the Midnight Shift. On Sunday head to Bunnings – okay, it’s a hardware store but it’s like gay church and perfect for checking out boys checking out tools.

Tell me something I don’t know!

One of Sydney’s oldest inhabitants is the iconic bridge. “The Coathanger” turned 80 this year.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the widest single span bridge in the world at almost 50 metres. You can climb the arch thanks to Bridge Climb, which, since 1998, has made it possible for tourists to climb the southern half of the bridge. Tours run throughout the day, from dawn to dusk, and are only cancelled for electrical storms or high wind.

Night climbs are also available.

Sydney Harbour Bridge climb: bridgeclimb. com Will I understand the Australian accent?

Probably!

The Aussie accent can be strong but fathomable.

What you may need to acclimatise to is the Australian tendency to shorten words and add an ee sound at the end. Barbecue is “barbie”, cigarette is “ciggie”, a cold beer is a “coldie” a Christmas present is a “Chrissy prezzie”, and if someone offers you a semi-sav-blanc it’s a glass of semillon sauvignon blanc. Smile and say “ta muchly”, which is “thank you very much”. ial The Imper ey’s n yd S l: te Ho the home of ow.

Priscilla sh

TOURISM AUSTRALIA / DARREN TIESTE

What are the Insider’s recommendations?

Sydney is a beautiful city. One of the best ways to get around and explore it is to walk. It’s safe, easy to navigate and free! You’re much more likely to discover quaint eateries and homely bars in your serendipitous wanderings than being stuck in a cab or train. Taking a ferry ride to Watson’s Bay or Manly will give you an idea of the city’s natural beauty.

Sydney-siders are, with good reason, proud of their city and are often keen to befriend tourists and show them a good time. Use social media to connect with some hospitable locals. H Our Sydney Insiders are DNA staffers Tim Warrington, Brodie West and Andrew Creagh who all live within the gay precincts of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and East Sydney.

DNA 61