Page 153 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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CITIES

Spectacular city skyline view from the Sydney Flying Squadron’s deck
Best Places for a

Drink with a View

At the northern end of Bondi Beach, a huge wrap-
around veranda buzzes with beachgoers and locals
relaxing at the end of a long, hot day. “The Rats,”
more formally known as the North Bondi Returned
Soldiers League Club, has uninterrupted views of
the entire beach, and a bird’s-eye view of the
bronzed surfers and lifeguards that are so Bondi.
Located on the Bay Street Ferry wharf, the
Australian 18 Footers League Club’s floor-to-ceiling
windows give a panoramic view of Double Bay.
Relax in one of the huge lounges and watch the
play of sunlight on water, or follow the 18 Footer
skiffs as they skim down the harbor.
TOP Glamorous revelers at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras ABOVE Dragon Boat race during the Chinese New Year festivities The Coast Golf Club sits in the midst of a green
sanctuary of courses clinging to a rugged coastline
Festivals Sydney’s Chinese community rings in its New Year at Little Bay, less than 8 miles (12 km) from the city.
around early February. Over 3,000 paddlers compete The members-only St Michaels and NSW Golf clubs
in Dragon Boat races on Darling Harbour, a parade are nearby, but at The Coast you can enjoy a quiet
Sydney’s diverse multicultural identity ensures a of floats and Chinese dragons dance through the afternoon drink with scenic views of the coastline.
never-ending array of fabulous festivals in which city streets during the twilight parade, and Sydney Flying Squadron’s huge deck over Milsons
visitors can often participate alongside the locals. Chinatown is decorated with red for good luck. Point captures the evening sun and makes it the
Neighborhood festivals might celebrate anything The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (see pp66–7) perfect place for a pre-dinner drink. On a Saturday
from a local ethnic community to specialty food, is much more than just a colorful parade of floats in summer, join the cruise which follows the skiffs
the arts or a religious occasion, and they happen and costumes. Held over three weeks in February around the harbor. Every fourth Sunday of the
throughout the year. In Leichhardt, the Sydney and March, its diverse events include cabarets, film month is a little livelier with “Jazz at the Squaddy.”
Italian Festival takes place in May; at Redfern, the festivals, live theater, history walks, and a hugely International visitors can sign into a club with
Dank Street Festival of culture and heritage is held popular picnic called Fair Day, all culminating in identification, and club prices ensure a cold Aussie
in October; and Cabramatta’s Moon Festival occurs the riotous night-long Mardi Gras Party. beer impacts only lightly on the traveling budget.
at the moon’s equinox, usually in September.
Starting with a traditional corroboree (traditonal
Aboriginal gathering), Yabun is the indigenous Practical Information Practical Information
Australian 18 Footers League Club Double Bay; Watsons Bay ferry from
celebration of Australia Day (January 26) by Chinese New Year www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cny Circular Quay; www.18footers.com.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Held in Dank St Festival Redfern; www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Coast Golf Club Little Bay; bus 392 or 399 from Circular Quay;
Victoria Park, on the western edge of the city, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras www.mardigras.org.au www.coastgolf.com.au
main stage hosts a diverse line-up of indigenous Moon Festival Cabramatta; www.visitnsw.com/town/Cabramatta/Asian_ North Bondi RSL Club North Bondi; bus 380 from Circular Quay;
comedians, musicians, and celebrities to entertain Moon_Lantern_Festival_-_Cabramatta/info.aspx www.northbondirsl.com.au
the crowds. Stalls offering crafts, food, face-painting, Sydney Italian Festival Leichhardt; www.sydneyitalianfestival.com.au Sydney Flying Squadron Milsons Point; Milsons Point ferry from Circular
and more line the park and add to the festivities. Yabun Victoria Park, Camperdown; www.gadigal.org.au Quay; www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au

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