Hello Fodorites,
Totally last-minute trip to Sydney- haven't been before. Weather next week calls for some showers, and cloudy days, temps in the mid-60s to low 70s. Assume fairly lightweight clothing would be appropriate, and a raincoat? Would we wear shorts when strolling through the parks, or visiting the beaches? Wasn't sure how "dressy" Sydney is!

I believe we'll be staying in the Circular Quay/downtown area, and have been reading the posts with dining/sightseeing recommendations. Let me know if there's anything in particular a first-time visitor ought to know! many thanks-

Shorts are fine for visiting beaches and walking in parks, no one will mind if you wear them elsewhere if it's really hot, but temperatures in the last week in Sydney has been hovering round 18-20 degrees C, dropping lower at night. It's been T-shirt weather with a light weight jacket along just in case.

An excellent place for lunch is the restaurant in the Art Gallery of NSW, good is quite good but the view is fantastic. The also have a good collection of Aboriginal Art.

thanks, Susan, the art gallery was already on my list, but I didn't know about the restaurant. That's the kind of tip I love!

Any tips on a harbor cruise- which islands to stop at? Do you get on and off the ferries and spend a bit of time on various islands?

There's not really any islands that the ferries go as far as I know nvl but if you're in Sydney a few days think about getting yourself a travel pass - http://www.131500.info/realtime/default.asp
and ferry trips about the Harbour, to Manly or Watsons Bay for walks through the Manly Corso to Ocean beach and also north head where there is an old quarantine station that has ghost tours or from Watsons Bay[Check out Doyles restaurant complex and even pub at far end of jetty is fine - the best in my opinion] for south head walks, upper and lower.

There's also a ferry from northern beaches that goes around into Hawkesbury River and you can get a train back in from Brooklyn and if interested, there's a Hawkesbury River Mail Boat run - need to get train out to Brooklyn.

Great Visitor Information Centre right in heart of rocks, easy enough to find, just up Argyle Street off George St., main street down into Rocks - they have walking maps of different historical interest - about six different themes but you may have to ask as last time I was there they just had a basic one on display, and all free.

For some good pub fare, check out Glenmore and Australian Heritage Hotel, both up alongside the Bridge and Australian has rooftop dining with view of harbour, maybe Glenmore too.
And nother ferry ride is to go just across to north shore, a few different jetties, Kirribilli or Wilsons Point and then you can walk back across the Bridge and at south east Pylon you can walk up for a historical display there and views for ~$15.
The Rocks has a market on weekends - choc covered strawberrie for a different breke.

The Queen Vic building up George street may interest too.

http://www.sydney.com.au/islands.htm has some info on the islands and Cockatoo is the one exception for getting to by ferry and if you had an extra night and were needing accommodation, stay on the island! - http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/

good idea, Bushranger, about the travel pass. I would think for a week it would make sense- basic, red, version good? Looks like it doesn't include a few things, anyway. And the pubs sound great- thanks!

You can go to Pinchgut Island as well as Cockatoo. I'd highly recommend going to Cockatoo Island, it was a venue for last year's Biennale of Sydney, but it's a great place to visit at any time. It's included as a stop on the Greenwich service as well as the Paramatta River cat.

There are tours run by the Sydney Harbour Trust. The top of the island has remains of the convict era, while at water-level there are ship-building and dry dock facilities. There's a cafe that sells coffee, wine, sandwiches etc. The camping facilities look really good and I think you can hire kayaks from there.

The cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art (near the Quay) also has a good view and food.