Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in Sydney, but that only ensures that the really special ones stand out. Beresford Trattorio is just such a place, but what else would you expect with Danny Russo at the helm?

There’s a reason why Mr Russo has such a reputation. His dishes are inventive, while maintaining the rustic charms Italian is famous for. Dishes like the tagliatelle with truffled meatballs, squid ink tortellini stuffed with crab meat, and the stuffed rabbit leg are truly indulgent.

The wine list also deserves a mention, with around three-quarters of the drinks Italian. It’s refreshing to be able to choose something you don’t have every day. There are nearly 29 by the glass so even solo drinkers don’t have to miss out on the fun.

It might be inside a pub, but don’t let that scare you away. The Beresford Hotel has been given a modern makeover, making this swish restaurant the perfect place for a romantic night out, dinner with friends, or a special treat for one!

Trading hours: Noon to 3 pm on Wednesdays to Sundays for lunch and dinner daily from 6 pm to 11 pm
Location: The Beresford Hotel
Address: 345 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst
Public transport: Catch a #380 or #382 bus from the city
Parking: Limited street parking is available
Cost: Entrees from $9, mains from $21, desserts $15
Website: http://www.theberesford.com.au

Image source: Asif Akbar @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Wet World is a fun interactive display which might just be one of the best ways to cool down this summer. It’s a wild water playground of river races, Aqua Play activities, and the Super Soaker Action Zone!

Why not leave the kids playing while you check out the grown-up activities? This summer’s big drawcard is Vaka Moana – Voyages of the Ancestors, an exhibition which celebrates the cultures of our Pacific neighbours. You might even have a chance of luring the children to this one, with the hands-on body tattoo and log drumming workshops. You can also see cultural performances, daily film screenings, and walk the Exhibition Discovery Trail.

Remember to bring your swimmers and your friends to the National Maritime Museum these school holidays!

Dates: Until Sunday 25 January
Times: Wet World is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, with the last entry at 3:30 pm. The Maritime Museum is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm (and until 6 pm in January)
Location: Australian National Maritime Museum
Address: 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
Public transport: Catch a train to Town Hall station and walk across Pyrmont Bridge, take the light rail to Pyrmont Bay station, or the Monorail to Harbourside station
Parking: Discount parking is available at Harbourside Carpark, Murray Street, Darling Harbour for $11.50. Present your parking ticket at the museum foyer ticket desk for validation
Cost: A Holiday Fun Ticket costs $9 per person and $25 for families. This includes entry to the Kids Deck, Wet World, and Pacific Play
Website: http://www.anmm.gov.au

Image source: Andy Heyward @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

With the mercury rising, the beach is the best place to be in Sydney over summer.  A day out enjoying the sun, surf, and sand is great fun, but there are also a few things tourists should be aware of. Here are my top tips to enjoying the local beaches.

• Always swim at a patrolled beach. If you run into any trouble in the water, you’ll want lifeguards close by.
• All patrolled beaches have a designated swimming area marked with red and yellow flags. Always swim between these flags to stay safe and avoid rips and other hazards.
• If you do get caught in a rip, swim diagonally across it. Stay calm and don’t struggle against it.
• If you get into trouble in the surf raise your arm and wait for the lifeguards to come and help you.
• Always wear a high protection sunscreen. Even on an overcast day, the glare off the water can give you a nasty burn.
• Make sure you cover up. Rash shirts are a great idea when you’re swimming, and you can throw on a T-shirt when you get out of the waves.
• Always wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• You know how your mother always told you not to swim on a full stomach. The same rules apply! Also avoid swimming after drinking alcohol.
• It’s fun to look in rock pools, but never touch the animals that live there. Many are harmless, but you don’t want to risk touching something poisonous like a blue ringed octopus or a stonefish.
• You don’t really have to worry about sharks in Sydney’s beaches, but you might need to think about blue bottles. If you do get stung by these nasty jellyfish make sure you see a lifeguard for treatment. A sting isn’t life threatening, but it does hurt!

Image source: Joe Shlabotnik @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Have you recovered from Christmas yet? Good! Sydney’s already moving on to the next thing, and that’s the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks! Every year is always bigger and better than the last, and this one promises to be no exception.

The $4 million display promises never-before-seen pyrotechnic effects and a dramatic “lightning show.” The lightning will be part of a staged storm designed to symbolically cleanse the harbour city. Have we been sinning this year? The biblical inspired storm will light up the sky before the much anticipated Bridge Effect is revealed at midnight. Then there’ll be another 12 minutes of fireworks, featuring horizontal explosives and spinning fireworks. It sure sounds spectacular!

Exactly what the bridge effect will be is a closely guarded secret, but the event’s creative director Rhoda Roberts said it will be an everlasting image, similar to the Eternity slogan and dove of peace we saw in recent years.

“It’s going to be stunning,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “I wanted a bridge effect that explored us and how unique we are as a country … it is something that anyone around the world can connect with as well.”

The event will use up to 3000 kg of explosive devices and more than 100, 000 pyrotechnic effects. But don’t worry about the environmental impact too much. For the first time the city council will offset the emissions with carbon credits and Green Power purchases.

The fireworks are free to watch, but you’ll want to arrive early if you want to get a good spot to see them. The best vantage points are at Bradley’s Head, Bradfield Park, Clarkes Point, Birchgrove Park, Pyrmont Point Park, Mrs Macquaries Point, Christison Park, and Neilsen Park.

If you’re travelling on the night you’ll need to plan your trip around the many road closures. Look out for closures and special event clearways in Balmain, Bondi, Cremorne, Darling Point, Dover Heights, Gladesville, Greenwich, McMahons Point, Kirribilli, Milsons Point, Mosman, North Sydney, Point Piper, Pyrmont, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, and Waverton. Go to the RTA website for further details of all traffic arrangements.

Image source: Rob & Jules @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Ghermez is Persian for red, perhaps because the sweet treats featured here are red hot! You’ll be lured by exciting flavours like chilli chocolate, pistachio and rose, and sticky date.

If you’re in need of a sugar hit to help you get through those post-Christmas sales, Ghermez is worth a look! But don’t blame me if you come out feeling a few kilos heavier!

Trading hours: Daily when Westfield is open
Location: Westfield Bondi Junction
Address: Level 5, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
Public transport: Catch a train to Bondi Junction station. The Westfield is a short walk away
Parking: Parking is available on site. The first two hours are free
Cost: Cupcakes cost $3.80
Website: http://www.ghermez.com.au/

Image source: Benjamin Earwicker @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Merry Christmas to all my Sydney Traveler readers! I hope you’re all having a wonderful day and that Santa was kind to you all! To celebrate the big day, here’s some footage of Taronga Zoo’s furry residents opening their presents. The meerkats are just priceless! Enjoy!

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

The dual penalties apply until January 4 in an effort to curb the state’s Christmas road toll. Road deaths have dropped 28% since the initiative was introduced in 1997, so it looks like it’s working!

“Double demerits help deter motorists from breaking the law during what is an exceptionally busy time on the state’s roads,” said the state’s roads minister Michael Daley.

“Motorists be warned: watch your speed, wear your seatbelt or helmet, or face double demerits this Christmas.”

“While it’s encouraging the see the road toll numbers declining, there are still too many families losing loved ones on our roads and we need to do all we can to prevent further deaths,” added New South Wales police minister Tony Kelly.

That’s so true. I hope all my Sydney Traveler readers stay safe over the holidays and have a wonderful Christmas!

Image source: Antonio J. Sanchez @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Sydney Harbour offers much more than Circular Quay and the Bridge. Venture out a little further and you’ll find plenty of beautiful islands just made for exploring. While the mainland has been developed into an urban jungle, these islands are home to native flora and fauna. These natural features sit beside historic buildings and Aboriginal sites which reveal much about Australia’s cultural heritage.

One of these natural havens is Shark Island. But don’t let the name scare you off. The island was given this cute moniker because it looks like a shark, not because it’s home to some white pointers!

Shark Island is located a kilometre away from Rose Bay. It offers beautiful views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, making it a favourite choice for local picnickers.

Between 1880 and 1975, the island was used as an animal quarantine station and a naval storage depot. Now though it’s dotted with picnic tables surrounded by shade trees. Wander around and explore the rocky foreshore and sandy beaches. I promise you won’t have an encounter with Jaws!

If you want to visit Shark Island, call (02) 9247 5033 to make a booking.

Trading hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily, and 8 am to 8 pm during daylight savings
Location: Shark Island
Public transport: A ferry service from Circular Quay operated on Saturday and Sunday. It costs $16 for adults, $13.50 for children (5-15 years), $14.50 for concessions, and $53 for families. This price includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service landing fee
Website: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0039

Image source: Julius @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Spread a little Christmas cheer, and enjoy some fantastic food at the same time, with a meal at Verde. This inner city Italian restaurant will donate $2 to the Salvation Army for every pasta dish sold.

Verde offers some serious comfort food, like braised pork shank ragu, pan-fried gnocchi, and lovingly handmade pasta.

The $2 donations through December will help out the Salvos at their busiest time of year.

Trading hours: Lunch from Wednesdays to Fridays and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays
Location: Verde
Address: Corner of Stanley and 115 Riley Street, East Sydney
Public transport: The restaurant is a short walk from Museum train station
Parking: There is metered and non-metered parking on Stanley, Riley, and Yurong Streets. There is also a secure parking station at 70 Riley Street. Discounts are available from the restaurant if you use the parking station
Cost: Entrees from $17, pastas from $22, and other mains from $30
Website: http://www.verde.net.au

Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

A pair of dugongs has arrived at Sydney Aquarium! There are only five of these amazing creatures on display around the world, so it’s amazing that we now have the opportunity to see two up close!

The aquarium’s dugongs are Pig and Waru. Ten-year-old Pig was found in North Queensland after he was separated from his mother. Four-year-old Waru was also orphaned, and found near Rockhampton. They were raised from calves at Sea World, and have now found a new home in Sydney. They are the only captive dugongs in Australia.

The dugongs will live in the Aquarium’s new Mermaid Lagoon, so named because early pirates and sailors mistook these majestic creatures for the mythical figures. These animals are actually close relatives of elephants, so goodness knows how they were ever mistaken for glamorous mermaids!

They might not be the prettiest creatures around but they are fascinating. Make sure you visit the aquarium soon to welcome its newest residents!

Trading hours: Open every day from 9 am to 10 pm, except Christmas and New Years Day when the aquarium closes at 6 pm
Location: Sydney Aquarium
Address: Darling Harbour
Public transport: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay, the monorail to Darling Park Station, or a train to Town Hall station
Parking: Receive $11.50 discount parking when you park at the Entertainment Car Park in Darling Drive, Darling Harbour or Harbourside Car Park at 100 Murray Street, Pyrmont. Simply present your parking ticket to the Sydney Aquarium staff to validate it
Cost: Adults are $29.95, while kids pay $15. A range of family passes are also available. Online bookings save 10% on the regular admission price
Website: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/

Image source: Julien Willem @ Wikipedia Commons

Post from: The Sydney Traveler