Biking
The best place to cycle in Sydney is Centennial Park. Rent bikes from Centennial Park Cycles, 50 Clovelly Rd., Randwick (tel. 02/9398 5027; www.cyclehire.com.au), which is 200 m (656 ft.) from the Musgrave Avenue entrance. Mountain bikes cost A$15 for the first hour, A$20 for 2 hours, A$40 for 4 hours, and A$50 for a full day. Extra days cost just A$10 each.
Bonza Bike Tours (tel. 02/9247 8800; www.bonzabiketours.com), at 55 Harrington St., The Rocks, runs regular bike tours of the city, and also hires out bikes. A half-day city tour costs A$119 for adults, A$99 for kids, A$349 for families, including a bike and helmet. It also offers a tour of Manly and another that takes you across Sydney Harbour Bridge. Bike hire alone costs A$20 an hour, A$35 a half-day, or A$50 a day.
Kayaking
Natural Wanders (tel. 02/9899 1001; www.naturalwanders.com.au) takes paddlers out on Sydney Harbour. Tours start from Lavender Bay, near Luna Park, and this is the only kayaking company that takes you under Sydney Harbour Bridge. Group tours run on weekends only, but if you’d like a private tour, owner Patrick Dibben will take you during the week, too. There’s no minimum number for group tours, though, so you may still be in a group of only two or three. If you choose a private tour, you will be the one to decide where you want to paddle and for how long. Group tours cost A$65 per person for a 2-hour paddle. A 3 1/2-hour paddle costs A$90 and takes you from Lavender Bay west, across the Harbour and south to explore Balmain, then north to land at Berry Island before returning to Lavender Bay (about 10–12 km/6–7 miles). Private tours cost A$150 for one person or A$120 each if there are two or more of you. These tours usually go under Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House and stop on a beautiful beach in a bushland setting before returning. All tours start at 6:30am on weekdays and 8am at weekends. You must be 15 years or older, have a good level of fitness, and be able to swim!
Swimming
With all that ocean, why bother with a pool? Well, Sydney has some great pools that you might want to try just for their settings. The Bondi Icebergs Club, 1 Notts Ave. (tel. 02/9130 4804; www.icebergs.com.au), at Bondi Beach, has an Olympic-size ocean tidal pool built into the rocks with the ocean lapping into it. It also has a children’s pool. Entrance costs A$5.50 for adults, A$3.50 for kids, or A$15 for a family of five. Spectators pay A$3. Towel hire is A$3.50. The Icebergs Club is open from 11am ‘til late Monday to Friday and from 9am on weekends. Be warned: This is a true ocean pool, so the water is sometimes very cold (hence the name of the club!).
Another good pool with fabulous views across Sydney Harbour is the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Swimming Pool, the Domain, Mrs. Macquaries Road, near the Royal Botanical Gardens (tel. 02/9358 6686; www.abcpool.org). This is an outdoor pool, and it also has a learner’s pool and a toddler’s pool. Entry is A$6.20 for adults and A$4.70 for kids. It’s open 6am to 7pm daily September to April.
Yachting
Sydney by Sail (tel. 02/9280 1110; www.sydneybysail.com.au) offers day sails on Sydney Harbour. It’s based at Darling Harbour. A skippered, 3-hour afternoon sail leaving at 1pm costs A$165 for adults and A$85 for kids under 14, or A$420 for a family of four. You can help sail, or just relax!
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
