Best Visitor Attractions

Trevor “the Troll” began his life-long love with Harleys over 30 years ago. But it wasn’t until he shunned his 9-5 domestic life that he could properly own his title as a troll, albeit a very friendly and social one. Since starting up Troll Tours over six years ago, the Troll and his fellow riders have attracted adventure enthusiasts to explore the vastness of Sydney from outside the boring bus. Now you and your gang can see Palm Beach, the Hunter Valley and the Harbour Bridge (to name a few) cruising on the back of a loud and flagrant Harley Davidson. The tours run from 30 minutes to a day and happy clients have ranged from young backpackers to a 100-year-old adrenalin junkie grandma. (Kristie Beattie) trevor@trolltours.com.au 9568 3082 or 0410 46 47 40

Best Animal Attraction: Taronga Zoo
One of Sydney’s greatest treasures, Taronga Zoo is just a hop and a skip away from the city via ferry and a must for all. Spread across 21 hectares and home to more than 2,600 animals, Taronga Zoo cannot be explored in just an hour or two but needs the entire day. Some of the great features include the elephants, the daily giraffe encounters and the massive walk-through native bird enclosures. The true star of Taronga, however, is Mr Shuffles one of the zoo’s adorable new baby elephants born in November last year. (Evan Gray) Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman 9969 2777 www.taronga.org.au

Best Bus Route: the 378, Central to Bronte

The 378 provides a unique opportunity to see some of Sydney’s best sights as it meanders between Central and Bronte. The service could easily be marketed as a “Hop on, hop off” taking in several of Sydney’s key attractions. The commuter route passes by Hyde Park; continues alone cosmopolitan Oxford Street, through Darlinghurst and Paddington; and onward to Bondi Junction before rounding alone the coastal road where magnificent sweeping views of Sydney’s rocky coastline can be observed right from your seat. The trip culminates at the coastal village of Bronte; adorned by numerous cafes and galleries, it presents a quiet and pleasant retreat from Sydney’s more bustling beaches. (Cale Johnson) www.sydneybuses.info

Best Church: Mary Immaculate Church

The Mary Immaculate, constituted as a parish in 1865, is now the Australian mother-church of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. Instantly recognisable, the architecture is characteristic of the Romanesque Renaissance period – contemporary, majestic and strangely reminiscent of a creamy white chocolate stack reaching up to the sky. The direct sight lines to both altar and pulpit are a traditional European design element of the Franciscan Order. Internally, Cesare Vagarini’s paintings of the Seven Joys of Our Lady Mary provide a striking delight, as does the finely crafted organ, installed in 1979 to commemorate a century of Franciscan Friars in Waverly. (Alex Bell) 45A Victoria St, Waverley

Best inner-city urban oasis: The Royal Botanic Gardens

Escape the Sydney rat race during your lunchbreak and stroll from an urban jungle into a real one – well, as close as it is possible to get within a global city. The Sydney Botanic Gardens are adjacent to Macquarie Street and cover a very large area that runs along the Sydney Harbour foreshore to Mrs Macquaries Chair and beyond. Bizarre pineapple-shaped flowers will delight self-proclaimed photography experts and the lawns are a great place to have a sunny picnic (or covertly watch attractive people soaking up the sun). For a real kick, point out to foreign tourists the canopies above them and watch their reactions when they realise those birds are actually enormous fruit bats. (Simon Anderson) Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney  9231 8111

Best Maritime Museum: Sydney Heritage Fleet

Fancy yourself a salty sea dog? The Sydney Heritage Fleet restores and maintains 50 heritage boats, the oldest of which, the tall ship James Craig, dates back all the way to 1874. The ship itself, a three-masted iron barque, was abandoned in 1932 until it was rescued by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and refloated and restored from 1972. This floating museum does not ascribe to the typical look-don’t-touch stuffy mantra of most other institutions. While the James Craig is berthed during the week in Pyrmont for guided tours from 10am-4pm daily, on weekends you can book a passage around the harbour or even take ‘er out to sea. What’s more, you can watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks from the deck if you book early enough. The Fleet also sails a range of impeccably kept steamboats, motorboats and a gentleman’s schooner. The Sydney Heritage Fleet docks at Wharf 7 in Pyrmont, where you can find the museum and the floating ships.( Jason Marshall) http://www.shf.org.au/ 9298 3888

Best Place to Camp in the City: Cockatoo Island

Forget spending the night on Sydney’s rock hard benches or fast food stench-fests, and pitch up a tent at the more than adequate Cockatoo Island. Filled with historic buildings, a tennis court, BBQ facilities, and amazing views of the city skyline, the biggest island in Sydney Harbour is chock-a-block with fun times. (Simon Pham)

Best Public Space: Paddington Reservoir Gardens

Residents describe Paddington Reservoir Gardens as their own Hanging Gardens of Babylon, their local Baths of Caracalla. With rows of historic brick archways and industrial steel skeletons set against lush vines, meditative gardens and a tranquil stretch of water, the space is nothing short of other-worldly. Built in 1866, the Reservoir was a key element in Sydney’s early water supply. Today it functions as an unexpected oasis in one of Sydney’s trendiest shopping districts, winning the 2009 Australian Award for Urban Design. Visit by night and see radiant lighting installations bring the rustic timber, restored stonework and stunning architectural vision to life. Alex Bell

Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Corner Oxford St & Oatley Rd, Paddington

Best Tourist Attraction: The Sydney Opera House

Aside from its towering sails, the Sydney Opera House has plenty to offer locals and tourists.

The Opera Bar is located on the lower concourse and features an innovative menu of mains, pizzas and other interesting snacks. The Bar opens onto the harbour and there is nothing quite like sipping a wine from the bar’s extensive wine list while overlooking one of the country’s greatest sights. The sea breeze keeps the air fresh as you watch yachts, ferries and tankers criss-cross the cove and the sun set behind the bridge. Drop in before a show; the bar is open 7 days from 11.30am till late. (Jason Marshall) Sydney Opera House, 9247 1666

Best Urban Walk: Spit to Manly Bushwalk

Whether ambling or keeping fit the Spit to Manly bushwalk provides the quintessential Sydney backdrop, offering breathtaking views out over Middle Harbour and a pervasive tranquillity often sought yet seldom found in the big metropolis. The 10km walk takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours and is brimming with clandestine beaches, subtropical rainforest, glamorous waterfront real estate and the opportunity to glimpse anything from blue-tongue lizards to humpback whales off North Head. The track is well-maintained, has a number of alternate routes along the way (we recommend taking the Grotto Point detour) and is suitable for most fitness levels. Be sure to pack your bathers and a towel too for the harbour’s glistening waters beckon at every turn. (Richard Barry)

Best Visitor Attraction:  The Three Sisters

It might just be impossible to visit the Three Sisters without accidentally appearing in someone else’s holiday snaps. The raucous voices of holidaying families are similarly impossible to avoid at the lookout but there is a reason they are all here: it is breathtakingly beautiful. The view across the Jamison valley is one of the most spectacular in the Blue Mountains and is easily accessible to even the most reluctant walkers. For the more enthusiastic, the Three Sisters mark the start of several walks around and down into the valley. (Alice Beasley)

Best Weekend Markets: Glebe Markets

While they have been around for years, Glebe Markets always seem to take the cake, and it’s not at all surprising. Located in the hip suburb of Glebe, near the University of Sydney and a range of delicious eateries, the markets provide a unique experience to Sydneysiders who are dissatisfied with a little too much of the same thing. More about the vivacious atmosphere than the produce, the markets do have some exceptional second-hand jewellery, funky clothes and bargain antiques. But it’s the live music, food from around the globe and the general hippy vibe that keep the punters coming along each weekend. (Marilyn Hetreles) Glebe Public School, Cr Derby Place and Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 0419 291 449 www.glebemarkets.com.au