It pains me — as a South African — to admit this, but Sydney is everything you want in a city. Beautiful beaches and wide-open public spaces are balanced by a good dose of cultural heritage, adrenalin-fuelled adventures and many, many excuses to go shopping. The public transport system isn't too shabby either.

So, if you are thinking of heading Down Under and are looking for an experience that doesn’t involve large tracts of outback, kangaroos or sports of any kind, here’s a quick guide to all that’s great about Sydney.

Oh-so-cultured…

• Sydney Opera House (sydneyoperahouse.com)
  One of the most recognisable architectural icons in the world with its sail-themed roof, the Sydney Opera House is more than just a pretty building. Every year it stages approximately 1500 performances — ranging from opera to rock concerts — to audiences of 1.5 million. Take a basic tour of the building for AUD$32 or splash out and buy a package that includes dining and a world-class performance for the complete experience.
• Art Gallery of NSW (www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au)
  One of Australia’s foremost cultural institutions, the NSW Gallery is home to significant collections of Australian, European and Asian art and hosts 40 exhibitions annually. Take one of the daily free guided tours of the Gallery Collection.
• Museum of Contemporary Art (www.mca.co.au/)
  For something a little more modern, pop into the Museum of Contemporary Art — the only museum in Australia dedicated to exhibiting and collecting contemporary art. The exhibitions are changed frequently, so you are bound to stumble across something new and exciting.
• Australian National Maritime Museum (www.anmm.gov.au)
  History buffs will enjoy a trip to the maritime museum located on the water's edge at Darling Harbour. Check out the fleet of historic vessels, climb aboard the last of the big-gun destroyers or imagine life under-the-sea in a navy submarine. The museum offers free daily guided tours and free audio tours.
• Hyde Park Barrack Museum
  Non-Aussies are fond of making jokes about the nation's 'convict' heritage. The Hyde Park Barrack Museum embraces this heritage and provides some insight into the harsh conditions under which Sydney’s early convicts lived. The museum also hosts changing exhibitions about Australian culture and history.
• Outback Centre (www.outbackcentre.com.au)
  Like all colonised nations, Australia’s indigenous people have a rich culture and history of their own. Attend one of the free daily shows about the outback and the indigenous culture or browse the extensive range of Aboriginal arts and crafts.
• St Mary’s Cathedral
  Before you wrap up your cultural tour, visit St Mary’s Cathedral on the corner of St Mary’s Road and College Street. One of the biggest cathedrals in the world, this fine example of Gothic architecture features magnificent stained glass windows and a crypt with a mosaic floor depicting The Creation. Attend daily mass or arrange a guided tour.

The great outdoors

• Chinese Garden of Friendship
  Interrupt your hectic touring schedule with a stroll through the Chinese Garden of Friendship at the Darling Harbour. This peaceful haven features ponds, waterfalls, and wooden walkways. Relax over some jasmine tea at the traditional teahouse.
• The Royal Botanic Gardens (www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au)
  Pack a picnic and visit the botanical gardens which have a range of specialist gardens and stunning views of the harbour. Stroll through the sweetly fragranced herb garden and the more opulent oriental garden or visit the Cadi Jam Ora — a garden display that tells the story of the Cadigal people (Sydney’s Aboriginal people) and the plants that originally grew in the area. There is no admission charge and there are daily free guided walks.
• Bondi Beach
  A trip to Sydney would be incomplete without a visit to Bondi Beach — the home of lifesaving, surfing and general sun-worship. If swimming and body-boarding is more your thing, head down to Coogee Beach. Northern beaches (harbour-side) worth checking out include those at Manly — North Steyne Beach, Manly Beach and Fairy Bower — and Balmoral Beach, which is regarded as one of the most picturesque in Sydney.
• Sydney Aquarium (www.sydneyaquarium.com.au)
  Okay, so it’s not quite the great outdoors, but a trip to the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour is about as close as you are going to get to marine life without donning scuba gear. Boasting the most extensive collection of sharks in captivity and the largest Great Barrier Reef display in the world, this aquarium — with its 150 metres of clear underwater tunnels — is bound to impress. Expect to pay about AUD$26 for admission.

• Sydney Fish Market (www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au)
  The largest market of its kind in the southern hemisphere, Pyrmont’s famous Fish Market on Bank Street sells seafood, tackle, fresh produce, deli goods and flowers. There is also a renowned seafood cooking school attached to the market, which is open daily.
• Paddy’s Markets (www.paddysmarkets.com.au)
  Looking for inexpensive clothing (new or second-hand), shoes, CDs, fresh produce and yummy takeaways? Visit Sydney’s oldest (est.1834) and biggest (800 stalls) market on the corner of Hay and Thomas streets.
• Paddington Bazaar
  This trendy Saturday market situated in Oxford Street has an extensive selection of jewellery, ceramics and other arts and crafts.

Extreme sight-seeing

• Harbour Bridge (www.pylonlookout.com.au)
  Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge offers fantastic views of the city. Climb the 200 steps to the top of the Pylon, where you will be rewarded with awesome panoramic vistas. If you prefer adrenalin-infused sight-seeing, try the three-hour bridge climb (www.bridgeclimb.com). This adventure will set you back about AUD$169, but it includes a briefing at the training centre and all the equipment (climbing suit and harness) you will need to make the climb.
• Sydney Tower (www.sydneytoweroztrek.com.au)
  A trip to the top of the Sydney Tower will reward you with breathtaking 360° views of the city. The turret, which is 1504 stairs up, contains two levels of restaurants, a coffee lounge and a glass-covered observation deck equipped with strong telescopes. A ticket to the observation deck (AUD$25) includes access to Oz Trek — the largest simulated ride in the southern hemisphere, which takes you on a virtual journey through Australia’s history and geography.
• Adrenalin junkies can do the Sydney Skywalk (www.skywalk.com.au), which gives you open-air views of the city from the roof of the tower. Harnessed onto a moving glass-floored viewing platform that extends out over the edge you will see the city as never before!