Sydney, Australia

Sydney is the oldest European settlement in Australia, having been founded as a British penal colony in 1788 by Arthur Phillip.

Early morning Sydney Harbour.

Harbour Bridge in moonlight.

Sydney Opera House.

European settlers largely displaced the Aboriginal peoples over the years, with the earliest colonists coming from England, Ireland and Scotland.  In the early 20th century, Sydney continued to attract immigrants from all over the commonwealth – again mostly from the U.K. and Ireland, but the White Australia Policy prevented non-European peoples from entering the country.

Buskers at Circular Quay.

Darling Harbour.

Xmas shoppers.

City Xmas decorations.

Queen Victoria Building shopping area.

QANTAS Xmas tree.

Australia's immigration patterns, and subsequently that of Sydney, changed significantly after WWII, this open policy allowed migrants to arrive from countries as diverse as Italy, Greece, Germany, Holland, China, New Zealand, India, the Philippines, Poland, Lebanon, Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa and the Pacific Islands.  Sydney's culture, food and general outlook changed to reflect these new arrivals.

Harbour area.

The Rocks.

Cruise ship terminal.

Opera House.

This period also heralded the arrival of the Ten Pound Pom - the practice of assisted passage to Australia for families from the UK wishing to immigrate between the period of 1940 -1980.  There is much debate about the origins of the word POM: One popular belief is that it stands for ‘Prisoner of Her Majesty’, referring to the early convicts; another theory is that it comes from the instant mashed potato the British soldiers had to eat during the war; another alternative is that pommy is associated with the pomegranate, which relates to the purported frequency of sunburn among British people in Australia, turning their fair skin the colour of pomegranates;  However, I opt for the unofficial explanation that POME stands for 'Prisoner of Mother England' or POM stands for ‘Product of Mother England’.  In any case the Australians didn’t like the whingeing attitude of most of these newcomers, who liked nothing better than running Australia down or complain about the weather. Having witnessed this first hand as one of those who took part of the assisted immigration scheme, I can confirm that the term POM was considered offensive.

Harbour Bridge from inside Opera House.

Sydney is now one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet, with one third of its population born overseas.  Sydney is also recognised worldwide for its vibrant gay community. Every year, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi gras is celebrated at the end of February, drawing people from all over Australia and the world for the celebrations.  Sydney also draws huge crowds for the annual New Years celebration fire works display over the harbour bridge.

Xmas eve fireworks display, Darling Harbour.

In my opinion I think Sydney has lost its way a bit, it no longer has the lure of an exciting destination. Ok it has the magnificent backdrop of the fantastic harbour for fireworks etc.  But it is just becoming like any other major city, overpriced, overcrowded and overrated.  The only reason I would visit Sydney again would be to transit through it, the outer suburbs and in fact Australia as a whole are a far better option for those wishing to experience the real downunder.  Once you have seen the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, move on – there is so much more to experience.

Harbour Bridge from Opera House.

Avoid Bondi - there are alternatives.

Where's the crowds.

Beach coffee time.