gay Sydney travel guide

Australia's largest city, Sydney sprawls over 100 km (60 miles) on either side of the breathtaking natural inlet, with no fewer than 70 beaches. No wonder Sydneysiders feel so lucky! But they're also completely welcoming, offering warmth and hospitality to visitors. Home of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and sister city to San Francisco, Sydney is usually considered to be the centre of gay life in Australia, but I am sure those from some of the other cities, particularly Melbourne, would disagree! The main concentration of gay places in Sydney is in the fashionable and trendy Oxford Street area, with the Newtown area a close second, with a scattering of venues in other areas (city, north shore, eastern suburbs, and western suburbs). We have some fabulous flight deals to Sydney, simply click here

Gay events in Sydney

Sydney Mardi Gras Festival February - March 2005The Sydney Mardi Gras is a world-famous festival that celebrates queerness in all its forms. Taking place in the heart of Sydney, this three-week-long cultural extravaganza incorporates exhibitions, music, plays, art and literature, expressing the essence of what it means to be gay in modern society.

Sleaze Ball October 2005 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras may have had a makeover in 2003, but the Sleaze Ball at Fox Studios is still a certainty for the annual calendar..

Hotels in Sydney

W Hotel Sydney Located in the new luxury marina & entertainment complex in the fabulously named district of Woolloomoolo, The W Hotel Sydney forms part of one of the hotel industry's recent success stories. Combining the authenticity and charm of the wharf building that it once was and the latest in modern luxury, your stay at the W will ensure that your stay in Sydney for the Mardi Gras stays in the memory forever.

Gay tip - around the corner from the w hotel... the Tilbury Hotel one of the better renovations of a typical australian pub. Lots of pectoral implants and botox after 6pm on sunday evenings... clientele - gay crowd of sceny queens wearing abercrombie and polo singlets, or diesel tees of five seasons ago...

For more fab gay friendly Hotels in Sydney

Pink Passport tips

by Stephen Grindrod pinkpassport crew

For a cheap ride around the Harbour take a ferry to Manly beach. This is easy way to get to one of Sydney's best beaches. Ferries from Circular Quay go to Manly beach every 30 mins. Check out www.sydneyferries.info for all the info.

Want to get out of the city go to Hunter Valley and do some free wine tasting. For more info see www.hunterweb.com.au

Sydney is great for gay dance parties; the only problem is the tickets sell out! Fag Tag was the most recent I went to. Once a month a group of gays, lezzers and drag queens choose a straight venue and take it over - or "fag Tag" it. Another fab night is 'Queer Nation', at Home.