Sydney
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Gay Sydney
Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and the largest city in Australia clocking in at over four million affable and attractive accents. (Because really, isn’t it all about the accents?) From its ivory beaches and crystal waters, to the iconic harbor, historic Hyde Park gardens, and nearby gay precincts of Darlinghurst, Newtown, Surry Hills, and Kings Cross, this city’s social scene is an open and thriving playground for the LGBT traveler to explore.
Founded 200 years ago as a British penal colony (True story! Not that we ever need an excuse to use the word “penal”), Sydney’s natural beauty quickly evolved the banks of burgeoning culture and culinary delights into one of the most glamorous tourist destinations on the globe.
Oxford Street is the main strip and starting point for all things homo-centric. It’s well-walked pavement is the sight of the world-famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras—the city’s behemoth pride parade, which draws some 300,000 spectators each year in early March.
Walking the streets of Sydney, you can expect to feel safe and welcomed just about everywhere in the city limits. Expect to be greeted by active friendly locals, clean, civil conditions, and a mild year-round climate. Sydney’s seasons run the opposite of North America’s with its high-season of a warm and humid Summer running from mid-December through mid-March. Temperate annual conditions (Spring and Fall see temps typically range from 50s to low 70s) make Sydney’s renowned Bondi Beach (just 15 minutes from downtown) a must, any month of the year.
One thing worth noting, when in search of native “shrimp on the barbie”: Australians do cook anything they can over coals but they never ever use the word “shrimp”. Bite the tail off and get your prawn on, fella!
