Sydney Harbour venue guide

RYA guru Jim Saltonstall tells you all you need to know about this great natural harbour

Map showing the layout of the courses for the Sydney Olympics

Plan your arrival carefully. From the UK allow a clear four days before you race to get over the jet lag and if you can, get there slightly earlier if your budget allows. Since my first visit with Captain Cook (who was also a Yorkshire lad, often carried out horizontally from the Royal Yorkshire YC!) Sydney has changed a great deal. Today it is a multi-cultural city offering everything to the visitor under the sun.

During the Olympic Games we had the good fortune of being accommodated in the Medina complex (tel: +61 93619010), within walking distance of the marina at Rushcutters Bay. Accommodation in the area is plentiful and it is amazing how many people the city can absorb during the big events. A use web page on which to find relevant information is www.tourism.nsw.gov.au.

Things to do outside of yachting when you have any spare time are numerous. You are actually spoiled for choice, varying from some of the following which we found very interesting during our stay.

If you're interested in the making of the movies, Fox Studios at Backlot are worth a visit. So is the IMAX cinema in Darling Harbour, which claims to have one of the biggest cinema screens in the world.

Then there is the Bridge Climb, up the top arch of the Pyrmont Bridge. This is costly but the views are worth it. Do not pick a rainy day and book early so as not to be disappointed.

The Opera House Tour is a must - you cannot leave Sydney without going inside. Dinner up the Tower is another must, but again book early. For the arty among you the gallery of New South Wales is well worth the visit as is the Maritime Museum and Sydney Aquarium, both on Darling Harbour, and the Taronga Zoo across the bridge.

Any of the harbour cruises are well worth a trip so that you get to see the whole of the harbour both east and west of the bridge. These leave from a variety of places around the harbour, but the most convenient place in from the south side of the bridge on the easternside in Sydney Cove. Trips up to the famous Doyles Fish Restaurant or the more lengthy journey to the beach at Manly are also to be recommended.

For eating out, Sydney is your oyster, from shark and rafters to a la carte, it is all there. Recommendations - The Rocks on the harbour front (which includes Circular Quay, offers superb harbour and Opera House views. Dixon Street, Chinatown for everything from the Far East is excellent. Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour where the Volvo Ocean Race boats have been moored also has bars and restaurants as far as the eye can see.

Victoria and Oxford St in Darlinghurst is the place to be if you wish to eat and then party all night - but only after you have won the Gold medal, not before! Norton Street, Leichhardt is the place to be for the keen Italian eaters amongst you . Finally, Campbell Parade at the famous Bondi Beach is a must during your visit for a good feast next to the Pacific Ocean.

Bondi Beach promenade