Recently in Sydney Category

It's nice to be transformed by an experience, but at a special park in Sydney, the feeling is almost magical. Located at the southern end of Darling Harbor, the Chinese Garden of Friendship was created by the local Chinese community in 1988 to acknowledge the close bond between sister cities Sydney, Australia and Guangzhou, China. But a visit to this natural oasis doesn't just hold reminders of the Middle Kingdom, it's like a journey into China itself. Pavilions, lakes, waterfalls, and a traditional Chinese teahouse will have you feeling like you're in a Chinese paradise, if only for an afternoon. Examples of traditional Chinese landscape, architecture, and garden design are everywhere, from the Lotus Pond and Lake of Brightness to the Hall of Longevity, Dragon Tower, and Seven Sages in Bamboo Forest. Take a stroll past the Sleeping Boy Buddha and into the Blue Sapphire room if you like, but be sure to save enough time for a cup of jasmine tea, which is a perfect natural way to calm down and enjoy the scenery. Starwood has three hotels in Sydney, including the nearby Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

I'm a big fan of walkable cities, and Sydney certainly fits in that category, with plenty of neighborhoods that are perfect for wandering aimlessly and enjoying the day. One of the best areas in Sydney for urban exploration is called The Rocks, a place of Australian history that's enjoyed a renaissance of late. The area was originally the home of the indigenous Cadigal people, and on January 26, 1788 it became the site of Australia's first European settlement, beginning an expansion across this vast island continent. Today it's a fantastic place to go for a stroll to see some of the city's earliest colonial dwellings, browse through 33 galleries, museums, and art institutions, shop to your heart's content, and enjoy a meal in Sydney's best restaurants. You might want to get your bearings at the Rocks Discovery Museum, which tells the story of the Rocks from its pre-European days to the present, before moving on to the Susannah Place Museum, a terrace of four houses that recreates a 1915 corner store complete with penny candy. Your historical journey doesn't end when it's time to hit the pub, either, as the area boasts 13 heritage pubs with local wines, boutique beers, and traditional Australian cuisine. A good day indeed. Guests at the nearby Westin Sydney or any of Starwood's Sydney properties will want to lace up their walking shoes to explore the best of old and new Australia.

Sydney's Taronga Zoo is one of the finest you'll find anywhere, with a collection of animals unrivaled around the world. And while it has all of the most popular zoo animals, such as lions, tigers, and gorillas, Taronga specializes in some of Australia's oddest critters. Indigenous animals range from poisonous snakes to cuddly koalas, weird wombats, and my personal favorite, the bashful bilby (see video).

This adorable, big-eared marsupial is one of Australia's most popular and well-loved animals (after the kangaroo and koala, of course). Not all is well in Bilby-land, though. Populations have been in decline over the past half century or so due to the relentless proliferation of rabbits, an invasive species introduced in 1859. In recent years, Australian zoos such as Taronga have initiated captive bilby breeding programs, helping to bolster bilby populations and introduce a new generation of Australians to this unique, rarely-seen creature. It's working: Australians are now so fond of their national bandicoot that instead of having chocolate Easter bunnies, they have chocolate Easter bilbies. At Taronga, the bilbies can be seen at the nocturnal houses, along with the duck-billed platypus.

In addition to the animals, Taronga offers one more treat for visitors: amazing views of Sydney Harbor, the Harbor Bridge, and the iconic Sydney Opera House. Guests at the nearby Westin Sydney or any of Starwood's Sydney properties might enjoy learning about Australia's many unusual creatures.