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There’s really no bad time to visit. Dec-jan is summery, hot n’ happenin’; Feb can be moist; Mar-may is clear and blissful; Jul-aug gets nippy, but has blue skies Sydney Airport to city by cab: 30 mins / AUD60 + toll Trains and buses are OK, cars are handy for longer trips. Take a taxi and you may find you’ve been in town longer than the driver, so Uber instead / uber.com Make sure you specify the suburb as well as the street or you’ll be all over the damn joint Major events: Sydney Festival in Jan / sydneyfestival. org.au; Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in Feb/mar; Vivid Light, Music and Ideas Festival in May-jun / vivid sydney.com; Sydney to Hobart race 26 Dec; the annual New Year’s Eve harbour fireworks – boom! Sydney is all about the glorious outdoors, but in summer don’t use sunscreen, use SUNBLOCK The city is prone to drought, so be water aware Book everything way ahead in peak summer season, when many restaurants also close for hols (bah!) That said, you can’t book at many popular restos, and some will only seat you when the whole party arrives Goods and services tax is 10%, tip an extra 10% at restaurants and bars, leave change at cafes All indoor restaurants and bars are non-smoking Drinking age is 18, carry photo ID for venue entry Beer – a schooner is 425 ml, a middy is for the missus Swimming can be treacherous, so choose your beach to suit your ability and stay between the flags It is risky to try and drown yourself just for the sake of being rescued by a strapping lifeguard. If, however, you are drowning, Bondi has the best looking ones Thongs are acceptable daywear – they’re flip flops. For nights, smart/casual is best, this includes denim Country code is +61 and 2 for Sydney Emergency no. is 000 for fire, ambulance or police

Three Australian phrases that may be of use...

How ya goin’? : Hello/how are you? Good on ya, mate : Thanks awfully Cop a squizz at that! : Lookie over there

...alrighty, strap in, Sheila