Sydney Sports and Extreme Outdoor Activities

(Sydney, New South Wales - NSW, Australia)

This city comes with some truly world-class sports facilities, thanks in no small part to the legacy remaining after Sydney successfully hosted the Olympic Games in 2000. Many exceptional sporting fixtures and stadiums remain, particularly around the heavily redeveloped westerly suburb known as the Sydney Olympic Park.

Boasting an overall capacity of more than 80,000 spectators, the ANZ Stadium (previously named as both the Stadium Australia and the Telstra Stadium) has played host to a number of major sporting events since being built in 1999, including the finals of the Rugby World Cup. Also within the Sydney Olympic Park is the Allphones Arena, the Athletic Centre, the Hockey Centre, the International Aquatic Centre, the NSW Tennis Centre and the State Sports Centre.

Cricket

Address: Moore Park Road, Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)2 9266 4800
The Sydney Cricket Ground is situated in the Paddington area and is the venue for the popular Pura Cup interstate cricket matches, international test matches and World Series Cup. Of note, the Australian cricket season runs from October until March.

Football / Soccer

Tel: +61 (0)2 9267 0799
Soccer is one of the most popular spectator sports in Australia and the city is part of a semi-professional league. Despite its popularity, Aussie soccer tends to get given very little coverage in the media. The local football season is during the autumn and winter, from March to September.

Australian Rules Football

Tel: +61 (0)2 9267 0799
Australian Rules Football is run by the Australian Football League (AFL). The Sydney Swans serve as the city's principal team, playing regular matches at the Cricket Ground, together with North Melbourne's Kangaroos team.

Rugby

Tel: +61 (0)2 9360 6601
This is one of the world's capitals for playing rugby league and many games are played throughout the city, being staged at various venues. The main Rugby League competition is the Telstra Premiership, operated by the National Rugby League (NRL), with games at the vast Allphones Arena (formerly named the Superdome) within the Sydney Olympic Park, and at the Aussie Stadium in Moore Park.

Rugby Union also has a strong following and the Wallabies are the main team in Australia. The 2003 Rugby World Cup was staged in Australia, with many matches played in Sydney.

Tennis

Address: Homebush Bay, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)2 8746 0777
The highlight of the tennis year is the Adidas International Tennis Tournament, which is held within Sydney's westerly suburb of Homebush Bay during the second week of January. This popular event attracts some of the best tennis players in the world and is a prelude to the Australian Open tennis competition, which takes place each year in Melbourne. There are also numerous public tennis courts located throughout Sydney, including Miller's Point Tennis Courts at Kent Street - in the Rocks area, and Rushcutters Bay Park in the Kings Cross district.

Yachting

Yachting is a major pastime for both locals and visitors to Sydney and at the weekend, many hundreds of yachts sail around the picturesque harbour, many of which are extremely large and impressive. The main yachting season falls between September to March.

Sailing, Canoeing and Kayaking

There are a number of sailing, canoeing and kayaking schools in the area, suiting experienced and novice sailors alike. With inexpensive introductory lessons, sailing is a particularly enjoyable way to tour Sydney Harbour.

• Natural Wanders Kayaks
  Address: Forestville, New South Wales (NSW), 2087, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9899 1011
• New South Wakes Canoeing Association
  Address: Sports House, Wentworth Park, Wattle Street, Ultimo, New South Wales (NSW), 2007, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9660 4597
• Balmoral Windsurfing, Sailing, Kayaking School
  Address: Balmoral Boatshed, The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2088, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9960 5344
• Natural Wanders Sea Kayak Adventures
  Address: 45 Wharf Road, Birchgrove, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2041, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9899 1001
• Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
  Address: New Beach Road, Darling Point, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2027, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9363 9731
• Getaway Sailing Adventure Centre
  Address: Birkenhead Point Marina, Drummoyne, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2047, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9181 1911
• Gretel Sailing Adventure
  Address: Pier 9, Pyrmont Bay Marina, Pyrmont, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2009, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9939 0065
• Pacific Sailing School
  Address: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, New Beach Road, Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2011, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9326 2399
• Imagine Catamaran Sailing at Port Stephens
  Address: Nelson Bay Marina, Dock C, Teramby Road, Nelson Bay, New South Wales (NSW), 2315, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 4984 9000

Surfing

Sydney is home to many superb beaches with excellent waves, making it one of the most popular locations in the world for surfing. Some of the top spots for serious surfing include the beaches between Manly and Palm Beach, such as Curl Curl Beach, Dee Why Beach, Mona Vale Beach, Newport Reef Beach, North Avalon Beach and North Narrabeen Beach.

• Aloha Surf
  Address: 44 Pittwater Road, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9977 3777
• Learn to Surf
  Address: 6 Leswell Street, Bondi Junction, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)1 800 851 101
• Let's Go Surfing
  Address: 128A Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9365 1800

Scuba Diving

Sydney is home to some of the most impressive diving locations in the world, including spectacular coral reefs and clear waters. The best shore diving areas include Gordon's Bay Underwater Nature Trail to the north of Coogee, Shark Point in Clovelly, Shell Beach in Manly, and Ship Rock in the Cronulla area. Some of the most popular dive sites include Sydney Heads, a number of areas close to the Royal National Park, and Wedding Cake Island nearby Coogee.

• Dive Centre Manly
  Address: 10 Belgrave Street, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9977 4355
• Australian Scuba Diving School
  Address: 4 Alma Street, Clontarf, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2093, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9948 5505
• Frog Dive Scuba Centre
  Address: 539 Willoughby Road, Willoughby, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2068, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9958 5699
• Diving at Lake Jindabyne
  Address: Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales (NSW), 2627, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 6456 2099
• St. George Scuba Club
  Address: St. George Rowing Club, Levey Street, Arncliffe, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2205, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9558 8181
• ProDive
  Address: Level 7, 428 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9232 5733
• Sydney Scuba School
  Address: Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Swimming Pool, Mrs. Macquarie's Road, The Domain, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9332 2833
• Shark Diving at Oceanworld
  Address: West Esplanade, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2095, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9949 2644

Fitness Centres and Gyms

There are numerous well-equipped fitness and sports centres in central Sydney, with excellent state-of-the-art fitness and weight training equipment, aerobic courses, personal trainers, saunas, solariums, steam rooms, hydrotherapy and massage. Most gyms are open daily, from early in the morning until late at night.

• City Gym
  Address: 107 Crown Street, East Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9360 6247
• Day Spa and Health Club
  Address: The Observatory Hotel, 89-113 Kent Street, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9256 2222
• King George V Sport and Sports Centre
  Address: Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9244 3600
• Stadium Fitness Centre
  Address: Driver Avenue, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2021, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9380 0376
• Temple Of The Body and Soul Women's Gym
  Address: Level 2, 100 New South Head Road, Edgecliff, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2027, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9362 9988
• University Gym at UNSW
  Address: Gate 2, High Street, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2052, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9385 4881
• Villa Thalgo Fitness and Sports Centre
  Address: 61 Richmond Road, Windsor, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2756, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 4577 4222
• Vipassana Meditation Centre
  Address: 212 Station Street, Blackheath, The Blue Mountains, New South Wales (NSW), 2785, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 4787 7436

Swimming

Visitors, tourists and locals in Sydney all share a love of water sports and the city is home to over 100 public swimming pools. Some of these pools are set into beaches and many of the outdoor pools close at the beginning of May, opening again in October.

• Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Swimming Pool
  Address: Mrs. Macquaries Road, The Domain, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9332 6866
• Bondi Icebergs
  Address: 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9130 4804
• Cook and Phillip Park Aquatic Park
  Address: College Street, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9326 0444
• Dawn Fraser Swimming Pool
  Address: Fitzroy Avenue, Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2041, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9555 1903
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
  Address: Mary Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2040, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9555 8344
• North Sydney Olympic Swimming Pool
  Address: 20 Alfred Street, Milsons Point, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9955 2309
• Redleaf Swimming Pool
  Address: 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2028, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9328 2018
• Sydney Aquatic Centre
  Address: Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9752 3699
• Wylie's Baths
  Address: Grants Reserves, Coogee, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9665 2838

Fishing

Fishing is a particularly popular pastime for locals and many of the resident fishing boats are equipped with modern, state-of-the-art technology radar and fishing equipment. Some of the fish most frequently caught in the waters outside Sydney include yellowfin tuna, marlin, mahi-mahi and tiger shark, depending upon the time of year.

• Fishfinder Fishing Charters
  Address: 114 Louisa Road, Birchgrove, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2041, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9818 1718
• Ross Hunter Game Fishing Charters
  Address: The Wharf, Jacks Lane, Sans Souci, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2219, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9534 2378

Mountain Biking

There are numerous cycling trails throughout Sydney that are suitable for mountain bikes. Many of these are located on the outskirts, where they boast scenic views of the surrounding bushland and ocean.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is a popular sport in Sydney and the main racecourse is the Royal Randwick Racecourse, located in Alison Road, within the easterly suburbs. The Royal Randwick is home to many regular horse-racing events and is easy to reach by either bus or car. The city's number two course is the Warwick Farm Racecourse, which is located on the Hume Highway in the Greater West area.

Sydney Extreme Outdoor Activities

Sydney is home to some of the most exciting and daring extreme sports and outdoor activities imaginable, such as mountaineering, abseiling, caving, skydiving, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, ballooning and speed racing. Here are just a few of the more extreme sports available in the area:

Mountaineering

• Out The Back Mountain Adventures
  Address: Thredbo Village, Thredbo, New South Wales (NSW), 2625, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 6452 6276
• Australian School of Mountaineering
  Address: 166b Katoomba Street, Katoomba, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2780, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 4782 2014
• Pitch Indoor Climbing Gym
  Address: Unit 3, 268-270 Victoria Street, Wetherill Park, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2164, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9729 0212

Ballooning

• Balloon Aloft Australia
  Address: 1443 Wine Country Drive, North Rothbury, New South Wales (NSW), 2335, Australia
  Sydney Base, New South Wales (NSW), 2570, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 4653 1564

Flights from Camden Airport

• Cloud 9 Balloon Flights
  Address: 227B Annangrove Road, Annangrove, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2156, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9679 2899

Whitewater Rafting

• Upper Murray Whitewater Rafting Adventures
  Address: Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales (NSW), 2627, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 6457 2002
• Penrith Whitewater Rafting Stadium
  Address: McCarthy's Lane, Cranebrook, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2749, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 4730 4333

Flying

• Red Baron Biplane Flights
  Address: 660 Tower Road, Bankstown Airport, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2200, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9791 0643
• South Pacific Seaplane Flight
  Address: Cronulla Marina, Cronulla, Sydney, New South Wales, 2230, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9544 0077
• Sydney Harbour Seaplane Flights
  Address: Lyne Park, Rose Bay, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2029, Australia
  Tel: +1 800 803 558

Skydiving

• Sydney Skydiving Centre
  Address: Picton Exit on Freeway, Picton, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2571, Australia
  Tel: +61 (0)2 9791 9155