Every week, iPhoneography Oz invites one of its Instagram followers to cover a topic about Australian society. Today, meet @paulabroom right in the centre of Sydney.

iPhoneography Oz: Who are you in less than 140 characters?
paulabroom: I'm a mother, artist and environmentalist from UK. I visit family there frequently, but have lived in Australia for 15 years, so have strong sense of dual citizenship.

iOz: Your photos shows a woman waiting to cross at Martin Place in Sydney. Can you tell us a bit more about this national Australian icon?
p: Martin Place is a pedestrian thoroughfare right in the centre of the CBD of Sydney, frequented by city workers rushing to or from work via the train station, or ambling visitors attracted by its delightful collection of old and new buildings. Probably the most famous building is No 1 Martin Place – the old General Post Office building – now decommissioned and converted into smart cafés, restaurants and shops – I remember getting post from its Poste Restante in the early 90s. It is a beautiful neoclassical style sandstone building designed in the late 1800's by an architect called James Barnett. It sits comfortably amongst the newer, corporate buildings around it. Lunchtime has a slower pace in Martin Place than at either end of the day, but generally there is always plenty of activity and bustle going on. All sorts of events take place there from public concerts and community carols around the Christmas Tree, to filming of movies and television shows; large outdoor screens showed off the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics there.

iOz: What does it represent to you?
p: As a young traveler on a working holiday visa in the 1990s, I felt Martin Place represented the gateway to the Central Business District and all things corporate. Nowadays, I don't work in the city but it is still my gateway and I am even more attracted by its busy-ness. I love to take street shots with my iPhone whenever I find myself there.

iOz: If you were stuck in Australia with an unlimited budget and a week in front of you, what would you do?
p: I would love to take my family up to the Great Barrier Reef, - the world's largest coral reef - all the way from Rockhampton, up past Cairns to Cape York. I was lucky enough to snorkel and dive along the reef back in the 90s, and my fear is that, with climate change and the pressures of development along the Queensland coast, we are going to lose this beautiful, natural, living monument. Being in it – swimming, snorkeling, diving – amongst the small and large sea creatures that live there, is truly spectacular and something I will never forget. I really want my children to experience that.

iOz: What was one of the best travel experiences you've ever had in Australia?
p: I've had so many wonderful travel experiences here in Australia it's hard to pick just one – from diving, to white water rafting, horse riding to bushwalking, wine tasting to skiing, driving to camping, beer drinking to sunbathing – there is so much to see and do here. I guess nowadays, traveling with my children, I particularly cherish my experiences with friends who live on the New South Wales far South Coast: Bermagui, Tathra and Merimbula. As yet, that part of New South Wales is largely undeveloped with a slower pace of life than its northern counterpart. I love its expansive, sandy beaches accessible by dirt track known only to the locals; its active art communities that scatter the environs with open studio events that always astound when you come across them; its bushwalks abound from the coast to the inland with an abundance of native flora and fauna that enthralls; the odd local market, quirky shops or even nature parks that you find in some of the local towns; and then that experience you can only have when you know the locals - the small holdings where the community grow their own food and produce, and live a much simpler, slower way of life. And of course, there's always a beer at the end of the day!

iOz: What's your favourite photo on the blog?
p: The Waterfall Way posted on Sunday, January 8, 2012. The photo, although of a gushing waterfall, has a serenity to it that I personally find only in the bush, whilst the text tells of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted around Australia. I hope through such images, and blogs like yours, we city dwellers, Australians and visitors alike, can start to really cherish and protect those natural features that are uniquely and beautifully Australian.

iOz: What kind of photos can our readers see on @paulabroom's Instagram feed?
p: I have two Instagram accounts. @paulabroom is fairly eclectic – from texture shots, to doorways and shadows, with a more recent evolution to street photography, like "Waiting to Cross at Martin Place" (photo). @theoriginalmiss is my heavy editing account where I'm far more experimental. There are a number of photos on both accounts shot at Martin Place – I really do enjoy people watching there.

iOz: What will you be doing for the next hour?
p: With this balmy weather, I'll be heading down to Bondi with the children for an early dinner and pre-Easter catch up with friends at one of the eateries at the Pavilion.

iOz: We're switching roles, ask us anything!
p: Contentious and I hope you haven't been asked before, but Sydney or Melbourne, and why?
iOz: Absolutely not contentious! Sydney for the amazing Sydney Harbour. Melbourne for its street art and its food (but not its climate). Seriously, we must admit Sydney had some troubles to meet our (high) expectations whereas we were pleasantly surprised by Melbourne. Can anyone out there send us back to Sydney to change our mind?

iOz: A last word?
p: Bondi – said to mean the sound of breaking waves in an Aboriginal language!

Photo captured by @paulabroom. To be featured, follow @iPhoneographyOz and tag your own iPhone photos with #iOz. Any image taken in Australia and tagged with #iOz is eligible.

Every week, iPhoneography Oz invites one of its Instagram followers to cover a topic about Australian society. Today, meet @miss_and shopping in the exciting Sydney's Chinatown. She posted this photo of Paddy's Markets, Sydney's biggest markets.

iPhoneography Oz: Who are you in less than 140 characters?
miss_and: Just a person who's interested in the world: people, places, stories. I work in radio broadcasting, make ceramics, take photos.

iOz: Your photo shows a part of the famous Paddy's Markets in Sydney. What can one find there?
m: You can find almost anything at Paddy's Markets. I like the food best, there's a lot of fresh fruit & vegies, spices, sweets, nuts, tea, more. Then there's the rest: clothes, bags, linen, CDs, mobile phone covers, jewellery, shoes... you get the idea. Today the markets have a distinctly Asian flavour as they're right next to Chinatown. They date back to the 1830s, and the name probably has an Irish connection.

iOz: What's your favourite part of Sydney's Chinatown?
m: The food! There's a wide range of Chinese cuisines, but these days many other wildly different Asian flavours too - Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Indonesian. You can spend up big or keep it cheap 'n' cheerful. For a moment's peace in the madness, visit Kimber Lane where the street art lifts you literally into the clouds.

iOz: If you were stuck in Australia with an unlimited budget and a week in front of you, what would you do?
m: A day and a bit at each at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, and Uluru in the Northern Territory - to get a feel for all there is in Australia. Or maybe I'd just spend the week on the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia swimming with the whale sharks...

iOz: What was one of the best travel experiences you've ever had in Australia?
m: Driving around Tasmania with a friend. Staggering natural beauty, lots of seafood and cheese, terrific wine in the Tamar Valley.

iOz: What's your favourite photo on the blog?
m: I love Kristina's pic and post about Melbourne's lane ways. If you opted not to spend a week swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo, explore Melbourne's streets - they're full of street art, great restaurants and bars, and other surprises.

iOz: What kind of photos can our readers see on @miss_and's Instagram feed?
m: Whatever catches my eye: street art, buildings, alleyways, sky, clouds. Bright colours. Lots of pictures from Canberra, our beautiful national capital and my current home.

iOz: Vegemite or Nutella?
m: Sorry to be unAustralian... but Nutella every time! Must be my European mum's influence.

iOz: We're switching roles, ask us anything!
m: Beer or wine?
iOz: Wine without hesitation. Especially since we visited a few amazing places in Margaret River, The Barossa, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and many more along our travels. By the way if you have some Bundaberg Rum Royal Liqueur served with cream, we'll have some thanks!

iOz: A last word?
m: Gorgonzola. What a great word.

Photo captured by @miss_and. To be featured, follow @iPhoneographyOz and tag your own iPhone photos with #iOz. Any image taken in Australia and tagged with #iOz is eligible.

Every Monday, iPhoneography Oz invites a blogger to cover a topic about Australian society. Today, meet Audrey from France who lives in Sydney. She created and manages the useful website Maman a Sydney, an online interactive community for all French speaking mums (and dads) who live in Sydney and wider Australia.

This is a guest post by Audrey of Maman a Sydney.

According to an article in The Economist Intelligence Unit, Australia is the second best country (after Switzerland), for where a baby might be luckiest to be born in 2013… But becoming a mum on the other side of the world, 17,000 kilometres away from our family and values, from what we know and what we believe in, is not as dreamlike as one may imagine. From understanding how the Aussie Medicare system works, to finding a day-care, or even when giving vegemite to our little ones, being a maman a Sydney (mum in Sydney) is surely a fascinating journey! Adam (photo) loves the Lane Cove National Park, where he picks up sticks to show me cockatoos and lorikeets hiding in the gum trees. He can spend hours on Balmoral Beach in Sydney North, collecting shells and little stones…

• Hometown: Valdeblore, France.
• Most awkward Australian moment: The first time I got to work and said (absolutely naturally): "G'day mate!" to my manager...
• Favourite Australian place: Lane Cove National Park where I live, running on the Harbour Bridge at the earliest hours of the morning for the Sydney Marathon, that incredible walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse just north of Palm Beach in Sydney North, Jervis Bay on the South Coast for a sunset walk, skiing in the Snowy Mountains, those contrasts of blue and orange in Australia's North West, meditation in Cape Tribulation...
• Worst Australian place: Canberra... no comment!
• Vegemite or Nutella: a bit of both under whipped cream on salty crackers, yummy!

What do you think? Did you become a mum or a dad in a foreign country? As a foreigner how do you raise your children in Australia? What tips would you give to someone who is raising a kid in Australia? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo captured by @barucchi. If you would like to guest post for iPhoneography Oz, send us a message and we will give you the details about how YOU can allow the iOz community to experience a preview of Australian society.

Every Friday, iPhoneography Oz invites one of its Instagram followers to cover a topic about Australian society. Today, meet @kristievasili. She took this beautiful photo along the esplanade in Cronulla.

iPhoneography Oz: Who are you in less than 140 characters?
kristievasili: I am like everybody else... a spiritual being, having a human experience. A lover of nature, Coldplay, chocolate, photography, tea, learning new things.

iOz: Your photo shows a beach near Sydney. Surpisingly enough, it wasn't taken at the famous Bondi Beach. Can you tell us a bit more about this place? Where is it?
k: This photo was taken along the esplanade in Cronulla, in Sydney South. It is about 30 minutes from Sydney City maybe... I am not so good with direction! It is a beautiful area, and a nice place to be on my day off. The walk along the esplanade at South Cronulla is lovely.

iOz: What do you like about this beach?
k: I like that it can be quiet, not too busy. I love being in nature, so the scent of the salt filled air, the sand, the water washing over my feet... all good things! Oh, and there's an amazing ice cream place close by... Cronulla Park Ice Creamery, I believe! The passion fruit gelato is delish!

iOz: If you were stuck in Australia with an unlimited budget and a week in front of you, what would you do?
k: Hmmm I would love to see a few places, so it is a toss up between Uluru, and exploring the many Whitsunday Islands.

iOz: What was one of the best travel experiences you've ever had in Australia?
k: Whitehaven Beach is definitely a stand out. Dunk Island as well. Whitehaven is ridiculously beautiful... pure white, soft, squeaky sand with clear, fresh water. I love that it is unspoiled. Dunk Island as well, just a few kilometres off the mainland coast from Mission Beach... that was a trip taken a couple of years ago, before Cyclone Yasi in 2011. It was very peaceful, and pretty, and would love to go back.

iOz: What's your favourite photo on the blog?
k: I love 'The Natural Beauty of the Whitsundays'. Such a great shot! Makes me wanna go back!

iOz: What kind of photos can our readers see on @kristievasili's Instagram feed?
k: Lots of nature pics, Coldplay pics from time to time, photos related to my work also (as a tai chi and meditation teacher at Karuna Wellness Centre).

iOz: What will you be doing for the next hour?
k: Tea and sleep.

iOz: We're switching roles, ask us anything!
k: Where have been your 3 favourite places that you have visited in Australia?
iOz: It's really hard to answer since we have been completely amazed by Australia! So let's say, Western Australia and particularly the Coral Coast. Then, Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Uluru, Port Douglas and the Whitsundays in Queensland... is that alright, do we have 3 places?

iOz: A last word?
k: Thanks again for sharing my photo :) PEACE x

Photo captured by @kristievasili. To be featured, follow @iPhoneographyOz and tag your own iPhone photos with #iOz. Any image taken in Australia and tagged with #iOz is eligible.

Every Monday, iPhoneography Oz invites a blogger to cover a topic about Australian society. Today, meet Béatrice from Montreal, Canada. She writes the blog Eille la cheap !, a lifestyle blog for women who have too many interests and who wish to live a perfect life without breaking the bank. Just like us, she has enjoyed spending time in Sydney, particularly at Sydney Festival 2013.

This is a guest post by Béatrice Bernard-Poulin of Eille la cheap !

Some of you may have seen this photo circulate on the web, after all, it is quite amusing! As part of the Sydney Festival, which lasts for three weeks every January, many activities took place all over the city of Sydney. From music to art and participative activities, there was something for everyone. I totally fell in love with this installation in Darling Harbour, that simply represents... a rubber duck, a ducky you bring into the tub. But in a gigantic version... the world's largest Rubber Duck! The artist who created this installation is Florentijn Hofman from the Netherlands. The inflatable duck is five storeys high and has been travelling the world since 2007.

• Hometown: Montréal, Québec, Canada.
• Most awkward Australian moment: Spraining my ankle really, really bad after 9 days in Sydney, in 2010. Not necessarily awkward, but I got made fun of a LOT after this one.
• Favourite Australian place: I can't decide between Hobart and Sydney...
• Worst Australian place: Adelaide. Nothing to do or see there.
• Vegemite or Nutella: Nutella! Not even a question. Vegemite is the absolute worst thing.

What do you think? Have you been to Sydney Festival? What are the best Sydney events? In summer, what are the things to do in Sydney that you would recommend? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo captured by @beatricebp (Android). If you would like to guest post for iPhoneography Oz, send us a message and we will give you the details about how YOU can allow the iOz community to experience a preview of Australian society.

Running a marathon is a huge personal achievement. On this occasion some people, like Sarah, even run it as a part of a humanitarian project. Running a marathon among one of the most scenic urban landscape on the planet is a unique opportunity. Like the world's largest marathons, from New York City to Paris, via London, Sydney Marathon is a sporting event taking in some of the city's most spectacular and historic landmarks. Part of the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival, the event has three others distances to chose from so there is a run to suit all fitness levels (and they all go over the Harbour Bridge): Half Marathon (21 km), Bridge Run (9 km) or Family Fun Run (3.5 km). After going over the Harbour Bridge, the Marathon course continues into the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. The runners then head to Moore Park and Centennial Parklands where they run along the Allianz Stadium, Alessandro Del Piero's new playground since he has recently joined the Sydney FC. The second half of the race takes place in Sydney's central business district, close to Darling Harbour before finishing on a high note in the idyllic setting of Circular Quay. Approaching the finish line, on the ramp onto Sydney Opera House Forecourt, the crowd is so close and noisy that one could feel like being at the Olympics. Absolutely magic! Taking part in such a huge event is also an opportunity to "visit" a city as large as Sydney without the hassle of traffic. The 2013 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival will be held on Sunday 22 September!
For the record, on this occasion, Loïc set a new personal best in the marathon.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Blackmores Sydney Running Festival.

Sydney Harbour is undoubtedly one of Australia's most beautiful urban settings. From the bay you get a beautiful view of Sydney's central business district including famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Not only that, Sydney Harbour is also made of twenty kilometres of coves, beaches, bays and curiosities such as Fort Denison (photo) that you may not even been aware of their existence. There are many tour operators offering cruises into the bay. We already participated as crew on a real America's Cup yacht. This time we joined Sydney Harbour Boat Tours which is Sydney's only full day guided harbour boat tour. From celebrity homes and million dollar mansions (yes, now we know where Russell Crowe's loft is) to the harbour's most secluded beaches, Andrew will make sure you do not miss a thing. Enjoy hopping on and off the boat so you can actually explore the surroundings. The tour includes a fresh seafood lunch from the famous Sydney Fish Market that you can enjoy among fishing boats and million dollar yachts. Wait until you see the platter! Later in the afternoon, you can walk around Manly's shops and beach. Weather permitting, why not jumping in the water for a swim in one of the most private beaches of the area? The tour concludes with a cold beverage at one of the most picturesque terraces in town. All the information you need is available on the website. Note that a courtesy bus is available to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Sydney Harbour Boat Tours is a gem of the harbour and a day that goes definitely too fast! We loved it.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Sydney Harbour Boat Tours.

The Powerhouse Museum is an amazing museum located in Ultimo, on the edge of Sydney's central business district and near Darling Harbour (where Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney and Sailing Sydney are). It occupies the premises of the former power station built to power the city's electric tram system. Its permanent collection covers areas as diverse as history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration. In total, it has more than 500,000 items, using contemporary technologies to showcase them. We were particularly impressed (and shaken) by the Zero Gravity Space Lab. Using special effects, this replica space lab creates the illusion of weightlessness associated with microgravity. There is something to suit every taste. The Powerhouse Museum is also famous for its numerous and varied temporary exhibitions. During our two visits, we stepped through the wardrobe of Harry Potter and discovered the world of Narnia (we have been told that Wallace and Gromit are moving in this summer). This cultural outing, which allows you to discover the ideas and technologies that have changed the world, is a pure delight for little ones and their elders (not to mention the machine that explains how chocolate is made and lets you taste some)!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Powerhouse Museum.

Sydney, Stadium Australia. September 2000. Cathy Freeman, Australian athlete of indigenous origin, lights the Olympic flame. A few days later, in the same stadium and in her famous swift-suit (exposed at the National Sports Museum in Melbourne), she wins a gold medal for the women's 400 metres and becomes the first athlete who lit the Olympic flame to win a gold medal at the same games. These are two of many unforgettable moments of some of the greatest sporting events in Australian history which has occured at ANZ Stadium (formerly known as Stadium Australia). The venue located in the heart of Sydney Olympic Park is the only stadium in the world to host five professional sports on a regular basis (rugby, rugby league, Australian football, football and cricket), in addition to large entertainment events. Guided tours of what is known as one of the world's finest and most technologically-advanced stadiums are also organized several times a day. Experiencing the thrill of running through the players' tunnel (with original Sydney 2000 Olympics cheering crowd sound) and standing on a genuine Sydney 2000 medal dais (photo), just like Cathy Freeman did 12 years ago, is quite an exciting experience for sports enthusiasts. A must see during a stay in Sydney!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of ANZ Stadium.

iPhoneography Oz gives a try to Guest Blogging! We are going to regularly invite a blogger to cover a topic about Australian society. Today, Sarah gets the ball rolling. Just like us, she is about to run the Sydney Marathon (Blackmores Sydney Running Festival) on September 16. Except that she is going to run in a dress!

This is a guest post by Sarah Forsterling of Social 4 Social

Lots of my friends are freaked out about turning 30. That it means they should be well on their way to wherever they had decided they wanted to get to when they were 21. But for some reason that is not me. Not sure if it is because I look young, have ringlets and don't wear much makeup or just because I see 30 as an opportunity to mark where you want to go. You are old enough to have an idea of the sort of person you want to be and the sort of attitude and energy you want to encourage in those around you. So I am pumped about turning 30 in two weeks time.

I love to do lots of things. I love reading, writing and running. I love spending time with my family and friends. And I love being empowered to make the decisions that affect my life. So I thought why not mark my 30 milestone by doing something that encourages all of these things - health, fitness, appreciation for the outdoors and education.

For my birthday I am not asking for presents or champagne. Instead, I am running the Sydney Marathon in a school dress, asking my family to join me and asking my mates to donate $10 to help send girls to school in Sierra Leone.

Not your typical 30th birthday celebration, but one which I will remember and one which I hope encourages me, and those around me, to continue to be positive, motivated and realise you can always have an impact.

I am going to turn 30, being hot, sweaty and healthy. Surrounded by motivated people, taking in some of Australia's best sites and being proud of helping share the joy of education with deserving girls. Hard to beat that.

If you feel like supporting Sarah you can do that over here, she would love it. Or you can find her on twitter or pop over to see her blog.

Photo captured by @sarfos. If you would like to guest post for iPhoneography Oz, send us a message and we will give you the details about how YOU can allow the iOz community to experience a preview of Australian society.

Visiting the centre of the largest cities accompanied by guide is quite a common tourist activity in Australia. In Melbourne, we experienced a bike tour. In Perth, as was the case in Hobart, we experienced a guided walking tour. We joined a guide from Two Feet & a Heartbeat. Thanks to the quality of their services on offer the company is now Australia's most awarded walking tour company. Your guide strives to present the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city in a dynamic way. It is very informative and it also allows you to find your way in your new environment. Moreover, you learn much more than you would flipping through any tourist guide book. The atmosphere is relaxed and the tour ends in a local pub in Northbridge. And the icing on the cake, they shout your first drink! This activity should be placed at the top of your to-do list when you arrive in Perth! Several tours and schedules are available. Two Feet & a Heartbeat now also offers its services in Sydney.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Two Feet & a Heartbeat.

When we discovered Sydney in winter in May, Destination NSW arranged our stay at the Kirketon Hotel, member of the 8Hotels family. We were delighted by this charming 4-star boutique hotel nestled amongst the hype of the vibrant Darlinghurst neighbourhood. In Perth, we stayed at another hotel in the family: Pensione Hotel. This newly refurbished and stylish property is a real gem. It is conveniently located on the doorstep of Perth central business district, the train station, shops and restaurants. Both modern design and attention to detail offer a sense of intimacy which is truly enjoyable. As in Sydney, the beds are of high quality and exceptional comfort! The service is impeccable from the moment you enter the hotel until the moment you check out. A note signed by the General Manager of the hotel, in the room upon your arrival, expresses this personalized service perfectly. 8Hotels also offers a selection of hotels, villas, apartments and restaurants in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Hepburn Springs (a few kilometers away from Hanging Rock), Thredbo (at the foot of Mt Kosciuszko), Bali and Paris. Having already stayed in two of their hotels, we can already highly recommend 8Hotels accommodations.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of 8Hotels.

Here is the last picture of our Sydney in Winter series. A snapshot reflecting Sydney's relationship with nature and parks. Walking through Domain Park (photo), next to the Royal Botanical Gardens, provides some comfort and healing in the heart of Sydney. If you have visited New York City and enjoyed Central Park, you will love Moore Park and Centennial Parklands. Sydney is also a city dedicated to the ocean. Ferry, boat tour and cruise, kayak: multiple options for exploring the wilderness of Sydney Harbour bay. At Bondi Beach, you can walk along the coast on an absolutely beautiful trail that leads you to Coogee. And if you were not satisfied enough, remember that the Blue Mountains are not too far away!

The writers were guests of Destination NSW.

Sydney is arguably the fashion capital of Australia. The city also hosts twice a year the famous Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. If looking for internationally renowned or Australian designers, no matter what your style, you will love to shop in Sydney. The Fashion & Shopping section on Sydney website (really helpful and well made website) will guide you depending on what you are looking for. In Sydney, and in any little town, do not miss the famous Op Shops which are an institution in Australia. These thrift stores are made to raise funds for charities that manage them. Because the items for sale were donated, prices are extremely competitive. And this also applies for brands of the biggest international fashion designers! You are guaranteed to stumble across a bargain or two!

The writers were guests of Destination NSW.

Sydney Opera House is probably one of the most famous buildings in the world and arguably one of the biggest icons of the city and Australia itself. It hosts Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company led by Cate Blanchett and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, to which must be added a multitude of international artistic productions. But do not summarize the cultural and artistic scene of Sydney by its opera only. Because Sydney is a city of entertainment that hosts international sporting events (Olympics, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, International tennis, etc.), renowned festivals (Vivid Sydney) or art exhibitions just to name a few. To appreciate how vibrant Sydney city is in winter, iPhoneography Oz was able to attend in the space of a few days three main events:

• Dappled Cities new album launch party at Oxford Art Factory, a venue inspired by Andy Warhol's Factory in New York;
• Simple Plan concert given as part of the international tour group at Hordern Pavilion, theater located in a huge park close to the stadium where Sydney FC evolves;
• The performance of DJ Shivers at Spice Cellar, an underground lounge bar located in Sydney CBD.

The writers were guests of Destination NSW.

It is always pleasant to walk in the streets of Sydney on a mild winter day. As in many cities around the world, the capital of New South Wales also has its Chinatown, located a fifteen minute walk from Circular Quay. Nothing better than to walk through this colourful and lively area with exotic scents in search of a menu to satisfy our appetites. Because there it is all about Yum Cha and street barbecues. Chinatown is a pedestrian zone full of shops and restaurants. Moreover, competition seems so high that you should not be surprised if the waiters pluck you out of the street and do their very best to entice you inside! A few steps away, be sure to walk through Paddy's Markets, the largest market in the city.

The writers were guests of Destination NSW.

Taronga Zoo is the largest animal park in Sydney. It is a city icon recognized internationally, as well as Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It hosts, on an area of ​​21 hectares, over 2600 animals including a variety of native species. The zoo is located on a hill along the north shore of Sydney Harbour. This offers visitors a different yet amazing view of the city centre. Visiting the park in winter has the advantage of not being amidst a swarm of tourists, while enjoying the mild temperatures. Speaking about climate, you must know that Sydney has an average 300 days of sunshine a year and a mild winter. The best way to go to Taronga Zoo is embarking on a ferry from Circular Quay. The crossing of the bay offers magnificent views and takes only ten minutes.

The writers were guests of Destination NSW.

We had the pleasure of experiencing Vivid Sydney, the annual Festival of Light, Music and Ideas. It is the biggest festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. After sunset the city takes on a spectacular transformation through colour, light projections, interactive installations, music and innovative ideas. See how loud you can scream at the Screaming Rapture installation or play a game of tic tac toe on the biggest digital board you have ever seen! And of course one of our favourites is watching the incredible precision of the creative 3D digital light projections onto the Sydney Opera House itself, see it like you have never seen it before! It is a hive of activity, creativity and entertainment, the whole of Circular Quay is absolutely buzzing with excitement. There is so much to see and do at Vivid Sydney that attending this festival is among many of the reasons to visit Sydney in winter.

The writers were guests of Destination NSW.

iPhoneography Oz has already visited Sydney since the project began. We are back for a few days as guests of Destination NSW. Many cities around the world envy the capital of New South Wales for its beautiful beaches and mild climate. But in winter, when temperatures drop, Sydney shines. There are many indoor and outdoor activities, day and night. The city is bubbling with a vibrant energy that we will share with you in the coming days. For more information on what to do in Sydney in winter, go to www.sydney.com.

Natural rock pools (or tide pools) are located along many of the beaches on the coasts of Australia. These pools are filled with seawater at every high tide. When the tide goes out, the sun warms the water and transforms them into swimming pools ideal for avoiding the dangers created by waves, currents and sharks. The natural scenery is often amazing. The most beautiful that we have crossed are in Newcastle, Sydney (Bondi Beach) and Bermagui (photo).