Wow! Sydney is fantastic. We walked through the Botanical Gardens along the shoreline, then rounded the corner to see the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and they looked brilliant. We walked round Circular Quay, towards the Rocks area and booked onto the Bridge Climb.

The area around Circular Quay is breathtaking, its difficult to take in the fact that in front of you are two of the world's most famous structures, and both the Quay and the Botanical Gardens are great places to sit and watch the world go by (and take about a hundred pictures of the Opera House from every conceivable angle!)

The Sydney Harbour Bridge climb is well worth the cost (around $150 each). Before the climb you are briefed and kitted out. They have thought of everything, boots, socks, caps, sexy grey boilersuits, even a hanky on a string is provided, so nothing can distract or be dropped onto the traffic below. The climb is not too strenuous, its a little scary at first, but it's well worth it as the view over the harbour is amazing.

We did most of the touristy things in Sydney, pottered around to Darling Harbour and the Aquarium, spent a day on Bondi Beach (which was excellent), went up the AMP Tower (has great views of the city) and did Manly Scenic walk. The walk takes you from Spit Bridge to Manly, which is about 8km, along a coastal pathway and into Manly. The Manly ferry back to Circular Quay gives you a good view of the harbour and more opportunities to take pictures of the Opera House (from yet another angle).

Also recommended is a trip out to the Blue Mountains. We did an organised trip (booked through an agent in Circular Quay) which included a visit to Featherdale Wildlife park, and a flying visit to the Olympic park at Homebush. Although the tour was a little rushed, the Blue Mountains are well worth visiting.

Well we're taking Columbus up to Cairns next. We'll keep you posted.