By Andrea McVeigh. 

WHY? It's the laid-back, super-cool, surfer-friendly high point of any trip Down Under, famous for its amazing fusion food, spectacular sights and fabulous weather. And did we mention the hunky guys?

EAT: The perfect days starts with scrambled organic eggs on sourdough toast at one of celebrity chef Bill Granger's three restaurants, all called 'Bills', in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Woollahra. Max Brenner and his fans have a thing for chocolate - his Chocolate Bar restaurants, dotted across the city, are temples to it, with everything from choccy waffles, fondue, ice cream, coffee and cocktails created in honour of it. Sean's Panaroma at Bondi Beach prides itself on seasonal offerings - ask for its to-die-for signature linguine. For dramatic views over the harbour, it has to Altitude restaurant, on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La hotel. For a kitsch night out - try the Lowenbrau Keller - a German-style beer cellar, in The Rocks district.

SHOP: Sydney is famous for its weekend markets - head for the hip Paddington market(pictured left), on Saturday afternoons, for up-and-coming designers, tarot readings and funky handmade jewellery, then skip down trendy Oxford Street, for boutiques and designer gear. Paddy' Markets is where you'll pick up tourist trinkets and cheapo Uggs. Bondi Junction hosts Westfield, a mega-mall with hundreds of stores. Gould Street in Bondi Beach has vintage-heaven Grandma Takes A Trip and designer boutique One Teaspoon, while you could find the next-big-name in fashion at its market (Sundays). Boho Glebe and Newtown are studenty hang-outs packed with vintage clothes stores and alternative types. In the city centre check out the historic, Queen Victoria Building, filled with upmarket designers. DRINK: Got AU$10,000 (around £5000) to spare? Then make mine a Diamond Martini at Blu Horizon bar (top floor of the Shangri-La hotel). It comes with a one carat diamond (and is the prefect proposal cocktail). The members-only Bondi Icebergs Club is where Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman go to catch up - blag your way in by pretending you're an Irish

VIP. Hang with the locals after work at The Paddington Arms on hip Oxford Street (and call it The Paddo, like they do). Decisions, decisions - there are more than 80 cocktails on the list at the Lotus Bar in Potts Point (try a Harry's Pick Me Up, a classy mix of cognac and Veuve Cliquot). When it comes to dancing, the fashion crowd hits the dancefloor at Lady Lux (Kings Cross) - where the dress code is glam, glam, glam.

SLEEP: The Shangri-La (www.shangri-la.com), has the best views (uninterrupted vistas of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House), and the biggest rooms in all categories, in the city, plus you'll be close to Altitude restaurant and Blu Horizon bar. Book a Horizon Floor room for added va-va-voom. For a Blue Mountains breakaway, check your ethics in with your luggage at the Jemby Rinjah Eco Lodge, its secluded eco-friendly cabins come with rainwater hot tubs and a dramatic bush setting. Atone for your wine-drinking sins during your Hunter Valley wine tour with a stay at Peppers Convent - a former nunnery.

THE SIGHTS: Feel on top of the world on top of Sydney Harbour Bridge on The Bridge Climb (Matt Damon has done it, as has Kylie, and a host of other celebs). Climb 134 metres above the harbour for the best views in the city, at any time of the day or night (www.bridgeclimb.com). See the sights at ground level on an open-top City Sightseeing hop on, hop-off bus. Gorgeous Manly beach is a must-see - it's a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay at Sydney Harbour. For heaps of retro-fun, go to Luna Park, an old-fashioned amusement park with its illuminated Ferris wheel, back-in-the-day rides and those wacky mirrors that make you look fat (as if we need those!). Photo credits: Main image: The Harbour Bridge Climb. Eat: Altitude restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel; Shop: Paddington Market; Drink: Blu Horizon Bar at Shangri-La Hotel; Sleep: Shangri-La Hotel; The Sights: The Queen Victoria Building.