Centrepoint has a special place in the city of Sydney, being the first of its kind in the town. Situated right in the middle of Sydney’s central business district, it began as a medium sized building in 1972 housing about 52 shops, most of which are still in business. Westfield a large chain of shopping malls took over Centrepoint in December 2001. The Westfield Group is the world’s largest international retail property group which has its presence in New Zealand, U.K., America apart from Australia.

Westfield Centrepoint has the advantage of being located well, its proximity to the Centrepoint Tower, a well known landmark and tourist attraction. The stores there are mostly upper end and designer stores. Westfield Centrepoint has gone through many renovations in 1984, then 1996 and also in 2000.

Once Centrepoint was taken over by Westfield, it has been subject to many changes. Recently very far reaching and ambitious plans have been made for Centrepoint which have finally, after many years of sustained efforts, Westfield has finally won the approval of the authorities of Sydney City and also of the neighborhood malls to carry out extensive renovation of the Centrepoint.

The plan is very ambitious. Three main shopping centers, Centrepoint, Skygarden and The Imperial Arcade will be joined together to create a shopping and office complex of international stature. This is going to be a one-of-a-kind building. The work is going to be carefully done over a period of three years to integrate all three.

It is a fairly ambitious plan, but in the end the centre will add to the beauty of Sydney City. There will be just another 50 showrooms added, and there will be 123 more car parks, which will be a boon to this parking lot starved city. The plan is to beautify the city and not to add more shops.

At present Centrepoint has shops over five levels, selling everything from fresh food to designer ware. All the major retailers like K-Mart, Levis, Gucci and others have their presence here. There are computer stores, pharmacies, shoe shops, beauty salons and fast food outlets.

In case you are in Sydney and have not done your shopping yet, to pick up a souvenir you must visit Centrepoint. Of course you can also spend the whole day window shopping and wandering through the five levels of the mall and then when tired you can sit at a coffee shop and rest over a refreshing cup of coffee or pick up a bite at the many fast food outlets.

Warringah mall is Sydney’s largest open air resort style shopping center and offers exciting shopping experience to all. It first opened in1963 and had just 53 stores. The mall, which is located 15km from Sydney CBD, reflects the lifestyle of people living in the northern beaches of the city. A 40min drive from Wynyard, it is located in the center of Sydney.

Warringah mall went through a million dollar transformation and has Myer store along with many other spatiality stores like Target. The complex has around 300 such stores and the Hoyts Twin Cinema Complex. There are food courts, extra cinemas and leading names like Woolworths David Jones, Big W, JB HiFi, Dick Smith Powerhouse, and Rebel Sport, Franklins, Big Fresh, Grace Bros along with other facilities.

One can enjoy its leafy courtyards, covered walkways along with shopping for fashion garments, home accessories, food and much more on all the three levels of the enclosed mall. It has a 125,000 square meters of let able space. The restaurant and the cafes offer a very typical atmosphere of Sydney’s Northern beaches. The mall has a distinct aura about it unlike many others. It is the third largest shopping center according to floor space in NSW.

There are banks, auto services, beauty and fashion areas, cafes and restaurants, department stores, electronic shops, hardware, toys and games and home appliances stores along with jewelry, watches, mobile phones sections etc. There is a pharmacy, a supermarket and space for sports and leisure.

The main entry to the mall is from the multi deck car park and there are level entries from there too. All floors have good walking space and are joined by lifts. There is an assistance from where one can borrow, power scooters, prams and wheelchairs for free.

There is also a courtesy car service to carry shoppers from one area to another. Baby care rooms and accessible toilets are on ground floor and first floor. They have a bus bay on the ground floor and the wheelchair accessible buses are also available.

There is a private coach line and state transit buses which can take you to the mall. The mall has state of the art car park of its own apart from regular parking places near by.

There is also a customer care service which is operational all seven days during normal trading hours. Parent room facilities, kiddy cabs and shop mobility are some other significant features.

A unique feature is mall walking which takes place in a group of 50 people every Tuesday and Thursday. They also have free yoga and meditation classes. There is also a fully licensed bar and café which is available for functions and parties.

The Hoyt Cinema complex in the mall is one amazing movie experience. It is the largest multiplex cinema screen adventure. You can watch some latest flicks here.

Shopping at Warringah Mall is a completely out of the world experience, so while in Sydney do visit this amazing world of Warringah’s.

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race also known as The Blue Water Classic is a thrilling event hosted by the Cruising Yacht club of Australia. It starts in Sydney on Boxing Day and finishes in Hobart, Tasmania. It’s a tradition that the crew of the yachts celebrates the New Year at the Hobart Dock.

The race was first organized in1945 and gradually became more and more competitive and commercialized. It is one of the pre-eminent top three offshore yacht races in the world and attracts maxi-yachts from North America and Europe. It covers the distance of about 630 miles. The race attracts both the club sailors as well as renowned sailors who have participated in other famous races.

It was conceived by Peter Luke who formed a club for those who enjoyed cruising rather than racing; however visiting British Royal Navy Officer, Captain John Illingworth, suggested that it be turned into a race, and so this thrilling event was born.

The race is one of the most grueling and awe-inspiring event in the middle of the winter and is sponsored by Rolex. There is a spectacular start from the magnificent Sydney Harbor, and the yacht sail into the beautiful Tasman Sea, travelling through many places the yacht reach the Tasman Island where they cross Storm Bay for the beautiful Derwent River to Hobart. All over the sea front people gather to watch the race and cheer the yacht on.

All those who love the sporting event swear by the exciting beginning of the race and the finale. Half a million spectators gather on the shores to cheer the fleets and one can watch the spectator crafts along with the fleet. Helicopters hover over the blue waters filming the event for world-wide viewing.

The race covers some of the most alluring seascapes and landscapes in the world. The NSW coastline with its white and clean beaches, townships around the coast and the fishing hamlets are fall in the route of the race and one can view the yachts sailing anywhere between the coastline and 40 miles offshore.

The winning yacht is received by an escort official, spectators and the press boats as it approaches the finishing line, amidst applause even if it is at an unearthly hour like 2 am or some such time. There are thousands of people who gather around Sullivan’s Cove to applaud and welcome the yachts and the crew is met by members of Finishing Club and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, to help them dock at the Kings Pier marina. Of course the winners and their fans celebrate the race and the win at the many pubs and bars at the dock. The event holds a prime position in the Hobart’s Taste of Tasmania Festival.

People eagerly wait for the entire year, many practice the whole year through and train for the race. This magnificent and greatly anticipated event is a must to watch for all those visiting Sydney in winter. So plan your trip to Watch ‘The Blue Water Classic’.