House Hunter Monica Kovacic heads to the lower north shore
Hungover in Alexandria? We've got a three-stop cure
Perfect plan for your weekend delivered every Thursday
What: The chance to get acquainted with Sydney's spooky past. With tours departing from Cadman's Cottage you'll get a sneak peak into where the ghosts of The Rocks shoot the breeze.
Who: Sydneysiders with an interest in history; people who like a talk with their walk; the gullible; the sceptical; and Scooby-Doo fans.
Why: It's intriguing, a bit scary and will leave an impression.
How: Book Sydney Ghost Tours.
What: A passport to high-speed thrills – fish-tailing, power-braking and wave-spinning across Sydney Harbour – departing from Circular Quay.
Who: Ideal for adrenaline junkies, whether they like action sports, amusement parks or video games. Also a great gift for tourists who want to see Sydney's sites in an action-packed way.
Why: A day on the harbour is better when you're burning it up and riding the whitewash.
How: Book Jet boating.
What: This gift voucher will have the bearer floating up in the clouds with the best of them, departing early morning from Homebush during the week and Camden on the weekends.
Who: Anyone without vertigo will enjoy a calm, scenic flight watching the sunrise over Sydney. There's even the option of a Champagne breakfast waiting for you on your return to earth.
Why: How many people have been in a hot air balloon before? Plus, Balloon Aloft Sydney won the Australian Travel and Tourism Award for Best Adventure Tour Operator in 2006 and 2007.
How: Book Hot Air Balloon trips.
What: Membership entitles you and a friend to discount ($12) cinema tickets at Palace cinemas (Verona, Academy and Chauvel in Paddington and the Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt) for a year. Plus you'll get free tickets on your birthday.
Who: Perfect for film buffs who prefer art house to blockbusters.
Why: It's a cheap gift that lasts a year and can save you up to $108 a year (based on two cinema visits per month). The cinemas have bars so you can have a glass of wine before the film or take a coffee in with you. They also often have Q&As with visiting filmmakers.
How: It costs just $19 from the website. Order two weeks in advance so they can send the membership card in time. Palace Cinemas
What: The opportunity to ride like the wind and to teach tots to trot with a gift voucher for park rides or lessons in Centennial Park.
Who: Horse lovers and outdoorsy types. Kids will love it too.
Why: The qualified instructors accommodate everybody, even those with no prior horse ridin' experience, and it's cheaper than actually buying a horse.
How: Book horse riding.
What: A trip to the track is about driving really, really fast, whether it be Go-Karting, motorcycle racing or old-fashioned V8 hooning. Eastern Creek International Raceway has tracks to accommodate all of the above, as well as regular Drive and Ride Days where you can compete against fellow rev-heads.
Who: A trip to the track is perfect for those who feel stifled by a 110km/h speed limit and know what it means to "open her up".
Why: To quote Mylo: "Well oiled, that's what you are/Come on and ride in my muscle car". It's a great chance to introduce your inner tyre-burner to similarly minded others so that you stop boring friends with talk of horsepower and nitrous boosters.
How: Go to Eastern Creek International Raceway for information on Open Track Days, or visit the Eastern Creek Raceway at Brabham Dr/Ferrers Rd, Eastern Creek 2766. (02 9672 1000) or book karting.
What: Officially known as a Zoo Friends Membership, this gives you unlimited free entry for a year to Taronga Zoo and several other zoos around Australia. You also get a subscription to quarterly magazine ZooNooz and discounts on everything from zoo parking to zoo sleepovers.
Who: Anyone who's ever wished that they could be saving endangered species in the African savannah when the most they can manage is saving the cat from fleas.
Why: A trip to the zoo is great fun for both kids and adults, and Taronga Zoo is one of the world's best.
How: Visit Zoo Friends for information on membership. Memberships range from $47.50 plus joining fee for a child to $97.50 plus joining fee for adults.
What: An open door into the history of our beloved city and exclusive access to events, tours and a private lounge at The Mint on Macquarie Street.
Who: Fans of history and architecture.
Why: A way of getting in touch with the past and enjoying the present. The HHT is also a volunteer organisation and a registered charity, so there's goodwill involved too.
How: Call the HHT to arrange a year's gift membership on a festive personalised gift card: $67 for one, $50 concession or a $98 household membership. (02 8239 2266)
What: A great big pamper fest, a gift certificate entitles you to all the treatments, body wraps and massages the gift-giver can afford.
Who: Those that need unwinding and rejuvenation, especially people in high-stress jobs such as finance or parenting.
Why: It's a fairly foolproof gift. People that you don't know well, close friends, and even people who wouldn't usually go for a spa will love it – guaranteed.
How: Book spa treatments.
What: A ticket to get out on the green and enjoy a round, a lesson, a turn on the driving range or even a snazzy shirt to wear on the driving range.
Who: Fairway fanatics.
Why: This gift voucher is a personal thumbs-up from wives to husbands to go and spend their day golfing in the sunshine completely guilt-free. Wives: think of the brownie points...
How: Moore Park Golf are extremely flexible with their vouchers, starting from $55 for driving range lessons. Go in and visit them or call to book. (02 9663 1064).
What: Cooking classes geared specifically to seafood. They range from barbecuing seafood to cooking the perfect Singapore chilli crab or filleting a fish. There are also regular guest chef classes featuring chefs such as Matt Moran, Christine Manfield and Matt Kemp.
Who: Would-be chefs, people afraid of fish, home cooks, and just about anyone who likes to cook.
Why: For the chance to learn a thing or two while you're having fun is pretty high. You'll also find out how to pick the best fish when you're at the market.
How: Visit Sydney Fish Market and purchase a gift certificate online (you can print these out immediately) or call 02 9004 1111 and book over the phone. It's best to order the price of a class ($80–$145 depending on which) so the recipient can book themselves into a class that suits them.
What: Ever wanted to know where your seafood comes from? Each weekday, Sydney Fish Market hosts the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the world's second largest seafood market in terms of variety outside Japan. Watch all the action as it happens at the break of dawn right on the auction floor.
Who: Piscophiles, chefs, overseas visitors.
Why: Very few places in the world let you go behind the scenes somewhere like this and there's plenty to see - fish you've never seen before or always wanted to, live shellfish and lobsters all wrapped up in seaweed, plus the tuna pavilion (yes, really).
How: It's held every Monday and Thursday, costs $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 13, and you can book by calling 02 9004 1143.
What: A four-part course run by wine expert Peter Bourne covering everything from what wine is to how people taste it and, very important, how to tell a good wine from a bad one. Complimentary cheese and bread is served to accompany the wines.
Who: Budding wine enthusiasts.
Why: It's comprehensive, not too daunting and plenty of fun. Most importantly, it's not boring and you get to drink booze.
How: Book online Peter Bourne or call 02 9552 2366. Bookings essential. $295pp. Book other wine courses and tours.
What: Skydive the Beach Sydney offer single dives from $279 and the bigger the group, the better the price. Adventure packages go for a cool $325 – the basic Point Break– a tandem dive, a surfing lesson and lunch. There's also the luxe High Rider with overnight accommodation at Novotel North Beach, brekkie for two, a bottle of bubbly and a disposable camera for $600.
Who: Singles, couples and groups who want to try something different. Skydive the Beach is the perfect crime: a day or weekend out of Sydney, a bit of safe adrenaline and some time in touch with mother nature.
Why: Many of us have thought about taking the dive but never followed through. It's a memorable and enjoyable gift to look back on forever, with an added shock-on-unwrapping value.
How: Skydive the Beach is located just an hour out of Sydney, accessible by car and train. Call 1300 663 634 for more information on diving, package deals and accommodation. Book sky diving.
What: A day's worth of surf lessons in the Royal National Park is $79, while $199 gets you a two-day camp to Seal Rocks. Money to burn? A seven-day surfing adventure from Sydney to Byron Bay and back with all food, transport and equipment provided is $699.
Who: Water babies, beach lovers, fitness freaks and your English relative – the novelty of carving waves is lost on no one.
Why: One-day courses run just an hour out of Sydney, meaning the surfing dream is an easy reality. Whether you leave the surf ripping like a pro or clutching your board for dear life, Waves guarantee you'll be riding the waves, in one way or another, by the end of the day.
How: Call 1800 851 101 or visit Waves Surf School for all the details and tap into the Aussie surfing lifestyle this Christmas. Book surf lessons.
What: The Dive Centre crew offer up a range of scuba diving activities from a beginner's dive to instructor courses and beyond. The four-day Learn To Dive course will set you back $395, while night diving, wreck diving, search and recovery diving and even underwater photography courses run regularly too.
Who: Those fond of the ocean, a good view, or anyone keen on adventuring will love this gift.
Why: Diving in summer? Enjoy the sun and salt water, and our colourful marine life from Port Jackson sharks to sea dragons and gropers.
How: Dive Centre Manly offers regular and comprehensive courses including equipment and instruction. Call 02 9977 4355 or visit Dive Centre Manly. Book scuba diving.
What: Sometimes a pet really is just for Christmas. Why not foster a dog until a permanent home is found for it?
Who: Dog lovers Sydney-wide, or responsible souls looking for a furry companion. Not a canine friendly household? There are rabbits, cats and guinea pigs all in need of fostering too.
Why: Besides bringing a new personality into the household, you'll be helping relieve the massive RSPCA population of Sydney.
How: Call Monika on 02 9486 3133 and have a chat about the prospect of fostering a furry pal this Christmas. Visit Doggie Rescue for more information.
What: Membership to the Australian Film Institute gives a voice to the modern film buff. For $55 you can gift a year of membership that includes discounted tickets, unlimited access to new Aussie flicks and an invite to the AFI screenings. Take advantage of the current 10 per cent off gift purchases now.
Who: TV and film buffs. Hey, it's their chance to have a say.
Why: It's a niche gift to give, but for the right person it's a thoughtful present that'll have them entertained all year round.
How: Hit up the Australian Film Institute or call 1300 139 697 to subscribe.
What: Prepaid double passes to the ritziest big screens in Australia. With a lounge bar on hand for early birds and a food menu available throughout screenings, it's a top-notch cinema experience.
Who: Who doesn't like the flicks? Gold Class is a ticket to luxury cinema with all the trimmings. The program heats up over summer with a full selection of blockbusters and Christmas films.
Why: The seats are bigger, the sound is better, and people deliver food to you throughout the movie.
How: Log onto Greater Union to purchase your tickets now, or Red Balloon for a range of Gold Class deals.
What: Sydney's hottest entertainment rag delivered to your doorstep for a year. For just $59!
Who: Foodies, film buffs, party animals, bookworms, families, music nerds and those in the know the city over.
Why: There's nothing like Sydney in the summertime, and Time Out taps into the best of the best, giving you tips on where to eat, drink, dance and dabble in culture.
How: Subscribe now and go in the draw to win a return trip for two to London. Not that you'll want to be leaving Sydney this summer, will you now?
What: Your boarding pass to complication-free scenic flights over the harbour and, possibly, a gourmet lunch stop via a Sydney Seaplane departing from Rose Bay.
Who: Aviation enthusiasts, locals, tourists and foodies.
Why: This versatile gift is an event in itself and would suit just about anyone. The return flights for lunch at Jonah's in Whale Beach is a truly decadent and memorable experience.
How: Sydney Seaplanes offers both printable and postable gift vouchers on their website, starting at $160pp for a Sydney Highlights flight and $465pp for the Jonah's Fly & Dine. (1300 732 752). Book seaplane flights and trips.
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