It's not hard to work out why Sydney is one of the most popular destinations in the world for gay and lesbian tourists: the people are gay-friendly and so is the weather, which gets steamiest in February - just in time for the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras .

Oxford Street is Sydney's official "pink strip", and here you'll find countless pairs of tight-T-shirted guys strolling hand-in-hand, or checking out the passing talent from a hip, streetside café. King Street , Newtown, is another burgeoning centre of gay culture, while lesbian communities have carved out territory of their own in Erskineville and Leichhardt (known affectionately as "Dykehart").

A good starting point for information is The Bookshop, 207 Oxford St, Darlinghurst tel 9331 1103, www.thebookshop.com.au , which has a complete stock of gay and lesbian-related books, cards and magazines including the free gay and lesbian weeklies, Sydney Star Observer and SX (both every Thurs); the free lesbian-specific monthly LOTL ( Lesbians on the Loose) ; and the monthly nationally distributed DNA ($7.60).

Cafés and restaurants
The Californian , 177 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. Bus #380. Mon-Thurs 8am-midnight/1am, Fri-Sun 24-hour. Marilyn gazes down at you from the front counter in provocative pose, while Fifties rock jitterbugs from the jukebox. The all-day Californian...
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Mardi Gras
The first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras was held in 1978 as a gay-rights protest. Today, it's the biggest celebration of gay and lesbian culture in the world incorporating exhibitions, performances and other arts and community events,...
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Pubs and bars
Apart from a few pubs in the inner west, these are all concentrated around Oxford Street. Start at the Albury and keep on going, for days if you like! Albury Hotel , 6 Oxford St, Paddington. Bus #380. Mon-Fri 2pm-2am, Sat...
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Clubs
Arq , 16 Flinders St, Surry Hills. Bus #373, #377, #392-394. 24-hour. Mon-Thurs free, Fri & Sat $15-20, Sun $5. The newest club on the scene is huge (900-person capacity) and state-of-the-art, with something on every night of the week, from DJs...
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Travel agents
The following travel agents specialize in travel and accommodation arrangements for gay and lesbian travellers: FOD Travel Level 2, 77 Oxford St, Darlinghurst tel 9360 3616, www.fod.com.au. Silke's Travel PO Box...
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Gyms
Bayswater Fitness , 33 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross tel 9356 2555. Mon-Thurs 6am-midnight, Fri 6am-11pm, Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 7am-9pm. $15. Clientele of mostly gay men, although lesbians are also welcome. Weights, circuit-fitness and aerobics classes. ...
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Beaches
During Sydney's hot summer, a popular choice among the gay set is Tamarama (known locally as Glama-rama ), a fifteen-minute walk from the southern end of Bondi Beach. But if showing off is not your thing, Bondi ...
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