Guide to Sydney: getting there, getting around, hotels, restaurants, Olympic Games venues, city attractions

GOOD GEAR GUIDE

Travelling to the Olympics in style, edited by Angie Buttrose, Sunday Times

Zimmerman bikinis

Make a fashion splash in a sexy new swimsuit - a Sydney summer must-have. For the past two years the designers of Australian label Zimmerman have been the local favourite. Available in patterned prints and bright colours, their range of bikinis are made of tight-fitting, long-lasting materials and are definitely not for shy, body-conscious beach-goers. Harvey Nichols will stock the new collection in July.

Price: from �90
Stockists: 020 7235 5000

The damage is done We all know sunbaking exposes your skin to damaging rays. While you can't turn back the clock after a long day on the beach, you can try to fix the problem. The Damage is Done is an exfoliating moisturiser by Philosophy, especially formulated with glycolic acid to exfoliate sun-damaged skin and help restore even skin tone and a healthy, natural glow. But next time use an SPF15 sunscreen.
Price: �23.
Stockists: Liberty, 020 7734 1234

Olympus wide PC binoculars

Catch all the sporting action through these new wide-angle binoculars developed by Olympus. They boast a 72� view out of a possible 180� view to allow in more of the action; regular binoculars view 50�. They also have lead-free lenses to cut down harmful UV rays and reduce eye strain, rubber-coated grips, sliding eyepiece rings - great if you wear glasses - and are sold with a case and a stopwatch.
Prices: �119.99 (for 8x25 magnification) and �129.99 (for 10x25).
Stockists: 020 7253 0513

Fujifilm FinePix 4700 Zoom Worried about a photo finish in the men's 100m sprint? With Fujifilm's latest invention you won't miss a thing. Not only is it the world's smallest, lightest, multifunctional digital camera, the 4700 Zoom offers previously unseen picture clarity and you can even record up to 80 seconds of moving images with audio. Not bad for something that fits in your pocket.
Price: �699.99
Stockists: 020 7465 5864

Personal mosquito contro force field

This electronic gadget will save you from loathsome Australian mosquitos, using ultrasonic and sonic technologies. The first imitates the wing-beat frequency of the dragonfly - the mosquito's most feared predator. The second replicates the wing-speed sound of a male mosquito, which repels mated females - these are the ones that bite. A person locked overnight in a room with 200 mosquitos wasn't bitten once. Strap to your wrist, or clip on your hat or belt. It even has a built-in flashlight.
Stockists: available online from www.edgeco.com for US$37.85 including p&p

Golden retriever keyfloat

This little invention is otherwise known as an equipment retrieval device. It's designed to rescue anything you lose in the water - perfect for when you lean too far over the railings of the harbour ferries. So how does it work? Attach the retriever to, say, your keys. If they should accidentally slip into the water, don't worry - as they fall to the bottom, a tablet in the attached Keyfloat dissolves, inflating the unit. As it floats to the surface, it unravels 30m of cable. Grab the float and pull up your keys.
Price: �7.99
Stockists: 01923 334 233

Pier One Park Royal

Located in Walsh Bay, next to the Harbour Bridge, the Pier One Park Royal is one of Sydney's hippest hotels. Housed in a heritage-protected warehouse built in 1912 on a finger pier that juts into Sydney Harbour, the original timber and steel beams have been made into architectural features in a slick, stylish redesign. It has 165 studio rooms including 10 suites offering Jacuzzis, espresso machines, CD players and separate bed and living areas, a workout room and meeting and function facilities. Overlooking the water are the Hickson One Cafe & Wine Bar and The Lobby Bar - the place to down a martini, the Bar's specialty.
Price: from about �116 per night. Call: toll-free, 0345 581 666