Welcome to Sydney - the home of the Harbour City Bears.

Sydney is Australia's oldest city, consisting of 4 million people residing within the greater Sydney region - making it Australia's largest city.

The first residents of the Sydney city region are the Cadigal of the Eora nation. Harbour City Bears is proud to acknowledge the traditional indigenous owners of the land. 

The modern city that is now Sydney was founded in 1788 on the shores of Port Jackson, commonly known  as "Sydney Harbour".

Sydney has a number of world famous landmarks - most notably the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach - that make it the destination of choice for many tourists from around the world.

Community: Sydney's gay & lesbian community is out and proud and is a very visible element of the city. Our diverse community is high profile with a large concentration of gays and lesbians living in the inner Sydney suburbs of Darlinghurst, Erskineville, Newtown, Kings Cross and Potts Point. One in three Sydneysiders are born overseas and Sydney's gay and lesbian community reflects the city's broad multi-cultural charachter.

Venues: Many of Sydney's gay venues exist close to Oxford Street, Darlinghurst (to the east of the city centre) with others located in the "inner west" - a few kilometres west of the city.

Bars/Pubs: Bears, cubs and admirers are found in abundance every "Furry Friday" night at The Oxford Hotel (on Taylor Square, Darlinghurst). You can also find a range of bears, leathermen, and a masculine crowd at Saddle Bar, which has a "cruise bar" atmosphere. Saddle Bar is located above the Midnight Shift on Oxford Street and is the home of many community parties. Every Sunday from 4pm bears and cubs take over the upstairs bar and balcony of the Lord Roberts Hotel, on the corner of Riley & Stanley Streets in East Sydney for our popular "Bears on Sunday" event.

Clubs: For those who like a big night out the venue of choice for sexy bears and cubs is the Phoenix (underneath the Exchange Hotel) at the City end of Oxford St, Darlinghurst. The Phoenix is currently home to Dirty, Sweat and Rising - a dayclub which opens its doors at 6am on Saturday & Sunday mornings. Alsdo look out for bear events at the Oxford Art Factory (located on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst) from time to time.

Beaches: Sydney is famous for its beaches. Our favourites are Little Congwong Beach at La Perouse and for those who like to go naked - Lady Jane Beach near Watsons Bay and Obelisk on Sydney's north shore.

Saunas/Sex on Premises Venues: Most bears seem to enjoy Kingsteam (a traditional steamroom type venue), next to the Exchange Hotel on Oxford Street, which is particularly popular with bears on a Sunday afternoon. Kingsteam offers discount entry to Harbour City Bears members (bring your membership card). Other venues good for a play include 357 City Steam at 357 Sussex Street, or Headquarters (a fantasy oriented cruise venue) on Crown Street, just off Oxford Street.

Festivals/Parties: Sydney has a range of fantastic gay festivals and parties throughout the year. Sydney is known worldwide for its gay dance parties, which attract an international audience.  Below we list a few...

• January: Harbour City Bears always celebrate Australia Day (26th January) check the press or this website nearer the time for details.
• February & March: The annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival has a wealth of gay oriented events during the month of February, including Harbour City Bears' own BEAR ESSENTIALS™  festival. The 2011 Mardi Gras Parade and Party are scheduled for 5th March, and is the largest gay night-time parade in the world, attracting some 7000 participants and 800,000 spectators.
• May: Our annual Mr HCB competition takes place at the Supper Club, 1st Level of the Oxford Hotel from 8pm May 29th 2010.
• June: Sydney Leather Pride Week is staged with the infamous Inquisition Dance Party.
• July 24th 2010 - join us at  "Chunky: Xmas in July" - a party for Beefy Blokes, Furry Studs, Cute Cubs and Hot Daddies. 9pm to 6am: Venue TBC.
• August sees the innaugral Bear Pride Festival in Sydney. Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of HCB with us. For details go to www.bearpride.com.au
• October: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras presents it Sleaze Ball dance party - a must do on the social calendar!
• November: In 2010 we're looking to bring your something special - stay tuned!
• December: Many Sydney Bears & Cubs head up to northern NSW for the Tropical Fruits festival.

Gay Media: Weekly community publication the Sydney Star Observer is available free fevery Wednesday from venues in the Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Newtown regions or go to www.starobserver.com.au  Gay and lesbian listings are also avalaible in Sydney Timeout Magazine.

Accommodation: Check our travel and accommodation guide updated with information specific to Bear Essentials.

Other sources of information: Lonely Planet provides general tourist information.. Community information is available at Pinkboard, Sydney's oldest online gay & lesbian resource. Online news and scene information from www.samesame.com.au