Five thousand five hundred miles later and you have made it to the final Test. England are on the brink of retaining The Ashes – hopefully – and the stage is set with the curtain at the Sydney Cricket Ground about to rise with the first ball of the match. The little urn has been running away ever since Brisbane but now may finally be the chance to catch it, be there at the end to watch it being held aloft by England, or if this hypothetical situation does not become reality at least enjoy everything that Sydney has to offer.

An Ashes series down under is always full of theatre, and you can tend to your dramatic side off the pitch at the world famous Sydney Opera House. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, this truly is one of the most spectacular places on Earth.

And after the performance, the surrounding area of Circular Quay is the perfect place to reflect on the tour. Eat, drink and soak up the fabulous view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but if this epicentre of Sydney has too many autograph hunters pleading for your signature, drop back a few blocks to Cumberland Street where the grand Glenmore Hotel has found its home. It may seem insubstantial from the outside but climb up to the rooftop bar and be rewarded with citywide views that make those schooners even more refreshing.

[caption id=”attachment_50426″ align=”alignnone” width=”750″] Sydney Harbour in all its stunning beauty[/caption]

While the centre of Sydney may be small, it is out in the suburbs that some of the city’s best offerings are held. Manly, just a short ferry ride from the harbour, is home to one of Australia’s most well known beaches. Riders travel from all over the world to surf here so don’t miss out – it will be a lot colder in Cornwall next summer. There’s plenty to do on land as well: the promenade is host to a wide variety of shops and restaurants – the England rugby team stayed here on the eve of their World Cup triumph in 2003 so these establishments really are serving food fit for champions.

[caption id=”attachment_50427″ align=”alignnone” width=”716″] Take a break at Manly Beach[/caption]

And for one final taste of Australia before heading home, the Sydney Fish Market welcomes fresh produce every day. Delicious hauls of seafood are brought in regularly for us to enjoy straight out of the sea. The workers here love to fish, hopefully the same won’t be said of England outside off stump.