In fact, several of the more sophisticated spots are in hotels, including the glass-walled Blu Horizon in the Shangri-La overlooking Sydney Harbour, Hemmesphere in the Establishment Hotel and the cavernous lobby-level Water Bar in BLUE Sydney.

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Park ranger David Noble found the trees in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, where the average rainfall in the mountains in 1, 050mm and 850mm at lower levels.

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BLUE, Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, changed its name in February--it was formerly the W. Now part of the India-based Taj hotels and resorts group, it still offers the same 100 spacious, hip, loftlike rooms located in a converted wharf.

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Lexus unveiled its LF-LC Concept last month in Sydney, since its blue opal color is inspired by the blue opal found in the Australian Outback, but this week in Los Angeles is the first time Americans will have a chance to see the 500-horsepower hybrid up close.

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New South Wales police said the man, who was on holiday in Australia, was in a group of eight friends and had travelled from Sydney's Bondi area to the Blue Mountains for a picnic and a walk along a bush trail.

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Singapore Airlines has already applied to fly between Sydney and Los Angeles, and budget carrier Virgin Blue also wants access.

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Mr Furber was in a group of eight friends who had travelled from Sydney's Bondi area to Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains for a picnic and a walk, News South Wales Police said.

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