THERE'S SO MUCH TO DIDGERIDOO...

First impressions: I absolutely loved it. Sydney is so green it could easily be the Emerald City, while it was far more sophisticated and cosmopolitan than I'd been expecting (Dame Edna would have a lot to answer for and yes, I know she was from Melbourne.) And the Australian sense of humour is dry and laconic, very similar to ours.

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The city is beautiful and the spectacular Sydney Opera House is worth those 22 flying hours alone.

In pictures it looks as if it's slightly separate from the main body of the city, but actually it’s right at the heart of everything. People who are not going to see a performance congregate there because there are many bars and restaurants dotted around. A chum who has lived in the UK for 20 years but is a Sydney native, says she always arranges to meet friends there.

The locals, incidentally, have been known to observe that the Opera House looks like nuns in a rugby scrum. Inside, the building is vast and cavernous, home to a number of theatres, including one which housed the Australian Ballet performing Nijinsky and I scored myself a ticket.

Ballet, champagne - the Aussies live very well - and the most spectacular views over the harbour? Strewth, this is my kinda town.

But we Dorothys are made of stern stuff and as well as knocking back fizz and appreciating high culture, there’s a city to explore.

With three clicks of the heels of her red shoes Dorothy could soar to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge - but the rest of us are more prosaically able to climb it.

In total it takes about three hours and provides you with more world-class views. Incidentally, you are breathalysed for safety before you're allowed on the bridge, so hold back on the fermented fruits of the country's numerous vineyards the night before.

My personal Yellow Brick Road was George Street, which runs through the heart of the commercial and business district. It's also the best shopping area in the city. You can take the girl out of the Kansas shopping mall but you can't take the Kansas shopping mall etc etc.