It's not hard to work out why Sydney is one of the most popular destinations in the world for gay and lesbian tourists: the people are gay-friendly and so is the weather, which gets steamiest in February - just in time for the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras .

Oxford Street is Sydney's official "pink strip", and here you'll find countless pairs of tight-T-shirted guys strolling hand-in-hand, or checking out the passing talent from a hip, streetside café. King Street , Newtown, is another burgeoning centre of gay culture, while lesbian communities have carved out territory of their own in Erskineville and Leichhardt (known affectionately as "Dykehart").  ... READ MORE.