Planning to visit Sydney………..need advice!

[killler]

Hello everyone, I have been planning to visit Sydney with my family. Since, I am real busy with my hectic schedule; I thought that it would be a good place to relax for some days with my entire family. The reason I am here is that I don’t have any close associates that have been there, so I need advice from you people to help me know what are the do’s and dont’s that I need to take care of……..please do advice me on this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ccscott49]

Sydney, Australia? or Sydney, Vancouver island?

 

[jhr]

Have you tried Tripadvisor? Excellent site for stuff like this.

We went to Oz a couple of years ago, with kids then aged 12 and 9, and travelled around the east coast quite a lot. For the Sydney part of our trip, we had intended to stay somewhere in the City centre but someone suggested that we stay out at Manly. We followed this advice, and I'm very glad that we did. Sydney is a big, cosmopolitan city: loud, brash and busy. It's great to visit for shopping, sight-seeing etc. but it's not a place to chill out, really.

We stayed in a beachfront apartment (Ocean side, rather than Harbour side) and had the beach and Manly itself ready to hand - the place we stayed was about half way along Manly beach, but a couple of hundred yards away from where the bars and restaurants started, so nice and quiet.

When you want to go into Sydney, you can walk to the ferry terminal (15 minutes) and hop on the ferry for a wonderful trip through Sydney Harbour, including that breathtaking moment when the Bridge and the Opera House hove into view for the first time. Get off at Circular Quay and the City is your oyster.

Try to go to the Blue Mountains if you get the chance. We took a coach trip: it was all a bit rushed, and another time I'd hire a car or take a train - it's not that complicated.

Wonderful city; wonderful country. I wanna go back! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Bajansailor]

If Sydney in Australia, its a wonderful place.
I spent a week there 10 years ago - stayed in a youth hostel in Coogee Bay - a fair ways to travel in to town on the bus, but no hassle.
And there is so much to see and do in Sydney! Highlights for me were going on all the ferries (workboat anorak - and I was doing research on ferries for out here), and visiting the Aquarium (walking through glass tunnels, with great white sharks swimming overhead....) and seeing Turandot at the Opera House.

 

[Questor]

I reckon Darling Harbour is a good spot. Lots of "appartments" have proper kitchen / dining areas along with lounge, bedroom & bathrooms, and are cheap.

Darling Harbour is overloaded with restaurants, bars, boats etc and loads going on. Fab aquarium if you like sharks. Also easy walk to main shops.

Easy access to all parts of town & beyond - rail link just nearby. Easy ride on the ferries up to Circular Quay. More restaurants, bars, opera house, parks, shops, Doyles, etc to visit. And Bondi for your fix.

One downside, is trying to find a "bottle shop" - where the hell are they? And VB, but then I'm more of a XXXX chap!

The AMP Tower is definitely worth as visit for dinner one night, but a little pricey, even for Oz. A meal for four cost me over 500 bucks, but the views are to die for.

And a trip up to the Sunshine State if you can eek things out by another week!

 

[DavidJ]

It was a few years back but we stayed at the casino called Star city on Darling Harbour. I think they try to encorage people to stay and make money (or loose) from the casino so the cost of a huge apartment there was really low. Other than a walk around we didn't use the Casino at all.
My recommendadtion:
Take the ferry to Manly and eat fish and chips on the beach.

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you like eating seafood then don't miss the fish market. Buy what you want (& there's lots of choice) and then buy a bottle of nice wine and go outside and have a feast. One of my highlights of Sydney. Fabulous city.

And don't miss a visit to Doyles at Watson Bay, great food and a view not to be missed.

 

[beyondtheblue]

We recently visited Sydney.. Great place, lots to do, great for families. We stayed at the Harbour Rocks Hotel in the Rocks area right in the centre of the city, no problem with noise or anything. One thing that did surprise us was how early the bars close at night, we finished our evening meal at 9.30ish on our first night (Saturday) went out for a drink or two and the bars were already starting to close...wierd!!

 

[Nick_H]

The beaches and surroundings to the North of the harbour, Manly/Palm Beach etc. are nicer than those to the south, Bondi etc.

 

[kangaroo]

Sydney is a good place and going with your family is just a great idea. While Australia is a "big country" the urban hubs of Sydney and Melbourne and their surrounding countryside can provide guests with days or weeks of wonderful experiences. Within two hours of Sydney you can be in the beautiful World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains, enjoying quaint villages or exploring a fabulous wilderness of this National Park area. If your desire is for fine food and wine then look for Hunter Valley tours. For the accommodations there, I would advice you to go with[www.resortsunited.com ]resorts united apartments and resorts which are independently owned and operated and are located in some of the most beautiful destinations.

 

[rafiki_]

I have been a few times on business, and love the place. Great people and a busy and interesting city. Darling harbour is a good base.

While Melbourne or Brisbase are a plane ride away, Canberra is a couple of hours by car, and well worth a visit to the Parliament Building.

Sout Coast, again a couple of hours south of Sydney also well worth a visit. You can feed the Roos on the beach with bread. Great fun!

 

[deborahann]

stay at Manly Beach, correct there are ferries in to central Sydney. Great place to stay and soooo relaxing.

 

[alant]

stay at Manly Beach,
========================================
Walk from ferry to the ocean, goes via the 'tacky' shopping centre though - yuck!!

Try Coogee beach instead, lovely coastal walks right around to Bondi.

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
Walk from ferry to the ocean, goes via the 'tacky' shopping centre though - yuck!!

[/ QUOTE ] Every Paradise has its serpent /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif though I do agree about the shopping centre.

I think it's horses for courses. Went to Bondi one day and didn't like it - a bit too trendy. I had enough competition with Mrs jhr letching over the Manly lifeguards, without her drooling at a bunch of Muscle Marys as well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[Sydneysider]

Some views of Sydney Harbour

Fort Denison

Sydney Fish Market

Darling Harbour

 

[jhr]

One or two more (with boats in the way - well; it was the start of the Sydney to Hobart)

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[KevB]

Some cheap fares just announced Cathay Pacific

 

[Questor]

Here's Bondi. Nothing really special, but unusual to find a beach like this in a busy city

This is some of Sydney Harbour taken from the AMP tower

In preparation for the Sydney to Hobart

Enjoy your time out there. Not sure if I'd bother with the bridge climb though.

 

[pissativlypossed]

Arrived here in Sydney yesterday on Arcadia after a 7 week trip from Southampton.
We are staying over a few days before flying back to UK, The ship is moored slap bang in the centre harbour between the Opera House and The Bridge. We spent last night walking around and soaking up the atmosphere in the harbour bars. Been walkabout today and then bought a ticket for the Red Bus tour, a hop on/off circular tour around all the interesting points.
I will let you have a further update when I have something off interest to impart. Is there anything i can find ut for you while I am here?