Sydney - What can't we miss?

[fozzyo]

Its a few months away, but we're starting to get excited about Sydney and what we want to see and do. For those who have been what's your take on it? What are the big can't miss things?

Mat xxx

[Decker]

MUST climb the bridge.

Stay at the Quays.

Get an "Entertainment" card.

Too many good restaurants

We arrive in Sydney on the 9th Dec so any tips good for us tooo:D

Climb the PYLON 8.50.00$AUD

Pylon Lookout

Then if you think its worth it, climb the bridge 165-300 $AUD [:0]

Bridge Climb

Catch a ferry to Manley, go to the BACK and enjoy the view.
Similarly the opposite way for the return [8D]

Visit the Aquarium.

Aquarium

Spot the building used in the Film the Matrix

Climb the AMP building for a view

Skytour

Check out this forum for other ideas

Virtual Tourist

Spit-Manly Scenic Walk

Take a 10Km scenic walk around sydney harbour to Manly, grab a bite to eat, get the ferry back to catch sunset at the bridge and opera house. Bring plenty of water I guess in December.

Lord Nelson Brewery

Check out the Lord Nelson for some beers...

Restaurant recommendations

Cafe Sydney
Sailor Thai

We highly recommend a quick trip to the Hunter Valley for some wine tasting. Best to try and get a tour on a small tour with the smallest number of people possible. Trip to the Blue mountains also worthwhile.

Robert & Gillian

[honey lamb]

Great topic as I'd be looking for these suggestions soon. [^]

Oh God, now I am excited!

Booked into the new Hilton in Sydney and one night in the Landmark in HKG on the way back. Probably staying in the Excelsior for the other 4 nights (mostly due to the dickens bar )

Dean

Try the following:-

Fish Market @ Darling Harbour (get there by 8am, but worth getting up for, especially on a Friday which is the busiest day)

Buy a Sydney travel pass, available at the airport and other tourist information offices. Can cover 1, 3 or 7 days and includes all buses, ferries and local trains, also three free cruises and the Bondi and Sydney Explorer buses.

The Rocks - do the guided tour and also visit the weekend market there.

Maritime Museum @ Darling Harbour.

Hero of Waterloo pub - also in the Rocks area.

If time allows, an overnight trip to the Blue Mountains is most enjoyable. Travelling there and back by train is a must!

Lots and lots to do in Sydney, its finding the time to do it![y][^]:D

A few more suggestions.

Escape the city by catching the bus to Palm Beach - aka Summer Bay. It's an hour and a half away but worth it if you're after some peace and relaxation.

Visit Taronga Zoo for a glimpse of the cutest baby penguins, platypus, kangaroos, koalas and much more. The view of the city is spectacular from the cable cars which go down to the pier.

Catch a show or concert at the Star City complex in Pyrmont. There's plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and even a huge casino there, as well as a luxury hotel.

Take a dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour and enjoy the views of the city at sunset (always popular).

Visit the Sydney Observatory (free) and take a picnic with you.

The Strawb

Originally posted by shoreside
Try the following:-

Fish Market @ Darling Harbour (get there by 8am, but worth getting up for, especially on a Friday which is the busiest day)

Agree, fish market definetly worth a visit, if you like you seafood. Stay for lunch and have a fish feast!!

Red sydney explorer drops you within walking distance.




and checkout the friendly neighbourhood pelicans...

Handy topic this, since I'm in the area with work atm! I've also been abandoned to my fate my the co-workers (they flew back today!) so any V-Flyers who fancy a pint, I'm here until the 14th!

Recommendations: Well, if you like your history, the Sydney Museum and Hyde Park Barracks are interesting places to spend a couple of hours. Neither is very big so you shouldn't end up suffering from museum fatigue if you visit them

As for me, I think I'll have to check out the Lord Nelson, know that I've found out it's about 1/4 miles from where I'm actually staying!

Darryl

[HighFlyer]

I'd also recommend the tours of the Sydney Opera House.

I bought my tickets on the day, and you basically get shown around the different theatres and backstage and get a good feel for the workings and history of the place. If you are lucky you can catch a rehersal of one of the evenings shows. Architecturally speaking the building is quite fascinating (damn that sounds nerdy!) and the tour is cheap as chips.

If your not planning on taking in a show id certainly recommend doing the tour so you get to see inside the Opera House.

Dining: I recommend Jordon's Seafood at Darling Harbour. Their seafood platters are amazing! Though prepare to spend quite a bit!


The fish market is great for seafood as well, the lobsters there are surprisingly cheap!


Climb the bridge - you need to book in advance though and unfortunately, I didn't get to climb.

Of course, visit the Opera house and if you feel like spending, dine at Guillaume at Bennelong. From what I hear, it's a essential Sydney dining experience..

Jumping in here, how far exactly is the airport from the main hotel area / city centre and how much roughly to ge there by taxi or whatever?

Have discovered it can cost loads for this sort of thing eg JFK-Manhattan $45-53 depending on direction; Frankfurt to city approx Û22 and that's apparently 4km.......does add up in the long run - disadvantage of booking things outside a package holiday.

Is the Taronga zoo the place where you can go and hold Koalas, pet Kanagroos etc (as per loads of photos you always see) or are there specific wildlife parks for that sort of thing?

How far in advnace should the bridge be booked? Not sure whether to pay the extra and go up at dusk either.

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by xenole
Jumping in here, how far exactly is the airport from the main hotel area / city centre and how much roughly to ge there by taxi or whatever?

The airport is only about 6 miles from the main centre of Sydney, very quick and easy to get to by cab, i'd say not more than 20 minutes, and around AUD$30 maximum for the trip.

Is the Taronga zoo the place where you can go and hold Koalas, pet Kanagroos etc (as per loads of photos you always see) or are there specific wildlife parks for that sort of thing?

Taronga zoo is one of many places, i think Prince Harry came to Taronga zoo, but when i was in Australia, practically every zoo/park etc offered 'Koala cuddles'. Id definately advise doing it though, they are lovely animals, very sweet, and the cuddles are very popular too, often big queues to hold them.

How far in advnace should the bridge be booked? Not sure whether to pay the extra and go up at dusk either.

I did the Twilight climb and booked as soon as the day was bookable. IIRC, its 3 months in advance that the days are released. The twilight climb is more expensive but well worth it in my opinion as you get to experience day and night and watch the sun set over Sydney. The views are spectacular!

Its not cheap, but its one activity that i would certainly recommend as its a unique way to see Sydney, and the bridge is such an icon. Go for it!

HTH?

Thanks,
Sarah

[mitchja]

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Originally posted by xenole
Jumping in here, how far exactly is the airport from the main hotel area / city centre and how much roughly to ge there by taxi or whatever?

The airport is only about 6 miles from the main centre of Sydney, very quick and easy to get to by cab, i'd say not more than 20 minutes, and around AUD$30 maximum for the trip.

HTH?

Thanks,
Sarah

The other option is to take the subway into the city. Not sure about the international terminal, but I do know that the domestic terminal has a subway station. Very easy and pretty cheap as well to get to/from the city. Several stations around the city as well.

I'll be using the subway again on my next visit to SYD in June.

Regards

[mcmbenjamin]

Yea CityRail goes to both the International and Domestic terminals. If you have some types of CityRail passes there is an extra charge to exit.

The fare CBD to the airport is about AUD13.

Purchasing a Sydney Travel Pass entitles you to a return journey on the Airport Express - airport/downtown Sydney.