Author Topic: Going to Sydney  (Read 3240 times)

Cyanne

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Going to Sydney
« on: July 01, 2016, 08:37:35 PM »
My DH and I will be traveling to Sydney, Australia the first week of August. Any recommendations of what we must see? This will likely be a one-time trip so I want to make the most of it. We will arrive on Aug. 3rd and leave the morning of the 11th.

So far I have booked a whale watching tour and have set up a wine tasting in Hunter Valley. We do have a rental car for the whole time.

What else do we need to see? Bonus points if it isn't too expensive.

Thanks!

Choices

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2016, 09:52:02 PM »
The opera house tour and bridge climb are both amazing. I think they're both pricey too, but so worth it. Have a fantastic trip!

deborah

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2016, 10:32:38 PM »
There are two different ways to climb the bridge, and the more difficult one to find out about is by far the cheaper. Sydney has a lot of Aboriginal heritage, so you can go on a tour of that. The Blue Mountains are a world heritage site, and you should be able to get there without too much expense - there is a train, and the Three Sisters are not far from the station, or you can get a day tour there. Of course, you could go to world famous Bondi Beach, or out to the harbour heads by bus. Go on a trip on the ferry, walk around the harbour from circular quay, visit The Rocks, go to Cockatoo Island by ferry (it has a very interesting history, and is used for alternate art installations etc.).

Dicey

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2016, 10:35:56 PM »
I adored my time in Sydney. Alas, the weather did not cooperate the day I had hoped to do the bridge climb. I still want to go back and do it, so please, please, spill the details on the mustachian way to climb the bridge!

Cyanne

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2016, 08:06:45 AM »
I think we will go up to the Blue Mountains. We will have a car so we don't have to depend on tour schedules. Are there particular days that are less busy than others? I have to admit I don't like crowds and try to avoid them.

I'm trying to talk my husband into the bridge climb. He is afraid of heights so although he says he is willing I think it is easier to say for him to say so here at home and he will freak out once we are there.

Systems101

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2016, 08:43:08 AM »
I think folks have hit the big ones.  My week in Sydney was great...

I definitely recommend heading up to the Blue Mountains.  The Katoomba area has hikes of all difficulties.  I used the train and bought a bus service while there (although that admittedly cut off the end of my day in Katoomba, that was the choice I had made - I didn't use a car at all while I was in Australia).  I also visited Jenolan Caves (Lucas and Orient, I think?), although I won't claim that was cheap.

If you're going to do the Bridge Climb ... be flexible here, as wind/rain/other things can close the bridge.  So I'd recommend scheduling this early in the trip and have an alternative slot.

Other things I did that haven't been listed:
Bike Tour of City
   A nice to do, certainly different than other touristy things, and got to see things I otherwise would not have seen.  I did the harbor bridge ride, I think.
Zoo (via ferry from Circular Quay)
Sydney Aquarium
Olympic Park (swam in Olympic pool :) )
   I'm sorry to say the park overall is kind of a ghost town, but since I competitively swam growing up, being able to use the pool was kind of a "thing" for me.

hownowbrowncow

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2016, 12:40:43 PM »
-Take the bus out to Cogee (LOVE the public transit in Sydney, in 4 days never took a cab or uber), have a nice brunch/picnic, do the cliff walk up to Bondi Beach, relax at the end THEN take a bus up to Watson Bay and ferry back to Circular Quay
-Second visiting Cockatoo Island - very interesting
-Grab an excellent meal in Chinatown at the Dixon House food court (cash only)

pachnik

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2016, 02:12:55 PM »
I went to Sydney for a visit about 15 years ago and I still think about the Botanical Gardens there.  I enjoy plants and horticulture and I still remember about the huge bush of bird of paradise that I saw there.   Here in Canada, bird of paradise is one of the more expensive flowers at a florist and I"ve never seen it growing outdoors.  Too cold for our Northern hemisphere I guess.


Gremlin

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2016, 08:33:13 PM »
I went to Sydney for a visit about 15 years ago and I still think about the Botanical Gardens there.  I enjoy plants and horticulture and I still remember about the huge bush of bird of paradise that I saw there.   Here in Canada, bird of paradise is one of the more expensive flowers at a florist and I"ve never seen it growing outdoors.  Too cold for our Northern hemisphere I guess.

One man's trash is another man's treasure...

I'm in Australia and we have bird of paradise in our garden and it just seems to run rampant.  Mrs Gremlin doesn't mind it but I can't stand it at all!

Back on topic, I'd highly recommend the Blue Mountains and the Coogee to Bondi walk.  If you have a car and you are into nature, you can also get to the Royal National Park, just south of the city outskirts.  Much less touristy but iconic Australian flora and fauna.  A ferry trip on the Harbour is also a must - Circular Quay to Manly or Watson's Bay are the pick for me...

Lightetc

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2016, 09:19:13 PM »
As someone who doesn't do heights well (3 storey escalators make me nervous), I had very minimal issues with the bridge climb. We did the walk where you were "inside" the bridge most of the way, rather than on the very top the whole climb and I loved it. The hardest part was the first 20m and after that, all good. You're not actually near the edge and you tend to look out rather than down. Great experience, particularly at sunset - you go up in the daylight and down with all the city lights!


marty998

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Re: Going to Sydney
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2016, 09:36:09 PM »
Sydney to Hunter Valley is a several hour drive... just be mindful you'll be there an entire day.

Been a very long time since I did Bridge Climb, but it's well worth it.

Cable car and a walk down to the 3 Sisters are the things to do at the Blue Mountains... I'm not sure there are any "quiet" days as such. Always busy so get down there as early as you can.

 

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