Sydney Travel Forum

Hi

We are visiting Sydney next week!! Mar 3 to Mar 15. We are planning to spend 2-3 days in Sydney, then start driving along Highway 1 to Melbourne, visiting the coastal cities around highway 1 and staying in hotels around the area. (Sydney, Jervis Bay, Huskisson, Tilba Tilba, Gipsy Point, Swan Reach, Melbourne) I know it will be a tight trip in terms of time.. but we will be back soon!

We would love to get some advises from the locals on what are some must dos and must eats.. My bf and I both just turned 30, and decided to see Sydney by ourselves. Our travel consultant recommended a lot of actiivies around Sydney and Melbourne, but not so much along highway 1. Any recommendations you can provide us would be really appreciated.

There are so much to do around Sydney and Melbourne.. (we picked the Opera house, Coat Hanger bridge, Taronga zoo, maybe the Sydney Aquarium and Manly beach for Sydney; Eureka tower and Queen Vic Market so far and need more ideas for Melbourne)

Also, what are some good restaraunts around this area, good food, and not too pricy?

Thank you!!

I would look at staying at Lakes Entrance instead of Swan Reach. Lakes Entrance has a great beach and lots of activities near by.

If you not sick of coastal driving by the time you get to melbourne consider a trip along the great ocean road that includes tree top walks and visiting coastal scenery. It would be a long day trip (have done it a number of times myself) so I usually suggest an overnight stay with a return trip inland to visit Bendigo and/or Ballarat.

must dos on the drive down the coast are a bit problematic - i mean there is the cheese factory in bega but how big a thrill is a cheese factory?

it is the scenery and the beaches that are the thing

the little town of Tilba Tilba is worth a quick look - but I had friends who did this trip who were disappointed in Tilba Tilba so I am loathe to suggest it to anyone

Phillip Island is sort of on the way and is on all the tourist day trip options. The seal colony and penguins are worth a visit but with daylighr savings the penguins would be coming in around 9pm so you might have to find somewhere close to sleep.

Suggest you put on your home page where you come from - it does help us to help you.

You don't get to see too much of the coast along the coastal highway Syd - Melb and apart from Woolongong all the places along that highway are smallish. Consider an alternative of going from Syd to the southern Highlands (Bowral etc) and then on to Canberra - capitol of Oz - and stay for say 2 nights and then either the quick road to Melb (Hwy 31 - The Hume Highway) with maybe one overnight stop, or go through the high country via Omeo and then link back with Hwy 1 and onto Melb.

Here's a quickish list for Melb (without knowing what you want to see)
city circle tram ride (free) will cover most of the perimeter of the city.
Collins Street in city
Royal Botanical Gardens and the Shrine of Rememberence (great view from there)
Brunswick Street for bars, cafes
Lygon Street for Italian food
Little Bourke Street for Cantonese (chinese) food
Great ocean road as said above
If your interested in sports - lots of choices

BTW the Formula One Grand Prix will be on in Melb 13 - 16th March, so accom may be difficult

OK thats my views

good views

Hi,

on the way to Melbourne I advise to visit Wilsons Promontory Park (ca. 3 1/2 hours from Melbourne). Great hiking, lots of animals, views of the sea and rivers. Overnight stay in the park is recommended as it is a tedious drive from there to Melbourne. You`ll need a full day to appreciate it.

Philips Island is a must, but could be done as a daytrip from Melbourne. It is really nice. Don`t miss the historic farmstead, the coast hike around the farm lands, and the penguin parade.

I liked Melbourne a lot: the aquarium (as good as Sydneys), the zoo, the parks, the botanical garden, St. Kilda, good restaurants, excellent shopping - We had a fine B&B accomodation there, "Fountain Terrace" near St. Kilda - just great. They have a good internet website, just google them.
A daytrip to Ballarat (Gold Mining Camp - Historic Theme Park) and the Great Ocean Road is a must in my opinion.

Best regards - Michael

Hey..am also visiting Sydney was in Melbourne for a week.
In Sydney do also pack a picnic and rug and go to the Moonlight Cinema.
Do the Darling Harbour Walk. Get a weekly pass which will take you on any bus, train or ferry for a week.
Its very easy to get around like that. Visit the QVB building. Lots of nice cafes and bars in paddington.
Melbourne is lovely, you might catch the Comedy festival and the Grand Prix...lucky lucky...drive to Lorne which is a lovely coastal town along the great ocean road and drive upto to Apollo bay...
have a good trip guys!

Thank you so much everyone!! I really appreciate all your tips!!! :)

In Melbourne you should check out the Old Melbourne Jail. It makes for an interesting visit. You should also consider a trip along the Great Ocean Road where you can see the 12 Apostles, London Bridge and some other sites.

From Sydney a trip to the Blue Mountains is nice if you want to check out an area right outside etc...