State of New South Wales Travel Forum

Hi all!

Me & my wife do have a stop-over at Sydney from 30.12.09 - 02.01.10 and we are currently planning our stay:

a) we are looking for central accommondation in the centre of Sydney: nothing luxury --> clean, friendly atmosphere, central and reasonable prices. Maybe somebody has a good recommendation for us? What´s average price at this time of the year in Sydney (I fear, it´s expensive)?

b) Has somebody a good idea for New Years Eve? I assume, the fireworks at the opera will be fantastic. What´s a good place to the those? Do you have to be there quite early to find a good "free" place to watch them (e.g.already in the early afternoon?).

c) any other hints / recommendations for us, e.g. good restaurants, bars, clubs in Sydney which we should visit while being 3 nights in Sydney?

Thx in advance for your answers...!!!

Carsten

i would be on a holiday in australia in dec 09. can i get a prepaid SIm card valid for 10 days use in australia at sydney airport??

will this card be useable in new zealand also ??/

what would be the apprx cost of this card and how much talk time will i get ?

Hello! I hear that surfing is one of the must do things in Australia. Some friends and I are going to Bondi Beach Sydney and would like to take a lesson on surfing. I've been looking up places online and Let's Go Surfing seems to be a great place to start because they've got a website where we can sign up. I'm wondering if you know of any other good surfing shops that do lessons in Bondi that may not have a website and if its possible to just figure it out when we get there and still be able to get lessons without reservations.

Thanks!

Spending a month in Aus May next year after travelling around NZ for 6 weeks. We will fly straight to Sydney and will be staying in hostels all the time we are in Aus. Any ideas on cheap (ish) hostels in Sydney as I know it's a pretty pricey place?
Also- is it easy to find hostels or should we plan exactly which ones we're going to?

Cheers

Hello Oh-Worldly-Ones,

DH and I will be in Nowra on our wedding anniversary and would like to celebrate with a nice dinner. Have come across The Red Raven and The Butter Factory.

Anyone in the area willing to comment on either/both?

Thanks,

Kelly Anne

hi guys,

we are planning on going to Sicily for New Years eve (dec 27 to jan 10) and would like to know a little more about the region.
1-How will be the weather like during this period? too rainy?
2-As for the holiday, what is the typical cultural habits of the region?
3- we will be probably fly to Sydney, any suggestions of must see areas/destinations?
4- How is the commerce during this period? are we be able to go to restaurants/shops and so?
thank you so much for your help!

Hi all,

I'm returning to Sydney for a week next February. I lived there, in Darling Harbour for 1 wonderful (amazing) year, 7 years ago. Now that I'll be returning as a tourist, I'm looking for a good-value hotel (budget ca. USD$120 / night). Ideally in the city centre or Manly. Any suggestions?

Many thanks,
Nov*

I applied and got my working visa accepted. This cost me 230$. I quit my job and was ready to leave canada for australia on Nov 10th. I have a contract at a chippendales show Saturday the 7th and cant leave before that. I thought i was leaving for two years and then yesterday I was offered a job I could not refuse for the Canadian governement starting Jan 11th. Now, Im not going there with all the money in the world so I could work but money will never be a problem when I get back in january so my options are opne.

I could cancel my work visa, lose the cash and change it for a travel visa or I could go for 2 months, maybe work a few bars on weekends, travel the counrty during the week and MAYBE go back in march. My employer back here would probably be willing to give me another few months during the low season before I am employed full time(after my contract ends).

Question is: Should I waste my work visa for only two months guaranteed? Should I work if I only have two months to at the very least see travel the east coast of australia?

As residents of Australia or visitors of Australia, what do you think I should do?

Hey team - wow it's been a while since I've posted...heading to Byron on my own for a week (arriving on Saturday). Is anybody going to be there for a beer/run in the sun? If so, get in touch. Happy travels :) Mike

thanks for resposes to my earlier query on beach resort near sydney.

we have decided to spend a few days at the entrance and wonder if the allamanda retreat there is recommended???

we are currently in sydney eastern suburbs and are seeking a short beach break a couple of hours drive from sydney. we will have our 2 year old grandson and his parents with us.

any recommendations on suitable locations and hotels or other accommodation please?

Looking to buy a World wide 4 band cel phone for use in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and next year in Cuba.
Anyone know whether it is more expensive to buy downunder or in Vancouver, Canada? Prices here are up to $140 CDN for a Motorola.

Also memory cards and flash drives?

I feel a little silly, but what is the difference between a weekly concession TravelPass and just a regular weekly TravelPass in Sydney? They are significantly cheaper, but I can't seem to figure out why.

I'm looking at the bottom of this page: http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/commuter/travelpass

Any suggestions on a nice place to stay in the Blue Mountains...Katoomba maybe. Need room for 2 nights for two adults and an 11 month old baby. Budget approx 300 AUD.

Thanks,
Jason

Hi,
We are travelling to Sydney for a holiday in Late November and plan to spend a couple of nights in Katoomba (Blue Mountains). From here we then plan to drive further North/West to stay in Mudgee for a couple of nights, before heading back to Sydney for a week.

I am wondering if anyone here has ever driven this route, and how confusing it is to drive a rental directly from the airport through to the other destinations and return? I am used to driving on the other side of the road, so this may be a challenge as well. The other option we are exploring is to get the train to Katoomba and rent a car somewhere in the vacinity there to drive to Mudgee....but public transport with a load of bags and an infant may not be so desirable ;-)

Thanks

My wife and I are going to be in Sydney over New Year, arriving 30th Dec and then leaving 4th Jan (heading off around the rest of Aus). This is our first visit to Australia and I was not prepared for the massive price hike and lack of availability over NY.

I've been in a different city of the world over New Year for most of the past decade, but never found it this difficult to get reasonable accomodation at a reasonable price.

Ideally, we'd want to be somewhere fairly central or that is easily linked with the main attractions.

Anybody got any ideas? Was hoping to pay under 75AUD/night, but it seems that I'm being optimistic (let me point out, I live and work in the center of London, so it's not as though I'm not used to city centre prices, I just expect there to be some graduation in price from the top end down to the lower end).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Good Morning, I am planning a short stay in Sydney and wondered if my S.A. seniors card entitled me to a discount on either the train from the airport into the city and/or Lite rail monorail 3 day pass. I have looked at a number of websites including the public transport one - can,t say I saw any cheaper prices.
Here in S.A. public transport is free for us outside of peak hour.

Paid for air ticket to be in Sydney from Dec23 for one week!
Wish to stay in hostel with 2 kids.
I am trying to find budget hostel that I can easily travel to CBD area by public transport, so that I can avoid paying 50A$/per Person to stay in CBD area hostel!
Not far from Sydney attractions…..but connected by good public transport
I understand I need to avoid King Cross area
any suggestion
Thanks

Has anyone gotten this pass for hotels without using a travel agent?

I have my canadian drivers liscence as well as my full motrocycle liscence.

Can I drive a motorcycle in Sydney with my itnernatinal permit?
Can I purchase a motorcyle in Sydney and regester it in my name?
How much will it cost to register?
How much will a 1000CC bike cost to insure?
What is the price range on insurance from different bikes?

Hi Sydney VT members. Lady Gaw and I are going to Sydney for a few days and I've found that the all day Pensioner Excursion costs $2.50/person/day for train, hus and ferry travel in Sydney - great value (applies to age pensioners and seniors card holders - and yes interstate seniors cards are accepted too). Just wondering if that same all day ticket can be used on the light rail and monorail.

Thanks

David (SirGaw)

early November. I have a few comments and question but my main question is. I have a university degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Will this Canadian University degree be recognized in Sydney and if not, what can I do to get an equivalency for it?

Here is a little bit more information about myself. I am leaving Canada and my current job as an income tax consultant. I have held this job or two years. I have 4 years experience in bartending and way too much experience in partying. I also have 6 years experience in hard labor involving the driving of a lift truck. I understand that work for travelers is mainly, bartending, waiting and fruit picking. I am well rounded and figure finding work shouldn’t be hard. I am looking for big money work and am willing to work very long hours.

Can I expect to get an office job which is representative of my degree and how much will it pay?
Can I expect a job in mining, construction, or driving a lift truck and how much will it pay?
Honestly, I rather spend the next two years working in a bar 7pm to 7am and partying like a rock star, how much does that pay and can I expect work as many hours as I want?

I understand that living arrangements can be quite expensive in Sydney, hostels are 150 are week…But I plan on making all my own meals because I follow a strict protein diet.

I’m heading to your beautiful country with money to survive but I plan to come back with money in my pocket. This includes seeing the better part of Australia and flying to Thailand for a few months. This is why I plan on working so much. Does that seem reasonable?

Any advice is great, thanks a bunch, see you in a few months!!!

Will be in Sidney for the World Master's Games from October 9 to 18 as a spectator.
My brother is entered in golf and staying at the Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour$$$$$.
I will be following the football around Castle Hill and Kellyville.
Any suggestion for decent reasonably priced single accomodation (B&B, hostel, Hotel, Motel)near Darling Harbour or somewhere between the two areas will be appreciated.
Also any transportation hints between the two areas is needed.

Will be spending a few days in the Blue Mountains (where I don't know) and then travelling to Brisbane. How is the bus trip and how long? Thought of flying but like to see the country.

Hey all,

Planning a 10 day trip to the Sydney area in Early December. Current planned itenerary is 5 nights in Sydney, 2 somewhere in the vacinity of the blue mountains, and 3 nights in the Hunter Valley...because we love wine!

My wife and I will be travelling with a 1 year old child, so we are hoping we can do most transport publically, as we don't plan to take our car-seat. Any suggestions as to the best route/way from Sydney to these locations? I know the trains run to Katoomba so that should be fine...guessing we'll stay somewhere there (thinking Katoomba or Wentworth Falls). Hunter Valley however is giving me some troubles deciding where would be the best place to stay and how best to get there...any ideas or tip welcome!

Also wondering about travel between the two destination so that we can avoid backtracking.

Thanks a bunch!

Jason

Dear ALL,
I just notice that the double-decker bus for hop on and hop off tour is too expensive for the person who only want to visit echo point and scenic world. Is there any public transport, bus, or taxi that can be used to shuttle between Katombaa station and echo point and scenic world?

Thanks

Im from scotland and am planning on heading to sydney next year for about 3 months. I have found accomodation in a hostel near bondi, but was wondering how much cash i should have for the 3 months incase i cant find work, need food and things like that.
I have travelled alone before but never to this far away.
Also, what is it like in winter over there as i know it would be a little quieter?
Would be a great help if sumone can answer this for me.

cheers
x

Some of you might remember me as the crazy guy who is visiting Sydney for a week just because I got cheap tickets because of Northwest's introductory sale.:)

I'll be in town this coming Sunday the 6th through Friday the 11th. I know there is a VT meet going on, but I can't make it to that. If anyone wants to join me, the first round is on me (limit 10 people) :)

I'm also looking for a good restaurant or two where I can sample some local dishes, as well as something exotic, so long as it isn't grubs or something.

Thanks,
Phil

I a planning to visit Sydney/Melbourne with my wife and my daughter (3 years) in Nov. Can you please suggest reputable tour operators through which i can book tours (online) to Blue Mountains/Hunter Valley/Port Stephens etc...???

And while going to melbourne city, which airport should I land-- Avalon or Tullamarine if I want to visit the popular tourist attractions??

We are a family of four adults that is coming over for the Military Tattoo in Feb 2010. The problem is finding accommodation that is nice but not expensive. We are debating the question of hiring a car so staying in the outskirts wouldn't be a big problem but since its a quick trip thought saving that expense and staying more central to the city would be preferable.

Anyone know of hotels that are centrally located that offer nice family rooms that don't cost the Bomb!

Or maybe a motel that is on the outskirts that offers public transport etc?

Or maybe direct me to the suburbs that are nice to stay within, the last time we stayed at the Maze Backpackers in town and although central, i would rather not watch the cockroaches race across the floor. Our main interest is the Tattoo on the saturday night.

Cheers Heather

I'm going to be visiting Australia for the first time in November. We'll be in Sydney for 7 days in November. While we want to see all that Sydney has to offer, we also want to get further out into New South Wales as much as possible. We're already planning on doing the Katoomba/Blue Mountains/Jenolan Caves day trip.

What other day trips would you recommend from Sydney? Are there any places to go horseback riding?

Also, there are so many beaches in Sydney! Should we try and hit as many as possible, or are there ones that come highly recommended by locals?