Trip to Australia

Wengzor

Wengzor

Wengzor

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Joined
29 May 2012
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16
Hi all,

Due to a bit of luck I'm off to Australia for 2 weeks in November. :eek:

We will be spending 4 days in Canberra due to work but after that we will have 8 days to spend elsewhere.


Initially thinking of staying in Sydney for a few nights as this is where we will be flying from.

There seems to be a ton of stuff to see in Sydney, so I’m hoping you awesome lot could recommend where we should go.

Oh any recommendations on where to stay in Sydney would be a massive help too. :D


Thanks in advance :D
 
I'm literally writing this post from Melbourne after spending two weeks in Sydney for a work trip that came out of the blue! :)

Brought out my partner and we stayed here: https://www.meritonapartments.com.au/sydney/campbell-street

It's right in the middle of town and walking distance to anywhere.

On the edge of China Town so filled with great food options - we've joked about the fact that we've not used a fork and knife for a fortnight - in favour of chopsticks!

Worth getting up to near the Opera House for a wander.

The State Library of NSW, Botanic Gardens and State Art Gallery are all free with free tours so worth checking that out.

Getting on the ferry (just the same as catching a bus/short train) over to Manly to see some of the nicer beaches is worth a trip.

Oh, two things I learnt while staying in Sydney...

1) "VIP Lounges" (that are everywhere) aren't strip clubs... They can't advertise "pokies" (gambling machines) so pubs call them vip rooms or lounges.

2) Thai Massage parlours (that are also everywhere) essentialy are stip clubs... with happy endings... They call them Rub 'n' Tugs - ha :)
 
Just spent ages typing out a reply but it didn’t post. Grrr.

Anyway, I go to Australia a lot - 3 trips so far this year, back there again in December. You can see my photos and stuff here if you’re interested.

http://www.markc.me.uk/Gallery/

Sydney is a beautiful city - probably my favourite in the world. The harbour is simply stunning. If you’re there for 8 days I’d suggest spending a couple of days in the Blue Mounts too - only a couple of hours west of Sydney.

In terms of where to stay, I usually stay at on the Mantra places. Kent Street I think from memory is probably my favourite. Right in the middle of everything, and they’re decent apartment type rooms, with washing machines/small kitchen.

If you want somewhere a bit prettier then staying around Darling Harbour is also great. Oaks Goldsborough for example are proper apartment type rooms, and only a couple of minutes from Darling Harbour’s bars and great restaurants. If you like steak, then the Meat & Wine company on Darling harbour is awesome!

In terms of things to do:

Get the Manly Ferry to Manly, and spend the day wandering about there. Chilled environment with a great surf beach, and some great restaurants. I usually try and stay a couple of nights in Manly if I can - usually at the Sebel. Even the view from the ferry across the harbour is awesome!
Taraonga zoo is also pretty cool, even for the views back across the City if you’re not that interested in the animals.
Don’t forget Bondi Beach too. Not too far from the City. Also, there’s a great coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee beach. See here: http://www.bonditocoogeewalk.com.au/ Personally I prefer it in the other direction - walking up from Coogee to Bondi, and then have lunch in Bondi.

Where else…? Well, there’s some good museums depending on what you like?

There’s a great walk up to North Head too from Manly by the way - bit of a slog compared to Bondi to Coogee, but some great views.

It’s a spectacular place, I love it! Canberra unfortunately though is as dull as a dull thing.
 
Thanks so much for the replies everyone – it’s very much appreciated!!!! :D


Evangelion - I think the Opera House will be a must see. I really fancy the bridge climb, not sure if our lass will though.



Jobe – thanks will have a read up on Manly beach.



RoyMi6 – sounds like you’re having a class time :D

Dunno why, never even though to look at apartments, makes a lot of sense. The Meriton apartments look stunning – we were hoping we might be able to find something little bit cheaper but after quick search it’s not looking good.

Read quite a bit about China Town so will be checking that out.

Excellent shout with the free places, they will defiantly be worth a look.

LoL will have to make sure I remember the differences between the "VIP Lounges" and “Thai Massage parlours”. Hahahaha Rub 'n' Tugs :D



MacRS4 – some amazing pictures, quite like the idea of a road trip.

I have been debating the Blue Mountains, is it worth staying there for a night or two? Or is it just as easy travelling from Sydney?

Everything I’ve started reading mentions how good the ferries are, will defiantly be checking Manly and the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee.

Taraonga zoo looks really good also.

I was hoping you were wrong about Canberra but the more read, more it seem like the place not to be :(
 
Wengzor said:
Evangelion - I think the Opera House will be a must see. I really fancy the bridge climb, not sure if our lass will though.
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I haven't been to the OP, but my missus saw a performance there and she said it was an experience like no other.
 
Wengzor said:
I was hoping you were wrong about Canberra but the more read, more it seem like the place not to be :(
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Canberra is the capital of the nation, so it's crammed with politicians and public servants. A very well planned city, very scenic, but boring as hell from what I've been told.
 
I've just come back from two weeks in Sydney staying at the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo. There are some lovely places to eat on the ground floor of the Wharf, including a Chinese place called China Doll which I was told is one of the best places to eat in Sydney. We went there one night and it didn't disappoint.

One of my favourite spots was simply to sit in the Botanical Gardens, just across from the Opera House. I spent many hours there just enjoying the sunshine and reading.

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It might not be your thing, but I highly recommend a trip across the harbour to Taronga Zoo. It's also worth paying for the Koala experience and seeing one of the fuzzy little scamps close up!

OlGEYtol.jpg

Bondi is a must too. There's a lovely café in the Pavilion on the beach which does a nice Barramundi (big sea bass) and Chips.

If you're in the Sydney CBD, look out for a Japanese cake shop called Uncle Tetsu. It does a great Japanese Cheesecake (which is like nothing I've had before) and the Honey Madeleine's are amazing!

We didn't get time, but I hear it's worth the trek to the outskirts of Sydney to see the Blue Mountains.

On a side note - I don't know how well you do on long haul flights, but I recommend either Night Nurse or chatting to your GP for some Valium. It made the 21 hours flying a lot more bearable! Be prepared for 2-3 days of jet lag too. It was day four of our trip before I felt "normal".
 
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Blue Mountains is easy - 2 hours west, stay in Katoomba. One night is enough unless you're into bush trekking. With day 1 getting there at lunchtime you can see some stuff, following day do experience centre and head back Sydney.

It's a worthwhile trip, and a very easy drive.
 
Road trips from Sydney .... Well....I've done Brisbane to Sydney and while it's beautiful....It's not a patch on the Great Ocean Road. Problem is that's Melbourne out as far as Mount Gambier. I've also done Sydney to Melbourne along the coast as well.

I'll often look at the flights to see whether Adl/Melb/Syd is cheaper and arrange the trip from there - so I'll often end up doing the Great Ocean Road by driving from Adelaide. It's never disappointing!
 
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Sorry for the multiple replies - but be a bit careful with accommodation in Sydney. not only is it properly expensive, but Nov/Dec time it can be quite hard to find something that's of a reasonable standard that isn't excruciating on the pocket.

My advice would be to get it booked early if you can.

EDITed rather than another reply! Bill Bryson's Down Under book is a good read to prepare you for the place.

EDIT again - The point about jet lag is a good one by the way. I start managing my sleep usually a few days before, and make sure when I get on the plane I'm on Aus time already in terms of sleep. Day 1 is the hardest - assuming you get in in the morning if you can try and make it mid afternoon with only a brief nap, and then make sure you get up and out...Then you're usually OK? Dunno, I don't struggle with it anything like as much as I used to on my first couple of trips. I also found the route made a difference too, bizarrely.

My fave route by far is via Dubai with Emirates - try and get on an A380 all the way. It's so much quieter and just more comfortable than the 777s they also use on those routes. Makes a hell of a difference. I'd also sit the aisle too if you're not in business.
 
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Go to a restaurant in China Town called Arisun. Order the BBQ chicken with cheese. Thank me later.

If you're into seafood, go to the fish market. If you're into beef, go to the fish market and find Vic's Meat, order the brisket roll and (again) thank me later.

Can you tell I like you food? Oz is amazing for food.

The red open top bus tours are good for seeing everything in a few hours and getting your bearings. We did this on the first day and it was really worth while.

The Museum of Contemporary Art on Circular Quay is excellent (as is the library and gallery of NSW).

If you don't fancy the bridge climb (it takes out a big chunk of the day and it's expensive) then walk 1/3 of the way along the bridge and climb the pylon - the view is almost as good and it's not expensive.

Manly is a must, if you like walking, the views back to Sydney from North Head are fantastic and you can walk all the way back to Manly via Shelly Beach. It might be a bit too hot for that kind of thing in November though.

The Botanical Gardens are great and I'd also recommend visiting Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. If you go there for sunset, you get great views of the sun going down behind the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

I'll add more if I think of it. :)
 
Another vote for Meriton Serviced Apartments here. I am in Oz three or four times a year and whichever state / city I stay in I always opt for a Meriton if there is one.
 
MacRS4 said:
My fave route by far is via Dubai with Emirates - try and get on an A380 all the way. It's so much quieter and just more comfortable than the 777s they also use on those routes. Makes a hell of a difference. I'd also sit the aisle too if you're not in business.
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I went Malaysia Airlines Business Class from Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur. First flight was an A380 for 13 hours with a really brief stop at KL. Then it was a smaller plane for 8 hours to Sydney. The A380 was lovely in comparison.

If I was to go to Australia again I think I'd rather have a stop over between the two flights. 21 hours almost non stop was a bit too much for my liking. It takes my body 2 days to shift the feeling of motion!
 
Emirates via Dubai every time. Can't beat it.

They break the trip into three 7 hour flights.
 
Last time I went with China Southern, which was actually pretty good. Brand new planes on both legs; Dreamliner to Guangzhou then a 777 to Melbourne. Bargain for under £600.
 
You'll have a great time mate. I was there this time last year.
I agree with what the others say, Sydney is an awesome City and the Harbour is unreal.

Deffo go to the Blue Mountains, Manly Beach, Royal Botanic Gardens, visit Taronga Zoo.

The night life at the The Rocks and the city are good too.

Enjoy :-)
 
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