Another Australia Thread!

Smurf71

Just catching up with this thread again-countdown well and truly on and am trying to finalise as many details as possible.

Many thanks for the advice totalsolutions-very much appreciated. If anybody else has some advice, please feel free to post!

spottydog

I'm a pom whose been living in Sydney for the last few years si if you have any questions I'll try and answer them. Things to do in Sydney:

• bridge climb (supposed to be good but I hate heights)
• get ferry between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, got to be one of the best views of Sydney as you go under the bridge
• the aquarium, get to the sharks in time for feeding and don't miss the dugongs
• the zoo with the ferry there & back, amazing views of the city & you get to see all the aussie wildlife
• cocktails in Australia Square, rotating bar near the top of the tower, great to watch the sun go down
• the rocks weekend market

With regard to getting to Sydney from the airport if there is more than one person a taxi will be about the same cost of even cheaper

when travelling around you don't get cheap day travelcards plus all CBD buses are now pre-pay between 9am and 7pm. check https://www.131500.info for more info.

Watch out for Kings Cross late at night as it is the drugs/prostitutes/nightlife area

For food during the daytime check the basements of many building, there are often foodcourts full of Aussies at lunchtime and I find their food is generally good.

HTH

spottydog

forgot to say for NYE plan in advance. I you are going to one of the free sites be prepared to get there early & wait as people get there for the best seats first thing in the morning and they are often full by late afternoon and stopping anyone else getting in

Smurf71

Nice one Spottydog. Great Advice all round, particularly for New Years Eve!!
Cheers!

Smurf71

spottydog wrote: »

forgot to say for NYE plan in advance. I you are going to one of the free sites be prepared to get there early & wait as people get there for the best seats first thing in the morning and they are often full by late afternoon and stopping anyone else getting in

For New Years Eve in Sydney, are there any particular sites or vantage points that would be the best place to see the fireworks that you would recommend?

tummy_tank

Anyone looking for accomodation in melbourne beware of Clarion Suite Gateway (it's no.6 in trip advisor). It prompted me to do a review just there on trip advisor. i chose it for the yarra river view but it was very noisy at night from flinders street station and the 'boy racers'.It did disturb our sleep.
However, it did remind me of a lovely day we had doing a wine tour with http://www.yarravalleywinerytours.com.au/ in a small mini bus 8 people and Yvette our driver was lovely, it let us see the Yarra valley and go to 4 wineries with lunch at DeBortolli

spottydog

Smurf71 wrote: »

For New Years Eve in Sydney, are there any particular sites or vantage points that would be the best place to see the fireworks that you would recommend?

Mrs Macquaries Chair is always a popular one. I would not got to much to the centre of town at the also use the CBD buildings and barges in the harbour for the fireworks.

We have gone to the Botannical Gardens but this requires you to be a member and book advance tickets. Last year we wandered down to Balmain East although from there you only get to see the back of the bridge light display.

As well as the midnight fireworks there is also a smaller display at 9pm which is still worthwhile watching.

City of Sydney will release a full NYE firework web details later in the year including all the public watching areas.

Smurf71

tummy_tank wrote: »

Anyone looking for accomodation in melbourne beware of Clarion Suite Gateway (it's no.6 in trip advisor). It prompted me to do a review just there on trip advisor. i chose it for the yarra river view but it was very noisy at night from flinders street station and the 'boy racers'.It did disturb our sleep.
However, it did remind me of a lovely day we had doing a wine tour with http://www.yarravalleywinerytours.com.au/ in a small mini bus 8 people and Yvette our driver was lovely, it let us see the Yarra valley and go to 4 wineries with lunch at DeBortolli

Thanks for the advice Tummy Tank, much appreciated. I've still to book accomodation in Melbourne so will take that on board. And many thanks for the link to the wine-tasting tour in Melboune, looks excellent!

Smurf71

spottydog wrote: »

We have gone to the Botannical Gardens but this requires you to be a member and book advance tickets. Last year we wandered down to Balmain East although from there you only get to see the back of the bridge light display.

Many thanks for this!

I've seen an offer for a cruise on the Harbour in NewYears Eve that would have a fantastic view of the firework display, as well as include a meal and drinks. My better half is sorely tempted to go for that!!

tummy_tank

If you do decide to do the wine tour you get a choice of lunch options when booking. De Bortolli is the best, i was told. You can also do a cheese tasting and or 'stickies' as an optional extra after lunch. Not expensive and worthwhile. We shared a 'stickie' and got to taste theie noble One dessert wine that retails for ?$300 a bottle, it was rather nice .
All this talk of Oz is severly making me jealous, we were there last November and I'm desperate to go back.
Have a fab time