Spending New Year in Sydney.

comping_cat

Im planning a holiday for this time next year.

Im not sure exactly where we are going yet, but i do know we will be spending Christmas in Melbourne, as we have friends there.

What im thinking is maybe flying to Sydney on New Years Eve, and then flying onto our next destination the following day.

So, im after advice - i know Sydney will be incrediably busy, and things could be expensive - but it is something that i would love to experience.
Its going to be myself and my 2 children (they will be 13 and 15) so i need to know what transport will be like, what sort of things will be happening, what we should try and see while there and if anyone has a good online map showing where the main attractions are (bridge/opera house etc) so that i can plan in advance where the best places to stay and visit are. Ive been trying to find a detailed map online, and im failing miserably.

Am i wishing for something that will be difficult, expensive and almost impossible? I just feel if im going all that way, spending so much money that i really want to experience as much as we can!

Thanks for any help and advice.

seafarers_wife

ive been to sydney a couple of times but never on new year. the best book i could find is the rough guide to sydney as it has maps in there as well as info about the different parts of sydney.

if you are going to be there for more than 1 day i would recommend doing the bridge climb as it is absolutly amazing and really worth the extra day if you can fit it in.

transport i imagine would be running pretty much as normal as its a big city and it can take over an hour to drive from one end of the city to the other.

also when you get into sydney airport there are free maps/guidebooks dotted about that you can pick up and take with you.

most things are located pretty centrally, the cbd is pitt street and the opera house and harbour bridge are not very far from there, same with most of the museams and "tourist" attractions. it depends what your budget is as i beleive they have fireworks near the harbour bridge so very local hotels may be booked up quick for that.

darling harbour area is nice and they have a big casino and a lot of tourist attractions and its not to far from the cbd so its easily walkable.

if you can jiggle your budget i would really recommend staying a couple of nights if possible just to get a taste of sydney as i go for 3/4 weeks at a time and still dont get chance to do everything i want.

SnowBelle_2

Hi,
First of all lucky you,spending New Year in such a wonderful place!
A lot of the well known sights in Sydney are close together so pretty much within walking distance of each other.
Darling Harbour has lots of places you could stay from the high end to the cheaper end,but obviuosly prices will reflect the time of year.
There is a monorail will stops there and goes on into the city,but it is a nice walk, also there is a ferry stop there which goes into circular quay it comes under the bridge and docks near the opera house it takes about ten minutes but the entrance is spectacular.
There is also a china town near to darling harbour for cheap eats and a food court at darling harbour itself.
Manly is a beach side suburb with plenty of places to stay,it has a very regular service into circular quay.
It could be cheaper than staying in the city & the beach is really nice.
Bus & train services are good and on time!and go regularly to the outer suburbs.
My advice for travel books would be to go to a Waterstones or similar and look through the books, as I have wasted many a pound on books that did not have the detail/pictures/info that was tailored to me.
Have a lovely time.Australia is wonderful.

richardw

We did NYE in Sydney and saw the fireworks on the Harbour Bridge, it is an amazing experience.

We were in the park at Mrs Macquaries chair http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=sydney&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Some get there in the morning to get the best spots, we were there about 1pm, with 11 hours to go, it is that popular with a great atmosphere.

spottydog

Sydney is always very busy on NYE. The best free firework viewing sites are often full from mid afternoon. Finding accommodation for one night could also be tricky as many of the hotels don't allow one night stays for NYE.

On NYE the ferries will stop by around 6pm with just a couple after the midnight fireworks for most wharves but buses and trains will be running (apart from the times when the bridges are shut) although the CBD bus stops do have alterations.

With regard what to see, the bridge climb is supposed to be good but expensive, the opera house should be seen but due to NYE access to the area will probably be limited. Definitely get the ferry between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay for the views of the bridge & opera house together and for only one day I'd probably just have a wander around Darling Harbour and the CBD.

If you can stay more than one days I'd definitely recommend it as you won't seen much in a day particularly on what is probably Sydney's busiest day of the year

jamsandwiches

We were in Sydney for last NY Eve and it was fantastic - wish we were going again next week. We spent the evening aboard a Captain Cook Harbour cruise which was worth every penny (about £300 each with all food and drinks and entertainment) no queue and hassle waiting about all day.
By lunch time the Opera House and surrounding area was full with no entry signs everywhere - people had claimed their place when we went for a walk after breakfast.
The hotel we stayed in had a 3 night minimum stay over New Year and the price was double the tariff. We booked in July and thank goodness we did as friends tried to book it in August and it was full.
Have a brilliant time.

Party_Animal

We did it 4 years ago when we went for the cricket. Absolutely heaving but brilliant. However,some people turned up without accomodation and there was none to be had. The fireworks were superb.

isplumm

Hi,

We saw the fireworks back in 2007 - brilliant - we did something called picnic in the park - where you get a picnic and can watch the fireworks - just above the opera house - great view - & no need to queue - we arrived there at 7ish ... great spot ... but will need something to sit on ... blanket etc.

Mark