Sydney

Old Sep 20th, 2014, 09:16 PM
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Sydney

Vague title I know.

We're considering a trip to Sydney for 6-7 nights, probably in November.

We've only been to Sydney once and that was more years ago than I care to admit, so I'm at a loss. This could well be our last opportunity for a quick (relatively) hop over from Perth.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to fill 5-6 days and insight into what type of weather to expect, where to base ourselves, etc.

Most likely we'll rely on public transport, not keen on renting a car at this point. Would prefer moderate self-catering accommodation in a relatively quiet, yet convenient area, if that's even possible. Interested in some great walks, good, but not frou-frou food, classic pubs or wine bars, sedate urban adventure if you will.

We're low key casual types, not interested in anything flash, definitely nothing that involves dressing up!
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 04:31 AM
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Sydney is easily to get around via public transport, with its network of ferries, buses, and trains, and did I say ferries. Get a MyMulti pass that's good for a week on all the modes of travel in and around Sydney; it'll be your best investment. We were in Sydney for 6 nights last November and had no problems getting around between the pass and our own two feet, save a cab ride or two.

If you like walking Sydney's the city for you. You can walk around the city center in a day, more if you want to hop into some of the museums, etc. One suggestion is to start in Hyde Park, making your way up Macquarie Street with its interesting Georgian-style buildings and through the Royal Botanic Gardens, hugging the harborfront; from the gardens you can access the Opera House. On the other side of the Opera House is the Rocks, well worth some time to get a better sense of Sydney back in the day. The truly beautiful walks are outside of downtown. You can do the classic Spit to Manly walk and ferry back from Manly to the city. Or the Bondi to Coogee walk for some fabulous coastline views. And make sure you get out on the water.

There's plenty to do in the city to occupy your time, but if you're looking to break up your stay, consider heading into the Blue Mountains for some hiking or the Hunter Valley for good food and wine.

Happy planning.
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 08:08 AM
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I would look at spending time not only in Sydney, but also somewhere like a Blue Mountains (as suggested above) or Southern Hoghlands for a couple of nights. You definitely won't need to rent a car, and if looking at moderate accommodation, best you focus on fringe areas outside of the CBD. In fact, I'd go as far as suggesting you stay in the suburbs, and sampling the city when you want. Anywhere in the Eastern Suburbs, and Lower North Shore would offer something other than 'typical' tourist accommodation, and definitely dining options that are more local resident orientated.
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 11:56 AM
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I think you should DEFINITELY come to Sydney--so we can meet--and I can thank you for all your help! (I'll be there Nov. 13 - 16, but working much of that time.)

I completely agree with the suggestions you've been given. In fact, we'll spend three nights in the Blue Mountains before Sydney. We've been there before and really enjoyed the area. Also, the beach walks are great suggestions.

Are you leaving Australia???
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 04:35 PM
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Hi Mel

I'll email you - had a page of stuff for you, went to add another link & the lot disappeared - twice! Agh. iPhones

I'll just say one of the places I thought might ticm your "away from the madding crowd, close to transport" boxes is Harbourside Apartments at Mahons Point. Footsteps to the ferry,
lots of good cafes & bistros within easy walking distance; trains 10 mins walk away at Milsons Point.
www.harboursideapartments.com.au

I haven't seen any of these apartments for a while, but will go & have a look on Wednesday when I'm down there. Friends used to stay there a lot.

You're really spoilt for choice with walks, around the Harbour and further afield in Kur-ring-gai National Park & West Head on Pittwater, North Head near Manly & the Royal National Park in the south at Audley.

Closer in, you can basically skirt the foreshore from Kirribilli to Manly - and then up to Palm Beach in the north.

Two of my favourite eastern suburbs walks are Rose Bay to Watsons Bay & Coogee to Bondi.

Sculpture by the sea is 23 October - 9 November, so keep it in mind if that works for your dates.

KVE, if you are who I think you are - welcome & nice to see you here. You'll be a great asset !

Mel- I'll send you those links shortly.

Weather in Sydney will be very similar to Perth in November, just not so humid. Light clothes, jacket for cooler nights, morning & the odd shower you might encounter. It will be great to have you in our town & I hope we can finally meet!
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 04:51 PM
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Thanks so much for the help, I'll take a look at all your suggestions.

Songdoc -

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. At the moment, looks like we're heading back to the US second quarter next year.
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 06:15 PM
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<At the moment, looks like we're heading back to the US second quarter next year.>

Well, you've had an amazing opportunity!!!
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Old Sep 23rd, 2014, 12:31 PM
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G'day Mel

Good to see you're coming to Sydney. I've started to prepare a list of chocolate shops / cafes for you!

Plenty to keep you occupied here - before you head back over there...

Good suggestions, as usual, from Bokhara.

G'day KVE - and welcome!
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Old Sep 23rd, 2014, 03:16 PM
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A woman after my own heart margo!
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Old Sep 24th, 2014, 04:23 PM
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Spent a few hours in McMahons Point yesterday, scoping out Harbourside Apartments for you. Apartment 80, 1BR, 1 Bathroom, on the top floor has great nor/east aspect & great bridge & opera house views.

This is an older property, but immaculately maintained & updated. So, while it doesn't have huge rooms or balconies, it has everything you'd need and I would be very happy to put up there for a week.

The location & neighbourbood is unbeatable - ferry & bus right there, 5 mins walk to all the cafes etc on Blues Point Road, couple of pubs. 10 mins walk to train at Milsons Point - or walk across the bridge in 15 mins.

More cafes, bistros at Kirribilli.
And - Mel, I forgot to say - the Kirribilli Club is handy for above average club priced meals. http://www.kirribilliclub.com.au/

More in the email.
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Old Sep 24th, 2014, 04:37 PM
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Wow, Bokhara, you've gone above and beyond! I'll definitely take a look, thank you so much!
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Old Sep 24th, 2014, 10:32 PM
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My absolute pleasure Mel. I sent a few pics with the email - some of the apartment & a few out & about in McMahons Point.

I had a look at the website & there are one bedders from around $275, I think.

This Indian restaurant looks good and has wonderful views. 5-10 minutes walk. www.harboursideindian.com.au
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Old Sep 25th, 2014, 12:44 AM
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Did someone say Indian?
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Old Sep 28th, 2014, 04:17 AM
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Good advice from Bokhara, as usual. Surprised that more visitors, esp repeat visitors, don't consider staying just over the bridge/ a short and scenic ferry ride away (great views earlier this evening as the Carnival Spirit left port), on the north side of the harbour - perhaps at the Harbourside apartments at McMahons Point, the Harbourview, Rydges, or McLaren Hotels at North Sydney (we've stayed at all four over the years), or maybe the Vibe Hotel at Milsons Point, or Glenferrie Lodge in Kirribilli.

Fwiw, we've been to the Harbourside Indian Restaurant once, a couple of months ago - the views and service were very good, as they are at the Kirribilli Club just along the street, and there was certainly nothing wrong with the food, but we've been spoiled over the years by the legendary Rama's Fiji-Indian in suburban Canberra. We were impressed by our one visit to Ivan and Lissie's Teahouse and Eatery in Union Street and close to where we now reside (in an overpriced cave) on the northern fringe of the North Sydney business district we frequent the Simple & Irresistible Kitchen (classier than the name - very good Thai food beautifully presented; prefer to select dishes rather than have the banquet) and Jago's cafe (reliably good breakfast and lunch fare), both especially handy if staying at Rydges or the McLaren. We've had a few pleasant meals at Piato [Mediterranean] in Blues Point Rd which I see gets variable reviews and among those well reviewed we might one day get around to trying are Kinn [Thai] and Rengaya [Japanese].

North Sydney Council employs a professional historian, Ian Hoskins, who has written a couple of excellent books on Sydney harbour and the New South Wales coast and he and others have developed a series of interesting walks -

http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Re...ycling/Walking
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Old Sep 28th, 2014, 11:51 PM
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Farremog - have you been to Nilgiri's? I used to go a bit when they were in Crows Nest, but haven't been since they moved to Artarmon.
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Old Sep 29th, 2014, 03:27 AM
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No I haven't - thanks for bringing it to my attention. Also serves as a reminder of the several dining options nearby readily accessible by train, in the case of Artarmon, or those at Crows Nest, Cammeray and Neutral Bay/ Cremorne by bus.

Should have mentioned the Union, and Rag and Famish Hotels in North Sydney as other good options for those staying at Rydges or the McLaren.

Also, for locals in particular, remember that Balmain (the Balmain East or Darling St wharf at least) is only one stop away from McMahons Pt on the [Darling Harbour] ferry. Good for a stroll or bus up the hill to trendy Balmain proper.
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Old Sep 29th, 2014, 04:20 PM
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I can highly recommend this Indian restaurant, Nithiks, in Rozelle:

http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food...203-31wik.html

As Farrermog instructs, you can take the ferry to Balmain and then a bus up to Rozelle.
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Old Sep 29th, 2014, 10:09 PM
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The things you learn that are right under your nose!

Thank you Farremog for moving to the overpriced bat-cave ... and reminding us about the McMahons Point - Balmain ferry.

I've lived in both places and have actually taken visitors on an inner Harbour circuit that would have taken all those points in - yet never thought about using it as a commuter to avoid Balmain's ahem "challenging" parking.

Thanks so much! I can see some summer dinners bookended by a trip on the water.

Luv from she who thought she was the "Ferry godmother"
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Old Oct 2nd, 2014, 12:59 AM
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Too bad you missed this then Bokhara (so did I) -

http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Li...yWeekFerryTour

[I'm still fairly 'new' to the area, but do have a bit of history here - one set of grandparents born in North Sydney and I spent a lot of time at McMahons Point when I was a kid - my other grandmother's place (a long term rental alas from WWII days when harbourside landlords found it difficult to attract tenants after the Japanese midget submarine attacks) overlooked Lavender Bay, Luna Park and the Harbour Bridge, my parents were living nearby when I was born, and now I'm just a few doors away from the rooms of the doctor who delivered me (the building heritage-listed despite that). My grandmother collapsed and died on the McMahons Point ferry Sunrise Star in the late 60s.]

Poking around with the assistance of excellent local history resources does remind us there is a lot around the harbour west of the bridge which should be of interest not only to locals, but visitors as well. For instance, for different harbour and city vistas and a reminder of the harbour as a working harbour take West Crescent St off Blues Point Rd to Sawmiller Reserve and then continue around to Berrys Bay with its boatbuilding history, and to Balls Head where the oil storage facilities have been transformed into parkland and the coal loader site into a vibrant Centre for Sustainability. Similarly, on the other side of the harbour, check out the walk around Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays with its transformed parkland waterfront (nothing like the grim place I remember), supercruiser berths and maintenance facilities, and views of the Anzac Bridge and funky Pyrmont high rise residential architecture back to the city and Harbour Bridge (take the light rail to the Jubilee Park stop for Jubilee Park, the Blackwattle cafe (closed Mon), continue around to the Boathouse Restaurant and then up Ferry St to Glebe Point Rd for restaurants, cafes, Gleebooks & etc, and buses back to the CBD/ Quay).
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Old Oct 2nd, 2014, 01:54 AM
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You've gotten so much great Sydney advice and I'm a total novice, but I do want to recommend taking the ferry over to Manly and getting fish and chips at the Manly Fish Market on Steyne Street. It's not fancy, it's not fussy, but it is insanely amazing fish and chips. My niece still talks about it in tones of awe.
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