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Sydney 23 Dec - 1st Jan then onto Perth advice please.

Sydney 23 Dec - 1st Jan then onto Perth advice please.

Old Aug 12th, 2014, 05:26 PM
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Sydney 23 Dec - 1st Jan then onto Perth advice please.

We arrive in Sydney 23rd December.
Would I need to book restaurants all through December?
Iam booking the Shangri La for Christmas lunch.

Can you get a ferry pass which allows you to hop & and off ?

Our hotel was fully booked Jan 31st, we are booked into an airport hotel.
We want to see the fireworks at New Year. Is the traffic very busy after the fireworks ?
We are not planning on hiring a car in Sydney , walking or using ferries.
Husband and son climbing Sydney harbour bridge. What other must see would you recommend with a teen.

I really need to plan Perth , only solid plan is to visit Rottnest island, what else would you recommend in Perth?
We are staying with friends for 9 days in Perth will be hiring a car here.
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Old Aug 12th, 2014, 11:35 PM
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Just an FYI that Perth will be very hot, which might limit your activities somewhat.

Plenty to see and do here though, some suggestions:

Kings Park
Swan Valley, Caversham Wildlife Park, wineries, breweries, chocolate factories, coffee roaster, etc
Yanchep Nat'l Park, Walunga Nat'l Park
Perth Mint
Swan River cruise to Fremantle
Fremantle prison, café strip, maritime museum, shops and restaurants
Hillary's Boat Harbor, aquarium
Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough Beach, City Beach, etc

If it were me though, I'd be hiding from the heat.
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Old Aug 13th, 2014, 01:21 AM
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Sydney: Yes, book any restaurant you especially want to go to well in advance. You will be here at absolutely peak season - as you have discovered with NYE accommodation.

NYE: Yes, there will be lots of people going home after the fireworks, of which there are sessions at 9pm & midnight.
Just relax & enjoy the atmosphere - there will be extra trains to get people home.

Sydney's a big town and there will probably be a couple of million people on & around the Harbour on NYE.

If you haven't already done so, you might want to give some attention to booking a vantage spot or deciding where you want to go ...& plan to be there early if you opt not to go to one of the reserved(paid) spots. Google Sydney NYE to see what's available.

Ferries: others will have a better idea about the "opal" cars which is being rolled out at the moment.

Other things of interest: depends on YOUR interests. It's summer, most people like to dabble in the water. There are some lovely Harbour walks, kayaking, sailing or keyboarding that may interest your teen. Have a look at the destination tab for Sydney here and/or google "what's on in Sydney".

Most places will be closed on Christmas Day.
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Old Aug 13th, 2014, 03:47 AM
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Get a MyMulti pass for transportation in Sydney and it will allow you to take trains, ferries, and buses just about anywhere you want to go (including the Blue Mountains, which is recommended and might be cooler ).

With 9 days in Perth you have plenty of tine to drive south to the Margaret River area where there are wineries, nice restaurants, forests, beaches, and caves. It will likely be much cooler. I've stayed in that area (albeit in the country) 3 times in Dec-Jan. and remember only a few days during the 6 weeks when the heat was oppressive.
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Old Aug 13th, 2014, 03:20 PM
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Thanks so much for all the information sorry I forgot to say please in my request.
Yes we know Perth is much hotter than Sydney, at least it is a dry heat my friend said.

I didn't realise there would be 2 firework events NYE Sydney, that does sound ideal since our flight is 7am to Perth, would you recommend staying up to midnight regardless? We are night owls.
Would I be best to prebook the Bridge Climb? Iam unsure of what time would be best due to the heat?

Great info on ferry travel pass thanks that sounds ideal.

My friend has also said to visit the Margaret River region. I also like the sound of the swan river cruise to Fremantle. Thanks
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Old Aug 14th, 2014, 12:23 AM
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Worth staying til midnight if you have views of the harbour bridge. If you are going to try a free area plan to get there not much after lunch, paid whatever time they advise. Expect to pay $300-1000pp for prime places - consider the botanic gardens, zoo, opera house in that case and expect tickets to sell out as soon as they go on sale anytime now. I missed out on taronga zoo $500pp last year because I was too slow, sold out the morning they went on sale. Ticket master and ticketek sometimes sell them or contact directly. Tripadvisor had some good articles on nye. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity so if you're in sydney stay up. Expect 1-2 million people to join you...

I haven't done the bridge climb but I've been told it's a must to book...
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Old Aug 14th, 2014, 12:56 AM
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Of you have a limited time frame for your Bridge climb, it would just be common sense to book ahead in peak holiday period, I would think. This is peak of the peak holiday period.

There are various times, pick early morning or evening if you think the middle of the day will be too hot for you.
Note too that you will be wearing a bridge climb overall, so wear something light underneath.

Anyway, no doubt you have seen all this on the bridge climb website.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2014, 05:02 AM
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Hey there!

I think you got most things answered already.

Just to add to Perth - I went there last year from 12/25 to 01/10 and although it was very hot on some days, it was generally pleasant, with some days even a bit cold. Don't forget that nights in Perth are much colder. Also, beaches in Perth are best in the mornings, because it gets very windy past noon.

In Perth, apart from the mentioned above, go see the Heirisson Island for spotting and approaching some 'wild' kangaroos

Driving further from Perth, you can also take a short ferry ride to the Penguin Island! It's awesome! The Pinnacles are also worth checking out, and you can stop in a Lobster farm on the way (Lobster Shack).
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Old Aug 23rd, 2014, 03:08 PM
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Thanks for the info on Perth, will have to look those suggestions up.

We will be staying with friends in Success, Wa. We are going to Murray River for 2 nights, she said we need to book this ASAP now, the area books up quickly.
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