Need your help planning a trip to Sydney in January '98. My girlfriend and I are in the U.S. military stationed in South Korea. We want to spend about 10 days in and around Sydney in mid-Jan. What are the 'must see and do' things in Sydney? What day trips should we plan? Also, what overnight trips should we plan within driving distance of Sydney? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, You have to see the Rocks, Darling harbour, the Opera House, Botanic Gardens, the night life in Oxford Street. A good day trip would be to the Blue Mountains (you can get information about these trips from any hotel/hostel in Sydney). If I can think of anything else I'll reply again.

Sunday markets at the Opera House. Nightime stroll through Kings Cross. Taroonga Zoo. Bondi Beach. Coogee Beach.

Steve - all of the above are good suggestions. Definately check out The Rocks and the Opera House. Catch a ferry over to Manly and walk along the beach there. The Blue Mountains are definately worth seeing. You can do them in a day, or take your time and relax and spend the night. If you have time, a good overnight trip might be to Canberra. Its about a 3 hour drive from Sydney, and is quite pretty.

All the above are good suggestions. You may also like to visit the Hunter Valley as an overnight trip. It is a wine producing valley and you can go wine tasting and visit interesting historic towns. In Sydney I would also recommend visting the Darling Harbour area, which has an interesting maritime museum, aquarium and a casino if that is of interest. Sydney Tower is a good vantage point in good weather - it's in the city centre. If you will be driving take care if travelling outside Sydney (i.e. to the Blue Mtns, Hunter region or south) as January is bushfire season and roads can be cut off at short notice.
Have a great trip.