Hello,

I am planning a trip for April/May of 2006 want to spend some time in Australia and New Zealand. Please advise on the best city in Australia to visit. The group traveling is mid 20's single bachelors.

This is so open to conjecture and of course really depends on what you are looking for. But for a group of single guys I'd probably suggest Sydney. You've got a good mix of beaches (surfing etc), pubs and clubs (socialising), good choice of hotel accommodation, some good cheap places to eat, and some really good mid range -expensive culinary ones, great day trips, plenty to do in the city, its home to some of Australia's greatest icons (harbour, the bridge, opera house) and there is even a really good cultural element if that's what you're after.

Thanx Danielle!

What you mentioned is exactly what we are looking for. Its going to be a mixed group so it seems like there is something for everyone. Is the time of year we picked a good time? What's the weather like?

I just returned for spending April and parts of May in Australia. I arrived in Sydney April 10 the weather was still like indian summer, returned to Sydney May 1 and it definitely had a touch of fall in the air.
Also remember it will be getting dark earlier. With the drought I lost only one day to rain in the entire month and that was in Perth. Average temps were between 20 and 23. Low 70's.

The weather in Sydney will be very pleasant in April/May. The beaches won't be very crowded since it is fall.

Sydney would be my first choice. The Rocks, Darling Harbour, the CBD, Darlinghurst and Newtown all have hotspots frequented by the younger set. Meanwhile, Bondi and Bondi Junction tend to have a lot of young people with working holiday visas.

Any city will have it's share of you people. Melbourne, Brisbane would the the next suggestions. Adelaide, Perth and even Cairns, Broome and Darwin are great for 20-somethings...they're smaller, so the people tend to converge at a few places.

Have a great trip.

Any city will have its share of YOUNG people...not you people. Sorry.

Thank you Decktime! I hope next year around that time it will still be warm so we can check out the beaches.


Thank you aswell yesiree100! I knew you ment young people instead of you people

I think we have decided on Sydney as the place to go. If anyone can send me more details about best places to stay and "hot spots" I'd be greatly appreciated. Thanx!

I did get to go to the beaches the first time through Sydney...loved Manly go there!
You will love Sydney a young person's city. Lots to do and see, I'll pay all of our Australian readers a compliment now...I think and you will find that Australian women are some of the most beautiful that I have ever seen! And Australians are some the nicest people on this planet! Enjoy..I'd go back in an heartbeat!

If you are looking for a great place to go - Surfers Paradise in Queensland, near Brisbane. Lots of young people around there and there is a lot of entertainment going on, too.

Decktime I shared your very helpful insight about hte peoepl and especially the women with travel partners and they are now MORE than excited to go!

We are still looking at Sydney but I just saw something about the commonwealth games in Melbourne next March. Would that be something to check out as well?

Im now researching accomodations any insight on that? We are looking between 100-120 a night. Saw the Travelodge and it got pretty good reviews so that's on the "potential" list.

myaustralia can you give me more insigth on Surfers paradise.

I'll leave others to comment on the merits or otherwise of Surfers Paradise. However, I will say that while it may have something to offer as an add-on to a Sydney visit - depending on the sophistication of one's tastes - to go there INSTEAD of Sydney would be a seriously bad idea.

Did not make it up to Surfer's Paradise but Manly and Bondi and some of the other Sydney are terrific. Where do you want to stay? The location is the key.
I stayed in the McCleay apartments just outside King"s Cross and contrary to anything I've read on these boards I had no porblems! I walked quite a bit and found many good restaurants, coffee houses and bars. So accomodation depends I'm sure you will hear from many veteran travelers on this board.
Don't give up on Sydney for Melbourne because of the Commonwealth games>It will be Rugby and Footy season when your planning to visit so take in either a rugby or Footy match while in Sydney.

The Lonely planet guide books are terrific sources of info.. Lonely Planet Sydney and the one for New South Wales.They helped me enormously.

We WONT be giving up Sydney we are definitely going there I was just wondering if it was worth spending an extra day or so to go see the games.

We want to say somewhere that is "reletively" inexpensive and in a good location of things to do. While we all want to experience the nightlife we also want to see the sites as well. Speaking of which what "adventure" activites should we try. I have banned myself from going scuba diving since I blew my ear drum out doing it in Jamacia. I read somewhere that one beach has surfing lessons. Is that true?

Thanx for the book reccommendation Deck I plan on ordering that book today. On amazon I see they have two. Sydney and best of Sydney. Im sure it doesnt matter but which one do you have?

There are surf lessons available at both Bondi and Manly.The Lonely planet book I have is entitled "Sydney".

How late do the ferries between Sydney and Manly beach run?

Good morning young single people,

Ferries to and from Manly run from about 6am to midnight. The timetable for these ferries can be found at this site:-
http://www.sydneyferries.info/timetables/manly.php
Have a wonderful vacation.