Bokhara2

Beth, Kennards Self Storage (444 Jones Street, Ultimo) has lockers 1 cubic metre for $30/month + $30 (refundable)deposit. At this stage, all you need to provide is a contact number and an address. Assuming you will have a mobile/cell phone while you're here, that will be fine. Suggest you use the address of the hotel into which you will check on your return to Sydney.

If this idea appeals to you, I'd suggest you email Kennards to book the locker when you know what date you need it from, as the smaller units do tend to be fairly popular.

Kennards have other facilities close to the CBD, and of course there are other self - storage companies.

http://www.kss.com.au/

"Smart Casual" a term guaranteed to strike terror in the most confident heart (LOL). I'm a local, subscribe to the Opera & have recently worn: (1) black microfibre straight leg pants, 3/4 sleeve top, heels, (2) Ankle length multi-coloured cotton wrap skirt, short sleeved black top & ballet pumps (3)Silk "Shift" & strappy mules with small heels. I always take a wrap/pashmina as it can be cool in the evenings.
It's a bit of a walk along the colonaded walk way from Circular Quay and there are a lot of shallow steps leading to the Opera House, so the ballet pumps get lots of outings

Men's dress varies from slacks & short sleeved shirt, loafers; dress jeans, t'shirt & jacket; dress jeans & open necked shirts; suits (generally people coming from work), with or without tie; slacks, shirt & sweater;

I have seen the very occasional person in shorts & those fuggly birkenstok things. I want to throw them into the harbour. Fine for daytime sightseeing and particularly in FNQ, but in someone's Opera House? Pleeeezze!

It will be warm during the days while you're here, so 3/4 pants/capris/skirts/jeans everywhere - shorts in Cairns, Blue Mountains & out of the cities (or in the cities if you feel comfortable). Shorts/slacks/jeans & casual tops fine for your husband.

Books: I'm just starting Tim Flannery's "The Birth of Sydney" & it's shaping up well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Flannery

Hector Holthouse has some wonderful books on the Goldrush era in Far North Queensland. "River of Gold" is about the Palmer River/Cooktown are, so very relevant for your travels. http://www.harpercollins.com.au/auth...use/index.aspx

Neil_Oz

>>By the way sir, what is your idea of "smart casual?"<<

Well, ma'am, I can't do better than Bokhara2's rundown, especially as a male. Personally I only own dumb casual. I can't imagine why anyone would need more than a couple of pairs of washable slacks or cargo pants, a few non-iron shirts, a pair of sneakers that might pass as loafers in a dim light, sandals if it's a hot destination, a light sweater, pyjamas, a couple of tee-shirts and some underwear and toiletries.

Fortunately Aust & NZ, in common with the rest of the English-speaking world, is a bit of a dag's paradise. That's what I liked about travelling around North America - it's pretty hard to feel underdressed in most places, and I don't go to places where it might be an issue.

But I DO draw the line at shorts. A man has to have some standards.

You don't have to worry about poncing around like the foppish Italians and French and obsessing over all that "bella figura" stuff. Anyway, people expect tourists to be dressed casually - you're here to relax, after all.

I notice that on the Europe board some ladies worry about passing as a local in, say, Paris. The usual advice is don't try, you can't, no matter how much black you wear - and why bother anyway?

At Yellowstone NP and nearby Cody, Wyoming I had the experience of seeing a couple of German tour groups who seemed to have gone out of their way to camouflage themselves with Stetsons, cowboy boots and the like. A couple of the guys even walked around with their thumbs stuck in their belts. The net effect was to make them look REALLY German. Totally irrlevant story but hey, I've got time on my hands.

beth3106

Thanks to Melnq8,Bokhara2 and Mr. Neil_Oz- you have once again been a big help! I will heed your advice and suggestions. And will explore the storage unit option via the website you provided for me Bokhara2 ! Seems like the most practical solution. Not to worry, Melnq8...sneakers on the flight is an absolute must !!
Bokhara2, your specific clothing examples are so useful. Your descriptions are exactly what I was looking for, for both my husband and myself. By the way, your taste in your clothing seems so lovely. And how grand you subscribe to the Opera!!And no, Birkenstocks at the Opera is SO not the way to go...
I will look into the book suggestions too- maybe I can get them here in the US and get a headstart!
And you Mr. Neil_Oz can be counted on for your wit...thanks for the laugh- and just when it was needed too !! I have learned to not try and compete with fashion when I travel (learned that early when traveling in Portugal and Toronto,Ottawa and, Montreal. So fashion forward !! The US catches up a year or so later !! Oh,we tourists(speaking only for myself!) no matter how hard I try to blend in- we still stick out like a sore thumb...
The western 'get-up' is a popular look here with visitors and migrants. I live in an area of Florida that has a large hispanic population. The cowboy boots,hats,huge belt buckles and for some reason VERY (for emphasis)tight jeans are 'must haves' for the men, especially on Friday and Saturday nights...no 'spurs' though...there is a story there,I just don't know it...yet.
Casual attire it is...whether it is viewed as 'smart' or 'dumb'- it's about comfort, but I get it...NO Berkinstocks!!
I can't say enough about how helpful you ALL have been!!
Thanks for the advice AND the giggles!! Love the stories!!
Beth

Bokhara2

A variation on the "Western get-up" is adopted by many politicians visiting rural areas here, Beth. Straight out of the RM Williams catalogue, in moleskins, 2 pocket chambray shirts & boots, http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/...2#/61572222/30

complete with Akubra http://www.akubra.com.au/ (invariably the wrong one for the region),as they swagger across the tarmac/into the meeting. Standing far too close, they generally have 2 forms of address, either everyone's "Mate" or, once introduced, the use of the victim's first name every 6 words. The minders have all absorbed Dale Carnegie's tome, but they should have read Alan Pease's "Body Language".

It's not all bad, though. Once we get through the fleeting moment of hope that this one may have any knowledge whatsoever on the subject under discussion/ability to listen & learn from those who do/power or will to fix the problem; it can be quite entertaining & amusing. Bit like street theatre, really.

Neil_Oz

Bokhara2, I imagine opposition finance spokesman Barnaby Joyce looks more authentic in a big hat, even though he's an accountant. Unfortunately Barnaby spends so much time battling foot-in-mouth disease that it's likely to fall off.

What does NOT look convincing is wearing an obvious business shirt, minus tie but with the cuffs still buttoned. You know the tie and coat will go straight back on as soon as they're back on the plane.

beth3106

A quick THANK YOU note to all the people who took the time to offer all the suggestions. We followed much of your advisement throughout our trip and had a very good time. Our trip went smoothly for the most part including discovering a few wonderful hidden gems.
I appreciate all your efforts and information, you've been a great resource, and I've told lots of other travelers we met about this helpful website.
Thanks again for all the help, you've all been so gracious,with a special thanks to Bokhara2, Neil_Oz,and Melnq8 for all your patience in addressing all my tedious questions...
Beth

Bokhara2

Hi Beth, glad to hear you enjoyed your stay in our part of the world.

If you're up for it, I'd be interested in where you went & your impressions. It's always interesting to me to see my country through visitors' eyes.

nelsonian

Beth I have been following this thread, and would love to read about your impressions of both Australia and New Zealand when you have time to do a trip report.