Hi all, We are starting to plan a vacation for late May (the only time available). We are considering a trip to Sydney. Two questions. How cool/cold will it be during this late autumn period and how many days do you suggest we devote to sydney and the immediate area as we are considering doing another location as well. Thanks........

<BR>Hi Chuck <BR>Late May is quite a nice time to travel to Sydney - probably about 17-19 degrees Celsius during the day, a bit cooler at night. It may be a little too cool to swim, but nice enough so that you don't get too hot taking in all the sights. As for length of stay - you could easily fill up two weeks, especially if taking day trips out of the city as well (to the Mountains, the Hunter Valley and so on). As a minimum you should stay at least a week - but you'd be rushing to see everything. <BR>Michelle

Hi Michelle, Thanks for the info. Could you also suggest some must sees/don't bother for the area. Also, for those of us metrically challenged, 17-19 is mid 60's Farenheit right?

Chuck <BR>Yep, 17-19 celsius is about mid-60s Fahrenheit. The sights you'll want to see in Sydney obviously depend on what you like, but here's a few ideas to get you started. See the other posting from Jim on the restaurants recommended in Sydney. <BR> <BR>In Sydney get a ferry over to Manly Beach for great harbour views all the way and lots of nice cafes or takeaway fish and chips on the beach once you are there. If you're into beaches also go and see Bondi Beach east of the city, and you may enjoy a trip up the northern peninsula to Palm Beach. At Watsons Bay, to the east of the city, there is a great walk along the cliff tops. You can look out over the ocean from here as well as turn around and get a great harbour view. Doyles at Watsons Bay is a pretty popular seafood restaurant here. You may also like to visit Taronga Zoo, a short ferry trip across the harbour. <BR> <BR>In the city there's the Rocks area down on the harbour which is fun to explore and good for shopping and browsing. Of course you should see the Opera House (try and see a show one evening while you're here, it's worth it), there are guided tours too. You can walk right round the harbour foreshore from underneath the Harbour Bridge (which you may like to climb for A$95), round the Rocks area, along Circular Quay, round past the Opera House and round the edge of the Botanic Gardens and then round past Mrs Macquarie's Chair. It's a great scenic walk - wear comfy shoes. The Botanic Gardens are also worth wandering through. Across from the gardens, the Mitchell State Library has a good collection of Australian historical papers and books if you're interested in that sort of thing. If you keep walking past Mrs Macquarie's Chair you'll reach the NSW Art Gallery - worth a visit. Also worth visiting is the Museum of Contemporary Art which is at Circular Quay. Darling Harbour is another good spot to investigate, you can catch the monorail over there from the city. The main complex has lots of shops and restaurants, there is also the Sydney Aquarium nearby which contains lots of examples of Australian marine life. Lots of other things to do there as well. In the city itself the Queen Victoria Building is a beautiful old building which has been restored and is a good place to shop for clothes and gifts. The Strand Arcade in the Pitt St Mall is another beautifully restored building in the city. If the weather is good, a trip up to the top of Centrepoint/AMP tower affords a good 360 degree view of the city. South of the CBD is Chinatown, filled with Chinese restaurants, supermarkets and so on. <BR> <BR>If you're interested in tasting some of our great Australian wines, take a trip up to the Hunter Valley (about two and a half hours drive from Sydney). There are day-tours from Sydney, or hire a car and stay overnight in one of the many excellent guesthouses. A trip to the Blue Mountains in Sydney's west is also well worth it, particularly if you like bushwalking. Autumn would be a great time to go there. You could stay two nights here easily, and take in the stunning mountain and bush scenery. For a taste of where Sydneysiders go for country weekends you could hire a car and drive down to Berry (about two hours south). Loop back through Kangaroo Valley, Berrima and Bowral. These are all small towns with lots of craft shops, cafes and a relaxed pace. Not well known on the international tourist scene, but I think well worth an overnight trip if you want to get out of the city and slow the pace down. Another idyllic and restful couple of days could be spent on a houseboat on the Hawkesbury River, about 60 minutes drive (or train) north of Sydney. Surrounded by national park, you can easily wile away a couple of days fishing and exploring the river and surrounding bushland. <BR> <BR>Well, that's a huge list for starters. Hope it helps! <BR>Michelle

Michelle, Thank you so much for taking the time to give me all those suggestions in your last post. It is extremely helpful and I really appreciate the help. If you evey need info like that on New York City- I'm your guy. Thanks again.

when you stay in blue mtn, you must try the 3 sisters walk down to the valley, and then catch the rail up - breathtaking! then drive on to jenolan caves to explore one. <BR> <BR>in winter 1997, we drove from sydney to snowy mountains (stayed at kara's apt - ask at the countrylink office). i even managed to drive to coffs harbour and then to hunter valley on the way back to sydney. <BR>in summer 1995, i took an overnight coach from sydney to gold coast but not a good idea in winter as you can't laze around the beach which is really exquisite! i still have not had enough of sydney! <BR>