Henri

I will be in Sydney for two weeks in September. Will travel alone and would prefer NOT to rent a car, rather taking public transportation. How far away are the Blue Mountains and how much time should I calculate to spend there? I dont need to see everything, just a taste. Is a train or bus service to those mountains at all?<BR>Also, does anyone has experience of going to Ayers Rock ? Is it better (cheaper) organizing a trip in Sydney thru a travel agent or setting up the trip from home (USA) ?

Lucy

Hi Henri,<BR>there are regular trains (at least hourly) to the Blue Mountains leaving from Central Station in Sydney. The main jump off point is Katoomba which has direct access to a number of sights including the Three Sisters.

Alan

Hi, Henri. The trip from Sydney Terminal (Central Station) to Katoomba will take you about two hours each way, but it's a good, comfortable train. If you are going up and back in a single day, the train that leaves at a couple of minutes after 9 a.m. will qualify you for off-peak rates, which is a return trip for about the price of a single. You can come back as late as you like at night on that fare, so you will be able to take dinner in one of the great restaurants around Katoomba or Blackheath. You won't see a lot of the Mountains in a single day, especially since you won't arrive until 11 a.m., but by following Lucy's advice and heading by bus for Echo Point (which is where the Three Sisters are) you can take the Giant Stairway down, look at Katoomba Falls, then walk along the valley to the rainforest board walk, from where you have the choice of two different cable car routes to the top. You can finish by going across a third cablecar which gives you a look at Katoomba Falls from above. All of this can be done in about three hours, and really that will be enough, as after four o'clock (at this time of year, anyway) the bottom of the canyon is in shadow, and the temperature drops quickly.

John

Henri:<BR>We booked online from Tennessee with ATT King to visit Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Everything went as planned. We flew from Cairns to Alice Springs and were picked up at our hotel by ATT motor coach for the trip to Ayers Rock in the early am. After seeing the sights and spending the night in Ayers Rock we were transported by ATT to the airport for our flight to Sydney.<BR>John<BR>

Pablo Durissimo

Could anyone tell me if there is an Aboriginal Wildlife Show anywhere close to Sydney? Or any place where one could meet aboriginals and learn about their culture, etc. Also, how difficult is it to find a supermarket (or a place where one could buy food) in Sydney around the harbors? <BR><BR>Pablo<BR>

Alan

No difficulty at all buying food... people live all around the harbour in Sydney, and you're always close to homes and commercial centres. Will have to think on the Aboriginal question.... might get back to you later on that one.

Pablo

Thank you Alan!