benni

I'll be spending a day in Sydney.
1) What's the best way to explore the city besides purchasing the "One Day Combined Explorere Ticket"?
2) Where should I visit since I've only one full day to spend in Sydney

Thanks!

DownUnder

Get on the monorail that circles the city. It stops at many of the main attractions.

longhorn55

If you are up to it, the best way to see Sydney is on foot. Start out in Circular Quay and go by the Opera House. They offer tours if you are interested and the first tour of the day is discounted, I believe. Next walk over to the Rocks and poke around this historic area on your own or take a guided walk. While you are in Circular Quay, you can walk across Harbour Bridge and get a unique view of Sydney. You can also pay extra to go up in one of the pylons. If you have the time, take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach or take one of the harbour cruises (e.g. with Captain Cook tours). From Circular Quay, you can walk over to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Stop by Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for a good view of the harbour. Also, check out the flying foxes in the trees--a real pest, but interesting nonetheless. Exit the Botanic Gardens and head down Macquarie Street away from Circular Quay. You'll see many old Sydney buildings here and some interesting statutes. My favorites are 1) Il Porcillino (the pig) and it's good luck to rub his snout and 2) the statue of explorer Matthew Flinders. Follow the paw prints to see the statue of his cat. You can also walk thorough Hyde Park on your way over to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) which has some amazing architecture. There are two interesting mechanical clocks there so give them a look as they chime on the hour and half-hour. Finally, if you are a fan of "The Matrix", go to Martin's Place and see the fountain from the movie. (It was also featured in "Superman Returns".) My feet are always sore after I spend a day in Sydney, but travelling by foot is my favorite way to see the city. There's always something neat to see.

margo_oz

Go with the Explorer ticket if you don't want to walk.

Or you can get a public transport day pass that covers buses, trains and ferries. That's probably only worthwhile if you plan to zip across to Manly and about the city a fair bit.

The monorail doesn't cover the harbour end of town at all.

Don't even think about getting a car - a real liability in the city.

benni

Hi folks! Thanks for the replies.

I've been looking at this "Captain Cook's Cruise - Sydney Harbour Explorer" and this "Day Tripper City Rail Package". I'm not sure which one I should get.

I'll be in Sdyney this Sunday 4th Mar.
I'm planning to visit Paddy Market in the morning followed by a walk to Darling Harbour to take a cruise to Watsons Bay as I've heard that there is a very good restaurant called "Doyles". After Watsons Bay, I plan to take a cruise back to Circular Quay to explore further Sydney like the Rock and also hopefully to catch the sunset view. I'm praying hard that it doesn't rain that day. After that, I'm not too sure should I walk back to Swissotel that I'm staying in or to take a bus.
Any recommendation for dinner at Circular Quay or the Rocks?

Susan7

If you are a serious foodie Rockpool 107 George St, Est is not far away 252 George St, I don't think they are open Sunday night however.

Malaya (reasonably price, great views) is open on Sunday at Cockle Bay Wharf--you can get there on foot or catch a ferry at Circular Quay to Darling Harbour. Chinatown is another possibility: Golden Century, great for seafood.

Bokhara

At Watsons Bay, I'd go for the more casual area at the top of the hotel next to Doyles Restaurant. Unless it's changed radically in the last 6 months or so, Doyles can be a bit "touristy" = overpriced & under quality for the $. As someone else said, save the $$ & go somewhere really good for dinner. Rockpool's great, Sailor's Thai, Guilleme at Benelong (in the Opera House) Aria or any of the restaurants along the colonade leading to the Opera House.

benni

Thanks all for the suggestions! Going to catch my flight in 6 hours time to Sydney. Looking forward to it ! gt;

wallaby

While Rockpool et al do have superior food to Doyles, for a tourist I would say Doyles is far superior. Go to the original Doyles* on the waterfront and try to get a seat where you have a clear look at the incomparable view back up the harbour while you eat their very good seafood.

*actually, the original was called the Ozone restaurant, no matter what the Doyle family say.