Bokhara2

Stay in Sydney. If it's more or less an "up & back" trip, you won't have time to explore anything much in Newcastle and apart from the 3 minutes it takes to drive over the Hawkesbury River at Beooklyn, it's all freeway, nothing too scenic. Belmont and Swansea worthwhile, but you won't have the to enjoy the waterways. Newcastle CBD is drab, the foreshore is attractive but not worth 1/2 a day that could be spent more profitably in Sydney.

sassy_cat

Thanks Bokhara, I found out that my husband will be driving up with a colleague so that would mean a very early start and they would be talking shop en route. Two more reasons to stay in Sydney!

simpsonc510

I am in a similar situation. A rather quick (not necessarily last minute) trip to Sydney. 6 nts total, with the first 3, on my own, at Marriott Circular Quay, arriving around 9:00 in the am, from a week in Bangkok. The last 3 nts will be spent with friends, in the northwest part of the city, and maybe the Hunter Valley.

This will be my 8th solo trip to SYD so I have 'traditions' to maintain during my time on my own. I will take the ferry to Manly, one of my favorite things to do! I want to include the zoo on this trip, if weather cooperates. I always look forward to strolling the central business district and the QVB for a bit of shopping, and yes there are often good sales at this time.

I've seen the opera house (twice) and attended an opera as well as 2-3 concerts over the years... always fabulous. I've done the bridge climb and the Blue Mountains. All are very worthwhile ways to spend time in Sydney.

I hope sassy cat has a lovely a time as I always do when in Sydney!!

sassy_cat

Carol, I think I saw you once at the Boston GTG (I attended in 2008 at the Meridien and in 2010 I went to Similans).
Anyway it's a vague memory but I've enjoyed reading many of your entertaining Bangkok trip reports.

I'm really excited about my trip. If you arrive in Sydney before I leave on the 7th we should meet for coffee or something. Fingers crossed for good weather in July (I'm checking the weather reports daily now!)

simpsonc510

Would have loved to meet up in SYD, but I'm not arriving until the last week of July. You should consider coming to another BOS GTG. We have the next one scheduled for October 5-6. Come, if you can fit it into your schedule!! And yes, I WAS there in 2008. I'm sure we met. The GTG's are always a good time.

IF I were in SYD earlier, would love to meet up, but alas, I'm not there until end of the month.


Enjoy your visit!! I LOVE love love SYD. Can't wait to see my Aussie friends once again. My last trip was just two years ago, for a wedding... a great time!

simpsonc510

BTW, did you get your visa yet? It's very easy to do, on line.

sassy_cat

Yes, got my e-visa online. Surprising how easy that was!

I've really enjoyed the BOS GTG's but Columbus weekend is nearly always a crazy time.
This year it's parents' weekend @ son's uni plus DH will be in Europe and who know's what my daughter will have planned (I'm her chauffeur!) but I'll try to get to one of the events.

simpsonc510

Hope to see you there, sassy_cat. And do enjoy SYD!!

sassy_cat

Thanks Carol, I know I'll love SYD! I might be tempted not to get the plane home.

Enjoy your trip too and I'll look forward to your trip report.
Hope to see you in Oct.

simpsonc510

Sassy_cat, hope you can make it to BOS.

bekky

There are a lot of places that you can visit and it will give a good ambiance.

jphmoney99

Make sure you spend a day at Manly! Take the ferry out from Circular Quay and spend the day hiking along the water. Beautiful views of the city, some lovely hole-in-the-wall places to eat, and a great place to make some new friends!

simpsonc510

sassy_cat, there is a GTG in NYC on August 11. Are you anywhere near there? I'm flying in, and Bob and Karen and Beth from Boston are driving down. Laurieco will also be there. Looks like a great chance to meet new fodorites.

sassy_cat

Carol, I'm in MA about 30 miles west of Boston.
I think I can make the Saturday night at the Boston GTG but I won't be able to go to NYC in August (I'll be in NY in September).

I'm packing for Sydney now, yay!

simpsonc510

That would be great to meet up at the BOS GTG on Saturday evening.

Have fun in Sydney! I'll be there myself, before you know it...

sassy_cat

I'm here and its fabulous! Weather is sunny and cool. Enjoyed hiking in the Blue Mountains yesterday. it was muddy along the trail at Govetts Leap but worth it for the stunning views. amazing waterfalls but will need to come back in the spring to see them at their finest. Already planning to return obviously!

The Marriott Circular QUay was in a perfect location and the view of the harbor bridge from the 29th floor was lovely. FRiendly staff in the executive lounge and the biggest passion fruit I've ever seen at breakfast.

Heading out to the Botanical gardens now.

Thanks for all the advice.. Loved the ferry ride to MAnly. DH said it reminded him of Brighton and then we saw the sign that the promenade was modeled on Brighton!

sassy_cat

almost forgot.. I've seen rainbow colored parrots and white cockatoos just flying around just outside Sydney and in the Blue Mountains. Didn't expect to see so many colorful birds in winter! Wow

Bokhara2

Hi Sassy_cat,
Art after Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW might be of interest to you & your husband. Wednesday evenings, until 9pm.

Here's this week's programme. Special interest - one of the Artists and the Curators of the Biennale of Sydney are giving talks.

http://artgalleryofnsw.cmail3.com/t/...767B6002735221

I'm going - if you'd like to meet for a coffee/vino, let me know and we'll work out the logistics.

dottyp

Hi, sassy_cat.
Sounds as if you have been busy in your first couple of days. Hope the rest of your time there is as exciting. Aren't the birds just wonderful. Hopefully you will see lots more varieties before you leave. I will enjoy reading your reports on the rest of your trip. It will be interesting to see if you go to places I went to in October and what you thought of them. Good to see you are planning a return. That's what I did as soon as I came home in October.
Unfortunately we will not be flying to Sydney tomorrow as planned, as for some very perverse reason (probably a plot by my bank to stop me spending money) I have developed pnuemonia which is taking a long time to clear. I will rebook for the October school hols instead.

sassy_cat

Sorry to hear you won't make it to Sydney this time dottyp. Get well soon!

Bokhara , sounds good to me! can't drink coffee in the evenings but vino would be good.
My husband is leaving on Wednesday night for an overnight in Newcastle so it would just be me.

I went to Taronga zoo this morning and stroked a kangaroo, wow their fur feels similar to a cat! Took a bus to Bondi Beach for the afternoon.. A beautiful day