Going to Sydney (Ritz) and Port Douglas (Sheraton Mirage) in 1 month - any restaurant recommendations that need to be booked now? Any last words of advice, off the beaten path sites we should see?

My first word of advise is do not stay at the Ritz. It's a really long story, but we checked out after one night, and spent the remaining 8 days at the Park Hyatt on the Rocks. That is the best hotel....wonderful service, and location. Most reservations can be made for restaurants that day. We were there in January, and had no problem. If you like wine, I would recommend a day trip to the Hunter Valley....very nice, included lunch....very small group (it was just the two of us and a driver) for about $75 US. You will just love Sydney, but personally I would give some serious thought to your hotel choice in Sydney.....if all things were equal, the Hyatt still has the best location.

Merriam, <BR> <BR>You are the second person that has told me they checked out of that Ritz after only one night. <BR> <BR>We considered the Ritz..but stayed at the Quay West instead ..and loved it <BR>We had view of HArbour Bridge and the Opera House. <BR>http://www.small-hotel.com/quay-west-sydney/index.html

Hi Jen, <BR> <BR>I live in Sydney. Restaurants worth your consideration: Level 41 at Chiefly Tower in the CBD (modern Australian), Doyles at Watson's Bay (seafood) (there are two Doyles, one on the beach and a much smaller and more intimate one on the wharf, book a city view table in the wharf restaurant for the evening (the garlic prawns are great)) (as a cheaper alternative try lunch and frozen margaritas at Watson's Bay Hotel (its a pub right next to Doyles), le Kiosk at Shelley Breach (modern Australian), the restaurant is a walk from Manly Beach (ask if they have any big juicy Yamba prawns, they are superb) finally, from my neck of the woods, Leichhardt (Sydney's 'little Italy'), I recommend the very friendly, very tasty and reasonably priced Frattini restaurant (Italian), try the homemade spinach dumplings in gorganzola cheese sauce(yum). To obtain the phone numbers for these restaurants (and to book which you will need to do if you want to dine on a Friday or Saturday night or Saturday, Sunday lunch)) try www.whitepages.com.au or www.yellowpages.com.au (for general information and probably a review for these restaurants try www.sydneysidewalk.com.au). Off the beaten track: you may or may not have thought of these, I recommend climbing the Harbour Bridge (I've done it, its worth the money (between AUD$90-120)) (tips: 1. dont wear too much clothing (you must wear a pair of overalls and a fleece(optional) given to you by Bridge Climb the only climb company allowed to climb the bridge 2. if you can, climb the bridge at around 4pm, this way you get a day time climb on the way up (45 minutes) and a night climb on the way down (all at the day time rate I believe)3. try and book you climb on a slightly windy day (you get a picture taken of you and yours at the top (for free)with the city/harbour in the background and the goal is to have that picture taken without any smog in the background (our smog is nothing like LA's though), after the climb, if you feel like an early dinner try the Australian Hotel just down from Bridge Climb's HQ in Cumberland Street the Rocks, the Hotel is actually a pub and serves some very nice gourmet pizzas including, I think, a kangaroo and crocodile one, also try the Scharer's lager and the Bock (both beers - outstanding), next I recommend a ferry trip around the outer and inner harbour, Paddington markets on a Saturday and finally, a trip to the northern beaches like Palm Beach, Bigola Beach etc (the Newington Arms is a nice pub for a Sunday lunch) (you can catch a bus from Wynward in the CBD to the northern beaches). I have ignored Darling Harbour but I should mention the cafe/restaurant strips of Glebe Point Road, Darling Street (in Balmain where there are also a couple of classy pubs like the London and the Exchange)and Norton Street (in Leichhardt). If you have a little time and a car try a day trip to Kangaroo Valley. <BR> <BR>I hope you have a great time.

I visited Cairns a 2 years ago and visited the surrounding area, We found an excellent restuarant at Double Island wine & dine on the jetty. A boat pick you up from a jetty near Palm Beach which is south of Port Douglas and returns you to the mainland. I believe you need to book...

Returned April 18th from Sydney..Great time...we were in Coogee Beach visiting our son who is on a semester abroad...great food, good time, esp our side trip to Great Barrier Reef..only bad point of trip..my handbag stolen on Sydney bus...police said LOTS of similiar stories, he had 10 calls in the last half hour. Be Careful..luckily my tckets and pasport were in hotel..what a pain!

Gail <BR>Did you snorkel at GBR if so, which company did you go with? Did you take any other tours or rent a car? We are planning to stay in Bronte July/August, and travel to GBR for 5 days. <BR>

Jen, <BR> <BR>Just a couple of corrections to my earlier e-mail: 1. the Newington Arms is actually the Newport Arms, 2. Bigola beach is actually Bilgola beach and 3. www.sydneysidewalk.com.au is missing a dot between the sydney and the sidewalk. <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>PS I've travelled on Sydney's public transport system for 25 years and never had anything stolen - of course watch your things but don't become paranoid in the process.

I really enjoyed Rockpool in Sydney. Great food. Also dined at Level 41, and you must visit the restrooms. Best view in the house. <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the great responses- do keep them coming! Have booked a day trip to Hunter Valley, a climb on the Harbour Bridge, reserved dinner at Rockpool...