I'd love to catch up with crazymina - I seem to recall her trip report from Ireland some time ago was an absolute hoot!

Aaaarrrrggghhh! I just checked the Fiesta Cruises website foor the NYE cruise! $AUD280!

Yikes!

Probably a good view though! (it's wanna be!)

Hi, Margo!
Holy smoke! Mucky's Panasonic enclosure is looking more attractive every minute -- just think: you can buy most of Panasonic's products for $280. And what would happen if they cancelled the fireworks at the last minute because of high wind (this happened recently) or terrorist threats? Would Fiesta give you your $280 back?

Gee, Alan, that doesn't sound very encouraging! We look at it as being a vacation of a lifetime and we want to make the most of it. We thought the cruise would be the ultimate way to see the fireworks, party, and enjoy the harbor. I still would like to get together prior to the cruise to meet you all! Are you still working on that, Alan?

Well, maybe New Year's might be tough, but maybe a lunch? I still don't know what my schedule will be though...I will be at the mercy of my friends.

I will be in Sydney, if all goes as planned from right after Christmas to Jan 6 or so. So plenty of days to figure something out....

Hi Crazymina!

So, you're still trying to find a decent flight from LA around Christmas? I saw on another posting that you find a fee of $2100. Does that include lodging or do you have that covered? I am sure that you will find something. I would imagine that the price would be worth it to be in Australia! Keep us informed as to your flight status!

Hi smchrissy...

I haven't found anything yet. Still looking. But that is for my airfare alone. Thankfully, my time in Sydney will have "free" lodging at my friend's house (I had to go to Europe to meet Australians...how funny is that. Didn't met any that I kept in touch with while I was in Oz two years ago). So the plane ticket is my only major expense.

My friend is even giving me a spare cell phone while I am there that I can buy a card for. How cool is that! So I'll have a number where I can be reached and feel popular.

Sounds like you have met great friends from down under! That is funny that you met them in Europe! Are they in Sydney? You have been there before? Are there any pubs or cafes that you would recommend? You will have to keep in contact with me and hopefully we can meet up in Sydney. That would be fun!

smchrissy

I think some tourists have difficulty meeting Australians in Oz. Some Swedish people who stayed with me did not meet another Australian in the month they were here.

Aussies don't usually frequent the tourist spots - we're not much on touristing in our own country, or we do it differently - I'm not sure. But then, I didn't meet any English, other than B&B hosts, or any Irish, or French or whatever, either, when I travelled.

I'll see if I can find an address for Alan, and perhaps suggest a drink, say New Years Day, or something. There's a couple of Fodorites in town at that time. How are you placed?

Hi again smchrissy...

Yes, I met them in Europe...lots of Aussies travel and backpack, which is what I was doing. I have been to Australia - 2 years ago - and I did meet Australians there, but no one that I cared to keep in contact with.

My friends live in Adelaide and Sydney (and I have a galpal I met in Europe who lives in Brisbane too). I'll be staying where my Sydney friend ends up moving, which might be in King's Cross (it's been often discussed here that the Cross is not the place for a tourist to stay, so this should be a fun non-tourist look at Sydney!).

As for pubs...I hung out in a few in and around the rocks area but don't remember any names...which is why I need a "refresher" visit to Oz! I'm sure barhopping will be on the agenda with my friends. We will have not seen each other for 8 or 10 months (depending on the friend) and it will be a great reunion.

Where are you from smchrissy? Sounds like you are setting yourself for some realy fun in Sydney!

Margo, if you're looking for an email address for Alan, he posted it on this thread: [email protected]

Alan, I haven't emailed you on a get-together yet because I don't want start something, then flake out. I'd really like to meet everyone for a drink though. Something informal would be fun.

Hi to all Fodorites who will be in Sydney on New Years Eve. My husband and I will be there too. We are from Toronto, Canada and would love to meet some of the people from the forum. I've used it for numerous trips over the last 5 yrs and have been give very valuable info from all who participate. I would love to share my New Years View from our hotel room overlooking the Harbour for a drink with those who would like to meet up. I believe that there are fireworks at 9:00pm so, if anyone would like to come, bring a good bottle of wine from your country of origin at about 7:30 or 8:00pm and stay for the fireworks that would be great. Please email me separately to get my Hotel info and so I know how many people might show up. I think we are limited to 10 guests in our room. Cheers and hope to meet some of you! My email address is- [email protected]

Wow, Barbee, what an offer! I bet you'll get lots of takers, as a harbourside hotel with a good view would be absolutely the best way to see the fireworks. I won't instantly jump at the offer, as I have a family (four in all) and we'd practically take up half your quota.... but I will watch this thread with interest to see what kind of reaction you get.

Barbee, that is a really nice offer! Like Alan, I have a large party (anywhere from 3-6) otherwise I'd "book" with ya! I'll hang on for awhile and see what happens.

Well, I've just read everyone's messages and it seems that cheap and cheerful is the way you all want to go! Basically, Alan's right - there's always a risk they cancel the fireworks. Over the past year or so, fireworks have been cancelled for some of the public holidays because of both high winds and a total fire ban. Unfortunately, the summer is looking quite dry again, and mandatory water restrictions are on already. It would be unfortunate to spend $200+ per person and then be stuck. If you do decide to go that route, check with the operator about refunds, but I would suggest that since the cruises tend to have food and wine, there will be no refund available.

Now, for the free option! I strongly suggest the picnic on the grass option. I've actually left it to 6pm and gotten a spot (with 5 people) with prime viewing. Some nutters go the night before (!) but I'm not that game (although I did wait outside the Melbourne Ticketek at 1am for Bledisloe cup tickets...in the rain).

Viewing options are all over the city. The Cahill, already mentioned, is easy walking distance to hotels in the city, and good viewing. It's an elevated highway, so it is asphalt. Another option is Mrs. Macquarie's chair. That's where I tend to go. It's a beautiful grass slope with great viewing, also easy walk to the city hotels. Lots of people also like watching the fireworks from the North Shore (other side of the harbour bridge). It can be less packed there, but we're talking about a couple of fewer sardines in the can! It's nice to watch the fireworks and then walk back to the city over the bridge.

Check out this link, which gives info on all the places to watch the fireworks, cost, transport info, etc:
http://www.pubclub.com/australia/sydney/newyear.htm

Hey...there are even fireworks going off as I speak outside! There seems to be fireworks a few days a week for something or other. I can hear these...not see them this time.

Let me know if you all want any other ideas!

Hi everyone,
There seem to be some great alternatives and options turning up.
We are a family of 4 too.
I will watch this thread closely with interest.

Cheers

Muck

Topping for Pat

Hi all,
Thanks for topping. I did a search using NYE instead of New Years Eve, I guess that's how I missed the thread. I would love to get together with other Fodorites in SYD over the holidays.
We are three, my 13 year old son, husband and myself. We are from NJ. 3rd time to Oz for me, 2nd for my husband (we were there on honeymoon) and 1st for our son.
We're getting in on Dec 29 and leaving on Jan 3. We're starting off 2004 with the bridge climb.
I'll keep checking the boards for info on a possible gathering. Thanks for all the info on viewing spots.
Cheers,
Pat

Hi Pat,
It would be great to say hello I hope something pans out NYE.
Anyway as we are neighbours, I'm sure we can organise something.
Keep watching the thread.
Did you book your climb?
We are going up on 29th and places were filling up fast. We managed to book on line with the child places by direct email.

Cheers

Muck

Hi,
Just wanted to let everybody know I checked out the Sydney Observatory Site. They also sell tickets to "members". I'm considering that too. I actually work for a cruise line that has their AUS headquarters in SYD so I have to check with the office manager about any other places that may be available.
Mucky, I was on the bridge climb website last night and they had plenty of space for the 1-1 (I figure every body may not want to be doing a climb after a night of partying-so there's still space)
I'll keep watching the boards to see what is happening. Also, how old are your teens? Mine's a boy, 13 last week.
Cheers,
Pat