See Sydney and Beyond SmartVisit Card
Jul 27th, 2009, 03:16 PM
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See Sydney and Beyond SmartVisit Card
We are in the early planning stages of our first trip to Sydney. This card has come up a couple of times in searches that we have done. It seems like a really good deal. Has anyone used it? Is it to good to be true? Would we be better off just purchasing tickets for the individual attractions we are going to see?
Thanks for any suggestions and advice.
Jenn
Thanks for any suggestions and advice.
Jenn
Jul 29th, 2009, 01:39 PM
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I'venever used it myself Jenn but have also seen the odd comment and not sure if you have to use it within a specific period but I do reacll one review having mentined that you'd be on the go to do everything the card covers.
I'd just compare costs on what it does cover that you'd normally be interested in and whether you'd fit all that into a give timeframe if there is a limit that way.
If you are coming from overseas, jetlag and tiredness for a day, two or more is something that may not have you bouncing around all that energetically and you'll want to factor that in too, and even a little if travelling from within Oz.
I'd just compare costs on what it does cover that you'd normally be interested in and whether you'd fit all that into a give timeframe if there is a limit that way.
If you are coming from overseas, jetlag and tiredness for a day, two or more is something that may not have you bouncing around all that energetically and you'll want to factor that in too, and even a little if travelling from within Oz.
Jul 29th, 2009, 01:40 PM
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Meant to add too that there are also various travel cards for getting about Sydney - www.131500.com.au
Aug 1st, 2009, 03:29 PM
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Thank you! The website should come in real handy! We are coming in from the US. So, I would assume, that jet lag will be a problem - though I am so excited! I just dont know where to start first. We are going to focus our vacation just on Sydney. We are planning on staying for 10 days. Do you have any suggestions on what areas of the CBD to stay in? We are trying not to rent a car while we are there....
Also, are there trains or buses to the Blue Mountains? That is something that I want to see. The photographs are amazing and I am sure do not do it justice!
Also, are there trains or buses to the Blue Mountains? That is something that I want to see. The photographs are amazing and I am sure do not do it justice!
Aug 1st, 2009, 05:00 PM
#5
Hi JennH,
Blue Mountains: Easy to take a train to any of the townships. From there, you could either explore on your own, or join a short tour of the sites which interest you. I'm not sure of all the options because, being a local, I just drive up there and wander around at leisure.
There are also a number of tour operators who do small group day tours to the Blue Mountains. This link might be a useful starting point for you. http://www.visitnsw.com/area/Blue_Mountains.aspx
On the SmartVisit card: I think you'd only really be able to assess the value by comparing your itinerary/"wish list" with what it offers. My only experience with this type of discount card was my first visit to New York City. I bought the card, thinking I'd see more of the attractions than I ultimately did, and found I couldn't really see enough within the time frame allowed to do it justice. Having said that, I've just looked at the "SmartVisit card" and it does seem to be quite a good deal.
If, for example, you took the Sydney Opera House, Acquarium and the 1/2 day bus tour, you'd be well ahead. Some of the "Usual Prices" are a bit cheeky though, as they downplay the fact that admission is actually free, and it's only the tours which cost the "usual price". Example: Art Gallery of NSW - whilst they stipulate the $10 "usual price" is for temporary exhibitions (true), they then go on about the Yirribanna Aboriginal gallery, without noting that you are very welcome to visit it and the vast majority of the other sections, free of charge.
I'm not sure it would be worth buying the transport option; Sydney's a very walkable city and I think you might be just as well served buying a normal 2 or 3 day pass. I don't think trains to the Blue Mountains would be very expensive; it's regarded as a suburban trip, with lots of people commuting daily for work.
The Blue Mountains are amazing; and sometimes practically invisible because of fog, rain etc. So, good idea to allow some flexibility in planning your day's trip up there to catch the best weather, if you possibly can.
Blue Mountains: Easy to take a train to any of the townships. From there, you could either explore on your own, or join a short tour of the sites which interest you. I'm not sure of all the options because, being a local, I just drive up there and wander around at leisure.
There are also a number of tour operators who do small group day tours to the Blue Mountains. This link might be a useful starting point for you. http://www.visitnsw.com/area/Blue_Mountains.aspx
On the SmartVisit card: I think you'd only really be able to assess the value by comparing your itinerary/"wish list" with what it offers. My only experience with this type of discount card was my first visit to New York City. I bought the card, thinking I'd see more of the attractions than I ultimately did, and found I couldn't really see enough within the time frame allowed to do it justice. Having said that, I've just looked at the "SmartVisit card" and it does seem to be quite a good deal.
If, for example, you took the Sydney Opera House, Acquarium and the 1/2 day bus tour, you'd be well ahead. Some of the "Usual Prices" are a bit cheeky though, as they downplay the fact that admission is actually free, and it's only the tours which cost the "usual price". Example: Art Gallery of NSW - whilst they stipulate the $10 "usual price" is for temporary exhibitions (true), they then go on about the Yirribanna Aboriginal gallery, without noting that you are very welcome to visit it and the vast majority of the other sections, free of charge.
I'm not sure it would be worth buying the transport option; Sydney's a very walkable city and I think you might be just as well served buying a normal 2 or 3 day pass. I don't think trains to the Blue Mountains would be very expensive; it's regarded as a suburban trip, with lots of people commuting daily for work.
The Blue Mountains are amazing; and sometimes practically invisible because of fog, rain etc. So, good idea to allow some flexibility in planning your day's trip up there to catch the best weather, if you possibly can.
Aug 2nd, 2009, 07:40 PM
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Certainly no need for a car re most stuff for Sydney and what's closer Jenn for public transport can get you to the BM and also to the great national parks on northern and southern doorsteps of Sydney - http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/ and clicking on Sydney and surrounds select Kur-ing-gai Chase[for north] and Royal National [for south], and many more there too, but they are the two larger ones and you can access parts by train and ferry or just train or bus alone.
If having an interest in the NPs you may just want to check the access railway station with pass coverage but even the weekly purple pass is only $60.
Re where to stay and certainly 'when' may affect your choice for if it's going to be in our summer/warmer periods I'd recommend Manly to be near enough to the ocean to get cooling sea breezes and the bonus of drifting off to sleep and awaking to ocean waves rather than traffic noise and most certainly fresher air, but I've cut and pasted re some ideas I had put on another post:
Use www.wotif.com.au and type in hotels with a price range, and standard sought etc. and you'll see what's available.
If you wanted to experience a few different places, there's certainly some variety about, and of course it could depend on time of year as much as tastes as to what suits, eg.
for a great experience at best value, try in Rocks area http://www.australianheritagehotel.com/ but ask for a room away from Bridge side which is Cumberland street - no ensuite there but colonial rooms are great and you could book two for far less than what pricier sterile places charge for one.
Couple of other unique overnighters:
. http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/camping/houses.html
. Roar and Snore - http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-zo...ar--snore.aspx
Certainly the latter is different but then I'll try most things and even converted railway carriages at www.yha.com.au at railway square offer a great nights sleep.
The ferries are a big part of Sydney, being very much part of its history and they're included in travel passes, thus I'm at something of a loss for Bok putting " I'm not sure it would be worth buying the transport option; Sydney's a very walkable city and I think you might be just as well served buying a normal 2 or 3 day pass." for a weeks travelpass at $46 as against a single days at $17 makes the week exceptional value once you go past two days of travelling.
And the ferry trip CQ to Manly you'll hardly ever tire off and certainly not surprising to find it at the top of list for 100 things to do in Sydney - http://www.sydney100.com/
And sure there's plenty of interest about the CBD but too much footslogging can be a bit wearisome and there's also plenty further afield so you can mix your days with some walking, some travelling the harbour or on a train/bus to somewhere.
Travelpasses do not include the BM but you can buy a combined rail/bus pass - the 131500 site showing through a two step approach $51 it seems for both a one day or three day fare [something a bit odd there possibly and not impossible given difficulties the Sydney rail network does have at times], but that pass will include what is called the BM Explorer Bus, a get on/get off/get on again wherever you like circuit bus that takes people from Katoomba Railway Station to all the highlights/access points for the Scenic Railway etc.
Another Sydney visitor recently posted on an alternative of just buying the rail ticket to Katoomba and then using
http://www.trolleytours.com.au/ [apparently a little cheaper].
If you do have a particular interest in the BM, it would be well worthwhile to consider a few days up there as there is some splendid accommodation in Bed and Breakfast establishments as well as some magnificent guesthouses fashioned on older eras, and then http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Though you do not even need a car for getting there, if there was one part of your trip that a car would certainly benefit, heading out west is certainly it and with 10 days you may want to consider a 5+5 or 6+4 split of your days down in Sydney itself and some time touring.
It may even be that you could hire a vehicle in Katoomba after a first day of travelling out by train and doing the BM explorer bit and then drive over to JC and it would be remiss of me not to mention Kanangra Walls, a far less visited but spectacular place to be and hope for a day when there are some low scudding black thunderheads rolling in - if you get there and there are you'll understand what I mean, but it'll still be highly spectacular on a fine day too.
http://www.clubstay.com.au/car_renta...l_katoomba.asp have a compact 4wd on the list and just for my own future interest I've put in an enquiry re off sealed road use, so I'll re-post if they respond.
Anyway, from JC/Kanangra you could head across throygh Oberon to Bathurst, do a drive up Mount Panorama to have your breath taken away on the descent [very very slowly] and also possibly take in some old mining towns history and the Zig Zag railway before returning the vehicle to Katoomba and training back to Sydney.
Also .5d or whole day tours for the Kanangra Walls and so you could still do the lot [excepting for Bathurst/Mt. P] without hiring though you'll lose some time with bus connections etc. - http://www.bluemts.com.au/jenolan4WD/
But back to downtown and the ferries
http://www.thisweekinaustralia.com/sydney-ferries.php offers more insight and an advert there for the Harbour B&B which is not supposed to be too bad.
There are ferry trips to be had outside of the harbour too, from what is called Pittwater our to Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River - http://www.palmbeachferry.com.au/ and some nice peaceful areas out the northern beaches way - http://www.newportarms.com.au/ a great spot for lunch and even another accommodation option if looking for somewhere different and not minding a bus ride into Manly for ferry to CBD or direct there via the bus [ express bus services too]
I found what to me is a great site re history of ferries - http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/ and click on the river/harbour ferries since 1956 and you can find the one that is being used for the Hawkesbury River Postal Service - http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/...871546416.html, details at end of article and then it can also be combined with other trips too - http://www.about-australia.com/trave...river-ferries/ and you would need to take a train to Brooklyn for that.
Thought of the Hawkesbury opens up another accomodation option for a day or two and that would be a houseboat on the Hawkesbury - http://www.hawkesburyhouseboats.com.au/ one site and another a little cheaper - http://www.ripples.com.au/
So lots of options depending on budget and to make mixing it up a possibility, perhaps you cn ease the unpacking/packing chore a bit by giving some thought to it, maybe a couple of smaller bags each instead of one big one or one larger and one medium size etc.
If you book a couple of nights at one place and then another for last before leaving Sydney, you'll probably find they'll store a couple pieces of luggage for you while you take smaller piece with you for trying different locations.
Variety is the spice of life.
If having an interest in the NPs you may just want to check the access railway station with pass coverage but even the weekly purple pass is only $60.
Re where to stay and certainly 'when' may affect your choice for if it's going to be in our summer/warmer periods I'd recommend Manly to be near enough to the ocean to get cooling sea breezes and the bonus of drifting off to sleep and awaking to ocean waves rather than traffic noise and most certainly fresher air, but I've cut and pasted re some ideas I had put on another post:
Use www.wotif.com.au and type in hotels with a price range, and standard sought etc. and you'll see what's available.
If you wanted to experience a few different places, there's certainly some variety about, and of course it could depend on time of year as much as tastes as to what suits, eg.
for a great experience at best value, try in Rocks area http://www.australianheritagehotel.com/ but ask for a room away from Bridge side which is Cumberland street - no ensuite there but colonial rooms are great and you could book two for far less than what pricier sterile places charge for one.
Couple of other unique overnighters:
. http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/camping/houses.html
. Roar and Snore - http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-zo...ar--snore.aspx
Certainly the latter is different but then I'll try most things and even converted railway carriages at www.yha.com.au at railway square offer a great nights sleep.
The ferries are a big part of Sydney, being very much part of its history and they're included in travel passes, thus I'm at something of a loss for Bok putting " I'm not sure it would be worth buying the transport option; Sydney's a very walkable city and I think you might be just as well served buying a normal 2 or 3 day pass." for a weeks travelpass at $46 as against a single days at $17 makes the week exceptional value once you go past two days of travelling.
And the ferry trip CQ to Manly you'll hardly ever tire off and certainly not surprising to find it at the top of list for 100 things to do in Sydney - http://www.sydney100.com/
And sure there's plenty of interest about the CBD but too much footslogging can be a bit wearisome and there's also plenty further afield so you can mix your days with some walking, some travelling the harbour or on a train/bus to somewhere.
Travelpasses do not include the BM but you can buy a combined rail/bus pass - the 131500 site showing through a two step approach $51 it seems for both a one day or three day fare [something a bit odd there possibly and not impossible given difficulties the Sydney rail network does have at times], but that pass will include what is called the BM Explorer Bus, a get on/get off/get on again wherever you like circuit bus that takes people from Katoomba Railway Station to all the highlights/access points for the Scenic Railway etc.
Another Sydney visitor recently posted on an alternative of just buying the rail ticket to Katoomba and then using
http://www.trolleytours.com.au/ [apparently a little cheaper].
If you do have a particular interest in the BM, it would be well worthwhile to consider a few days up there as there is some splendid accommodation in Bed and Breakfast establishments as well as some magnificent guesthouses fashioned on older eras, and then http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Though you do not even need a car for getting there, if there was one part of your trip that a car would certainly benefit, heading out west is certainly it and with 10 days you may want to consider a 5+5 or 6+4 split of your days down in Sydney itself and some time touring.
It may even be that you could hire a vehicle in Katoomba after a first day of travelling out by train and doing the BM explorer bit and then drive over to JC and it would be remiss of me not to mention Kanangra Walls, a far less visited but spectacular place to be and hope for a day when there are some low scudding black thunderheads rolling in - if you get there and there are you'll understand what I mean, but it'll still be highly spectacular on a fine day too.
http://www.clubstay.com.au/car_renta...l_katoomba.asp have a compact 4wd on the list and just for my own future interest I've put in an enquiry re off sealed road use, so I'll re-post if they respond.
Anyway, from JC/Kanangra you could head across throygh Oberon to Bathurst, do a drive up Mount Panorama to have your breath taken away on the descent [very very slowly] and also possibly take in some old mining towns history and the Zig Zag railway before returning the vehicle to Katoomba and training back to Sydney.
Also .5d or whole day tours for the Kanangra Walls and so you could still do the lot [excepting for Bathurst/Mt. P] without hiring though you'll lose some time with bus connections etc. - http://www.bluemts.com.au/jenolan4WD/
But back to downtown and the ferries
http://www.thisweekinaustralia.com/sydney-ferries.php offers more insight and an advert there for the Harbour B&B which is not supposed to be too bad.
There are ferry trips to be had outside of the harbour too, from what is called Pittwater our to Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River - http://www.palmbeachferry.com.au/ and some nice peaceful areas out the northern beaches way - http://www.newportarms.com.au/ a great spot for lunch and even another accommodation option if looking for somewhere different and not minding a bus ride into Manly for ferry to CBD or direct there via the bus [ express bus services too]
I found what to me is a great site re history of ferries - http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/ and click on the river/harbour ferries since 1956 and you can find the one that is being used for the Hawkesbury River Postal Service - http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/...871546416.html, details at end of article and then it can also be combined with other trips too - http://www.about-australia.com/trave...river-ferries/ and you would need to take a train to Brooklyn for that.
Thought of the Hawkesbury opens up another accomodation option for a day or two and that would be a houseboat on the Hawkesbury - http://www.hawkesburyhouseboats.com.au/ one site and another a little cheaper - http://www.ripples.com.au/
So lots of options depending on budget and to make mixing it up a possibility, perhaps you cn ease the unpacking/packing chore a bit by giving some thought to it, maybe a couple of smaller bags each instead of one big one or one larger and one medium size etc.
If you book a couple of nights at one place and then another for last before leaving Sydney, you'll probably find they'll store a couple pieces of luggage for you while you take smaller piece with you for trying different locations.
Variety is the spice of life.
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