Sydney Bound
 

My friend and I, two senior ladies, are taking a cruise in February that leaves from Sydney. We have 7 days prior to boarding to explore the area and are looking for "must see" suggestions.

We may also be travelling to Newcastle for a couple of days to visit a friend.

Please advise where to stay for approximately $200.00 Australian dollars per night in Sydney. Safety, cleanliness and convenience are priorities.

Has anyone ever used the Sydney pass? Is it good value? Would it cover a trip to Newcastle?

Also, where could we store our luggage if we travel outside of Sydney? Do the hotels provide this service?

Must sees could include: for class tourist orientatation (the on-off bus, Centrepoint tower, a harbour tour); the zoo (go on the ferry); the aquarium; one of the surf beaches (Bondi, Bronte, maybe go on the walk in between the two, Manly, Clovelly etc.) or a harbour beach (Neilson Park, Red Leaf); a national park visit (Blue Mountains, Kuringai, Royal National Park); Museum of Sydney; Art Gallery of NSW.

For "safety, cleanliness and convenience" I'd recommend YHA Central.

But I guess that isn't really what you have in mind.

You'd be doing yourselves a great favour if you got hold of a guide book. I assume they have books where you live. And read it.

Thanks for the information. We live in Toronto, Canada, and have several guide books as well as numerous Internet searches. However, there is so much to choose from and we know we can't do everything.

Is $200.00 per night a reasonable expectation? I notice hotels seem to be generally more expensive in Australia than in Canada and although the exchange rate is in our favour, it doesn't totally offset the difference.

Hi Prinret,

You are coming at a great time - daylight saving, school holidays over, lots of things on.

Wotif is a good site for discounted accommodation. You might consider an apartment rather than a hotel - larger, cooking & laundry facilities etc.
Wotif usually posts 14-21 days ahead, but this will give you a guide of what's available now.

Just have a look at the map for hotels/apartments you are interested in if you don't have a Sydney map. It's easy unwittingly book yourself a hotel on the outskirts of an unknown city (LOL). By all means, ask here about particular properties ... someone will soon advise you "yea or nay" ;)
http://www.wotif.com/hotels/apartment-in-sydney.html


You can also do a search for <AUD 200 properties within the "wotif" site.

Your hotel will store your luggage, as will most of the apartment managers.

The Lord Nelson Hotel in The Rocks is popular with Fodorites, but I'm not sure whether they have a lift (elevator), if that's an issue for you.

The City of Sydney website will give you some pointers to what's on in February. www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

The Tourist Centre in Argyle St (The Rocks) is a mine of information for day & half-day tours etc., once you are here.
If you go to Newcastle, your friends might take you to the Hunter Valley or out to Morpeth, which is a charming little village.

The Blue Mountains are an excellent 1 day trip and you can easily do it independently by train.

The Opera House does excellent "behind the scenes" tours and there's always something interesting on there, whether it's Opera, Symphony, a play or concert.
www.sydneyoperahouse.com

The Art Gallery of NSW has an excellent "art after hours" programme on Wednesdays until 9pm.
www.artafterhours.com.au

You can subscribe to both these free of charge - easy way to keep abreast of what's on.

Something really special in Feb & March: Twilight concerts at Taronga Zoo! These are absolute magic : http://www.sydneyfestivals.com.au/tw...nga-series.htm

If you like to post a little about your particular interests, I'm sure you will have lots of helpful ideas.
In the meantime,enjoy your planning .. :)

The last time I was in Canada the cost of accommodation was about the same comparing similiar hotels in the prime locations of Sydney/Vancouver/Montreal/Toronto. I would wait and buy the rooms on www.wotif.com.au ( check out the prices now on that) and you can get those prices either 2 weeks before or one month before you arrive. Look at what you could get at Harbour View North Sydney - at last I think that is the name of it. Its 3 minutes to the train which is direct across the harbour.

Thank you again for your helpful replies. We appreciate you taking the time to help us out.

Our interests are pretty eclectic but theatre, ballet and history would be at the top of the list. We are looking to doing some sightseeing and perhaps some shopping. The zoo has been recommended and it is definitely an interest. The suggestion about the concerts at the zoo are great.

My friend cannot walk over difficult terrain and we try to limit the amount of walking if possible, although we can do some.

Does anyone have any information about the Sydney Pass? It has been recommended that we purchase it in Canada, but we are not sure if that is good advice. I understand we can get one for either 3 days or 5 days.

The idea of an apartment is also a good suggestion. Is it possible to get one for only one week?

Hi,

I would normally advise against the "Sydney Pass" (Sydney Explorer") because you get much better value for money just buying a weekly travel pass. This is what locals buy and gives you unlimited journeys on bus, train, ferry.

But if you don't want to see anything other than what Sydney Buses think you want to see, then why not. Probably less walking involved, and no need to think much.

You don't say when in Feb your cruise leaves. Now I'm hoping form your sake that it is early in the month - like you might be here to catch the tail end of the Sydney Festival. One of the in Sydney sio keyuseIf your cruise e yise

whoops - pressed wrong button.

The Sydney Festival - one of the closing events (end Jan/start Feb) is "Opera in the Domain". It's a wonderful evening. The Domain is a park 20 mins walk from Circular Quay so very close to the city centte. Not to be missed - and it's free.

I have the Australian Ballet schedule for 2008 to hand, and sadly there are no performances in January or Feb in Sydney.

Still - do try to see something at the Opera House.

I also recommend the Museum of Sydney seeing as you are interested in history - endlessly fascinating.

All the best.

I can recommend a hotel in the centre of the CBD in Sydney - The Castlereagh Boutique Hotel - it is used a great deal by rural people coming to the city and especially womens' groups. The rooms are small but comfortable and everything is spotlessly clean.There is a brasserie/bar and also a more formal restaurant in the building.
The location is excellent - a 15 minute walk (downhill) to Circular Quay and Darling Harbour and there are many buses close by.

Chimani, I am in Sydney from February 10 through the 17th. Would the Festival still be on? Thanks for checking on the Australian Ballet.

Prue, I have seen the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel on the Internet. It sounds like a good location for us.

Thanks, everyone, for answering my post.

Apartments: Yes, the ones on Wotif are an alternative to hotels used by many locals as well as o/s travellers. You can stay just 1 night if you wish.

Some "special deals" may require a minimum 2 or 3 nights, but these are more usually in holiday areas/times. Any conditions will be highlighted on the individual property listing.

If you do decide on the Castlereagh Hotel I am really sure you won't be disappointed as long as you expect a small room and bathroom and no view. As I stated it is very often used by rural people and more so by women, so the staff are particularly nice and caring and will go out of their way to help.
I have been connected with rural health and many committees and have stayed there regularly for over 20 years.

Wotif is a great resource, but pay attention to the cancellation policy of the particular property you are considering. The policy varies from property to property.

My husand and I are currently in Sydney, staying at Harbourside Apartments at McMahon's Point. This is right at the ferry wharf to Circular Quay, a six minute ride on the spectacular apartment. Prices for studio apartment under $200A, very clean, and safe. Put name into Google.
For the ferries we bought a week pass for $38A each or you can buy ten tickets for $33 - these can be used by two people. Some time on the harbour is lovely.
If you are wanting reasonable souvenirs, try Paddy's Market, not far from Darling Harbour restaurants. Jean

Great information. Thanks. I will check out your suggestion and I hope you enjoy your stay.

We are also considering the Macleay Serviced Apartments but are a little concerned about them being near the red light district.

Would that be a problem?

The other option, as mentioned before, is the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel.