Sydney for an afternoon and evening
 

Since our ff tickets are to Sydney even though we are spending the time in New Zealand -- we wanted to get back to Sydney the day before we return home. We were planning to catch a 7:00 flight from Christchurch puts us in Sydney at 8:30 -- by the time we clear customs and get into the city it will be close to noon. The flight the next day is at 11:30.

So we are trying to figure out where to stay for the night and what to do that day. I would think staying in town would be preferable to the airport area but which part of town? CBD? Rocks? Darling Harbor etc?

I would prefer to keep the hotel cost under $300 for the night.

As for what to do -- we don't have a lot of time -- a harbor ferry? -- which one? -- don't necessarily need a tour boat -- tour the Sydney Opera -- walk the bridge? see something of the original colony? Something else? What is realistic given the time we have? It will be January -- a Monday .

Thanks much!

Stay in The Rocks/Circular Quay, take a ferry to Manly, have a wander around the Opera House precinct. If you're interested in art, have a look at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) at Circular and/or the Art Gallery of NSW.

The latter is a 15minute walk through the Botanic Gardens, or 20 minutes along Macquarie Street; past early colonial buildings still in use as the Mitchell Library, Parliament House, museum in the old Mint Building and the Intercontinental Hotel behind the old Treasury facade http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco...verview/sydney

The Intercontinental would be a good choice for hotel - great views, proximity to everything around Circular Quay & the Rocks.

What time of year are we discussing? There might be something on that would interest you.

Thanks -- it will be January when we are there -- The Intercontinental is a bit on the expensive side -- we were hoping to spend $300 or less and this would be closer to $400 -- any other suggestions?

Depending on your accommodation preference; there are a few options in & around The Rocks that might appeal.

Two smaller, period hotels are The Russell, which is right on George Street, across the road from Circular Quay http://www.therussell.com.au/

and the Lord Nelson, just behind The Rocks http://www.lordnelsonbrewery.com/

Also in the smaller, traditional pub style is The Australian Hotel. http://www.australianheritagehotel.com/

More modern and also on George Street - just a few doors north of The Russell, is the Old Sydney Inn, now run by Holiday Inns. http://holidayinnoldsydney.street-directory.com.au/

I'm a local and the only one of these I've stayed in is The Russell. That was a couple of years ago and I thought it was charming. Friends stay at the Old Sydney Inn occasionally, and the Lord Nelson seems to be popular with American visitors. Note: Neither the Russell nor the Lord Nelson has a lift.

You might also have a look at the Marriott Harbourside http://www.marriott.com.au/hotels/tr...circular-quay/
The Menzies (5-10 mins walk from Circular Quay; at Wynyard railway station) http://www.sydneymenzieshotel.com.au/

The Harbour Rocks hotel is another smaller hotel in The Rocks & close to Circular Quay.

http://www.wotif.com/search/Advanced...rrencyCode=AUD


or one of the self catering apartments around Circular Quay.

I'm assuming you know that January is very high season in Sydney, so I wouldn't expect any huge bargains. However, if you find a property you like and book well ahead, you may be able to strike a rate that suits your budget.

I am leaning toward the marriott or the harbor rocks or lord nelson brewery. Lord nelson has good reviews but I also had an impression from some reviews that the pub comes first so I did not know how difficult it would be to get a cab to the airport in the morning where I know the marriott and the harbor rocks would not be an issue. Lord Nelson is very reasonable priced (yea!) but does not have an elevator and I do not know that they would have someone to help with luggage etc. they have only 9 rooms. I may just keep watching for a special as we have a bit of time before then.

Thanks for your help.