Any suggestions. My parents (both around 65)are going to be in Sydney for the first time (with me and my 3 yr old) enroute HK just before Xmas and have about 5-6 days stopover. Suggestions for in and around needed. Plan to catch the Paddington market for sure, a harbor cruise and Blue Mts. But not sure where all excatly. Plus, shd we drive to Blue Mt area or take the train? Is Hunter Valley worth doing/doable in that 6 day period?<BR>Thanks in advance.

Hi, Tongsa!<BR>I usually advise people to take the train to see the Blue Mountains, but since you are a group of four, and your parents might like the convenience of being driven to the views, I think that in your case I would recommend a car. But don't hire it in Sydney and drive through all that traffic; take the fast train to Emu Plains (at the foot of the mountains, and well out of all the traffic snarls), and then hire a car there from the Budget Rent-a-Car people, right near the station (to be honest, there's not much else at the station, though on the way back you might like to have a meal at the Irish pub across the main car-park.... on Tuesdays and Wednesdays it's absurdly cheap). This way you will save a lot of driving and a lot of stress. If you can get away from Sydney early in the morning (say, the 8 a.m. train), you will be in Emu Plains around 9; ten minutes' drive away is the turnoff to Euroka Clearing, at Glenbrook, which you can drive right to (about 15km from the highway), and where you can "breakfast (as they say) with the kangaroos." It's not a frequently-visited destination, but it's great. At the top of the Mountains, around Katoomba, there are multiple walking routes for people of all ages and degrees of fitness. For lunch, however, drive out of Katoomba and visit the next-east town, Leura, which is small and lovely.<BR>The Paddington market is a Saturday morning market just on the outskirts of the city -- you can get a taxi for a few dollars, which is probably just as cheap as putting all four of you into a bus.<BR>The harbour cruise is best done informally; just take any one (or two, or three) of the commuter ferries which leave every few minutes from Circular Quay. They are government-run, and, therefore, quite cheap (if the ticket seller will accept your parents' senior card, it will cost them $1.10 to ride all day, including as many changes as you can fit in.) The best ferry is the one to Manly; other good ones are Watson's Bay, Balmain, and Taronga Park Zoo. <BR>I don't think I would bother with the Hunter Valley, as it's a spread-out area and would be quite time-consuming. Your parents might enjoy more a leisurely drive down to the small coastal towns south of Sydney, maybe as far as Kiama. <BR>Sydney is a great walking city for all ages; however, so that you don't tire your parents out before you start to see the sights, make sure you plan your hotel carefully. Around the Rocks is the best area, although hotels there tend to be on the expensive side (there are, however, some bargains if you are willing to compromise on things like air-conditioning or an elevator). I think I would avoid the Darling Harbour/Star Casino area, as it's a long way from anywhere, so if your travel agent starts to push you in that direction (as well he might, as there are a lot of large hotels around there, and since the Olympics I expect that they are pretty hard to fill), get back onto this forum and ask for alternatives.<BR>Hope this has been of some help.

Hey Alan,<BR>Thanks so much for the advice and I shall surely follow it. <BR><BR>But your advice leads me to more questions, please bear with me: - should we stay at Leura or Katoomba? Or at Kiama? Also, given that it is peak holiday season, will getting car rentals without prior booking be a problem. Since its their first trip, I do want it to be perfect - (of course all trips shd be). And , yes am thinking of staying near or at the Rocks. I am told the Regent is good and am leaning towards that...<BR>And, lastly, what else should I take them to in Sydney?<BR>Thanks so much.

Staying in the mountains for a day or so, may well be a good idea - There are any number of small places, or for a larger place, Fairmont, at Leura, or Lilianfels. Avoid the Hydro-Majestic at Medlow Bath.<BR>Alan, loved the idea of the Euroka Clearing!<BR><BR>Perhaps consider Manly as well, get the ferry. The Hunter is doable, but a lot of driving, espec. with a child. There are some days tours there which may be worth looking at.<BR><BR>Regent Hotel is brilliantly located.

Hi, again, Tongsa!<BR>If you plan to stay in the Blue Mountains overnight, my personal choice would be the Grandview at Wentworth Falls (phone 02 4757 2001). Now, despite the name, it doesn't give you much of a view, but it's a fine old building, and you will see plenty of mountain views anyway. The good thing about it is that it is not TOO expensive, as it is just a couple of kilometres out of the main "tourist" area of Katoomba (but on the highway going west... you will drive right past it as you head for Katoomba). If you do decide to blow the budget and stay in Katoomba or Leura, there are dozens of bed-and-breakfasts in both towns, but you will need to book in advance. If your travel agent is having a hard time finding a vacancy, ask him to check two other nearby towns, Mt Victoria and Blackheath, both of which are also well-served with accommodation. The Imperial at Mt Victoria (phone 02-4787 1878) is certainly an imposing place, although I can't speak from experience at having stayed there. Looks like fun, though!<BR><BR>About the peak-season holiday rentals: when I drive past the Budget office at Emu Plains, there always seem to be several cars ready to go, but few/no customers, so I don't anticipate you'd have a problem; but, to be on the safe side, you could always contact them on arrival in Sydney (02-4731 5000.) There is also a Thrifty Rental Car branch in Leura, which is also accessible by the same train. Their phone is 02-4784 2888.<BR>If you have only five or six days and you plan to spend one night in the Mountains, I think I would treat my suggestion for a south-coast road drive as a day tour only... stopping for a night in, say, Kiama, might be pleasant, but it's no substitute for Sydney!<BR>The Regent is very well-located for what you want; other possibilities to check out would be Holiday Inn at the Rocks, The Russell, Quay West, and the Park Hyatt: all are within a few minutes' walk of each other. A bit further back from the harbour, but still quite close, and apparently a bit cheaper, is the Renaissance. <BR>I would suggest the Harbour Bridge climb (late afternoon/early evening) as a memorable experience for your parents in spite of their age (lots of people in their 60s and 70s do it), but I realise that this leaves you with a problem: what to do with your three-year-old, who can't do it. At least try to walk over the Bridge... probably the best way to do this is to get a train to Milson's Point Station and walk back. Their should be some good children's activities around the Rocks area and Darling Harbour which will keep your three-year-old amused. My only other suggestion is that you take things VERY easy with both your parents and child in this time of year, as Sydney is both hot and dazzlingly bright. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are absolute musts, even in the Mountains, which only gets cool if you are prepared to hike down to the valley floor.<BR>Have a great time!

Thanks for all the suggestions. And one more questions, I am yet to track Kiama on the map. But can I stay there too or enroute? Keep activities relaxed. Will keep you posted...

Hi yet again, Tongsa!<BR>Really, Kiama was merely the first place that came to mind as I mentally traced down the south coast towns. It is south of Wollongong, and, really, nothing special. Just a good place to have a meal and turn around to head back to Sydney. Their one tourist attraction is "The Blowhole"... a natural cave which funnels waves up into a spout at certain tides. If you do plan to stay overnight down that way, head off the highway and west to Robertson, which is only a so-so town, but has a wonderful old hotel called Ranelagh House, which is a bit mindful of Manderley in "Rebecca". It was built in the pre-depression days as a grand hotel, and has been, since the crash, a convent and a sanatorium for tubercular sufferers. Now it's back to being a grand hotel again, and the suites with their antique furniture are really something to experience, if you don't mind the nineteenth-century plumbing in the ensuite. There is a chapel and a sauna in the place, and even a (now disused) railway station where the rich were met by porters in the hotel's golden era. I bet you and your parents would like wandering around in it, as long as you check first to make sure there is no convention staying there on the night you go down.

If I was coming for a few days to Sydney and had not been here before I would definately go to the Blue Mountains by train. The services are frequent. I would go to Katoomba and catch a bus around the tourist sites which would include the 3 sisters and the skyway. I would recommend staying in Leura or Blackheath rather that satying Katoomba.<BR><BR>Kiama is on the NSW south coast. Its one tourist attraction is the blow hole and if I had only had a few days I'd give Kiama a miss. The south coast is, however, beautiful and one of the best places to see it would be Stanwell Tops which is just south of Sydney - you would, however, need to hire a car. Just a bit further south than Kiama is Gerringong and Gerroa both prettier than Kiama in my opinion and a short distance further on (though inland) is Berry which is an interesting village and a pleasnat place to stay (but maybe a bit hot in December?)<BR><BR>With a 3 year old perhaps a ferry to Taronga Zoo would be a good idea (they leave from Circular quay in the city)or a visit to the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour. The Powerhouse Museum also at Darling Harbour would be of interest. Other points of interest might be Australia's Wonderland in the western suburbs (has a wildlife park) or Featherdale Wildlife Park also nearby.

I wish you would not refer to people that are 65 as elderly. Most are just getting good at that age, and are harldy over the hill. My "elderly" husband goes on 35 mile bike rides. Of course that is when they let him out of the "home".

Thanks Janet I do agree. But then reading her posts I can see that she will have her hands full with her 3 yr old. Those elderly 65 yr olds will be helping out all the time<BR><BR>My kids love it when I take their kids off their hands for awhile. But then my kids have never viewed me as "elderly".

I would also recommend going to the Blue Mountains by train - once there you can buy an all day pass for $12 for the Trolley Tours Bus which is basically a hop on/ hop off service which does a loop past all the sights in Katoomba & Leura - very good value I found. You can also with the pass get discount entry to some sights. Heres the web site... http://www.bluemts.com.au/pearce/trolleytours/daytour.htm<BR>

Touche. I told my mom that I was getting help from this website and that I asid i was getting an itinerary for the elderly - she WAS offended. Kind of brushed it off and said "whatever" and " Oh I can walk"....<BR>Its just that I want to set a lesiurely pace with an active 3 yrs old and enthusiastic parents.<BR>Thanks for the tips again. And apologies for rubbing you the wrong way.

I am really glad she was offended, as she should be. Our population is younger all the time, and people travel all over the world when they are through raising their family. 65 is hardly elderly.

You consider 65 elderly. SHAME ON YOU. My parents are 89 and 84 and they are more active than any 35 year olds out there. Both are still active bowlers and they just returned from a 2 week Mediterranean cruise and are planning next year's vacation already.

Mary and Connie, it's nice to see you stand up for the over 65s, but instead of endlessly taking poor Tongsa to task over a tiny slip of the pen for which she has already apologised, why not give her some help on the itinerary she asked about? This is a TRAVEL forum, remember?

They should just be left in the nursing home......she probably has already put them there is she thinks they are ELDERLY.

Alan<BR>you are a true gentleman!!! I agree - Tongsa has had enough lashings with the wet noodle so let's leave her to a great trip with her parents and daughter. Enjoy yourself - I'll envy you in Sydney.

Alan and Patti,<BR>Thanks so much for standing up for me...<BR>I think being active is all relative - not much you can do if you have an arthritic knee etc, so....am not going to respond to all those allegations....<BR>Anyway, I have been visiting the websites of various palces in B. Mts area and did not find the Grand View Hotel. But there is so mcuh choice, am quite lost as to what to opt for - Leura is what am thinking.<BR>Thanks.<BR><BR>

Excuse me, since when did an arthritic knee make you elderly.

Well, "What-Judyk" (is "What" your real name?), let me tell you, an arthritic knee can sure make you FEEL elderly! Get a life, for heaven's sake! Instead of criticising Tongsa, why not do a google search to help her find the information she lacks? (Don't tell me, I know why -- your way is easier).<BR><BR>Tongsa, you will thoroughly enjoy Leura, but since you couldn't find the GrandView, here are a few websites which not only feature it, but also have links to dozens of other places in the Blue Mountains, from Lapstone right through to Jenolan Caves -- in most cases, with pictures for comparison. Note that the Grand View is right near the entrance to the walking track to Wentworth Falls, which is a pleasant work, and opposite the railway station and shops (including a couple of antique shops). I think it's a nicer place to stay than Katoomba, which is very much geared to the tourist trade -- although Leura is equally as good! Anyway, you will be able to make your selection better after you have checked these sites:<BR>www.bluemts.com.au/HistoryHighway/hotels/Grandview.htm<BR>www.wonderland.bluemts.com.au/category.asp?category=Dining<BR>www.australiatrave l.au.com/bluemountains/wentworthfalls/wentworthfalls_accommodation/<BR>www.dawsons.com.au/index.htm?source=Grand%20View%20Hotel<BR><BR>There are so many great places on these sites that you will be able to plan every night and every meal just from here! Note that you can ring or email the Grand View, which may be cheaper for you than booking at travelhero.<BR>Have a wonderful time, and best wishes to your rapidly-rejuvenating parents!