Tour Guide in Sydney? What are good day trips?
 

Can anyone recommend a good tour guide/tour company in Sydney?
Also, what sort of day trips (we don't mind a bit of a drive) are there to do in the area

mgtr - I would suggest doing a search for previous comments made concerning the main sights to see in Sydney. There is a wealth of knowledge hidden in the archives.
As for Tour guide...unless you can't speak english....I wouldn't concern myself with a guide. Every Hotel in Sydney has stacks of information about what to see & do, additionally the front office staff of hotels will oblige with the all the information, maps, etc. Sydney is a very easy city to get around.

As Tropo says, you don't need a tour guide in Sydney unless you can't speak English - and even then (thousands do) you could get by with a few brain cells and A MAP.

May one ask what lead you to think you needed a guide in Sydney? Would I need a guide in wherever ydask z

If you do speak English suggest getting a map, and doing some reading, and buying either a one day travel pass for each day you are here (trains, buses, ferries) or - if you are going to be here for 3 days plus, a comuter weekly ticket. And just get on those buses, trains, ferries, and check the place out.

mgtr, day trips out of Sydney would include the following:

Royal National Park - less than an hour south of the city. Nice coastal walk.
Then further south along the cliffs to Bulli and the north of Wollongong. Bits of it are like the Great Ocean Road.

Blue Mountains - try canyoning to appreciate the real beauty of the place. I suggest you google 'canyoning blue mountains' for professional guides. Or at least do a 'bush walk.'

Jenolan Caves - further up the blue mountains; lots of guided tours of interesting caves.

Hunter Valley - vineyards and good food.

Canberra - if you don't mind a long drive of 3 hours, it is not a bad city to visit.

Nelson Bay - 2.5 hours north. If you are keen to see dolphins, and during season, whales.

Or drive to Palm Beach and climb up Barenjoey head to the lighthouse. (Less than one hour north of Sydney).

Thank you for all of the information. The only reason I ask for tour information is that on more than one occasion in traveling I have gotten lost. I didn't know how easy/confusing it was to get in and around Sydney, but it sounds fine.
I looked at quite a few sites and it seems like we would most enjoy a side trip of a few days to the Blue Mountains. I was able to find a ton of tour guides that offer Abseiling Canyoning, Rock Climbing, Biking, and Hiking. Most were priced very similar. Does anyone know of a specific company that has a great reputation?

I posted a trip report on Sydney and the Blue Mountains, as I was there in March

Type my name Percy into the search bar and then scroll to get my Sydney Blue Mountain Report.

Percy

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ercy&fid=3

Here is the thread for the report.

Percy

Hi Percy,
I may be way off....but did you recommend a guide in Costa Rica to me a year ago? If you are the same person that recommended Vargas Tours (Ricardo and David)I would trust your advice on anything!!!! We have said over and over we which we could find a guide like David everywhere we travel!

Hi mgtr

Yes it's me.

I love Costa Rica.

I did 7 tours with Vargas tours(in Costa Rica) and they are the best ( as you know) if you are in the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica.

Yes,David was ( and is ) just such a cute young fellow and so helpful.

He took me to many out of the way places that were not part of any tour.

I loved touring around in Sydney...and I would for sure do the Blue Mountains.

I had a guide called Dennis( for the Blue Mountains).... I wish I had his e-mail but I have lost it somehow (Grrr!!)

Please read my trip report and you will at least read what I did !!

Thank you for the kind words.
Percy

Remember the blue mountains is much more than Echo Point and the Three Sisters (though that is a very pretty spot at sunrise and at dusk to see the changing hues).

Concerning canyoning, I go with a group of enthusiasts that include a couple of experts, but I recommend visitors go with a commercial operator - sorry not able to recommend any particular one but email them and ask questions.

The canyon I would recommend is 'Claustral Canyon.'
To give an idea what I am talking about, and why I am keen for others to see a part of the mountains that most visitors (including locals) don't, click this link for some pictures:

http://www.david-noble.net/canyoning...al_Canyon.html

This assumes you are in reasonable shape - and not afraid to abseil down waterfalls etc.

If you like a more gentle introduction, ask to do 'Rocky Creek.'

Anywhat, good to note Percy is around to help - his enthusiasm is contagious.

mgtr

I'm lost in the northern hemisphere all the time - and I've never considered a guide to overcome the problem - perhaps I should?

Getting lost just means you see some different and/or unplanned places or things.

It's very easy to get around Sydney - and even outside. Look for Alan's advice on the Bloe Mountains, and several other posters.

If you are interested in wine tasting and heading towards the Hunter Valley - I'd look for a tour - it's quite a long day trip - and your tasting opportunities will be limited if you have to drive. I have no recommendations, though.

Other things round and about iin SYdney depend on your interests. The main part of the city is very walkable and public transport is pretty good - unless you live in the suburbs.

If you give a clue on what you'd like to see and do, or what your particular interests are, then we can make some sensible suggestions (well - not me on the sensible - but someone will!)

Did I say 'contagious'? Infectious.

One more thing - if you are going to Mr Tomah, as did Percy, you might wish to take a peek at a quaint little village called Mt Wilson not too far from there. Great colors in autumn and spring.

And if you are staying a few days up there, then a drive to Jenolan Caves might be worth your while. Explore one of the more demanding caves.

eschaton:

You are correct about the Fall colors.
I was there in mid March which is the beginning of the Fall season.

I had lunch in Mount Wilson.

The whole drive through and about the Blue Montains is great.
There is no bad region there. It is all so beautiful.

I sat in the front seat of the Van with our private tour guide... he did the driving and explaining ....and I did the looking and the asking of questions !!

For me, I like the idea of a private guide , because I want to get the most out of the time I am there.

There is nothing wrong with driving...but I am from Canada and here we drive on the "Right" side of the road !! ( ha,ha)

I am booked for a 16 day Mediterranean Cruise in October.

I have a private guide booked for all the Ports of call.

When I walk off that ship ,I want someone to start showing me all the sights.

In Florence he is going to get me advance tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa....only 20 people can climb at a time.

In Rome he is getting advance tickets for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chaple (Michael Angelo ceiling).

And so on for Athens ,Istanbul etc.

I just do not want to be boarding a bus with 60 other people...and trying to hear what the guide is saying to all 60 of us.!!!

The point I am trying to make is , that is the reason I hire a private tour guide.

It may cost a few dollars more but I also see more.

Of course you do not need a private tour guide for everything...so you pck and choose where you need one.

Take care margo_oz and eschaton.

Percy