We are budget travelers, in our '60's and stayed with friends in the Potts Point area of Sydney.

If money were no object, we probably would have stayed somewhere swank with a view of the harbor. But since we seem to have an insatiable appetite for travel, we economize whenever possible in order to travel again. However, we loved Potts Point. It was within walking distance, for us, of the CBD and the Opera House although the 112 steps between Harry's and Potts Point we could have done without. It is a neighborhood with real people, real restaurants and real stores.

On our first morning we walked through the Botanical Garden (Recommended) and down MacQuarie Street to the Opera House. We had breakfast at the Portobello Café (Recommended)on the east side of Circular Quay. We did a little souvenir shopping and then took a tour of the Opera House. (Highly Recommended) While on the tour, we stopped and listened to the symphony rehearsing for the afternoon performance. At the end of the tour, we got in line at the ticket window to see what was available for that performance. We obtained tickets in the last row, center. (Highly Recommended if the symphony is your 'thing'). Incidently, we weren't particularly dressed up but we checked and there is no dress code.

We walked back to Potts Point, admiring the white cockatoos. Dinner was at Arun Thai on Maclay Street (Recommended).

The next day we took the Sydney Explorer which we picked up on Maclay Street. (Recommended) If you start at this point, you will need cash as they don't accept credit cards on the bus. We first rode the entire circuit which took a little over 2 hours. On the next round, we got off at the Queen Victoria Building (Nice free public toilets) and wandered through. We had lunch at a place that I think was called "Wellness". (Recommended) The pumpkin soup was tasty (and healthy) but it was tough finding a place to sit down.

From the Queen Victoria Buildilng, we walked to the Aquarium (Highly Recommended) although the exhibits didn't always match the labels. The highlight was the Oceanarium where you walk through the Aquarium in glass tunnels. I'm not particularly susceptible to seasickness and I know that the walkway was stable but still the sensation was there. We also had a similar walk through the Great Barrier Reef exhibit. We took the Sydney Explorer back to Maclay Street.

Dinner that night was at "41". We were guests of other friends in Sydney. The view was spectacular, the service attentive and the food was delicious. This was probably the most glamorous meal of my entire life. We had not anticipated going there and our travel wardrobes did't include anything very dressy but we managed to fake it with black slacks, a black turtleneck and a snazzy piece of costume jewelry.

The next day we met up with the son of a friend from home (university student) and took him to Pancakes for breakfast. (Recommended). We then took the ferry to Manly (Highly Recommended) and walked down the Corso to the beach. We weren't hungry and it wasn't beach weather so we returned to Circular Quay about two hours later. We did some more shopping and then walked back to Potts Point. We cooked dinner that night.

On Sunday, we drove to Bondi beach and the Iceberg Club (Recommended) for breakfast. We sat on the balcony and watched all kinds of swimmers race against time in an unheated pool. We then drove to the South Head of the entrance to Sydney Harbor. We stopped and walked along the cliffs. We finished up by taking a car tour of Centenniel Park, Fox Studios, the Cricket Grounds and Oxford Street. Dinner was at Fishfix (Highly Recommended), a fish and chips shop on Challis Avenue about four doors down from Maclay Street.

Our last day was a day of culture. We walked to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. We skimmed through the European section. All the best works were already settled in museums before Australia was even founded. We spent some time in the Australian area which we liked but we're not art critics by any stretch of the imagination. We spent the most time in the Aboriginal area.

We then walked to the Australian Museum (Highly recommended) stopping off at St. Mary's along the way. At the Australian, we spent our entire time in the Aboriginal section, absorbing as much as we could about their culture and history.

We finished our day of 'culture' with a late lunch at Harry's Café de Wheels (Recommended). I had a meat pie with mushy peas. None of the other tourists there were as brave. Our last dinner was at Fratelli Paradiso on Challis Avenue (Highly Recommended). I had calamari for an appetizer and roast lamb for my main. We had, periodically, during our stay had pastries from there for breakfast. Also Highly Recommended.

Although we were staying in a private home, we still managed a van pick-up for our trip to the airport since there was a Bed and Breakfast across the street.

I appreciate all the information provided on this board and hope my experiences will aid someone else.

Barbara

Thanks Barbara, that was super. I think you've captured the essence of travelling & experiencing life as "locals". And, don't you see a different side of places when you know someone there?

With the exception of "Harrys cdw" & 41, I was on almost the same "food trail" as you in the last week. Agree re the steps - but you have to admit, they're a great way to work off a Harry's pie! Last time I was at Harrys, dawn was just breaking and we were on the way home from a v.swank ball with a friend who now lives in London. We used to go there a lot in our 20's & he wanted to see if Harry's Pie & Mushy Peas was still as he remembered. Re-captured the memories perfectly, including just how cold it can be standing insouciantly in a skimpy dress as that sunrise chill hits. LOL. Glad you enjoyed your time here and happy wanderings in the future.

Great report Barbara and so glad you enjoyed it. You seem to have recommended everything ! Maybe you are being diplomatic in omitting the things you weren't mad about? Restaurant 41 is great isn't it ? Do hope you checked out those glamorous loos! Much nicer to stay with someone who knows the place. Cheers!

Barbara.
Loved your report on Sydney & Cairns. Myself & husband are going to be staying in Perth/Sydney/Cairns in November. It will be our first time to Australia so found your report very helpfull. We too are on a budget & our travel agent has booked us in the Devere Hotel (Potts Point)which is on Macleay Street. Can you give me any tips about the area ie transport or short cuts to get around, and also is there a train station close by?. What the area is like in general as we have heard from other people not to stay there as it is really Kings Cross area and we will get hasseled!. I am worried & need some honest opinions.
Many thanks
Irene

Irene, the main drag in Kings Cross can be pretty seedy but the part where you will be staying I think is nice and there are a lot of upmarket apartments and restaurants around there. There is a train station at Kings Cross which will whizz you into the city in 5 or 10 minutes. Unfortunately it is in the sleazy part. There are buses which will take you from almost in front of your hotel ( and opposite there are others which will take you to town in the opposite direction through Woolloomoolloo ). You can take Barbara's suggestion of the stairs but if you do maybe you can walk down but bus back. Also note her comments re the Explorer bus which you can catch in your street. I think you will be fine. Enjoy your stay!

We have just returned to our hotel after walking miles post-Harry's CdeW. We're about at equilibrium. What fun on a gorgeous day.