judilie

We have 5 full days in Sydney. We will probably take one of them to go the Blue Mountains. Is it worth spending another day going to the south -- Tulip Festival in Bowral, Berrima, and/or Mt. Gibraltar Reserve (just S of Sydney)? We want to see the main sights of Sydney the rest of the time. We're also going to the Cairns/Daintre/GBR area, Uluru and Alice Spring, and Tasmania on our trip. We will be in Sydney Sept. 24-28.

Tassietwister

Southern Highlands are very nice. South Coast also nice, north around the Hawkesbury very nice. North west very nice. All around Sydney is very nice.

Would depend on whether you are driving or taking a train. Driving offers more options. For example a loop around the south coast and the southern highlands. However it can take some effort and time just to get through Sydney suburbia.

Trains are easier but restricted. Also trains to the southern highlands for example are infrequent, making jump on/off options limited.

Often in conjunction with festivals such as the tulip festival they may have special trains.

judilie

I was thinking of renting a car if we drive to the south, though it's good to know about the special trains. Has anyone been to the tulip festival?

margo_oz

I've been to the tulip festival - guess what!? - lots of tulips!

Beautiful gardens - if you like gardens.

If I was looking for a day trip, with car, south of Sydney, I'd be heading for Royal National Park. Unspoiled natural areas, spring - so wildflowers on the heath and headlands, lovely beaches, although too cold to swim.

I must admit I find the southern highlands (home of Bowral, Berrima, Mt Gib, etc.) just too kitch and twee for words. All those cutesy shoppes, and then those cutesy places to stay, that use all those cutesy things they sell in those shoppes. (and why can't these cutesy people spell properly!)

I love the south coast area - drive through the national park, pottering here and there, and then down towards Wollongong along the new Seacliff Drive. You can return to Sydney via the highway, or via the southern highlands. Pretty drives up (or down) the escarpment.

I'm happy to recommend a more detailed schedule - (guaranteed shoppe-free!)

Neil_Oz

margo, and what about the fetchynge hande-mayde lumpye knytteweare at eye-poppynge prices in those twee shoppes, right next to the home-made strawberry-dijon-mustard-with-bush-lemon-myrtle relyshe? You knw, the shoppe next to ye olde antique shoppe thatte's selling scratched Mantovani vinyl LPs and a positively divine genuine retro 1950s Laminex table with three legges! Mmm, a STEAL, sweetie!!

ozgal

If you are interested in tulips, you'd probably love Floriade in Canberra - not just tulips but flowers of all kinds, in magnificent displays. Canberra has a lot more to offer as well, and Spring is a lovely time to visit.
http://www.floriadeaustralia.com/

margo_oz

Neil

Exactly my point!

Yuk!

eschaton

Very very good Neil.

I, too, know exactly what you mean.

Another vote for Canberra.

Neil_Oz

judilie, Floriade is deservedly popular, and there are plenty of other attractions in Canberra too. My only reservation is that it's a 3-hr/290 km trip each way, which would make for a long and tiring day - less tiring maybe if by bus, but I don't know how well the schedules fit. The bus companies may lay on extra services for Floriade.

Normally I'd suggest an overnight, but with your day in the Blue Mountains that's eating into your time in Sydney too much, I think. You could check it out if you're interested. Start with www.canberratourism.com.au, and the bus companies are Murrays (www.murrays.com.au) and Greyhound Pioneer (www.greyhound.com.au). Pass on the train - it's a 4.25-hour trip (!).

eschaton

judile, I had another look at your original question - my opinion is, given you have only 5 days, you really ought to stick to just one day trip out of Sydney, be it the blue mountains or something else.

judilie

Thanks, everyone. I think we'll take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and spend the rest of the time in Sydney.

Judilie

Betsy

Here's another day trip from Sydney that you might enjoy. It's on our agenda for October.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/hawkesburypost.asp#

Suelynne

As much as I like the Hawkesbury, I have to agree with Margot, and the Seacliff Drive with the Northern Beaches of Wollongong are magnificent.
Actually both train trips north to say Wyong and south towards Wollongong are very nice too.