lynniewinnie

Hi again. This time I'm planning the Sydney part of our late Oct trip, 3 nights, driving in from Canberra. I saw advertised a self-contained apartment, budget price, on a lovely looking property in Forestville. Says it overlooks the national park. We will still have a car. Although we will want to walk around to see the Sydney sights we also want to see Blue Mountains and surrounding areas. Or would it make more sense to stay more central and possibly give up the car.
Any thoughts?

Bokhara2

Hi Lynniewinnie,
Can you post the link to the property? I'm a Northern Beaches local and may be able to give you an idea if I know where the apartment is located. My initial thought is that you would be better placed either in Manly, in or reasonably close to the CBD. Forestville has some lovely spots, and certainly some good bushwalking tracks, but it's a little far out and underserviced with public transport if you want to see the usual Sydney sights. I'm suggesting Manly as an alternative, because there are lots of restaurants, the beach, ocean and a ferry to the city.

Although you will have a car, you don't want or need to be driving it into the city every day - too expensive and inconvenient to park.

lynniewinnie

The property is Jan's Forestville B & B, the link through www.accomodation-sydney.com. There is also good choice in Grebe, another in Drummoyne---both of those sound close to public transport in which case we could turn in our car. Should we keep the car for Blue Mountains or anything else? Or should we stay in city center? Too many decisions....

Susan7

I would take the car to the mountains, but you won't need it for going into the city.

For ease of transportation to tourist desinations, the CBD/Rocks areas are probably the best areas to stay, although I think round Kings Cross/Potts Point is better for restaurants. Personally, I prefer to stay in areas where you can go back at the end of the day to eat.

Of the other two locations you mention, Glebe and Drummonyne, Glebe is quite close to the city, it's well served by buses, it's right next to one of the universities. It's an inner city area (to the west of the city) with a long central street Glebe Point Road with lots of restaurants and cafes. There's also an excellent bookshop--Gleebooks.

Drummonyne is also west of the city but further out and more suburban. It is well served public transport wise by buses and ferries.

Neil_Oz

All else being equal I'd go for Glebe. There's nothing much to see and do around Drummoyne and I think you'd spend too much time on public transport.

I'm not convinced that it would be worthwhile to hang onto the car for the sake of a Blue Mountains excursion. The drive itself, mostly through Sydney's far-flung western suburbs, is in no way scenic and there's a reasonably fast (track work permitting) electric interurban train service from Central Station, which is not far from Glebe. Once in Katoomba you can use the hop-on/off bus to get to the main points of interest.

If you go to the Mountains on a weekend (which I don't recommend if there's an alternative) I'd definitely forget the car. Parking is a major PITA and last time I drove there, a few months ago, roadworks on the Great Western Highway had reduced traffic to a stop-start crawl most of the way up the mountains.

Bokhara2

I'd stay in Glebe, too.

pat_woolford

I'd stay in Glebe,too.

lavandula

Forestville may have a great B&B but I would find it too inconvenient, too. Glebe is good, and I also like Manly which has a beach getaway atmosphere. I highly recommend the ferry ride to Manly even if you don't opt to stay there. If you do stay in Manly, beware the Spit Bridge which has murderous traffic at peak hours and sometimes is blocked off altogether when the bridge actually opens to let boat traffic with tall masts pass through.

Lavandula

lynniewinnie

Then Glebe it is and I'll turn in the car.....Thanks all.