My husband and I will be spending a day and a half in Sydney before heading to Newcastle, AU for work he is doing at the university there - we will be there in late July of this year. We are flying from the U.S. to Rockhampton to visit some friends in Yeppoon for a few days and then to Sydney and then to Newcastle. We arrive in Sydney at 3 p.m. on a Wed (July 20) and will go to Newcastle in the early afternoon on Fri July 21. Would like some help on an itinerary and where to stay (would like a hotel for under $200). We are thinking of going to the Sydney Opera House the Wed night we get there for a symphony concert and wonder if that is advisable. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

For hotels have a look at Wotif, GoStay:

http://www.wotif.com/hotels/australi...ey-hotels.html
http://www.gostay.com.au/accommodation/

Re. going to a symphony first night, I wouldn't risk it. I find it very hard to stay awake most times when I return to Australia. Can you go on Thursday night instead?

Why don't you go on a tour of the Opera House during the day, or alternatively get a cheaper ticket to the experimental space: The Studio.

The SSO has an AYO concert on 20th and 21st at the Opera House. http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/what...g_the_ayo.aspx
Don't quite understand your question about advisability. With a 3pm arrival, you'll have plenty of time to settle into your hotel, have a pre-performance meal along the Opera House colonade and get to the concert.

Have a look at www.wotif.com.au for hotels. If you find one you like, come back & ask if you have any queries, someone will be sure to know about it. When booking, I usually contact the hotel direct, often they are less restrictive with cancellation clauses and mostly give the same and sometimes better rates.

Sebel Pier One and Holiday Inn Old Sydney both have good deals close to your price point, and are well located in and around Circular Quay and The Rocks.

http://www.wotif.com/search/Advanced...7&viewType=all

As to an itinerary - depends on your interests. Sydney's packed with myriad things to do & see. Most people like to take a ferry to Manly or Watsons Bay to experience the harbour.

The Opera House/Botanic Gardens/Art Gallery of NSW/Domain/Macquarie street loop makes for a very nice walk. The restaurant and more casual cafe at the Art Gallery are both good. At Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art is well worth a visit. Good bistro at the front, views to the Opera House & Kirribilli (unless there's a cruise ship in town).

In the CBD, Queen Victoria Building is an attractive building with shops, coffee bars etc., As is the Strand Arcade, between Pitt street mall and George Street.

If you are driving to Newcastle, I suggest you leave not later than 2pm on Friday. The Central Coast is home to a lot of city workers and the F3 can be very, very slow, especially on Friday afternoons.

They're only coming from Rockhampton, Susan.

Thank you everyone for your replies and recommendations. I stated above that we leave Fri July 21 but meant 22nd. We are going to be picked up by someone from the University so hopefully they know about traffic etc. Susan we could go to the Opera House Thurs night but since we are coming from Rockhampton I don't think we will have jet lag on Wed. Bokhara2 I was asking if we would have enough time to get to our hotel and have dinner and then to the show (symphony). I see that it starts at 6:30 so maybe do dinner afterwards? I just found out today that we have an lodging allowance from the university so we can go over $200 which might give us a better place. I would like to stay in a 4-5 star hotel and I guess the Rocks seems to be the better place? I will look at the websites you have recommended. I know we want to do the ferry to Manly and Bokhara2 thanks for the suggestions to walk and see things. Will it be cold there since it's winter? We are from Arizona so it will be very hot here when we leave. Thanks.

Bokhara2 I was just looking at the Sebel Pier One and it looks very nice and modern. Would that hotel be close to everything or would it be better to stay in the Rocks location? Thanks.

Hi vsd,

Here's a link that will help with weather & temperature
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/a...on/Weather.asp

Whilst it's mid winter, we often get lovely balmy days as well as some very cool periods. I imagine it will be a tad fresh compared with summer in Arizona, though!

Good idea about dinner after the concert. 6:30 start makes dinner too early for me. There are some very pleasant spots for a coffee/drink along the colonaded area near the Opera House and a bar & sandwiches/light platters in the foyer of the Concert Hall.

This Dining in Sydney link might be useful. http://www.sydney.com/restaurants_fo...FQrzbwodBGiLdA

With an increased budget, you might prefer to be closer to The Rocks & Circular Quay. From Pier One, it's less than 10 mins walk to the middle of The Rocks and probably another 10 minutes or so around to the Opera House.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&s...01929&t=h&z=16

I've put The Old Sydney in as a mid-point.

Other hotels you might like around Circular Quay are Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Shangri La, Sir Stamford, Marriott Harbourside. I like the Observatory too, but it's a little farther away.

Also worth considering are the self catering apartments. There are quite a few (have a look at the wotif link). One I often walk past is The Rendezvous Stafford, right in the Rocks. I've not stayed there, but it looks v.nice on the website and has some really great rates for your time here.

http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hote...Day=2011-07-20

Thank you so much Bokhara2 for all the useful information and the map -that helps to see where everything is. I was actually looking at the Sir Stamford last night - it's a five star hotel and the rates aren't that bad. I will look at the other hotels you mention and the apartments.

You're most welcome vsd.

I like the Sir Stamford, has an English Country House feel and is not as big as some of the other Internationals.

Yes it does look nice. The Rendezvous Stafford also looks nice and has good rates. Which one (Sir Stamford or Rendezvous) has the better location or are the about equal? Thanks.

They're both well located - opposite ends of Circular Quay.

As you'll see from the map, the Sir Stamford is adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, and just up the street from the Opera House, on Macquarie Street. That street is quite lovely; historic sandstone buildings; Mitchell and State Libraries, Sydney Hospital, Parliament House, the old Mint and Hyde Park Barracks.

The Rendezvous is in The Rocks, another interesting area.

The two properties probably about equidistant from the centre of Circular Quay, so either would be fine - just a matter of which appeals more to you.

If you're interested in wines, I can recommend Wine Odyssey, on the corner just north of The Rendezvous. www.wineodyssey.com.au

Thank you Bokhara2! The Rendezvous is a little cheaper and has a special which includes breakfast so we will have to look at them both. Yes we love wine - thank you. Since we will be in Newcastle I am currently trying to book a tour of the Hunter Valley on the Sat we are there in Newcastle - Tex Tours looks like a company we might like.

Hi Bokhara2. Just want to let you know that I went ahead and booked the Sir Stamford -I was able to get a good internet rate on their website. It has great reviews and looks like it's in a good location. We definitely want to go to the Wine Odyssey and appreciate the link for restaurants. Thanks again.

Hi, I'm in the throws of planning a European Vacation and would relish some inside information. Firstly, I am an ex-student of Newcastle University, I was born in Sydney and think it is among the most beautiful cities in the world. The short time you have makes it almost impossible to appreciate that. Firstly, I suggest you stay at the InterContinental Hotel in Macquarie Sydney. It is a short stroll to the opera house, a bit expensive, but worth it. It will be cold, light coat with overcoat should do it, but sometimes being near the water (harbour) can be chilly. The harbour lights of a night time are wonderful and if the symphony doesn't finish too late, take a short, return ferry to Darling Harbour and back. Rise early next morning, almost any cafe will do bacon and eggs with coffee for $15- a head, walk up Macquarie Street, past the Mitchell (State) Library (Australia's greatest colonial collections and archives) to the Convict Barracks, Hyde Park and St. Mary's Cathedral. Take note of Government House, Sydney Hospital and the Mint as you pass them, they have great significance to early Sydney. Veer left after the Barracks keep the Cathedral on your right and loop back down behind Macquarie Street to 'The Domain', a very brief visit to the Art Gallery (mostly free), then work your way through the botanic gardens to the opera house by day, then on to the Quay (pronounced Key) and catch a ferry to Manly (return, stay on you don't have time to waste). Then explore the Rocks, by now (to use an Australian colloquialism) 'you'll be buggered', so have a meat pie and cuppa, and get back to your hotel and await your lift. Newcastle is also an old historic city.......With regard to Sydney I recommend you read 'The Birth Of Sydney' by Tim Flannery (the state library book shop will have a copy to sell, and the Uni library will have one to lend). Have a wonderful adventure. Warm Regards Olaussie Battler.

MiEt - thank you so much for all the useful information. We will also be coming back to Sydney for one night at the end of our trip before we head back to the states after spending a week in Newcastle so we will have a little more time to do things. We are going to the opera house for a symphony and it's a 6:30 p.m. performance so we will have time to do the ferry to Darling Harbour as you suggest. Do you know what the dress code is for the symphony? We are more casual here in Arizona and I want to be dressed right. Thanks again. vsd

MiEt - do you have suggestions for Newcastle? We are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and my husband will be doing a conference for the University from July 25-27 so I will have free time to explore. We are doing a wine tour the day after we get there also. Thanks. vsd

Hi vsd, glad to be of assistance. Firstly regarding dress code for the Opera house, you will find the dress code very relaxed, though you can dress up if you so desire. I would suggest though that smart casual would be appropriate. For men that would be a collared shirt, with or without tie as preferred, sports coat and matching or contrasting trousers. For ladies anything from a cocktail dress to a Hillary Clinton style pantsuit. Remember it will probably be cold, even on a short walk to the opera house and warmth and comfort will take precedence over style. Regarding seeing the harbour on your short visit, I noticed someone suggested a ferry ride to Watsons Bay, and that might well be a more leisurely way to see the harbour and multi million dollar foreshore mansions. The Watsons Bay ferry hugs the southern shore, which is the most interesting. Furthermore a trip to Watsons Bay wouldn't be complete without Fish & Chips at Doyle's. The original 'Shop' is on the beach to the left as you exit the pier and is dine in or on the pier on the right (also shore end) is their fast food 'Take Away' (Take Out) shop which is much cheaper.

I'll have to give your few days in Newcastle some thought, so you can make the most of it and I'll try to be back in touch soon Regards Olaussie Battler

Thanks so much Olaussie for all the useful information! That helps about dress for the Opera House. I will look into the Watson Bay ferry and the fish and chips at Doyle's sounds fantastic - definitely will have to go there. vsd

We like Cafe Sydney for dinner after the Opera House. It's only a few minutes walk, is in old customs house, has great food, and has stunning views (harbour bridge, opera house, circular quay). The service can be iffy - but the rest makes up for it. If it's warm enough (they have heaters) and you can get a table on the balcony that's even better.

http://www.cafesydney.com.au/

Thank you Hez. I have been wondering where to go eat after the symphony since it's a 6:30 performance. vsd