Lozz80, I agree with ellenem, this thread has pretty much ceased being about you and your trip. Your best approach now will probably be to do a little search on past New York threads about the various neighborhoods or hotels where you might want to stay, and then start a brand new thread with any questions that you may have. On the bright side,

(1) You're going to love your trip here!
(2) Starting a new thread is free!
(3) In a way, you've effectively started your trip early, because now you've seen what it's like when someone asks a group of New Yorkers which of our two football teams is better!

hawksbill, cute that did make me LOL

I agree too. Start a new trip.
I have some hotel suggestions I want to share -- based on some emails I received today.

I always recommend Park Savoy Hotel on 158 W. 58th St. As of one year ago, DH and I got small room with bath for less than $200/night. Very plain and basic but in a great area.

I meant to say, start a new thread.

Hi Lozz,
I'm late to this party, but as another Australian who's been to NYC solo and loved it, am very happy to help you any way I can.

NYC is every bit as safe as Melbourne, Sydney or any other large Australian city. Same rules apply. Keep your wits about you and don't do anything there you wouldn't do at home.

You need to stay in Manhattan. Otherwise, it's like someone with a dream of visiting Melbourne staying in Frankston or Geelong & commuting every day. Time & $$ eaten up with travel - and you miss out on the very atmosphere you're travelling all that way to experience. With your Mum now going, you should be able to get a good deal at less than $200. I stayed at Affinia Gardens (3rd & 64th on the Upper East side) for $169 in April last year. Good sized rooms, with kitchen facilities and very conveniently located.

If you pre-book & pay now that the AUD is near parity, the hurt factor will be less. Or load up a travel card with some USD while the rates are running our way.

Public transport is cheap and very efficient, and New York City is very easy walking. The subways are great for getting around quickly. Taxis are fine too - ignore any nonsense you hear about rude cabbies. Just remember to round up the fare with a tip. Credit cards aren't as widely used in taxis as they are here, although I think most cabs would have the facilities.

April is a lovely time to visit - Spring flowers everywhere and the weather is very similar to Melbourne Spring. Early morning walks in Central Park are a wonderful start to the day.

Have fun planning and don't worry, you'll have lots of good advice here. We can even tell you where the good coffee bars are

Bokhara, we visited at the beginning of April, we were expecting spring weather, it was very very cold. The middle to end of April may be better.

A few weeks can make a big difference, Nelsonian. I was there in the last week of April and it was lovely. Mornings & evenings nippy, and the days very pleasant. Jumper, sometimes a coat or pashmina and a couple of days just a long sleeved top. Can't remember the temps now, but I would think mid-high teens (c) most days.

That trip I had Anzac weekend in WashingtonDC and it was 89F (31.6 C)at 1pm the day I arrived.

Who knows with the weather these days?

In my experience, the weather isn't reliably nice until April 20.