Besides the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, What other activities can you do on these days or specific places to visit during the holidays in Sydney?

That's exactly my question too http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif since I'll arrive in SYD either Xmas eve or Xmas day.

There is an annual Christmas beach party on Bondi Beach but I am not sure if that is just something set up for the tourists or if the locals actually spend some time there too.

Hi fallingasleep:

It seems that Australians or people who traveled to Australia are not following up this board frequently. I had some responses to my Melbourne and Cairns question. I'm going to be in Sydney from 12-24 to 12-27. I always like to see how people celebrate Christmas in different parts of the world. I booked an independent tour with only one guided tour per place (Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns) so I could explore these places on my own. I wrote and e-mailed the Australia Tourist Information Office and I received some general brochures but nothing specific about Holiday events. I have been also checking this website http://global.australia.com What kind of activities are you looking for in your Sydney trip? If I get any other information I'll let you know. Can you do the same thing for me? Thank you.

[This message has been edited by Viajera (edited 12-05-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Viajera:
Hi fallingasleep:

It seems that Australians or people who traveled to Australia are not following up this board frequently. I had some responses to my Melbourne and Cairns question. I'm going to be in Sydney from 12-24 to 12-27. I always like to see how people celebrate Christmas in different parts of the world. I booked an independent tour with only one guided tour per place (Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns) so I could explore these places on my own. I wrote and e-mailed the Australia Tourist Information Office and I received some general brochures but nothing specific about Holiday events. I have been also checking this website http://global.australia.com What kind of activities are you looking for in your Sydney trip? If I get any other information I'll let you know. Can you do the same thing for me? Thank you.

[This message has been edited by Viajera (edited 12-05-2001).]</font>

I think all the Australian FTers are on one of three boards (United Airlines, Qantas, and Ansett). I wanted to keep the integrity of the board categories intact, so I posted here, but I agree with you that this part of FT gets little traffic. Sometimes it is useful to crossreference a link on one of those boards.

I think I will be arriving into SYD on the 24. Still need to book my flight from MEL. I also enjoy being in other countries when they celebrate holidays and traditions.

For my SYD stay (five or six days), I will spend one day watching the SYD-Hobart yacht race, another day or two at a Blue Mountain town, and then the other two or three just visiting the SYD sights. I would like to watch the crowds doing last-minute Christmas shopping if I can find the right place... And if I don't have any other great ideas, I'll spend Christmas Day on Bondi beach.

Can you stay long enough to watch the fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve? This experience is on my wish list!

I have never seen the fire works in Sydney on New Years Eve, but I hear it is something spectacular!!