Updated: Flying into Cairns, driving to Brisbane, and then flying to Sydney. No motorhomes! Please look at this itinerary and make suggestions!!

Air
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Jun 09 UNITED AIRLINES, UA . 5461
operated by.UNITED EXP/SKY WEST AIRLINES
From: BOISE, ID.(BOI) Departs: 5:50pm .
To: SAN FRANCISCO, CA.(SFO) Arrives: 6:35pm
Class: Coach Seat: Check-In Required.
Aircraft: CRJ Mileage: 523 .
Flight Time: 1. hours and. 45. minutes. . . .

Jun 09 UNITED AIRLINES, UA . 0863
From: SAN FRANCISCO, CA.(SFO) Departs: 10:45pm . . .
To: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.(SYD) Arrives: 6:15am . . . .
Class: Business Seat: Check-In Required . .
Meal: Dinner ,.Breakfast . Smoking: No
Aircraft: BOEING 747 JET . Mileage: 7436 .
Flight Time: 14. hours and. 30. minutes. . .

Jun 11 QANTAS AIRWAYS, QF . 0710
From: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.(SYD) Departs: 8:55am . . .
To: CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA.(CNS) Arrives: 11:55am .
Class: Economy Seat: Check-In Required . .
Meal: Refreshment . Smoking: No
Aircraft: BOEING 747 JET . Mileage: 1221 .
Flight Time: 3. hours and. 0. minutes. . . .

Jun 23 QANTAS AIRWAYS, QF . 0533
From: BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA.(BNE) Departs: 2:10pm . . .
To: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.(SYD) Arrives: 3:40pm . . . .
Class: Economy Seat: Check-In Required . .
Meal: Hot Meal . Smoking: No
Aircraft: BOEING 767 JET . Mileage: 468 .
Flight Time: 1. hours and. 30. minutes. . . .

Jun 27 UNITED AIRLINES, UA . 0862 ...Check Gate Info
From: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.(SYD) Departs: 1:35pm . . .
To: SAN FRANCISCO, CA.(SFO) Arrives: 9:55am .
Arrival Terminal: INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL. . .
Class: Business Seat: Check-In Required . .
Meal: Lunch ,.Breakfast . Smoking: No
Aircraft: BOEING 747 JET . Mileage: 7436 .
Flight Time: 13. hours and. 20. minutes. . . .

Jun 27 UNITED AIRLINES, UA . 5423
operated by.UNITED EXP/SKY WEST AIRLINES
From: SAN FRANCISCO, CA.(SFO) Departs: 2:40pm . . .
To: BOISE, ID.(BOI) Arrives: 5:20pm .
Class: Economy Seat: Check-In Required . .
Meal: . Smoking: No
Aircraft: CRJ Mileage: 523 .
Flight Time: 1. hours and. 40. minutes. . . .

Car
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Fri, Jun 11 .. - .. AVIS RENT A CAR
Pick Up : CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA (CNS) . Time: 1:00pm .
Drop Off: BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (BNE) . . Time: 1:00pm .
Rate: AUD376.38unlimited free miles weekly rate; extra days 53.77, unlimited free miles; extra hours 19.39, unlimited free miles. . Vehicle Type: Car, Full Size .
Status: Confirmed.

Hotel & Lodging
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________
CY CRTYD GRT BARRIER RF
Address: CNR VEIVERS RD AND WMS . Check In: Jun 11 .
. CAIRNS AU 00000 . Check Out: Jun 14. . . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 49.00AUD / night . . . .

UTELL. JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE HTL AND CASINO
Address: SIR LESLIE THIESS DRIVE . Check In: Jun 14.
. TOWNSVILLE QUEENSLAND 4810 . Check Out: Jun 15 . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 146.00 AUD / night . .

YY AIRLIE BEACH HOTEL
Address: ESPLANADE . Check In: Jun 15 .
. AIRLIE BEACH AU 00000 . Check Out: Jun 17 . . . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 159.00AUD / night . . . .

LEXINGTON SVCS. REEF VIEW HOTEL
Address: NO 1 HAMILTON ISLAND . Check In: Jun 17 .
. HAMILTON ISLAND QL 4803 . Check Out: Jun 19 . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 175.00 AUD / night . . . .
.
RYDGES HTL GROUP. RYDGES CAPRICORN INTL
Address: FARNBOROUGH ROAD . Check In: Jun 19 .
. CAPRICORN COAST YEPPOON . Check Out: Jun 20 . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 145.00 AUD / night . .

MC MARRIOTT BRISBANE
Address: 515 QUEEN STREET . Check In: Jun 20 .
. BRISBANE AU 00000 . Check Out: Jun 23 . . . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 99.00AUD / night . . . .

BR RENAISSANCE SYDNEY
Address: 30 PITT STREET . Check In: Jun 23 .
. SYDNEY AU 00000 . Check Out: Jun 27 . . . . .
Status: Confirmed . Rate: 113.63AUD / night

[This message has been edited by SpuddBrother (edited 04-18-2002).]

[This message has been edited by SpuddBrother (edited 04-23-2002).]

Just got back from three weeks in my beloved home country!

Cairns to Sydney is 1800 miles of almost all single lane narrow highway with fairly few spectacular parts (nothing like California Hwy 1 except the drive north from Cairns to Port Douglas).

Frankly I would fly and devote more time to Sydney. If you really wanted to drive some of the way then try Brisbane to Sydney. I haven't hired any motorhomes but the ones in Oz are generally much smaller than the US models - I saw lots from the "Britz" company.

Highlights of the trip would be: Daintree Rainforest north of Cairns, Kuranda above Cairns, Reef off cairns, Islands off Mackay (Whitsundaes), Fraser Island - amazing lake McKenzie and rainforest (off Hervey Bay), Noosa Heads, Gold Coast (if you like Miami style tower blocks), Byron Bay (surfing and alternative centre), Coffs Harbour and hinterland and, of course, Sydney (which you should allow one full week for - you won't be sorry). If you do drive you will be able to get to all these spots - if not then fly Cairns to Mackay to Hervey Bay or Noosa then to Sydney and you will get the best bits.

June is a great time of year for tropical north queensland but Sydney can be colder (60 degrees f maximum)although usually not rainy. You will find Australia amazing value if the current exchange rate holds up - three course dinner for two with wine for around $80 US at one of the top restaurants in Sydney.

aussieinsf: I'm doing a similar trip to Australia in March and was wondering if you could give me restaurant suggestions for Sydney. Thanks.

hi!

you might want to order the lonely planet 2002 out to eat sydney book?

cheers

Best guide to Sydney restaurants I found online was Citysearch.com. Order your search by their "editor's pick selections" which were all good in my experience. They do not seem to be paid placements.

If you are coming from the US you owe it to yourself to splurge a little and take advantage of the exchange rate. We dined out at Bennelong's restaurant in the western "sail" of the Opera House - the signature steak there is fantastic as is the lamb and they have a new french chef. Main courses were AUD 35 (about USD 18 and an absolute bargain compared to San Francisco or New York prices). Wine in restaurants is also excellent value.

For something more uniquely beach and Australian I would suggest giving the beach pavillion at Balmoral Beach (north of the city) a go.

Have a great time!

Just a quick note

It's the Bathers Pavilion http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Bennelong isn't rated that well over here, good restaurants with views include Quay and Aria.

There's a place called Restaurant VII which is apparently pretty good, and of course, for the best in Sydney dining, try Tetsuya's http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by letiole:
I'm doing a similar trip to Australia in March and was wondering if you could give me restaurant suggestions for Sydney. Thanks.</font>

The few times we've been to Sydney we REALLY LOVED the restaurant Merrony's at 2 Albert St, Circular Quay(couple blocks walk from the Quay) phone: 247 9323

Thanks everyone for the restaurant suggestions. I hope I didn't hijack your thread SpuddBrother.

Just to let you know that Merronys is now closed and has been for about ayear I think.

There are plenty of great restaurants around Sydney to try. You should try things that are a bit different like Longrain in Surrey Hills or Malaya at King St Wharf.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by baermi:
Just to let you know that Merronys is now closed and has been for about ayear I think.
</font>

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!!
Thanks for the update, but I'm http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

For a good choice in restaurants you may want to try going to cheapeats.com.au.

Some of my favourites are Redgum at the Manly Wharf, Ziggy's at The Rocks, any one of the good Thai restaurants along King Street in Newtown or take a walk down Norton Street in Leichardt for some great italian food.

Thee are also some good restaurants in what they nicknamed Eat Street (church street) in Parramatta.

Phoebe

Cairns to Sydney isn't as bad a drive as it used to be, but you won't find freeways with 6 lanes in each direction. Most of the road south of the Queensland border is duplicated or almost there - new chunks open every couple of months.
However, the drive down the coast is pretty much more of the same after the first day or so. Like the expat Aussie posted, you'd do better to pick a few places and fly between them. you could easily spend the whole 17 days in Sydney and not see it all, but then you'd miss some really magnificent scenery in the Cairns area.
If it were me, I'd hire a motorhome in Cairns and drive to Townsville, taking in a trip or two out to the reef from the towns in between (I recall an operator in Innisfail who runs what looks like and old PT boat on reef day cruises). Fly to Brisbane from Townsville and spend some time around Brisbane. There is jetcat ferry that runs up and down the river and you can get a decent view of the bits near the water for about $A3 and an hour's ride.
There are some interesting places on the GOld Coast, not all of them tourist traps, but it depends on what your interests are. Currumbin bird sanctuary is an excellent half day to day for nature lovers.
The same principle applies between Brisbane and Sydney (about 14 hours total driving, not counting side trips). The Great Dividing Range gets very close to the coast in some places, and the views are spectacular. Then again, a lot of the drive is dead boring, or avoiding the icky tourist traps.
What to do in Sydney? First off, I'd recommend a harbour cruise. You can take a guided one, or buy an all day ticket for the ferries, buses and trains and move around at your own pace. The opera house is a major attraction, as is Taronga Park Zoo. The zoo is a whole day on its own and you should start at the top gate and work down or you'll be walking uphill all day. There are museums and art galleries galore, and a walking tour (unguided) of the Rocks gives an insight into our early days of white settlement (but avoid the traps for young players in some of the old buildings).

OK, I'll stop rambling now, hope this has been of some help.

Wes

Thanks, everyone!

Your advice is much appreciated. Can anyone recommend a nice 3-4 day cruise of the Reef area?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SpuddBrother:
Can anyone recommend a nice 3-4 day cruise of the Reef area?</font>

letiole was going on a cruise in the Whitsundae Islands, might pop her an email.

On a personal preference, I like a cruise but only for a day or else I feel couped up. Conde Nast just voted Lizard Island #1 and Hayman Resort #8 in the category of Top Islands in the world. Both are stunning and on the Great Barrier. Do a search in this forum, I wrote up both.

Cairns to Sydney driving for 17days is probably at bit far unless you are use to driving long distances. The highway between Cairns and Sydney is mostly single lane each way with overtaking lanes every 5 kilometres, so if you are a motor home this is the opportunity for people to pass you.
Probably a 3 stage trip is best.
Cairns see Kuranda, ferry trip to the reef, the reef is closest out from Cairns although still a 1 hour boat trip out and 1 hour back.
Daintree north of Cairns about 2hours is quite good the bit I saw anyway.
You could drive to Prosperpine, which is where to take off point for islands of the Whitsundays. 7 hours driving and about 500miles. The city of Townsville is half way which is more of a working city.
www.sunlover-holidays.com.au (http://www.sunlover-holidays.com.au) holidays in Queensland,
www.fantasea.com.au, (http://www.fantasea.com.au,) reef day trip company,
Most cruises I know of a 1day duration. You could stay on one of the islands for a few days.

Skip-Mackay-Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and fly straight to Brisbane.
Brisbane city itself doesn't really have that many attractions, The sunshine coast 1 hour north and Gold Coast one hour south are where the tourists hang out. Gold Coast would be more upmarket with High Rises, where the Sunshine Coast is about 15years behind in development but still very good.

Driving to Sydney from Brisbane is 14 hours, about 600miles. You could stop half way, you have to choose one, Pacific Highway via the coast passing through Gold Coast, Coffs Habour, Port Macquarie, or the Inland, New England Highway, via Warwick, Armidale and Tamworth.

Sydey don't live their but look at a harbour cruise, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbours, The rocks.
www.exploreaustralia.com.au (http://www.exploreaustralia.com.au) its a guide for travelling by car, take the book with me every I go on long distances.
www.sydney.com.au, (http://www.sydney.com.au,) for sites on Sydney.

All the other information people have given you seem pretty good, you just have to decide what you want to do. The places you want to cover seem about right just have to decide how to do it, what to include and what to leave out.




------------------
Indecision is the key to flexibility

SpuddBrother - 17 days is not a lot of time!
From Cairns it took me 6 weeks just to get down to Brisbane. I agree with the suggestions to divide your time and fly inbetween the cities.
Cairns offers many daily excursions. These include great day trips to the reef, from budget to deluxe. The highlight was to ride in the helicopter and see the reef from the air, you don't really appreciate the beauty from the ground.
A long time ago I did sail around the Whitsunday islands for 4 days. It was a 12 pax boat from Airlie Beach, just south of Townsville, and suited to backpackers.
A day trip from Townsville to another island (possibly Hichinbrook) was quite boring.
Recently showed my friend round Sydney and Cairns with 5 days in each place and everyday was full on. She needed a holiday after the holiday!

Wow! Such great feedback. Thanks!! I guess it's true -- Aussies are NICE people.

Is there a place that's generally regarded as the best beach to snorkel between Bris and Cairns?

Snorkelling, is there just one place, it is called the Great Barrier Reef all 1700 kilometres 1100 miles of it, pick any part. It is all good.


------------------
Indecision is the key to flexibility

Hi SpuddBrother,

While not an Aussie myself, I have been to Australia six times with the most recent trip last June - a driving trip from Cairns to the Gold Coast. I can offer the following suggestions, many in line with some of the other postings.

First off...I'm jealous. I love Australia and would go back again in a nano-second. Can I stow-away in your luggage? Just kidding.

- Definitely break the trip up driving and flying. After one day on the road, it does seem to look the same.

- That said, I would fly into Cairns and then drive up to Port Douglas for a few days. You will be in the perfect spot to go out to the reef as well as a daytrip up to Daintree.

- Then drive down to Townsville skipping past Cairns. No offense to my Aussies friends, but Cairns is basically just the gateway to the reef filled with touristy t-shirt shops and the like.

- You will get a feel for small Queensland towns with the drive to Townsville. From there, I recommend flying to Sydney and skipping the Gold Coast. While there are less touristy areas than Surfer's Paradise, picture Miami beach, Las Vegas and Orlando mixed together.

- I agree you could spend 17 days in Sydney. Some highlights are: Royal Botanic Gardens, a harbour cruise, observatory at Centerpoint Tower, Taronga Zoo, upscale shopping in Double Bay, walking across the Harbour Bridge (you can also climb it). If you're an Olympic fan, you can visit Homebush Bay, home of Stadium Australia and the 2000 Olympics.

- Once in Sydney, I recommend hiring a car for a few days of your stay and driving out to the Blue Mountains. Yes, it will be chilly out there that time of year, but it's beautiful. Hopefully the bush fires have not scorched the area too badly.

- I would also drive to the Hunter Valley if you enjoy wine tasting. While I've done it twice as a day trip, I would recommend staying one night at a local inn as it is about two hours each way. The drive back is a risky proposition after having consumed wine.

- You may also want to consider going to Adelaide for a few days. It's not as touristy as some of the other Australian capital cities. It's very quaint with beautiful architecture. The restaurants are very good and REALLY inexpensive. There are more restaurants per capita in Adelaide than any other city in Australia. I would be sure to take in the Cleland Wildlife Park, and the Whispering Wall.

I have also provided a link to a webpage I've set up for friends that are traveling to Australia. I've added to it with each trip. You will find more info and insights there. http://home.sprintmail.com/~icange/ausnotes.html.

Good luck, have fun and raise a glass of Shiraz for me.

Irene

ooops...the period got added into the link on my previous post. Try this one... http://home.sprintmail.com/~icange/ausnotes.html

Heybaby97- Great reports! Do you have information on B&B's in the Barossa Valley? Plus any suggestions for tours? We are not sure about driving ourselves around with the drunk driving laws.....

I would also like some opinions/advice on the drive from Brisbane to Gladstone?

Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

I wish I was going!! I was reading everyones suggestions to you, and I have to say how wonderful Sydney is. I wish I was shopping or eating in Double Bay right now. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Enjoy your trip!!

Oops - douplicate post

[This message has been edited by mad_atta (edited 04-11-2002).]

A bit slow off the mark, but here are my Sydney restaurant recommendations (cross posted from this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum39/HTML/000415.html) which has quite a few good tips on Sydney etc). Since then a new addition to my list would be Cafe Sydney in the old customs house at Circular Quay for good views, lively atmosphere and fantastic Sydney views. Clement Lowe, I'm interested to hear you say that Bennelong isn't highly regarded - is that pre- or post- the arrival of Guillaume Brahimi late last year? I was hugely impressed by our meal there.

Anyway:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mad_atta:
For glamour, views and location, try the newly opened Guillame's at Bennelong - this is in fact in the Sydney Opera House. Don't let the slightly dingy entrance put you off - once inside the views and ambience are superb and the food excellent. Price: mains (that's entrees to you Americans) are around $35. The other top of the line restaurants to try for, according to the local hype anyway (since I haven't quite stretched to eating at them) are MG Garage on Crown St in Surry Hills, Salt on Darlinghurst Road, and as AshleyF said, Tetsuya's, which is widely regarded as Australia's best restaurant and is in a similar style of french/asian fusion as Nobu or Vong. (NB: You'd need to book ahead to get into those last few restaurants.)

Moving down to more reasonable prices, my favourite restaurant is Macleay Street Bistro on Macleay Street in Potts Point. This is like the best sort of neighbourhood restaurant - reliably excellent food, ultra-friendly service, and a plain but cosy interior. It's also BYO - this stands for Bring Your Own and means you can bring your own bottles of wine - this is great as you can buy whatever you want at retail prices in the bottle store (ie off-licence) a few doors down, and the restaurant will charge you a couple of dollars "corkage" rather than an exorbitant mark-up. (Don't forget to try some of the fine New Zealand wines as well as Australian while you're at it, since they are very hard to get in the US.) Mains around $26.

Other favourites of mine in that neighbourhood (which is where I live, but also - and this is no coincidence - is quite a foodie neighbourhood) are Osteria Moana, right next door, which is a shimmering white and turquoise minimalist shrine to traditional Italian osteria fare with some imaginative twists. Huge portions, so only go here if you are hungry - $35 for a two-course set menu. Wine list is mix of Italian and Australian. Odeon on Orwell Street is also excellent.

Then there is Spring Espresso Bar, a tiny cafe around the corner on Challis Avenue which serves without doubt the best coffee in Sydney. Their flat whites are a thing of wonder, as are their cakes/pastries and pretty much everything they sell except their paninis. You may have to queue for a table if it is during the breakfast rush (esp at weekends) but trust me it's worth it. It's not clearly signposted, so before you sit down make sure you haven't inadvertently ended up at the highly inferior establishment next door, which thrives off the overflow from Spring! (You can tell you're in Spring because the staff are wearing black T shirts with a picture of a coiled spring on the back.)

For the most superb breakfasts ever, go to bills on Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst - a Sydney institution, and for good reason. The ricotta hot cakes with honeycomb butter are a classic. You could go to bills2 in Surry Hills for the same excellent food but in less characterful surroundings if you're in that part of town.

Other excellent places: The Wharf, handy to the Sydney Theatre Company and great views; Pazzo on Crown Street in Surry Hills for hearty Italian (also BYO), and Onde, across the road from Bills for haute cuisine at regular prices.

Avoid: Doyles at Watson's Bay - only tourists who don't know any better are stupid enough to go there; and the so-called foodie stript of Norton Street in Leichardt which is, to my exeperience anyway, packed with sub-standard Italian eateries (especially around the tacky monstrosity of 'The Forum', a feeble attempt at an Italian piazza).</font>

[edited to fix bolding and general incompetence...]

[This message has been edited by mad_atta (edited 04-04-2002).]

Call Australian Pacific Tours and get a broshure (they have a web site). Best way to go to the BlueMtns, Daintree, etc. (too long), Wine country (too dangerous), Atherton Table lands (too far). Lots of tour buses in SYD that take you to "19" key places for about $15 on and off program. Driving too scary in SYD. IF SYD zoo (by water taxi), then stop at the Chinese Temple for ice tea in the afternoon.

Walking will do some of SYD, depending where you stay. Lots of thing gathered together. Also, with a little effort, buses easy.

Caines, 8 days with 4 full days tours.
Hogs Breath a reasonable chain
Brisbane (not yet) looks like about 10 days
Coolum 3 days
SYD 15 days and not thru yet

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ranles:
Wine country (too dangerous), IF SYD zoo (by water taxi)

</font>

What Wine Country are you referring to that is "too dangerous"?

And it's easier and much cheaper to get to the zoo by public ferry than it is by water taxi.

Phoebe

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Feebster:
What Wine Country are you referring to that is "too dangerous"?

And it's easier and much cheaper to get to the zoo by public ferry than it is by water taxi.

Phoebe</font>

I'm only guessing but I suspect he means too dangerous to drive yourself, since you'd want to be sampling all the wine http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Feebster:
What Wine Country are you referring to that is "too dangerous"?

And it's easier and much cheaper to get to the zoo by public ferry than it is by water taxi.

Phoebe</font>

When I went, we drove there. If you go via the ferry, you end up going up hill through the zoo all the way.. Uggh!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pointsgirl:
When I went, we drove there. If you go via the ferry, you end up going up hill through the zoo all the way.. Uggh!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

</font>

The trick is that once you get off the ferry, you take the bus up to the top of the hill http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

But for those with access to a car..driving sure beats public transport.

Phoebe

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mad_atta:
I'm only guessing but I suspect he means too dangerous to drive yourself, since you'd want to be sampling all the wine http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif</font>

Now that would make sense.

I had visions of the Hunter Valley being taken over by gangs or something http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Phoebe

I second the ferry to the zoo in SYD. No need to walk. There is also the aerial gondola that takes people to the top with nice views of the park and of the harbor.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Feebster:
The trick is that once you get off the ferry, you take the bus up to the top of the hill http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

But for those with access to a car..driving sure beats public transport.

Phoebe

</font>

Ohhhh Did not know about the bus. I was just being lazy. It was in Feb of last year and It was mighty hot down there for me. I think I would have fainted walking all the way up to the top.
When I go back I will have to remember the bus. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif Thanks

Whats the best casual place to eat within walking distance of the Renaissance @ Circular Quay in SYD? I don't care about $$, just want to eat well in my walking shorts.

I'm afraid I don't have a particular restaurant recommendation for you, but I will recommend that you buy the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2002 when you get to town (we actually bought ours in the travel section of a bookstore in MEL). We ate unbelievably well, and at places we never would have found had we relied solely on our travel guides. It was nice to get out and eat with all locals and no tourists! There are also neighborhood maps in the back of the book so you can figure out where restaurants are in relation to where you want to be pretty easily.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SpuddBrother:
Whats the best casual place to eat within walking distance of the Renaissance @ Circular Quay in SYD? I don't care about $$, just want to eat well in my walking shorts.</font>


I found most of the food really good in Sydney. The only place I did not like (and that was mainly because of Atmosphere was Centerpoint) I think Sydney has great food, so pretty much you wont be disappointed anywhere you go.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by heybaby97:
ooops...the period got added into the link on my previous post. Try this one... http://home.sprintmail.com/~icange/ausnotes.html</font>
Great page heybaby97! One quick update though, the Albury Hotel is now closed and gone.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Buster:
I'm afraid I don't have a particular restaurant recommendation for you, but I will recommend that you buy the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2002 when you get to town</font>

A popular book for us Sydneysiders who don't have the beauty of the exchange rate is Cheap Eats.

It can be bought in Newsagents and bookstores and has lots of great inexpesnive places to eat in all parts of Sydney.

check out their website at www.cheapeats.com.au (http://www.cheapeats.com.au)

Phoebe

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Feebster:
A popular book for us Sydneysiders who don't have the beauty of the exchange rate is Cheap Eats.

It can be bought in Newsagents and bookstores and has lots of great inexpesnive places to eat in all parts of Sydney.

check out their website at www.cheapeats.com.au (http://www.cheapeats.com.au)

Phoebe

</font>

Yes I found that to be pretty good.