Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - First (and maybe only) time to AUS

I'm traveling alone to AUS in July for business. It is my first time there, and may be the only time I ever get to go. I will be arriving on a Sunday morning and departing the following Sunday. I do know I'll be in Sydney and Melbourne, and possibly Brisbane.

I haven't booked hotels yet, so I don't know exactly where in the cities I'll be staying. I might have 1 free day on the whole itinerary. Mostly likely will have free late afternoons and free each evening.

Any recommendations on things to do/see would be much appreciated.

How about that for a vague post?!

Given your vague itinerary and it'll be the depth of winter, the only thing I can really suggest is to walk around the CBD for each of the cities.

Obviously, bars and restaurants will be open every night and get busy towards the end of the week. Thursday night onwards, shops will be open till late.

Sydney - Walk around, the bridge and the opera house still offers a great view at night. Catch a show, maybe?

Melbourne - Walk around the CBD, along the river, along the southbank?

Brisbane - Not much there, Fortitude Valley near the CBD has lots of bars if you like that. I'm sure the locals will add more.

Catch a sports game over the weekend, perhaps? Something will be on at each of the cities.

Catch a sports game over the weekend, perhaps? Something will be on at each of the cities.

In Melbourne I would highly recommend an AFL game at the MCG if possible. When I go to Melbourne for a game I always enjoy the walk back along the river to the city.

Given [that] it'll be the depth of winter...Well, we don't know where the OP is from but, surely, 'depth of winter' is a relative term? Considering that the average high temperature for Sydney in July is over 16° (61 F) and the average low is 8 (46 F)? Indeed, considering that the record low for Sydney in July is 2.2 (36 F) -- and the all-time low for Sydney (set in June) is 2.1 (35.8 F) -- some people might think that Sydney doesn't even have a winter. :)

cheers,

Henry

Well, we don't know where the OP is from but, surely, 'depth of winter' is a relative term? Considering that the average high temperature for Sydney in July is over 16° (61 F) and the average low is 8 (46 F)? Indeed, considering that the record low for Sydney in July is 2.2 (36 F) -- and the all-time low for Sydney (set in June) is 2.1 (35.8 F) -- some people might think that Sydney doesn't even have a winter. :)

cheers,

Henry

This is all correct. On the other hand, Sydney, and more particularly Melbourne, in the winter can be thoroughly miserable - wet, windy and with a sort of seeping cold that belies the actual temperature on the thermometer. Expect bad weather and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised: on the other hand, it could be sunny and mild. Brisbane is likely to be quite delightful in the winter.

On your free day, go to the zoo or aquarium to see those special Aussie animals. Or go to an art museum to see works by Asutralian artists.

Sydney, if its your thing, Taronga Zoo, Bridge walk, people watch outside the Opera house with a coffee or snack, Captain cook cruise, ferry/bus to Manly/Bondi or ferry "cruise" up to Paramatta or just go for a stroll up George street. Cant go wrong for food/drink/shopping.
Can`t go wrong with a mixed pass, buses/trains/ferries combined are some of the best transport links I`ve ever had the opportunity to sample.

Brisbane, get up into the mountains if you can, the view down to the city skyline is awesome. Walk along the river, catch a city cat, ride the big wheel, catch a museum.

Melbourne cant comment but headed there next feb !!

If your free day is in Melbourne, I would recommend going to the Penguin Parade (world's smallest penguims on Phillip Island) - it's an evening event (outside) but well worth to attend right outside the city. You can purchase tickets on Viator.com, ATTKings.com, Grayline.com, APTTouring.com, etc. before you leave on your trip to take advantage of possible discounts available outside Australia only.

Also, if you have not yet booked your hotel(s) in Sydney, I would highly recommend the Park Hyatt Sydney - it's located next to the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House in the area called the Rocks. It's also very close to the Circular Quay where you can take the cruise(s) around Sydney Harbour. It's a beautiful hotel - great views and great service.

I was there 3 years ago on vacation (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane) and will be back there again in July for 2 weeks on vacation (Perth/Sydney/Hobart). Have a great trip and enjoy your time in Australia - I was impressed by the people and the country!

Iloilo :cool:

If your free day is in Melbourne, I would recommend going to the Penguin Parade (world's smallest penguims on Phillip Island) - it's an evening event (outside) but well worth to attend right outside the city. You can purchase tickets on Viator.com, ATTKings.com, Grayline.com, APTTouring.com, etc. before you leave on your trip to take advantage of possible discounts available outside Australia only.Although I've never been to Phillip Island to see the penguins, I wouldn't characterize it as "right outside the city" - it's 140 km / 2 hour drive from the Melbourne CBD.

Also it's a bit like advising someone visiting NYC to go whale watching in Long Island :)

Melbourne is often rated as one of the top 3 cities in the world for food/wine/theater, presuming that crosses any of the OPs interests there is plenty to do within the CBD for a memorable trip. Penguins can also be seen on display at the Melbourne acquarium, also the Melb zoo is far better than Sydney in terms of animals (doesn't have that stunning harbour setting though). For a short stay in Melbourne I'd stick to walking :)

PH in Sydney is a great hotel, but also $800/night or double the cost of other 5-star hotels that are just as good but without the view. The prices after the renovation are simply too high compared to the quality of that hotel.

Let me clarify - there are several tours that will take you to Phillip Island from Melbourne (they usually pick you up from your "centrally" located hotel in the city) - tour starts mid-afternoon or so and will go through the evening; it's unlike any zoo or acquarium because it's not. The pengiums flock back to their nests after a days worth of "hunting" out in the open sea back on Phillip Island - on a good evening, you may see several hundred pengiuns come back during sunset back to their nests on Phillip Island. The penguim santuary is a unique place and I would highly recommend going if you have the opportunity. Just be prepared for the cold - it could get chilly during the winter time on the beach. :(

Good luck with your hotel search as well and have a great trip.

Although you haven't listed Accor as your programs, the newly converted Pullman Hyde Park (was marriot) earns triple points during that period IIRC - though hotels around the Rocks/Circular Quay area will offer iconic 'Sydney' views.

IMO Four Seasons has opera house/Bridge views and is very nice and puts you in a much better location than Park Hyatt. Darling Harbour is also only a short walk or taxi away which also offers plenty of restaurants/nightlife once you're done with Circular Quay.

STL is St. Louis, Missouri, which can be quite miserable in winter as well. All of the above posts are spot on. Enjoy as much of the cities as you can. If you like grog (beer), have a Victoria Bitter (VB). That is my favourite, and one of the best beers in the world.

STL is St. Louis, Missouri, which can be quite miserable in winter as well. All of the above posts are spot on. Enjoy as much of the cities as you can. If you like grog (beer), have a Victoria Bitter (VB). That is my favourite, and one of the best beers in the world. Vicious Brew is one of the worst beers in the world, if after standard beers, go Carlton Draught, premium beers try Hahn Premium or Blue Tongue.

Dave