Jalen500
Jul 1, 12, 8:42 am
Hi all. Looking for some good options. Have 7 days in Sydney. Is doing a day or two in the gold coast worth it? Head down to Melbourne? All thoughts are appreciated.
Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - 7 days in Sydney
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Christopher
Jul 1, 12, 9:33 am
I would say that the Gold Coast is not worth it. (Crowded beaches, over-priced hotels; if you want good surfing and/or good scenery there are better places to go, some of them much nearer to Sydney; if you must go to Queensland, the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, is more pleasant than the Gold Coast, imho.)
Melbourne's a harder one to answer. It's another big city, but it is different from Sydney (surprisingly so; many people opine that it is the most "European" city in the world outside Europe, and it certainly has some fine nineteenth-century buildings, some fine streetscapes, and good art galleries and restaurants).
Having said that, Sydney is not bereft of art-gallery opportunities and certainly has plenty of restaurants too. My feeling is that, if you have only seven days, you'd be best to concentrate on Sydney: there is plenty there to keep you occupied, and if you don't want to spend the whole time in the city itself it is possible to organise some day trips from there (either organised coach/bus tours or by hiring a car) - for example, the Hunter Valley (vineyards and fine wines), the Blue Mountains (scenery) and Canberra (the capital city of Australia - more galleries and museums).
But that's just my sixpence worth (as they say).
Also, what time of year will you be there?
Melbourne's a harder one to answer. It's another big city, but it is different from Sydney (surprisingly so; many people opine that it is the most "European" city in the world outside Europe, and it certainly has some fine nineteenth-century buildings, some fine streetscapes, and good art galleries and restaurants).
Having said that, Sydney is not bereft of art-gallery opportunities and certainly has plenty of restaurants too. My feeling is that, if you have only seven days, you'd be best to concentrate on Sydney: there is plenty there to keep you occupied, and if you don't want to spend the whole time in the city itself it is possible to organise some day trips from there (either organised coach/bus tours or by hiring a car) - for example, the Hunter Valley (vineyards and fine wines), the Blue Mountains (scenery) and Canberra (the capital city of Australia - more galleries and museums).
But that's just my sixpence worth (as they say).
Also, what time of year will you be there?
Jalen500
Jul 1, 12, 2:13 pm
Thx you . I am going in early aug.
BOShappyflyer
Jul 1, 12, 4:30 pm
Not the OP, but thanks Christopher for your response! I am traveling to SYD in a few months so I was interested in the response as well.
Ironically, we are also staying for roughly 6 days in SYD. I think that may be too long in one place, but we have plans to go to the Blue Mountains for a day trip. I don't know whether it's wise to rent a car there. I hear that traffic can be bad at times, and that didn't sound particularly appealing if I can easily get from point A to point B. Do you think it is better to rent a car?
I think that if we somehow finished checking out SYD in the 6 days (probably not everything, but the bulk of it :p), we may consider other nearby places, including Melborne or Fiji. Flights between SYD to MEL are somewhat expensive from what I tell so far.
Ironically, we are also staying for roughly 6 days in SYD. I think that may be too long in one place, but we have plans to go to the Blue Mountains for a day trip. I don't know whether it's wise to rent a car there. I hear that traffic can be bad at times, and that didn't sound particularly appealing if I can easily get from point A to point B. Do you think it is better to rent a car?
I think that if we somehow finished checking out SYD in the 6 days (probably not everything, but the bulk of it :p), we may consider other nearby places, including Melborne or Fiji. Flights between SYD to MEL are somewhat expensive from what I tell so far.
number_6
Jul 1, 12, 5:28 pm
... Flights between SYD to MEL are somewhat expensive from what I tell so far.Expensive? AUD 99 on QF, as low as AUD 29 on non-QF. SYD-MEL has more seats than any airport-pair in the US (busier than LGA-BOS, LAX-SFO, etc.), hence the cheap price except for a few peak times when the flights sell out despite being 763s every 15 minutes!
Personally I find MEL to be far nicer as a city than SYD but requiring local knowledge. The best parts of Melbourne are hidden. SYD can be quite a bit warmer in August, though not always (last 2 years weather patterns have been a bit abnormal and about 25% of the time SYD is worse than MEL for weather). For an outing AYQ makes the most sense, it is really special and one of the great places in the world, but not cheap.
Personally I find MEL to be far nicer as a city than SYD but requiring local knowledge. The best parts of Melbourne are hidden. SYD can be quite a bit warmer in August, though not always (last 2 years weather patterns have been a bit abnormal and about 25% of the time SYD is worse than MEL for weather). For an outing AYQ makes the most sense, it is really special and one of the great places in the world, but not cheap.
BOShappyflyer
Jul 1, 12, 6:36 pm
Hmmm, I think I need to re-check the prices again - thanks for the heads-up! When I checked a couple of months ago, it was in the range of $250. When I checked last month, it was in the range of $350-$400 on Expedia. And times it by a party of 5 and it's almost $2k for a side trip (hence, expensive). If it's in the range of 99, that's definitely do-able!
I'm going to check it out again. Thanks! :)
Expensive? AUD 99 on QF, as low as AUD 29 on non-QF. SYD-MEL has more seats than any airport-pair in the US (busier than LGA-BOS, LAX-SFO, etc.), hence the cheap price except for a few peak times when the flights sell out despite being 763s every 15 minutes!
I'm going to check it out again. Thanks! :)
Expensive? AUD 99 on QF, as low as AUD 29 on non-QF. SYD-MEL has more seats than any airport-pair in the US (busier than LGA-BOS, LAX-SFO, etc.), hence the cheap price except for a few peak times when the flights sell out despite being 763s every 15 minutes!
startpacking
Jul 1, 12, 9:45 pm
Hmmm, I think I need to re-check the prices again - thanks for the heads-up! When I checked a couple of months ago, it was in the range of $250. When I checked last month, it was in the range of $350-$400 on Expedia. And times it by a party of 5 and it's almost $2k for a side trip (hence, expensive). If it's in the range of 99, that's definitely do-able!
I'm going to check it out again. Thanks! :)
Check on the airline's website, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jet Star, etc. Domestic flights in Australia can be super cheap if you book in advance.
Jalen500, Christopher has given you good advice.
IMO, Melbourne is just another city. What makes a trip to Melbourne worthwhile are the sights nearby, Philip Island and the Great Ocean Road in particular.
I wouldn't bother visiting the Gold Coast, unless you're after beaches and the casinos, there really isn't anything unique in terms of tourist sights.
I'm going to check it out again. Thanks! :)
Check on the airline's website, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jet Star, etc. Domestic flights in Australia can be super cheap if you book in advance.
Jalen500, Christopher has given you good advice.
IMO, Melbourne is just another city. What makes a trip to Melbourne worthwhile are the sights nearby, Philip Island and the Great Ocean Road in particular.
I wouldn't bother visiting the Gold Coast, unless you're after beaches and the casinos, there really isn't anything unique in terms of tourist sights.
Jalen500
Jul 2, 12, 4:58 am
Is heading up to the reef for 2 days not worth it?
Christopher
Jul 2, 12, 5:59 am
:-:Is heading up to the reef for 2 days not worth it?
The Reef is wonderful, and August would be the perfect time to visit it. (There are only two seasons when you get as far north as that: "the wet" - which corresponds, more or less, to the southern summer and autumn; and "the dry" - which corresponds, more or less, to the southern winter and spring. Obviously one wants to visit in "the dry", when the days are warm or hot but there is minimal humidity and less rain.)
But it's quite a long way: it's roughly a 3-hour flight from Sydney to Cairns. So I suppose if you had 2 nights in FNQ (Far North Queensland) you'd have a full day on which to explore the Reef. If you could arrange to fly into or out of Cairns, that obviously would be better.
ETA: The Reef is far more worthwhile visiting than the Gold Coast, or the Sunshine Coast.
The Reef is wonderful, and August would be the perfect time to visit it. (There are only two seasons when you get as far north as that: "the wet" - which corresponds, more or less, to the southern summer and autumn; and "the dry" - which corresponds, more or less, to the southern winter and spring. Obviously one wants to visit in "the dry", when the days are warm or hot but there is minimal humidity and less rain.)
But it's quite a long way: it's roughly a 3-hour flight from Sydney to Cairns. So I suppose if you had 2 nights in FNQ (Far North Queensland) you'd have a full day on which to explore the Reef. If you could arrange to fly into or out of Cairns, that obviously would be better.
ETA: The Reef is far more worthwhile visiting than the Gold Coast, or the Sunshine Coast.
Christopher
Jul 2, 12, 6:23 am
Not the OP, but thanks Christopher for your response! I am traveling to SYD in a few months so I was interested in the response as well.
Ironically, we are also staying for roughly 6 days in SYD. I think that may be too long in one place, but we have plans to go to the Blue Mountains for a day trip. I don't know whether it's wise to rent a car there. I hear that traffic can be bad at times, and that didn't sound particularly appealing if I can easily get from point A to point B. Do you think it is better to rent a car?
I think that if we somehow finished checking out SYD in the 6 days (probably not everything, but the bulk of it :p), we may consider other nearby places, including Melborne or Fiji. Flights between SYD to MEL are somewhat expensive from what I tell so far.
I suppose whether you rent a car or not depends how comfortable you feel driving in a strange city and on the left-hand side of the road (assuming that you are from a place that drives on the right). Sydney is not the easiest city to drive in: the streets of the city predate the days of any town planning, and the traffic is heavy (although drivers are largely law-abiding).
The Blue Mountains is easily reached from central Sydney by car, through much of the suburban area (but not all) along a motorway/freeway. The trip to Katoomba, say (about 105 km/65 miles) takes about 90 minutes or perhaps a bit more out of the rush/peak hours. The main sites (and sights) are easily reached by car once you're there, although you would need to do a bit of homework and have a map or a GPS system.
Although the Blue Mountains are also easily reached by train, this is not a good option for sight-seeing. I don't know if you know the history and geography of the Blue Mountains, but if you do you will know why this is so. When the early European settlers tried to cross the Blue Mountains [which are not particularly high at all: the highest point is only about 3,500 feet (1070 metres) above sea level] in order to open up the west, they found their way continually being blocked by huge cliffs. It was only after talking to local Aborigines that they realised that, very unusually, they needed to cross the hills by staying on the ridges rather than trying to find a pass through the valleys. Consequently the road across the Blue Mountains, and the railway line, follows this central ridge. However, all the best views are at the edges of the ridge where the cliffs (the ones that had blocked the early European explorers) drop away into the valleys. Although the ridge is only a few miles wide, it is too far to walk sensibly from the railway stations in the towns at the top of the ridge to the edges of the ridge.
Therefore, if you don't drive you really need to go on a coach/bus tour to get the most out of a day (or even two days) in the Blue Mountains.
If you do drive, ignore the town of Katoomba. (You will want to go there to get to Echo Point and see the Three Sisters, but the town, although the biggest in the Mountains, is not very interesting.) Rather, spend some time in neighbouring Leura, which has a plethora of interesting eateries on its short main street (the Leura Mall, south of the highway) as well as some good art and woodwork shops and so on.
Ironically, we are also staying for roughly 6 days in SYD. I think that may be too long in one place, but we have plans to go to the Blue Mountains for a day trip. I don't know whether it's wise to rent a car there. I hear that traffic can be bad at times, and that didn't sound particularly appealing if I can easily get from point A to point B. Do you think it is better to rent a car?
I think that if we somehow finished checking out SYD in the 6 days (probably not everything, but the bulk of it :p), we may consider other nearby places, including Melborne or Fiji. Flights between SYD to MEL are somewhat expensive from what I tell so far.
I suppose whether you rent a car or not depends how comfortable you feel driving in a strange city and on the left-hand side of the road (assuming that you are from a place that drives on the right). Sydney is not the easiest city to drive in: the streets of the city predate the days of any town planning, and the traffic is heavy (although drivers are largely law-abiding).
The Blue Mountains is easily reached from central Sydney by car, through much of the suburban area (but not all) along a motorway/freeway. The trip to Katoomba, say (about 105 km/65 miles) takes about 90 minutes or perhaps a bit more out of the rush/peak hours. The main sites (and sights) are easily reached by car once you're there, although you would need to do a bit of homework and have a map or a GPS system.
Although the Blue Mountains are also easily reached by train, this is not a good option for sight-seeing. I don't know if you know the history and geography of the Blue Mountains, but if you do you will know why this is so. When the early European settlers tried to cross the Blue Mountains [which are not particularly high at all: the highest point is only about 3,500 feet (1070 metres) above sea level] in order to open up the west, they found their way continually being blocked by huge cliffs. It was only after talking to local Aborigines that they realised that, very unusually, they needed to cross the hills by staying on the ridges rather than trying to find a pass through the valleys. Consequently the road across the Blue Mountains, and the railway line, follows this central ridge. However, all the best views are at the edges of the ridge where the cliffs (the ones that had blocked the early European explorers) drop away into the valleys. Although the ridge is only a few miles wide, it is too far to walk sensibly from the railway stations in the towns at the top of the ridge to the edges of the ridge.
Therefore, if you don't drive you really need to go on a coach/bus tour to get the most out of a day (or even two days) in the Blue Mountains.
If you do drive, ignore the town of Katoomba. (You will want to go there to get to Echo Point and see the Three Sisters, but the town, although the biggest in the Mountains, is not very interesting.) Rather, spend some time in neighbouring Leura, which has a plethora of interesting eateries on its short main street (the Leura Mall, south of the highway) as well as some good art and woodwork shops and so on.
Vidic15
Jul 2, 12, 10:20 am
Hi all. Looking for some good options. Have 7 days in Sydney. Is doing a day or two in the gold coast worth it? Head down to Melbourne? All thoughts are appreciated.
Gold Coast defintiely not - especially in August there is really nothing of value there.
Melbourne might be a good option. Victorian's will say the shopping, food is better there, however Sydney isn't short of quality dining options and definitely not bereft of sightseeing opportunities as well.
What sort of things do you enjoy doing?
Gold Coast defintiely not - especially in August there is really nothing of value there.
Melbourne might be a good option. Victorian's will say the shopping, food is better there, however Sydney isn't short of quality dining options and definitely not bereft of sightseeing opportunities as well.
What sort of things do you enjoy doing?
Mwenenzi
Jul 2, 12, 4:11 pm
Check on the airline's website, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jet Star, etc. Domestic flights in Australia can be super cheap if you book in advance.Use the "com.au" web sites: not com.
Vidic15
Jul 3, 12, 3:16 am
Use the "com.au" web sites: not com.
Still is Qantas.com.
Still is Qantas.com.
bheath
Jul 3, 12, 8:21 am
We arrive in Brisbane on the 26 march 13 where we will be staying with relatives till 1april when we fly to cairns to spend 7 days at palm cove resort . Wish to visit the reef and the rainforest whilst there will rent a car too. Any tips on anything to do before we return to Brisbane for 4 days to pick up the excess baggage flown out from uk hopefully (if it don't arrive will probably be a sensation on the cruise we have booked)
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
Nugget_Oz
Jul 3, 12, 9:03 am
We arrive in Brisbane on the 26 march 13 where we will be staying with relatives till 1april when we fly to cairns to spend 7 days at palm cove resort . Wish to visit the reef and the rainforest whilst there will rent a car too. Any tips on anything to do before we return to Brisbane for 4 days to pick up the excess baggage flown out from uk hopefully (if it don't arrive will probably be a sensation on the cruise we have booked)
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
If you're staying out in Parra you should try Temasek, it's a pretty authentic Malaysian restaurant. Another place to try is Doyles in Watson's Bay. If you end up having the car for an extra day it's about an hour to an hour and half drive from Parramatta.
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
If you're staying out in Parra you should try Temasek, it's a pretty authentic Malaysian restaurant. Another place to try is Doyles in Watson's Bay. If you end up having the car for an extra day it's about an hour to an hour and half drive from Parramatta.
Nugget_Oz
Jul 3, 12, 9:05 am
Check on the airline's website, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jet Star, etc. Domestic flights in Australia can be super cheap if you book in advance.
Jalen500, Christopher has given you good advice.
IMO, Melbourne is just another city. What makes a trip to Melbourne worthwhile are the sights nearby, Philip Island and the Great Ocean Road in particular.
I wouldn't bother visiting the Gold Coast, unless you're after beaches and the casinos, there really isn't anything unique in terms of tourist sights.
They one thing that you should be warned about is that the cheap tickets are either on pay for everything airlines (so if you are traveling with luggage your price could more than double) or fly in to Avalon which is closer to Geelong than Melbourne.
Jalen500, Christopher has given you good advice.
IMO, Melbourne is just another city. What makes a trip to Melbourne worthwhile are the sights nearby, Philip Island and the Great Ocean Road in particular.
I wouldn't bother visiting the Gold Coast, unless you're after beaches and the casinos, there really isn't anything unique in terms of tourist sights.
They one thing that you should be warned about is that the cheap tickets are either on pay for everything airlines (so if you are traveling with luggage your price could more than double) or fly in to Avalon which is closer to Geelong than Melbourne.
Vidic15
Jul 3, 12, 12:30 pm
We arrive in Brisbane on the 26 march 13 where we will be staying with relatives till 1april when we fly to cairns to spend 7 days at palm cove resort . Wish to visit the reef and the rainforest whilst there will rent a car too. Any tips on anything to do before we return to Brisbane for 4 days to pick up the excess baggage flown out from uk hopefully (if it don't arrive will probably be a sensation on the cruise we have booked)
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
If it is a nice day and you are willing to make the effort, a drive to Palm Beach is always nice.
As an alternative Balmoral Beach is lovely, with some choice of eateries as well there.
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
If it is a nice day and you are willing to make the effort, a drive to Palm Beach is always nice.
As an alternative Balmoral Beach is lovely, with some choice of eateries as well there.
Christopher
Jul 3, 12, 10:13 pm
Decided Sydney was OTT hotel price wise so advised to stay in Parramatta again hiring a car and doing the Blue Mountains. Arranged to dop the car off locally and get a cab to the port for embarkation.
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
Not a direct answer to your question, but don't forget that the CBD (central business district) is an easy suburban train ride away from Parramatta...
If anybody has any suggestions for activities (all over 60) so riding the waves at bondi might be a little ambitious, more like good places to eat etc recommendations appreciated.
Not a direct answer to your question, but don't forget that the CBD (central business district) is an easy suburban train ride away from Parramatta...
Jalen500
Jul 4, 12, 9:12 am
Gold Coast defintiely not - especially in August there is really nothing of value there.
Melbourne might be a good option. Victorian's will say the shopping, food is better there, however Sydney isn't short of quality dining options and definitely not bereft of sightseeing opportunities as well.
What sort of things do you enjoy doing?
Always enjoy a good meal. This being my first time to Australia I want to see as much as possible in this short trip. Any thoughts on Hamilton island?
Melbourne might be a good option. Victorian's will say the shopping, food is better there, however Sydney isn't short of quality dining options and definitely not bereft of sightseeing opportunities as well.
What sort of things do you enjoy doing?
Always enjoy a good meal. This being my first time to Australia I want to see as much as possible in this short trip. Any thoughts on Hamilton island?
Jalen500
Jul 4, 12, 9:15 am
I would say that the Gold Coast is not worth it. (Crowded beaches, over-priced hotels; if you want good surfing and/or good scenery there are better places to go, some of them much nearer to Sydney; if you must go to Queensland, the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, is more pleasant than the Gold Coast, imho.)
Melbourne's a harder one to answer. It's another big city, but it is different from Sydney (surprisingly so; many people opine that it is the most "European" city in the world outside Europe, and it certainly has some fine nineteenth-century buildings, some fine streetscapes, and good art galleries and restaurants).
Having said that, Sydney is not bereft of art-gallery opportunities and certainly has plenty of restaurants too. My feeling is that, if you have only seven days, you'd be best to concentrate on Sydney: there is plenty there to keep you occupied, and if you don't want to spend the whole time in the city itself it is possible to organise some day trips from there (either organised coach/bus tours or by hiring a car) - for example, the Hunter Valley (vineyards and fine wines), the Blue Mountains (scenery) and Canberra (the capital city of Australia - more galleries and museums).
But that's just my sixpence worth (as they say).
Also, what time of year will you be there?
Thank you so much for all this great info. Thoughts on a couple nights on Hamilton island? Is that a good reef area?
Melbourne's a harder one to answer. It's another big city, but it is different from Sydney (surprisingly so; many people opine that it is the most "European" city in the world outside Europe, and it certainly has some fine nineteenth-century buildings, some fine streetscapes, and good art galleries and restaurants).
Having said that, Sydney is not bereft of art-gallery opportunities and certainly has plenty of restaurants too. My feeling is that, if you have only seven days, you'd be best to concentrate on Sydney: there is plenty there to keep you occupied, and if you don't want to spend the whole time in the city itself it is possible to organise some day trips from there (either organised coach/bus tours or by hiring a car) - for example, the Hunter Valley (vineyards and fine wines), the Blue Mountains (scenery) and Canberra (the capital city of Australia - more galleries and museums).
But that's just my sixpence worth (as they say).
Also, what time of year will you be there?
Thank you so much for all this great info. Thoughts on a couple nights on Hamilton island? Is that a good reef area?
vanpoodle
Jul 4, 12, 9:30 am
I have been told that the trips offered to Philip Island near Melbourne to see the penguins are very worthwhile, too.
thadocta
Jul 4, 12, 12:07 pm
Although the Blue Mountains are also easily reached by train, this is not a good option for sight-seeing. I don't know if you know the history and geography of the Blue Mountains, but if you do you will know why this is so. When the early European settlers tried to cross the Blue Mountains [which are not particularly high at all: the highest point is only about 3,500 feet (1070 metres) above sea level] in order to open up the west, they found their way continually being blocked by huge cliffs. It was only after talking to local Aborigines that they realised that, very unusually, they needed to cross the hills by staying on the ridges rather than trying to find a pass through the valleys. Consequently the road across the Blue Mountains, and the railway line, follows this central ridge. However, all the best views are at the edges of the ridge where the cliffs (the ones that had blocked the early European explorers) drop away into the valleys. Although the ridge is only a few miles wide, it is too far to walk sensibly from the railway stations in the towns at the top of the ridge to the edges of the ridge.
Therefore, if you don't drive you really need to go on a coach/bus tour to get the most out of a day (or even two days) in the Blue Mountains.
If you do drive, ignore the town of Katoomba. (You will want to go there to get to Echo Point and see the Three Sisters, but the town, although the biggest in the Mountains, is not very interesting.) Rather, spend some time in neighbouring Leura, which has a plethora of interesting eateries on its short main street (the Leura Mall, south of the highway) as well as some good art and woodwork shops and so on. Complete and utter rubbish.
Katoomba is the ideal place to base yourself, and has an extremely diverse selection of eateries and accommodation, unlike Leura, where you had better arrange an appointment with your bank manager to increase your credit limit before buying a cup of coffee.
Nothing really interesting in Leura, it is a quaint looking village, but EVERYTHING there is overpriced and overrated.
As for getting around, if staying in Katoomba, get a Trolley Bus ticket, $20 for the day, hop-on, hop-off service, 31 stops, all the major tourist sights in Katoomba and Leura.
Dave
(Katoomba resident, who doesn't like Katooomba for locals, but think it is great for tourists)
Therefore, if you don't drive you really need to go on a coach/bus tour to get the most out of a day (or even two days) in the Blue Mountains.
If you do drive, ignore the town of Katoomba. (You will want to go there to get to Echo Point and see the Three Sisters, but the town, although the biggest in the Mountains, is not very interesting.) Rather, spend some time in neighbouring Leura, which has a plethora of interesting eateries on its short main street (the Leura Mall, south of the highway) as well as some good art and woodwork shops and so on. Complete and utter rubbish.
Katoomba is the ideal place to base yourself, and has an extremely diverse selection of eateries and accommodation, unlike Leura, where you had better arrange an appointment with your bank manager to increase your credit limit before buying a cup of coffee.
Nothing really interesting in Leura, it is a quaint looking village, but EVERYTHING there is overpriced and overrated.
As for getting around, if staying in Katoomba, get a Trolley Bus ticket, $20 for the day, hop-on, hop-off service, 31 stops, all the major tourist sights in Katoomba and Leura.
Dave
(Katoomba resident, who doesn't like Katooomba for locals, but think it is great for tourists)
Christopher
Jul 4, 12, 4:18 pm
Hmm... well, several (separate groups) of English friends of mine thought Katoomba was an awful place to spend time and couldn't understand why anyone would recommend it to visitors. Personally, I'm afraid to say that I'm inclined to agree with them. (I'm talking about the town, not the views, you understand.)
So, I guess "you pays your money and you takes your chances" (or YMMV).
But certainly no offence intended. :)
So, I guess "you pays your money and you takes your chances" (or YMMV).
But certainly no offence intended. :)
BadgerBoi
Jul 4, 12, 6:46 pm
Complete and utter rubbish.
Katoomba is the ideal place to base yourself, and has an extremely diverse selection of eateries and accommodation, unlike Leura, where you had better arrange an appointment with your bank manager to increase your credit limit before buying a cup of coffee.
Nothing really interesting in Leura, it is a quaint looking village, but EVERYTHING there is overpriced and overrated.
As for getting around, if staying in Katoomba, get a Trolley Bus ticket, $20 for the day, hop-on, hop-off service, 31 stops, all the major tourist sights in Katoomba and Leura.
Dave
(Katoomba resident, who doesn't like Katooomba for locals, but think it is great for tourists)
I have to agree with you about Leura. Wentworth Falls just down the road is a much more pleasant little village, the lake is lovely and it has some beautiful walks as well. Leave Leura to the crowds who don't know any better. I have a particular fondness for Katoomba as well.
Katoomba is the ideal place to base yourself, and has an extremely diverse selection of eateries and accommodation, unlike Leura, where you had better arrange an appointment with your bank manager to increase your credit limit before buying a cup of coffee.
Nothing really interesting in Leura, it is a quaint looking village, but EVERYTHING there is overpriced and overrated.
As for getting around, if staying in Katoomba, get a Trolley Bus ticket, $20 for the day, hop-on, hop-off service, 31 stops, all the major tourist sights in Katoomba and Leura.
Dave
(Katoomba resident, who doesn't like Katooomba for locals, but think it is great for tourists)
I have to agree with you about Leura. Wentworth Falls just down the road is a much more pleasant little village, the lake is lovely and it has some beautiful walks as well. Leave Leura to the crowds who don't know any better. I have a particular fondness for Katoomba as well.
Vidic15
Jul 5, 12, 7:17 am
Has anyone brought up the Hunter Valley. Lovely little drive about 2 odd hours out of Sydney.
An easy day trip or even for a night/two days.
An easy day trip or even for a night/two days.