Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Sydney the end of Feb.

I have 2 days in Sydney before a cruise. Any suggestions on how to spend my valuable time. Thinking of renting a car and driving the Blue Mountains, then a day just doing the city. What's worth my while? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

No, if you have two days in Sydney, spend them in Sydney. It would take you a month to get round all the places to see there.

From something I did for a colleague:

Suggested tips for Sydney, especially a newcomer:-The Rocks – historical area, plus some tourist shopping. Circular Quay – for views. Opera House – do a tour; the backstage tour is the most interesting, but is much less frequent and much more expensive than the standard tourist run. Go to a concert or a show if you can. Botanic Gardens and the Domain (parks). Darling Harbour – touristy things, including the casino at Star City if you're into that sort of thing. Sydney Aquarium (at Darling Harbour). Maritime Museum (at Darling Harbour). Powerhouse Museum (at Darling Harbour). The Australian Museum (in the City). Museum of Sydney (in the City). Museum of Contemporary Art (Circular Quay – the café is said to be pretty good). Bridgeclimb – 3½ hours, but worth it if the weather's good. Not energetic, nor difficult to anyone who has anything other than serious fears of heights. Best to book when you're there and you can gauge what the weather is likely to be. Most popular and expensive climbs are at twilight. Otherwise, a first timer should do a day climb to see where everything is, although night climbs are romantically spectacular. Sydney Tower – the tall building thing, also a very ish revolving restaurant. Ferry to Manly. Manly – long beach on the ocean side, cafes etc. If you can get there, big park at North Head with good harbour and sea views, but is a long walk from Manly itself. Taronga Zoo – take the ferry from Circular Quay for this, too. Cruise on the harbour - lots of ways of doing this, standard tourist ones from Circular Quay; also a jetboat from there; but my favourite is on a genuine ex-Americas Cup 12-metre yacht (http://www.kookaburragroup.com.au/site/trips/). Watsons Bay – famous for Doyles, seafood restaurant, also good views. Also, go up to South Head (walking distance) from there, for views. Queen Victoria Building – possibly the most elegant shopping mall in the world. Bondi Beach – if you feel that you really have to do this. Quite close to Watsons Bay. Also, between Watsons Bay and the City, there are Double Bay (elegant, expensive shops) and Rose Bay (pretty waterfront).And that's just the beginning.

Cruise on the harbour - lots of ways of doing this, standard tourist ones from Circular Quay; also a jetboat from there; but my favourite is on a genuine ex-Americas Cup 12-metre yacht (http://www.kookaburragroup.com.au/site/trips/).
Watsons Bay – famous for Doyles, seafood restaurant, also good views. Also, go up to South Head (walking distance) from there,


Good work Globaliser that is a great overview of things to see and do. I agree Watson’s Bay is a great place to go and if it is a nice day Camp Cove is a great beach to go for a swim also a walk around South Head is fantastic.

Also just to clarify the sail on the Americas cup boat "Spirit of Australia" is on an Americas Cup class of boat. "Spirit of Australia" was one of the new generation AC boats. The Americas Cup class is bigger and faster than the 12 meter yachts they superseded.

Great suggestions already. Skip blue mtns. for another time. Takes too long.

PS: Don't know where you're coming from, but don't forget the jet lag.

Also the restaurants at Woollomooloo wharf is a great place to eat. Otto, Kingsleys and Salon Blanc are great places to eat.

Thanks for all the info, I appreciated the comment about jetlag, maybe we should just take it easy and just see the city. Thanks everyone.
Okay, so another question: Is it feasible to drive the Great Ocean Rd. after we dock in Melbourne?

Also just to clarify the sail on the Americas cup boat "Spirit of Australia" is on an Americas Cup class of boat. "Spirit of Australia" was one of the new generation AC boats. The Americas Cup class is bigger and faster than the 12 meter yachts they superseded.Ah, thanks - just goes to show how little I know about sport!

Thanks for all the info, I appreciated the comment about jetlag, maybe we should just take it easy and just see the city. Thanks everyone.
Okay, so another question: Is it feasible to drive the Great Ocean Rd. after we dock in Melbourne?


I think you may need a different trip to Australia.

Don't know how long you'll be in Melbourne, but GOR starts about an hour out of MEL. However, it would require a long, full day minimum just to see part of it, and that wouldn't be fun. It is predominantly slow to very slow driving. The stops along the way are the prize. It isn't the kind of place you can race and see. Preferable done with 1 or 2 nights along the way.

Thanks for the insight into Great Ocean drive, I guess I'm just having a hard time imagining how big the place really is. I'm thinking that we're going to just stick to the ports. Any suggestions for Melbourne? Christchurch? Dunedin? Tauranga?

Globaliser - you have sure done your homework. Thanks for these idea's. We are going for 5 days in March to Sydney, will take your suggestions on board thanks.

I agree Watson’s Bay is a great place to go and if it is a nice day Camp Cove is a great beach to go for a swim also a walk around South Head is fantastic.



two thumbs up for the Wato Bay, I've spent many a lazy Saturday afternoon there sucking back a few ice cold froth wagons...Camp Cove is just a little bit...well...Camp for me though ;)

two thumbs up for the Wato Bay, I've spent many a lazy Saturday afternoon there sucking back a few ice cold froth wagons...Camp Cove is just a little bit...well...Camp for me though ;)

Camp cove is not "Camp" the next beach round "Lady Jane" is "camp" :p

Ah, thanks - just goes to show how little I know about sport!

No worries I am impressed you went for a sail! Good work.

Thanks for the insight into Great Ocean drive, I guess I'm just having a hard time imagining how big the place really is. I'm thinking that we're going to just stick to the ports. Any suggestions for Melbourne? Christchurch? Dunedin? Tauranga?

If you're arriving in Sydney in the morning, I'd highly recommended heading out to one of the beaches to get some breakfast/lunch and some sun (good for the jet lag). In Melbourne look into the laneways (http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=269&pg=3106) between the main streets downtown for lots of cafes. And if you want to venture out of the city of Christchurch, the drive to Akaroa Harbour is about an hour on the main road which is a very nice drive. There's a cheese shop on the way where you can watch them making local cheeses. We went to Akaroa to swim with the dolphins (http://www.blackcat.co.nz/dolphins.asp) which was an amazing experience.

Happy travels!