Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - 12h in SYD and 18h in AKL

Well you'd never guess the circumstances ;) but it turns out after a potentially restful flight I will have 12h in SYD this coming Sunday, from 06:25 to 18:30, followed by a late flight to AKL. The next evening at 17:45 I fly from AKL to MEL where I will have business for several days before retracing my steps and back to YYZ. Carry-on baggage only.

Here is what I thought I'd attempt to do with my time in SYD in AKL. I don't know if I'll ever be back.

Travel interests: walking the city, museums, dining.

On arrival in SYD I'll head to the Koru Club (as I do have the NZ flight that evening) to shower and change. I will then use the baggage storage facility (http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/Terminal+Information/T2+Domestic+Terminal/Baggage/default.htm) so I don't have to lug my bags about all day. Then I will take the train into town.

From there I am torn between going to Sydney Harbor for the day and exporing what I can on foot, or just going to the Aquarium and Maritime Museum. They seem to be too far apart to do both in one day. (Note: will have all Saturday morning, May 26, until 13:45 before my flight back to LAX, so perhaps I could get up and head to the harbour then, although that seems ambitious and I will be in a hotel near the airport to begin with.)

After the Sunday in Sydney I fly to AKL, arriving at 23:30. I'll take a taxi to where I am staying (Hyatt for 140NZD). My flight to MEL leaves at 17:30 on the Monday. In AKL my plan is to get up early and walk to the Aukland Museum for the morning. It seems AKL traffic can be heavy at times, so I'm thinking to leave for the airport again by 14:00 or so.

It seems I am eligible to get out of paying the $25 departure fee, since my flights are < 24h apart. Presumably I do this by going to the Bank of NZ with my evidence of having been present for <24h.

Any criticisms of my plans are welcome. One thing that seems likely is that I will not have time to worry about great food these first few days, unless I take some time in SYD to have a nice lunch. I'm willing to pass on the dining experience until I have more time in MEL.

Check out skiAdcock's Trip report in that forum for Auckland ideas. Or read this thread http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=692457 The report is in post 6.

As for SYD, I spent 1 1/2 days in SYD last year. I'd head to Circular Quay and the Opera House area. All in the same location. Walk around. Have lunch and a beer, possibly in The Rocks area to your left (within sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge). These are all must sees in Sydney.

I also took the ferry (adjacent to the Opera House) to Manly, or was it Bondi Beach. The views from the ferry were ^

If you walk in the opposite direction of the Opera House, about a mile or so away is a large park. Nice place to hang out.

After you have dinner, my guess is that you'll be ready for bed at 9:30pm. :o

Be prepared for considerable hassle since you are going through security in SYD on the grounds of onward flight, but then after visiting lounge trying to immigrate from airside (not arrivals passages from the gates). I'm not saying it can't be done but will take some effort and allow plenty of time for questioning (say an hour depending how tough they want to make it and how busy they are at that time of day - likely very busy).

You could safely leave for airport in AKL later, unless you especially wanted more time in the lounge. Traffic builds up by 1500 and as premium pax check in is fairly quickly (especially on NZ which has special immigration agent to bypass the main queues).

You'll need an exemption sticker from the bank for the departure tax.

I would get a taxi from the airport (as the trains are overly expensive and not very efficient) and go strait to Darling Harbour. When you are at Darling Harbour you can do the Aquarium and the new wildlife sanctuary which is now open above the aquarium. Grab a drink or a bite to eat at Cockle Bay Wharf then walk over to the Maritime Museum after that jump on a ferry to Circular Quay and have a walk around the Rocks. You can easily get a taxi from here or there is a train station if you prefer.

Be prepared for considerable hassle since you are going through security in SYD on the grounds of onward flight, but then after visiting lounge trying to immigrate from airside (not arrivals passages from the gates). I'm not saying it can't be done but will take some effort and allow plenty of time for questioning (say an hour depending how tough they want to make it and how busy they are at that time of day - likely very busy).....I did this once, and the immigration/customs/security folks seemed determined to ensure that I never did it again -- they really, really hate arriving pax going to departures and then leaving the airport. If you manage to do it in an hour now (with the elevated security level in place this week) you will be very lucky. Going to the lounge before leaving the airport has to be viewed as a high-risk activity these days (an alternative is to use the QF domestic lounge, if you have Oneworld status -- no problem using that as an arrivals lounge, it is only international departures that have such strict security).

I did this once, and the immigration/customs/security folks seemed determined to ensure that I never did it again -- they really, really hate arriving pax going to departures and then leaving the airport. If you manage to do it in an hour now (with the elevated security level in place this week) you will be very lucky......is this a recent development?

A little over a year ago I did this with minimum bother—arrived from AKL on NZ in the AM, went to the RCC to check in for my UA flight (using the lounge for a short while), and then went out into the city for a few hours... :confused:

Thanks everyone for their replies.

I suppose I will not try to visit the lounge in SYD. If the Australian gov't wants a mildly smelly person with bad hair in their midst, so be it.

Climb the bridge. You can book online. You won't regret it.
http://www.bridgeclimb.com/default2.htm

I'd just turn up if you want to climb the bridge. If the weather is no good, there is no refund. I think they allow you to change to a different day, but if you're a tourist, changing doesn't really help you...

It seems I am eligible to get out of paying the $25 departure fee, since my flights are < 24h apart. Presumably I do this by going to the Bank of NZ with my evidence of having been present for <24h.

any further info on this or links ?

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If within NZ for less than 24 hours (between scheduled arrival time and scheduled departure time) no need to pay departure tax upon proof of such. You do need to get an exemption sticker from one of the bank branches at the airport (else immigration will turn you back to get one).

What further info do you want?

any further info on this or links ?

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Step 1: Remember to keep the boarding pass you arrived with.

Step 2: Get your new boarding pass for the flight you will be leaving with.

Step 3: Go to Bank of NZ outlet and give them both. They will give you the exemption.

I was 3/3 using this methodology.

SYD is one of my absolutely favorite places in the world. I would agree with the notion of heading right to Circular Quay for a walk around The Rocks and past the Opera House to Mrs. Maquerie's Chair. Then, I would take a ferry out to Manly and back, just for the view. I don'y think Manly itself is very interesting, but the ride is beautiful. As has been pointed out, another great ferry ride is just to hop any boat going from Circular Quay to Darling Harbor.

In AKL, I would also recommend a ferry ride. In this case, take one to Waihiki Island. The views of the city and the coastline are great, and then you can hit some of the nice wineries and restaurants on the island for lunch or dinner. It is a great way to spend a few hours.

Be prepared for considerable hassle since you are going through security in SYD on the grounds of onward flight, but then after visiting lounge trying to immigrate from airside (not arrivals passages from the gates). I'm not saying it can't be done but will take some effort and allow plenty of time for questioning (say an hour depending how tough they want to make it and how busy they are at that time of day - likely very busy)

I presume this only applies to those with non Australian or NZ passports. I do this all the time and have never been questioned. My transits are usually are usually in the 4-5 hr range

Jeff

To clarify I do not enter the transfers area, I simply head over and through customs and imigration. Have gone through transfers once and asked to be "let out" which they did with an escort

I would therefore not go through to the lounge first

Jeff

In AKL, I would also recommend a ferry ride. In this case, take one to Waihiki Island. The views of the city and the coastline are great, and then you can hit some of the nice wineries and restaurants on the island for lunch or dinner. It is a great way to spend a few hours.

Hey there,

Actually, I would also recommend this. If you are really in a touristy mood, you could head to the Sky Tower but...again, eh. Nice views but, eh. Only thing I would be mindful of is your time. I've had friends who got stuck in traffic heading to the airport because of an accident or other issue. Depending on when you are arriving/departing, this may or may not be a concern.

I've had friends who got stuck in traffic heading to the airport because of an accident or other issue. Depending on when you are arriving/departing, this may or may not be a concern.

They were unlucky. In literally hundreds of trips to AKL airport I've only struck an accident once. OTOH, rush hour traffic (especially on Friday and especially the Friday at start of holidays) can sometimes be atrocious (not London bad, but bad enough).

Be prepared for considerable hassle since you are going through security in SYD on the grounds of onward flight, but then after visiting lounge trying to immigrate from airside (not arrivals passages from the gates). I'm not saying it can't be done but will take some effort and allow plenty of time for questioning (say an hour depending how tough they want to make it and how busy they are at that time of day - likely very busy).

You could safely leave for airport in AKL later, unless you especially wanted more time in the lounge. Traffic builds up by 1500 and as premium pax check in is fairly quickly (especially on NZ which has special immigration agent to bypass the main queues).

You'll need an exemption sticker from the bank for the departure tax.

Sorry to hijack, but a somewhat related question.

I am arriving Sydney via HNL on QF. Will have 2 bags, one around 50 lbs. Staying in SYD for a few days then going on to CNS and MEL before coming back to SYD 3 days later for another day. The CNS-MEL flight is on Virgin Blue, so I wouldn't be able to take the extra bag without significant penalty.

Can I leave a bag when I depart on my SYD-CNS QF flight? It says the storage area is in the arrivals terminal. Will I be able to get to the arrivals terminal? I tried to call , but got no answer. I will be departing during the hours they quote online.

I'll second the bridgeclimb option. Phenomenal views of Sydney, and if you do it first then you can wander thru the Rocks (which you just saw from on high) and have lunch and a couple of pints. Keep in mind that you will get breathalyzed for the bridgeclimb, so don't drink too much on your inbound flight or at breakfast/lunch beforehand. Wait and drink afterwards :-)

Bob

...Can I leave a bag when I depart on my SYD-CNS QF flight? It says the storage area is in the arrivals terminal. Will I be able to get to the arrivals terminal? I tried to call , but got no answer. I will be departing during the hours they quote online.There is a storefront left baggage operation outside the customs hall in the international terminal at SYD; this is about USD 15 per day per bag (varies with size). The international terminal is on the other side of the airport from the domestic terminals at SYD (train ride for a couple of dollars, or cab). There used to be lockers for storing bags in the domestic QF terminal, costing circa USD 3 per day (and able to hold 2 medium size bags), but those appear to be out of service now. The other alternative is at Central station in the CBD, there are lots of lockers at a cheaper rate (railway rate); this is convenient if you are taking the train to/from Sydney CBD, otherwise not. The airport operation is quite poor, expensive, and definitely knows it has a monopoly.

The (SYD) airport operation is quite poor, expensive, and definitely knows it has a monopoly.

To differ: the airport train operation is actually quite good and reliable. About 15 minute interval at worst. Yes, it is expensive and this is keeping the taxi industry very happy :( . In fact, for two travelling together, a taxi for about a 10 km radius from the airport is better value than the train (if you can put up with taxis). To make the train better value for the Domestic terminal, just get a ticket to Mascot station (one before the Domestic station) and walk for 15 min to get to the T2 or T3 temrinal. This is half the price. You will quite often see QF staff doing this. It is impractical to consider walking from the International to Domestic terminals.

I was commenting on the SYD airport left luggage operation; not on the trains. Sorry for the confusion. I actually think the trains are pretty good (just incredibly crowded during rush hour!).