Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Weekend in Sydney: Suggestions? November 2008

I need to visit Australia for work in November visiting both our Melbourne and Sydney offices.

To maximize my time I'll be spending two weeks there/traveling meaning I have a free weekend.

I fly out of BDL on Monday the 10th and fly to MEL (United Airlines). I'll be in MEL November 12-14, then flying to SYD on Friday the 14th on Jetstar airlines. I'll be staying at the Sydney Hilton (488 George St) Friday and Saturday night before moving to a hotel in Parramatta on Sunday night to be closer to our Sydney office. I leave to fly back to the US on Thursday November 20th.

This is my first visit to Australia.

So what can I expect as a first time flyer on Jetstar?
What should I plan on doing during my two free days?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Why are you flying Jetstar rather than QF? I have so far managed to avoid Jetstar but in terms of "what can I expect as a first time flyer on Jetstar?", I would suggest the answer is "not much." As a benchmark, what would you expect as a first time flyer on Southwest? Make sure you know which MEL airport the flight leaves from. MEL-SYD on QF is the equivalent of DFW-ORD or LGA-ORD - a high frequency route, with hourly (or twice hourly at times) departures from Tullamarine, Melbourne's main airport. Jetstar flights out of MEL often depart from Avalon, Melbourne's other airport, which is in the opposite direction from Tullamarine ... so make sure you know which airport your flight is leaving from.

There are a number of threads in this forum on "what to do in Sydney" so take a look at those for ideas (some links below). Others can no doubt also suggest specific things to do in Sydney.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=859976

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=700012

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=841004

Edited to add:

Now that I look, JQ has 1 direct flight on Nov 14 from MEL (Tullamarine) to SYD (at 11.40 am) and 7 flights during the day from Avalon. QF has 38 direct flights from Tullamarine.

Jetstar was chosen for me specifically since it was departing from Avalon, a more convenient airport for where I will be working that day.

I'll be staying at the Sydney Hilton (488 George St) Friday and Saturday nightand;
This is my first visit to Australiaand;
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Well, first things first.
Your location is very good for a weekend in Sydney! I have spent 2 very nice long weekends there and have a ton more stuff that I'd like to do!!

A lot will depend, of course, on your personal interests.

As for me, the Harbor and Waterfront were spectacular, as was a mid-morning Sightseeing Cruise aboard one of the Captain Cook tour boats.
I spent a morning at the Taronga Zoo, and had my concierge arrange a behind the scenes tour - it was GREAT!!

I took a tour of Sydney arranged by the concierge, which allowed me a good mental "map" of where I wanted to visit. Stroll thru Hyde Park, enjoy a myriad of museums, take a reasonably short walk down to Darling Harbour, which has lots of restaurants and touristy stuff like the Aquarium and the Casino.

Grab a Tiger Pie with mash and mushy peas at Harry's Cafe de Wheels on Woolomoloo Wharf. Have dinner on the waterfront at any number of places, including a lunch at Doyle's overlooking the Opera House. I got my very best, framable photo of this icon from their dining area.

Take some time on Friday or Saturday night to visit the Rocks Market - altho a bit touristy, it has a lot of things on offer, some interesting music perhaps, and a lot of places to grab a beer or a bite.
The Rocks is also a great place to walk around and enjoy.

Wander to the Sydney Harbor Bridge and pay to cross over the top of it, if you are adventurous. It's expensive but lots of folks say it's fun to do.
Go to the Sydney fish market via tram - great to see, fun things to eat, and easy to get back/forth.
Check out Chinatown and the Huge! Market there.

All in all, you could prolly get sufficient ideas from UA's 3PD, or googling any Travel site like Fodors or Frommers, b/c there are infinite number of things to do.
SYD is one of my favorites, I'll be back there in April and can't wait!!
Have a great time!!
Dave

I need to visit Australia for work in November visiting both our Melbourne and Sydney offices.

To maximize my time I'll be spending two weeks there/traveling meaning I have a free weekend.

I fly out of BDL on Monday the 10th and fly to MEL (United Airlines). I'll be in MEL November 12-14, then flying to SYD on Friday the 14th on Jetstar airlines. I'll be staying at the Sydney Hilton (488 George St) Friday and Saturday night before moving to a hotel in Parramatta on Sunday night to be closer to our Sydney office. I leave to fly back to the US on Thursday November 20th.

This is my first visit to Australia.

So what can I expect as a first time flyer on Jetstar?
What should I plan on doing during my two free days?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

I just miss you by a couple days.
I am in SYD the 9th - 12th

Jetstar are great, and Avalon is also a great little Airport. Seats are nice and plush on their new A320's, and there is no meals or anything, but flight is just over an hour so who cares!

I just miss you by a couple days.
I am in SYD the 9th - 12th
Any other Flyertalkers in town?

Any other Flyertalkers in town?


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