Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - 7 Hours in SYD for a Mileage Run

Any suggestions for what to do in SYD for a quick turnaround? Arriving 6-ish on a Sunday morning and leaving at around 2pm.

You can go into the city on the train or taxi. It doesn't take too long to get there, have a bit of a walk around, and come back.

I'd be interested too, though my mileage run is for three days.

If you get in at six, you could take the train and be harbourside by 7:30. I would take the airport train to the circular quay station. The public ferries are a great way to see the city. Th Manly Hydrofoil would give you a view of the whole harbour.
After your return to Circular Quay take a walk back around the Opera House to the Royal Botantical Gardens. Walk back to downtown with a quick stop at the Art Museum if you're into that. You could catch the airport train again at the Museum stop.

Other ideas depending on your likes - Taronga Zoo or a walk across the bridge.

Does the outdoor market in The Rocks run on Sunday?


SYDNEY PHOTOS (http://tom911.smugmug.com/Travel%20-%20Australia)

Could go for breakfast at the Buena Vista cafe (http://buenavistacafe.com.au/)
Edit: just noticed you arrive Sunday. Buena Vista cafe closed :(

Is there anyplace for a * Gold to shower in SYD? Or nearby?

Th Manly Hydrofoil would give you a view of the whole harbour.


It must be a long time since you have been to Sydney!!!
The hydrofoils last ran in 1991!!

Is there anyplace for a * Gold to shower in SYD? Or nearby?

The Koru Club has awesome two-headed showers. Since the RCC closed, this is the designated UA lounge, although technically you can use the SQ lounge (but it's not nearly as nice).

Does the outdoor market in The Rocks run on Sunday?


SYDNEY PHOTOS (http://tom911.smugmug.com/Travel%20-%20Australia)

Yup. Runs from 1000-1700 on Saturdays and Sundays. :)

You could go to downtown....OR you could go to Maroubra, Coogee, or Bondi beach by bus/train.

The Mrs. & I are in on this MR, except we're going all the way to MEL on UA. Any issues we need to be aware of?

Some of the cxn's might be a little tight for sneaking the aforementioned shower in, but hopefully it's doable.

looks like there's a SKL lounge in MEL. I assume we can access this?

Any suggestions for what to do in SYD for a quick turnaround? Arriving 6-ish on a Sunday morning and leaving at around 2pm.

We just finished exactly this run. We chose to spend our entire time in the Koru club. Assuming you are unable to upgrade either direction, the 7 hours in the Koru club will be a life-saver, as they have showers, fantastic couches, and great food. (We did upgrade the LAX-SYD leg, and I still really appreciated the 7 hours of downtime before the return leg in coach!)

The other benefit of staying in the Koru club is that you don't need to clear customs, and the slight chance of potential hassles associated with trying to explain a one day turn.

Of course, our decision to skip the trip into Sydney was also based on our having just been there the previous year -- I supposed if I had never been, I might have been more inclined to push myself and go in.

I just returned from a SYD MR and had 8 hours there. I cleared immigration & customs this time quite quickly (although customs did pull me aside for a search and questioning, but it lasted only 5 minutes since all I had was a backpack and I explained myself more clearly & showed him I did the same itinerary the previous week).

The train into the city is mighty quick (AUD$23.40 for a return ticket). Although I've been to SYD many previous times, it was a stunningly gorgeous day & I walked around Circular Quay & sat on a bench along the water for a while... the fresh air was fantastic. Then I hopped on a train to the Museum Station and walked down through Hyde Park... getting some sun after that much flying is very refreshing & good for your body-clock. UA check-in opens at 11:15am currently, so I got the train back to be there right when they opened, checked in, hit the lounge, showered and enjoyed the very good food & spirits until boarding. Have a chat with Annie, UA's lounge agent... she thoroughly enjoys her job and will do everything possible to make sure you're comfortable. ^^

I'd be interested too, though my mileage run is for three days.

since when do mileage runs include three day stayovers? :confused:

Hi auggie doggie,
You've posted a destination-specific question in the MR forum! :eek:

Please have a look at the helpful thread below, which outlines how the two Mileage Run (Deals, Discussion) work:
Welcome to the Mileage Run Forum - Important information how the MR forums work (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-deals/454485-welcome-mileage-run-forum-important-information-how-mr-forums-work.html)

First, what you can expect out the Mileage Run Forum
What the Mileage Run Forum expects out of you (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/8352133-post2.html)

Not appropriate for Mileage Run or subforums:
1) What I Did on my Mileage Run (Trip Reports forum)
2) What Should I Do in XXX on my Mileage Run (Relevant Travel & Dining destinations forum)
...


I have moved your Sydney activities during layover question to the Australia/NZ/S. Pacific destination forum. There are LOTS of similar qiuestions and answers there already.

As many people have suggested, tips include:
taking the train to Circular Quay,
a ferry across to Manly or somewhere else across the Harbour,
a walk across to the Royal Botanical Gardens and waterfront, to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, located adjacent to the Sydney Opera House,
walking through The Rocks & its Markets & pubs,
going to the Sydney Harbour Bridge museum inside the southern stone pylon (or simply walking across it)

...are just a few convenient options. :)

Cheers,
BiziBB
Moderator, Mileage Run forums

(& Sydney resident!)

It must be a long time since you have been to Sydney!!!
The hydrofoils last ran in 1991!! And the Jetcat which replaced it stopped running last year!

Dave

auggie doggie,
There is a fast ferry (slower than the jetcat but much faster than the regular ferry) on the old Many JetCat route, so you can plan your public transport (e.g. train from SYD Intl -> Circular Quay station; fast ferry Circular Quay -> Manly wharf).

PS. I did a quick, basic search of this forum; here's a recent thread '8hr layover in SYD - what would you do? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/924546-8-hr-layover-sydney-what-would-you-do.html)'.
There are tons in the forum. A massive FT contingent got onto the UA J fare last year and the year before and there was an amazing GF fare (F?) DUB-SYD a few years ago.

With luck, there are a few MR Deals to SYD, so there are lots of guinea pigs ahead of you. :)