Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Another Sydney New Year's Question

Hi everyone,
I'm just in the beginning stages of planning a 2 wk solo trip to Australia the last week of Dec/1st wk of Jan. So, I'm not yet sure where I'm going, but I will probably fly into Cairns on Contenental. My interests are primarily nature/wildlife/photography.

I thought I'd fly to Sydney for a few days and be there for NYE (I always wanted to see the fireworks off the bridge). After reading the posts on this board I'm not so sure now. I've already checked all the major chains (IC, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, etc) and there seem to be no rooms (I'm not interested in paying a HUGE amt) so I booked a "just in case" room in Parramatta (wherever that is). I'll have a car. Is it unrealistic to think I can drive downtown, find a parking place, find a place to see the fireworks etc? And would it be fairly safe for a woman alone?

I have only been to Australia for one day & night (Sydney and wasn't driving) so this is basically my first trip.

Any advice would be most appreciated - you might be saving me a lot of headaches!

Thanks much.

Try Holiday Inn - Old Sydney (in the Rocks and directly across from Sydney Opera House and within view of the Harbour Bridge). Here is their web site: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/sydgs?irs=null. If you play around with their booking tool and include several days including NYE, they show availability. It all depends on how badly you want it and are willing to spend. It won't be cheap!

BTW, the rooftop pool area has a superb view of the harbour.

Parramatta is a long way away ... about 20 miles from the city. It may not be such a bad idea though - the Parramatta river cats will be running up the river late into the night but will be very full. Don't even think about driving into the city. You should remember too that it is very difficult to find a vantage spot to actually watch the fireworks unless you sit around all day.

My recommendation would be to book a hotel in Bondi Beach. E.g. the Swiss Grand (won't be cheap). Another option is the "Ultimate Apartments Bondi Beach" for something cheaper. There is also lots of budget accommodation in Bondi if you are happy to rough it you could search.

There are a number of islands in Sydney Harbour to which you can buy tickets for new years eve. The tickets go on sale on 1 December each year. Details for last year are here:

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24615410-5013605,00.html

The ferries to the Islands go from Rose Bay which is a short (5 minute) drive from Bondi Beach, or a say 45 minutes to walk. You are then guaranteed a good place to stay (on the beach), a great view of the fireworks from the middle of the harbour, and an easy trip to and from the fireworks.

And if you are driving in SYdney for the first time, make sure you bring a Sat-nav. It's not an easy city to get around by road.

I thought I'd fly to Sydney for a few days and be there for NYE (I always wanted to see the fireworks off the bridge). After reading the posts on this board I'm not so sure now. I've already checked all the major chains (IC, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, etc) and there seem to be no rooms (I'm not interested in paying a HUGE amt) so I booked a "just in case" room in Parramatta (wherever that is). I'll have a car. Is it unrealistic to think I can drive downtown, find a parking place, find a place to see the fireworks etc? And would it be fairly safe for a woman alone?


I would say very unrealistic. Most of the CBD will be clearways ie no street parking at all and large sections of the city will be pedestrian only access. The harbour foreshore gets about 1 million or more spectators, many of who arrive very early on the 31st to secure the best spots think breakfast or earlier. Also Parramatta as has been mentioned is at the far western reach of the Harbour and is about 1 hour by car.

If your travelling by yourself I would suggest following ozzie's advice and looking into trying to get onto one of the islands. Shark would probably be better than Clark island because Garden Island tends to obstruct the view from Clark. If you opt to stay in Parramatta then Goat Island would probably be better as it's on the western side of the harbour. I would also agree with the suggestion of booking somewhere cheap in Bondi and using that as your base rather than Parramatta.

Thanks for all of the advice. After I read Orlando Vic's post but before I read any of the others, I found 2 nights in Potts Point at a not too outrageous rate. It looks reasonably close to things...at least close enough to walk, right?

Goat island was a great vantage point, but my favorite is the Royal Botanic Gardens. We had a large enough group that we became members to be able to join the members-only event, but I'd bet the lawn with a view event is also quite nice:

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/royal_botanic_gardens/Whats_on/new_years_eve_2009

I found 2 nights in Potts Point at a not too outrageous rate. It looks reasonably close to things...at least close enough to walk, right?

Potts Point will be a great launching place. It will be a pretty easy walk to a number of vantage points.

Thanks for all of the advice. After I read Orlando Vic's post but before I read any of the others, I found 2 nights in Potts Point at a not too outrageous rate. It looks reasonably close to things...at least close enough to walk, right?

Potts Point is great, definately look into the option of the Botanic Gardens, it's within walking distance. Just keep your wits about you on the walk home, parts of Woolloomooloo (between Botanic Gardens and Potts Point) are mainly low income government housing, although on NYE there should be a sufficient volume of people making their way toward Kings Cross that it should be safe, just follow the crowd.

That's true however as bensyd says there will be a bazillion peiople walking close to the same route as you so you'll be fine. Plus most people on NYE are ina pretty happy mood so there would be even less to worry about.

That's true however as bensyd says there will be a bazillion peiople walking close to the same route as you so you'll be fine. Plus most people on NYE are ina pretty happy mood so there would be even less to worry about.

There used to be a sign at the corner of Palmer and Cathedral Streets, advising cars stopped at the lights to lock their doors at night because of robberies and assaults. Only place I have ever seen that anywhere in Sydney.

Best bet for CSR is to walk along Cowper Wharf Road, then up the Brougham Street steps onto Victoria Street.

Potts Point is perfect and an easy walk to many good vantage points. Just be sure to get your place early. As noted by others, there will be excess of 1 million people all trying to see the fireworks with you and many people camp out in the best spots all day. Hence the reason why I would recommend booking on one of the Islands. Rose Bay is also not far from Potts Point - Porbably a 1 hour walk - but there's plenty of parking at Rose Bay in any event should you decide to book. Parking at Potts Point is a different story and unless your hotel comes with parking, don't expect to find a spot !

Rose Bay is also not far from Potts Point - Porbably a 1 hour walk

From Kings Cross the 324 or 325 bus goes past the Rose Bay wharf. It's probably a 20 minute bus ride. Couldn't be simpler really!;)

Are they opening the islands this year? I can't seem to find any info on this.

From Kings Cross the 324 or 325 bus goes past the Rose Bay wharf. It's probably a 20 minute bus ride. Couldn't be simpler really!;)

Are they opening the islands this year? I can't seem to find any info on this.

The information didn't come out until November last year. I expect that they will - it's a good way for National Parks to make money when the NSW government has none to give !