SYDNEY what to see & do?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Michigan, DL Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 353
SYDNEY what to see & do?
I am going to be heading down to Sydney for 10 days this coming August and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for day trips using Sydney as a base. I won't have access to a car so either tour operators or public transit will be my only means of transportation. Right now I'm planning on having a hotel in Sydney for the entire 10 days but this isn't set in stone. What I've done in the past when I visit new countries is pick a city as my hub and then plan day trips from that hub. Note: I'm flying into and back out of Sydney.
Can anyone recommend a reputable/good tour company to use for various excursions? I've seen quite a few for bushwalking tours in the Katoomba/Blue Mountains but since I've never been there before I'm not sure what to look for. Are there any other bushwalking tours that I should look into? I want to explore Sydney for a few days but other than that I'm fairly open to heading out of the city. I've heard some people mention taking a flight to Ayers but after checking prices this seems a little out of my budget for this trip. Does anyone know if Sydney has any walking tours like walks.com in London, UK? These are theme based walks and I wouldn't mind doing something similar in Australia if they're available.
I'm just now starting to plan what I want to do (better late than never) so I'm open to suggestions. So far I have the flight booked and I'm looking at the Sydney Marriott as my hotel base (I think I can get it down to $110 US/night). As I mentioned, it's not set in stone that I stay in Sydney for the entire period but I'll probably want to start/end there. Any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
Can anyone recommend a reputable/good tour company to use for various excursions? I've seen quite a few for bushwalking tours in the Katoomba/Blue Mountains but since I've never been there before I'm not sure what to look for. Are there any other bushwalking tours that I should look into? I want to explore Sydney for a few days but other than that I'm fairly open to heading out of the city. I've heard some people mention taking a flight to Ayers but after checking prices this seems a little out of my budget for this trip. Does anyone know if Sydney has any walking tours like walks.com in London, UK? These are theme based walks and I wouldn't mind doing something similar in Australia if they're available.
I'm just now starting to plan what I want to do (better late than never) so I'm open to suggestions. So far I have the flight booked and I'm looking at the Sydney Marriott as my hotel base (I think I can get it down to $110 US/night). As I mentioned, it's not set in stone that I stay in Sydney for the entire period but I'll probably want to start/end there. Any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
#2
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
If you are into bushwalking there are plenty or walks in and around Sydney that could easily take a day. One site you should look up is the NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) which will have maps and runs many of the information booths in the parks.
There are some guided walks in the city which will take you through a foodies tour, wine tour and I think an "Old Sydney" tour. Just in Sydney for instance you could take the following walks for free and just catch PT to get there. There is the Northern Beaches walk where you can catch the ferry to Manly and then just head north along the Northern Beaches. I would say in a day you could probably get to Long Reef. Alternative head west from Manly and you cn take a walk of Middle Harbour. Take a bus to Palm Beach and head off on a short hike to Barrenjoey Head and the Lighthouse.
For further walks I don't think you need to take a tour company to the Blue Mountains. If you can leave most of your luggage at the Marriott and head up by train to Katoomba and get a room at the local pub and then you can explore from there. There are shuttles between many of the main sights (tourist trolley) and there are a number of nice bushwalks around the three sisters as well as in and around Blackheath.
Another full day trip would be to head down to the Royal National Park and take a ferry to Bundeena. The bushwalks here are a little longer and not for the faint hearted. Bushwalking anywhere is not something to be taken lightly, pack for all conditions and make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you see an NPWS station and you are going to be walking alone let them know. NPWS also recommends that you carry a locating beacon which many of their stations sell too.
There are some guided walks in the city which will take you through a foodies tour, wine tour and I think an "Old Sydney" tour. Just in Sydney for instance you could take the following walks for free and just catch PT to get there. There is the Northern Beaches walk where you can catch the ferry to Manly and then just head north along the Northern Beaches. I would say in a day you could probably get to Long Reef. Alternative head west from Manly and you cn take a walk of Middle Harbour. Take a bus to Palm Beach and head off on a short hike to Barrenjoey Head and the Lighthouse.
For further walks I don't think you need to take a tour company to the Blue Mountains. If you can leave most of your luggage at the Marriott and head up by train to Katoomba and get a room at the local pub and then you can explore from there. There are shuttles between many of the main sights (tourist trolley) and there are a number of nice bushwalks around the three sisters as well as in and around Blackheath.
Another full day trip would be to head down to the Royal National Park and take a ferry to Bundeena. The bushwalks here are a little longer and not for the faint hearted. Bushwalking anywhere is not something to be taken lightly, pack for all conditions and make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you see an NPWS station and you are going to be walking alone let them know. NPWS also recommends that you carry a locating beacon which many of their stations sell too.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Michigan, DL Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 353
Thanks for the information! I'll try to find some of the walks you mentioned in Sydney (I did a pub walk in London) and I always find the guides to be interesting. A couple of things I'm considering:
Is there anything in the above list that you wouldn't do or that would be a waste of my limited time? As much as I'd like to include a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I'm not sure if I can fit the expense in for this trip since I'd probably have to fly. I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
- Ferry to Manly - Split Bridge Scenic Walkway
- Ferry to Taronga - Taronga Zoo
- Bondi Explorer - Hop on/off to Bondi Beach
- Sydney Explorer - Just to check things in Sydney
- Train to Katoomba - Maybe a day trip
- Ferry to Cockatoo Island - Just for the view
- Harbour Bridge Climb - Is it worth the price?
- Ferry to Olympic Park
Is there anything in the above list that you wouldn't do or that would be a waste of my limited time? As much as I'd like to include a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I'm not sure if I can fit the expense in for this trip since I'd probably have to fly. I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
Thanks for the information! I'll try to find some of the walks you mentioned in Sydney (I did a pub walk in London) and I always find the guides to be interesting. A couple of things I'm considering:
Is there anything in the above list that you wouldn't do or that would be a waste of my limited time? As much as I'd like to include a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I'm not sure if I can fit the expense in for this trip since I'd probably have to fly. I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
- Ferry to Manly - Split Bridge Scenic Walkway
- Ferry to Taronga - Taronga Zoo
- Bondi Explorer - Hop on/off to Bondi Beach
- Sydney Explorer - Just to check things in Sydney
- Train to Katoomba - Maybe a day trip
- Ferry to Cockatoo Island - Just for the view
- Harbour Bridge Climb - Is it worth the price?
- Ferry to Olympic Park
Is there anything in the above list that you wouldn't do or that would be a waste of my limited time? As much as I'd like to include a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I'm not sure if I can fit the expense in for this trip since I'd probably have to fly. I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
You could always do the 5 day pass and then take the Blue Mountains Explorer ticket. You have probably already accessed the CityRail website with what it covers. http://www.cityrail.info
If you go out to Bondi, the beach itself is pretty touristy and during the summer traffic is pretty bad. But there is the beach side walks which take you from Bondi all the way down to Maroubra beach. Personally stop off at Clovelly, have a swim and then head down to Coogee for lunch and then hop on a 373 back to the city.
PS. Its the Spit Bridge - and the walk is great too.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: DJ, QF, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 2,984
If you're going to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains on public transport and do some hiking, I suggest you consider spending a night there. By the time you get there via public transport, you'd have lost a good few hours.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,456
Thanks for the information! I'll try to find some of the walks you mentioned in Sydney (I did a pub walk in London) and I always find the guides to be interesting. A couple of things I'm considering:
Is there anything in the above list that you wouldn't do or that would be a waste of my limited time? As much as I'd like to include a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I'm not sure if I can fit the expense in for this trip since I'd probably have to fly. I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
- Ferry to Manly - Split Bridge Scenic Walkway
- Ferry to Taronga - Taronga Zoo
- Bondi Explorer - Hop on/off to Bondi Beach
- Sydney Explorer - Just to check things in Sydney
- Train to Katoomba - Maybe a day trip
- Ferry to Cockatoo Island - Just for the view
- Harbour Bridge Climb - Is it worth the price?
- Ferry to Olympic Park
Is there anything in the above list that you wouldn't do or that would be a waste of my limited time? As much as I'd like to include a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I'm not sure if I can fit the expense in for this trip since I'd probably have to fly. I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
The ferry ride to Olympic Park is the highlight of the trip to Olympic Park. There is really not much once you get there.
I second Leumas' suggestion about staying the night in the BM if you're planning on using public transport, or it will be a very long day.
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Programs: Mucci
Posts: 8,083
I was looking at getting a 5-day Sydney pass which would allow me to ride the ferry, buses, rail, airport link and both the Bondi and Sydney Explorer. Would this be worth the price (@$132)? It doesn't look like it would cover the train ride to Katoomba based on the rail map that I saw. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
Instead, go for a MyMulti 3 - at $57 for seven days it is much better value, and will cover you for the entire CityRail network (Newcastle, Nowra on the South Coast, Katoomba, etc) as well as all government and private bus services and government ferries.
Dave
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CBR
Programs: QF WP, AC*G
Posts: 1,223
10 days is a long time in Sydney. I would think about possibly splitting it 5/5 with Melbourne or 7/3 with Canberra. Neither of those should add much in travel cost (about $150 return by air with QF at the moment) and each has its own charms and attractions. The Hunter Valley is one option people haven't mentioned yet. It is the premier wine region in NSW and there are a number of operators that run day trips to the area.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,456
10 days is a long time in Sydney. I would think about possibly splitting it 5/5 with Melbourne or 7/3 with Canberra. Neither of those should add much in travel cost (about $150 return by air with QF at the moment) and each has its own charms and attractions. The Hunter Valley is one option people haven't mentioned yet. It is the premier wine region in NSW and there are a number of operators that run day trips to the area.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Michigan, DL Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 353
Instead, go for a MyMulti 3 - at $57 for seven days it is much better value, and will cover you for the entire CityRail network (Newcastle, Nowra on the South Coast, Katoomba, etc) as well as all government and private bus services and government ferries.
Thanks everyone for all of the advice so far. As I mentioned I'm still in the planning stages so it's not set in stone that I stay in Sydney for the entire 10 days. I'm actually arriving on a Friday morning (8/6) and then departing on a Monday (8/16) so I do have some flexibility - it just depends on the cost. Are there any cities close to Sydney via rail that would be worth my while? I may see if I can leave my luggage at the hotel in Sydney and then take an overnight trip to Katoomba.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
Thanks for the advice on this! As far as I can tell, the MyMulti 3 gives pretty much the same coverage as the Sydney pass but for 1/3 the cost. The only thing is doesn't provide is the "Explorer" buses but if public transport is available to Bondi beach, etc. then that's not a big issue for me. I did think that $40 for the Bondi Explorer 24 hrs was a bit steep. It also looks like the MyMulti 3 would cover the trip by rail out to the Blue Mountains. Is that correct or did I mis-read the map? One thing I didn't notice on the MyMulti 3 - does that cover the Airport Link too?
Thanks everyone for all of the advice so far. As I mentioned I'm still in the planning stages so it's not set in stone that I stay in Sydney for the entire 10 days. I'm actually arriving on a Friday morning (8/6) and then departing on a Monday (8/16) so I do have some flexibility - it just depends on the cost. Are there any cities close to Sydney via rail that would be worth my while? I may see if I can leave my luggage at the hotel in Sydney and then take an overnight trip to Katoomba.
Thanks everyone for all of the advice so far. As I mentioned I'm still in the planning stages so it's not set in stone that I stay in Sydney for the entire 10 days. I'm actually arriving on a Friday morning (8/6) and then departing on a Monday (8/16) so I do have some flexibility - it just depends on the cost. Are there any cities close to Sydney via rail that would be worth my while? I may see if I can leave my luggage at the hotel in Sydney and then take an overnight trip to Katoomba.
As for doing other cities, it really depends on how you want to spend your vacation, doing a little bit here and there or taking your time, exploring the city, etc. There is PT to Bondi Beach and many of the locations the Sydney Explorer runs you to are walkable in the city. Your original itinerary really does take up much of your time and you can easily spend a day on a lot of the walks.
One of the easier day trips would be a train to Newcastle, its really a small city large town by Australian standards.
#12
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Programs: Mucci
Posts: 8,083
The only thing is doesn't provide is the "Explorer" buses but if public transport is available to Bondi beach, etc. then that's not a big issue for me. I did think that $40 for the Bondi Explorer 24 hrs was a bit steep. It also looks like the MyMulti 3 would cover the trip by rail out to the Blue Mountains. Is that correct or did I mis-read the map? One thing I didn't notice on the MyMulti 3 - does that cover the Airport Link too?
Dave
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney
Programs: Qantas Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 270
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Via Preference Privilege, AC*A, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,334
I did it as a day trip last year, in retrospect would of preferred to spend the night there. If you have to do a same day return you don't really have enough time to explore the area.