Originally Posted by mojorisin'
We will be in SYD Oct. 6-15, staying with friends. We are looking for ideas for a short trip out of SYD for 2-3 days. Unfortunately, don't think we have time to get to Cairns and spend some time on the GBR (will need to post-pone that to some other time). Friends have recommended spending a few days in Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains. However, we'd prefer a short get away to a "low key beach relaxing" sort of locale. Any suggetions? Thanks.
I'd actually recommend going in a wholly new direction and have you consider Canberra! The drive to the ACT is pleasant enough, and a couple days there can be rewarding...
There are some interesting things to do which will take the couple days... Here are a couple suggestions from a fellow Yank who spends a lot of time in Australia... Firstly, buy the Bill Bryson Book "In a Sunburned Country" before you go and read it for a good overview of the country and people from an American author who has spent time in that great country. It's written for a non-Australian audience with great outsider insight. The paperback ISBN is: 0-76790-3862. You can purchase the book in Australia (it was a best seller there), but the name of the editions sold there is "Down Under" and has a depiction of Uluru (Ayer's Rock) on the cover. The U.S. edition has a picture of a kangaroo with Joey in pouch in the cover.
When in Canberra visit the Australian War Memorial, which is one of the world's GREAT museums! Plan a picnic at the Carillion in Canberra which is located on a small island at one end of Lake Burley Griffin. Noontime concerts used to be on Thursdays and weekends, though I don't know the present schedule. The Lake is named for American architect Walter Burley Griffin, who designed the Australian capitol city following an international contest for the city's design. The design by Chicago architect Griffin was selected and construction started in 1913.
Other unusual places for Yanks to visit in Canberra, but are very satisfying, are the Royal Australian Mint and the Royal Australian Archives. My youngest daughter (now 19) and I have visited the Archives a few times to visit exhibitions or research things like the Aboriginal "Stolen Generations," the Role of Australian Women in running the Country during WWII and the cartoon history of the late Ken Maynard, who created the great "Ettamogah Pub" characters. Parliament House is open (9.00 am – 5.00 pm on non-sitting days and 9.00 am to House rise on sitting days). There is a free guide service which assists visitors and visitors may participate in guided tours. These free tours occur every half hour 9.00 am.
Safe travels...