My first international Mileage Run and I'm going to Sydney! In Coach!! (The next item on today's agenda is make doctor appointment for sleepy drugs.)

I'm not the only one taking advantage of United's sale, so there's got to be some people who will be around. I couldn't get a Monday return, so now I've got Saturday, Sunday and Monday to see the city. I'd love to get together for a FT dinner or something.

I'm on the same bus you are, but my son and I are arriving on Friday morning. We'd love to get together for a cocktail, or whatever. Will be in Sydney through Tuesday morning. Any hotel ideas?

Calling Ozstamps!! Are you in town? I've enjoyed your posts for years, and would love to buy you a cocktail or two in appreciation.

Anyone else available? Lets all get together next week.

Not yet. I'm open to suggestions. I did a preliminary search and found hostel-like things so I went for it without any serious lodging clue. I've sent an email to somebody I met last month at a conference who lives there.

As for anything else, I have no clue where to begin. First the cheap fare, then the plan. Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

Works for me. I'll probably be at one of the Sheratons. Haven't progressed much farther than that though. Keep me up to date as to your plans...if any.

I am currently considering the Wizard of Oz hostel at Coogee Beach. It's further out than I'd like but there's transit access and it's otherwise got what I'm looking for.

I haven't made a booking yet but if nothing else turns up (like people wanting to share a hotel) that is likely where I'll be.

I've been trying to use hostels.com but it has some technical issues. Fortunately I don't expect any rush of drunken backpackers to fill up all the beds between now and next week. The biggest nuisance may come down to having to make some phone calls and book directly if I decide hostels.com can't be trusted at this late date.

Hope you guys enjoy the brief stay.

Joh and I regrettably are going to be way out in Penrith (hour drive from city) for an Executive Suite stay that weekend using up a 70% off voucher expiring end August, as we both have birthdays that week. $A87 a night inc tax for a top floor Penthouse Suite with jacuzzi is a deal not to be missed.

BEST hotel deal possible in Syd downtown is using SPG miles at Four Points Darling Harbor .. 3000 a night, for a superb location.

For all the touristy things read what Joh outlined to all those who were here a couple months back for OzFest 2004 - she had a ton of detail and websites and prices in there:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...hreadid=336631

Sorry .. that was OzFest 2005 link ... here is the summary one for 2004:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...&postcount=329

You guys MUST do the Tarmac tour of airport Saturday .. read up on it. A blast ..... EVERYONE there loved it. ^

Pretty well only place on earth you can now do this post 9/11.

Sorry we'll miss you. Tried to get into the Four Points using points and $, but they didn't have any rooms for that promotion. Settled for the Sheraton On the Park instead. Will read the Ozfest 04 info. Thanks for the heads up

After reading your account of the great Ozfest weekend (I'm reallly sorry I missed out) I am wondering if it would pay for me to get an "Entertainment Book" and where could I find one...sounds like some great deals in there.

I'm about to jump on this bandwagon. Looking to stay at the Westin Sydney (there's a buy 2 nights, get 3rd free offer on spg.com).

WWBGD - wondering if there were any particular reason that you settled for Sheraton On the Park and if I'm missing something by choosing Westin over Sheraton.

All others - I'd also be up for meeting up and doing something.

I think the airport tour sounds amazing, thanks for the suggestion Ozstamps! Too bad you won't be able to make it but it sounds like you will be having fun anyway.

The website for that is http://www.airsidetarmactours.com. I've sent them an email asking about reservations by email rather than phone. I'm arriving early Saturday so I suppoose I could force myself to visit airline clubs for a few hours until the tour starts if I really had to.

Also, I have a general concept of seeing the Royal Botanic Gardens Sunday and that might be a nice area to find a place to get together for coffee, drinks, lunch or whatnot. (This is a low-budget trip for me, so no fancy dinners.) But I'd have to rely on someone else to make suggestions in advance because I have no clue, and I won't have a phone for last-minute changes either.

I jumped on the UA e-fare as well and I am up for something during the weekend. I guess I should find someplace to stay now...

Froady-just using cash and points, or in this case points at the 4 pts. 4000 startwood points per night. I will check out the Westin however. Thanks for the heads up

The airport tour folks said I could book by email and there's space so far. So who is interested? $30, 10 am Saturday.

For amusement value, I looked at hotels. The cheapest thing I found on Travelocity was $70 and it's not a chain and nobody's rated it. The Hilton doesn't have rooms, even if I wanted to burn points. I think I'm sticking with the hostel: $25. And I get a kitchen.

As I posted Four Points is 10,000 total for Fri, Sat, Sun. Rooms ARE available - I just checked. An insane rate given its superb location right on Darling Harbour.

Ent. Books are $A60 each if any needs me to mail them one. We saved over $1000 using them at Oz Fest.