Sydney at the end of Sept. 2011
Sep 11, 2011, 12:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,576
Sydney at the end of Sept. 2011
I'm thinking of heading to SYD and the surrounding area for about a week at the end of Sept. Would this a bad time to go considering the Rugby activities? Given my time constraints of only a week, I'm planning on focusing solely on SYD and its surrounding areas so as not to try to over extend myself. Any advice?
Sep 12, 2011, 7:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
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It's hovering around 1.034 right now, after spending most of last two weeks north of 1.04.
As an aside, I, an Aussie, found the US to be fairly cheap (w.r.t. food, beverages and stuff) when I visited last year, and our Dollar was only buying 0.83 of yours. Friends who've visited Australia at a similar exchange rate often commented on how expensive (but fresher) they thought our food/groceries were.
Sep 12, 2011, 7:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Eat at pubs - many pubs have a $10 special (particularly for lunch), it's invariably terrific food and lots of it. And you don't have to tip, so when it says $10 that's what you pay, not $12.
Sep 13, 2011, 6:49 am
#9
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Location: UK
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Us Brits can't get use to hotels that don't rent out rooms .......
Sep 13, 2011, 7:01 am
#10
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I certainly wouldn't recommend tourists asking locals if they know of any good hotels. That goes double in the Cross.
Sep 13, 2011, 8:18 am
#11
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Sep 13, 2011, 8:19 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I think if you said I'm going down to the hotel for a meal most in Australia would assume you meant the bed not booze type. "Pub" is used in conversation "hotel" on the signage of said establishments.
I certainly wouldn't recommend tourists asking locals if they know of any good hotels. That goes double in the Cross.
I certainly wouldn't recommend tourists asking locals if they know of any good hotels. That goes double in the Cross.
Sep 13, 2011, 6:12 pm
#13
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,576
Um... wow, thanks? I realize I could spend a whole week in SYD alone, but some people in my group want to go up to Cairns for at least 2 days to do some snorkeling etc... How realistic is it really, to squeeze this couple of days in? Would we better of exploring the Blue Mountains or something closer?
Sep 13, 2011, 7:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Um... wow, thanks? I realize I could spend a whole week in SYD alone, but some people in my group want to go up to Cairns for at least 2 days to do some snorkeling etc... How realistic is it really, to squeeze this couple of days in? Would we better of exploring the Blue Mountains or something closer?
Given your limited time in the country Katoomba in the Blue Mountains is probably a better idea. You could, say, walk down the Giant Stairway from the Three Sisters, take the walk along to the Scenic Railway and catch the railway (funicular) back up. It's about a 90 minute walk and it's some of the most beautiful scenery that you'll see around Sydney.
Katoomba is a two hour train ride from Sydney so it's easily a day trip.
Google "Katoomba" or "Giant Stairway Walk"
Sep 13, 2011, 7:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Definitely realistic to go north for a couple of days - if you go weekdays you should be able to get some super cheap flights. I'd recommend flying directly to Hamilton Island though instead of Cairns. You can find realtively cheap accommodation on the Island and the boat trip out to the outer reef is that much shorter. Or if you do cairns, drive to port douglas instead, much nicer than cairns itself. End September is perfect season in the reef.
Eating is pubs is a great recommendation. Good meals for good prices.
Eating is pubs is a great recommendation. Good meals for good prices.