Globaliser

There's one more thread that I know about for some ideas about what to do: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...things-do.html

The only lounge that might be worth you spending that much time in is the Qantas first class lounge - and even then, opinions will differ about it. But if you're flying business class, you could only get into that if you are OW Emerald.

DownUnderFlyer

[mod hat] I agree, so I am going to move the thread. [/mod hat]

JDiver

[other mod hat on] Merged into existing thread.

A good way to determine any visa etc. requirements is to use the same tool the airlines use: TimaticWeb. Try the version below, c/o from Star Alliance:

Visa And Health - Star Alliance

AustralianPoochie

Truthfully, I would avoid the ferry, with 11.5 hours.
If you had more, then go for it.
Syd outgoing can be a pain in the bum, and yes, I have used it.
For incoming, they always have many many queues, and the line can be shockingly long, esp if you are not an Aust citizen, so can't use Smartgate, unless you are GlobalEntry. Meaning you have to queue.
That's for passport, then you get to the Customs side, (real Customs & Quarantine), where they could pick you with the beagle. Even hand luggage people can get pinged to be chatted with.
That's for incoming.
Outgoing, you have to still go through outgoing passport stamping, or at least scanning, so you have to queue at checkin, (unless you have been given a boarding pass the whole way), then queue for outgoing xray & security, then outgoing immi.
There is a Rydges at Sydney int airport though.
Personally, with only 11.5 hours, less train travel time, you have to mingle with the plebs, just walking around Chinatown will do.
Time from when you clear into the open area of Syd int airport, then train trip is quite fast, 25 mins, to Central, a bit more to Circular Quay, have about maybe 5 hours to 6 hours in the CBD, then back to the airport.
Weekdays 4.30pm onwards can be quite busy for Sydney trains.

AustralianPoochie

Transit visa needed eh?
Aust does not do visas on arrivals, so if you want to see Syd, get the Transit Visas online at http://www.immi.gov.au
No cost, its free.

craigsnyc

Hello All,

I have an Austrailian visa so that's not a problem.

It seems my plans have changed and that I can spend more time in Sydney on my way back. So, I'm going to do the Chinatown suggestion and head back to SYD.

Thanks for all the input!!

Craig

AustralianPoochie

Re: visas, ok.
Then that ferry trip, yeair, next time you are in Syd.
A short one from Circular Quay across, the ferry goes under the bridge, over to the ferry terminal, below the steps rising from the bay up to the back entry to Taronga Zoo.
And not forgetting all the rave, of Bondi, Coogee, Manly, ...

JClasstraveller

Quite frankly Chinatown is boring and you're wasting your time.

There is more than enough time to do the Manly ferry.

Respectfully, I disagree with AustralianPoochie.

Globaliser

+1

bensyd

I agree. Unless you're going there to eat, there's not an awful lot to do.

CPMaverick

I did the ferry with 7 hours, and caught breakfast in Manly, with no rush really. It should not be any trouble at all!

Chinatown- only if you've never seen a Chinatown district IMO. if you have, there will be nothing new.

Mwenenzi

The suggestion by AustralianPoochie (of Adelaide) for a person who has never been to Sydney to go to Chinatown is plain stupid. Sydney harbour is what the city is known. Far better to take the train to Circular Quay and go a ferry ride across the harbour to Manly or even walk around the Opera House area. As above 7 hours is enough time. With 11.5 hours time to do much more

JClasstraveller

Particularly as the OP comes from one of the great Chinatowns in New York City.

I reiterate my comments to the OP and think it would be a real shame if the advice to go to Chinatown were followed.

As a Sydneysider, there is nothing really of interest there. Get a taste of the heartbeat of the city, the harbour, and come back for more.

bensyd

Of course it shouldn't be! It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that with 11.5 hours you'll be stretched for time. Even a worst case scenario, two hours to get through immigration inbound and two hours outbound still leaves 7.5 hours. Hardly cutting things fine.

ROCruiser

I agree. If you have a few hours in Sydney, definitely go to Circular Quay, you will see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Rocks, and even walk a little Botanic Garden. Not much in Chinatown.