Sydney

[Shawny88]

It depends on which attraction you are going to. Generally speaking, I don't recommend the explorer bus given the costs, and that quite a lot of places can be walked to. There are also normal local buses which you can take. Jenolan Caves is quite a bit further away. It's worth the trip if you like limestone caves, but there are also plenty of places with caves in south east asia so it's really up to you.

Scenic world and three sisters, that's about it. After these two, open to explore other areas in blue mountain.

 

[Shawny88]

It depends on which attraction you are going to. Generally speaking, I don't recommend the explorer bus given the costs, and that quite a lot of places can be walked to. There are also normal local buses which you can take. Jenolan Caves is quite a bit further away. It's worth the trip if you like limestone caves, but there are also plenty of places with caves in south east asia so it's really up to you.

Decided not to visit Jenola cave. Will try to cover the below places within 2 half days.

Katoomba cascades and reid's plateau
Scenic world
Narrow neck lookout
Reid's look out and furbes steps
Echo point and three sisters
Honeymoon lookout to echo point
Leura waterfall and lookout
Gordon falls lookout
Olympian rock lookout

 

[Awesom Andy]

Decided not to visit Jenola cave. Will try to cover the below places within 2 half days.

Katoomba cascades and reid's plateau
Scenic world
Narrow neck lookout
Reid's look out and furbes steps
Echo point and three sisters
Honeymoon lookout to echo point
Leura waterfall and lookout
Gordon falls lookout
Olympian rock lookout

Seems like there are just a lot of lookouts around the same area. It's probably of better interest if you spend some time in other areas. Blackheath is a nice area, although the bus from the train station can be hard to time as it runs very infrequently. Wentworth Falls is excellent for a hike as well. Personally, I would spend one of the half days to cover the major attractions around Katoomba, and the other half day for a bit of a hike at one of the other locations.

 

[beano]

I grew up in Sydney, spent some years in Singapore, but just moved to Melbourne a month ago.

Nice! Which suburb are you staying?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Nice! Which suburb are you staying?

In Heidelberg, close by the mall and Burgundy Street. Have pretty much everything I need, just hop on the train to get to the city for work, and the reasonably reliable bus 903 gets me to places like Box Hill, Doncaster, Northland, and Preston. (It's effectively free of charge since I get the myki pass to get to work on weekdays). May be I'll get a car, but it will probably just collect rust in the garage.

 

[beano]

In Heidelberg, close by the mall and Burgundy Street. Have pretty much everything I need, just hop on the train to get to the city for work, and the reasonably reliable bus 903 gets me to places like Box Hill, Doncaster, Northland, and Preston. (It's effectively free of charge since I get the myki pass to get to work on weekdays). May be I'll get a car, but it will probably just collect rust in the garage.

That's good, apartment or house? The transport here is quite sufficient, unless you got kids to ferry around.

I got a car which i only use during the weekends, kinda waste though.

 

[Awesom Andy]

That's good, apartment or house? The transport here is quite sufficient, unless you got kids to ferry around.

I got a car which i only use during the weekends, kinda waste though.

It's a villa, actually. No kids yet either, not right now at this point in time, at least.

All the neighbours have cars, although they drive out pretty much every day. It seems that I'm only one of the few who work in the city in this complex.

 

[saffronsatire]

Guys, any bright ideas on how to rid the OPAL card? The guy at the airport top up counter said the minimum top up is $20 and we were only there for about 2 days, hence the excess.

Not sure if i'm returning anytime soon and don't think I want to trouble anybody to use their bank a/c for the refund. Saw ppl selling on Carousell but doesn't look like ppl are buying.

Or maybe I should just go back for Vivid Sydney next year. Is there an expiry for the credits?

 

[saffronsatire]

@Whirling_Dervish

Vivid Sydney was brilliant!! Pity we didn't have time to check out the Martin Place ones and the others as Friday was our last night in Sydney.

Second Devon Cafe. Also went to Le Monde. Not a coffee drinker but both did great Matcha Latte, not anything sweet like those at Starbucks.

Single O Surry Hills and Bills seem to be highly rated too. Would love to check out Grounds of Alexandria if we ever go back.

 

[Whirling_Dervish]

Guys, any bright ideas on how to rid the OPAL card? The guy at the airport top up counter said the minimum top up is $20 and we were only there for about 2 days, hence the excess.

Not sure if i'm returning anytime soon and don't think I want to trouble anybody to use their bank a/c for the refund. Saw ppl selling on Carousell but doesn't look like ppl are buying.

Or maybe I should just go back for Vivid Sydney next year. Is there an expiry for the credits?

If you are coming back in a year's time, I doubt it would expire that quickly, but do check with the Opal website though.

@Whirling_Dervish

Vivid Sydney was brilliant!! Pity we didn't have time to check out the Martin Place ones and the others as Friday was our last night in Sydney.

Second Devon Cafe. Also went to Le Monde. Not a coffee drinker but both did great Matcha Latte, not anything sweet like those at Starbucks.

Single O Surry Hills and Bills seem to be highly rated too. Would love to check out Grounds of Alexandria if we ever go back.

Glad you enjoyed Sydney! There is simply too much to do here in such a short span of time, which gives you an excuse to come back soon! If you love cheap and good jap food, check out Sushi on Stanley, the food is simply divine and its dirt cheap. But its cash only and has limited space so come early.

 

[Awesom Andy]

If you are coming back in a year's time, I doubt it would expire that quickly, but do check with the Opal website though.

You have 9 years.

 

[teckgamer]

Vivid Sydney was beautiful! A long stroll of walk from opera house and Botanic garden. You can go to manly beach in the late afternoon to catch the penguins and then head to opera house.

 

[saffronsatire]

You have 9 years.

Great, that is a long period.

Btw, I thought the fare between airport and Central station is >$15. Somehow I was charged $1.xx, so I'm quite puzzled.

 

[Whirling_Dervish]

Great, that is a long period.

Btw, I thought the fare between airport and Central station is >$15. Somehow I was charged $1.xx, so I'm quite puzzled.

Yea, by right it should be around 17 dollars, maybe its because you have taken xx number of rides or was reaching the daily cap for the day?

Vivid Sydney was beautiful! A long stroll of walk from opera house and Botanic garden. You can go to manly beach in the late afternoon to catch the penguins and then head to opera house.

Oooohhh there are penguins at Manly? What are the chances of seeing them though? Did you manage to catch a glimpse of them?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Yea, by right it should be around 17 dollars, maybe its because you have taken xx number of rides or was reaching the daily cap for the day?

Oooohhh there are penguins at Manly? What are the chances of seeing them though? Did you manage to catch a glimpse of them?

Even if you're reaching the daily cap, the station access fee is on top of any limits, and it's a lot more than $1.xx. So either you've read it wrong, or there's a system error in which case, it's best to say nothing.

A small family used to live under the Manly ferry wharf. Not sure if they're still around. The best way to get closed to them is to have a few drinks in the nearby places, then pass out on the small beach. When the penguins leave home in the early morning, they will simply walk and hop over you.

There's a colony in the nearby North Head though, but the location is kept secret.

 

[Whirling_Dervish]

Even if you're reaching the daily cap, the station access fee is on top of any limits, and it's a lot more than $1.xx. So either you've read it wrong, or there's a system error in which case, it's best to say nothing.

A small family used to live under the Manly ferry wharf. Not sure if they're still around. The best way to get closed to them is to have a few drinks in the nearby places, then pass out on the small beach. When the penguins leave home in the early morning, they will simply walk and hop over you.

There's a colony in the nearby North Head though, but the location is kept secret.

HAHAHA thats a very creative and cute idea

Will defo think about it

 

[surpize]

Just book a flight to Sydney in Sept.
Land late Thurs & leaving late Mon, leaving me ard 4D & 4N in Sydney...

Any suggustion or must visit?
Which area for accommodation will be good?

 

[aeng]

Welcome! There are very few AU-based resident experts here (just beano and myself, as far as I'm aware), so any help/suggestions/comments are definitely welcome and appreciated.

just moved.
now working in Sydney.

 

[drsubaru]

Dear all, Awesome Andy and Beano,

Need you input and advice again, thanks to Awesome Andy and Beano for their excellent advice for my Melbourne trip last year!

This year traveling to Sydney 6D5N end Nov 2A2C

Thinking of doing a few places, CBD, Westwards towards Blue mountain and Jenolean and Southwards towards Wolloongong and Kiama.

Intend to self drive.

Looking at the google map, it seems that I have to go from Sydney City westward towards Blue Mountain/Jenolean and travel the same way Eastward back to Sydney city before I can go southwards down toward Wolloongong/Kiama right?

I cannot go straight from Blue mountain direct to Wolloongong?

Featherdale wildlife park worth exploring?

Where to stay in Sydney CBD with free parking?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[IronMan123]

Hi, i will stay in Katoomba during my upcoming Sydney trip. I heard their train is kinda old and sometimes crowded with no seats available especially during weekend. Worse is the toilet in the train sometimes can be filthy & smelly. I will travel there alone, so doesn't make sense to rent a car. Anyone go to Katoomba from Central station before? I understand the entire journey will take about 4 hrs. Can share the experience/tips/things to lookout?