Sydney

[beano]

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?

Took the train before, i didn't think it was that bad.. and should take only 2hrs..

 

[IronMan123]

Took the train before, i didn't think it was that bad.. and should take only 2hrs..

Hopefully it will not be a bad experience for me. Below is what i found about the train to Katoomba situation from internet.

 

[Awesom Andy]

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.

There are no direct roads from the Blue Mountains to Wollongong. Most direct route to the Wollongong "CBD" (I'm using that term lightly) would be down the mountain via A32/M4, right at A9 (exit M4 on the left), the road then turns into B69 at Campbelltown, and follow B69 all the way down (note the left hand turn at Appin) to the M1, and take the exit once you go down the big hill. Although if you want to start from Stanwell Tops instead of Wollongong, you would go into the western suburbs of Sydney, head down towards Liverpool via various main roads (or the M7 toll road if you feel rich), and connects on to A6 Heathcote Road.

It will be extremely difficult to find anywhere with free parking in the CBD. I would consider an airbnb.

Hopefully it will not be a bad experience for me. Below is what i found about the train to Katoomba situation from internet.

That is quite unusual. Never saw anything like that before, although I can confirm that it is indeed the intercity trains used for the Blue Mountains line. The trains are about 40 years old on this line, because the newer trains don't fit on this line. It's only a 2 hour trip so you mostly won't need to use the toilet facilities.

 

[Gerridin]

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?

I am also going to Sydney in September. I will be in Sydney from 2 to 8 September. How about you?

 

[drsubaru]

Thanks! I think I got you.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Not sure what is at Stanwell tops , but it seems that Scenic Bridge is near by.
I think on the way from Kiama to Sydney, I would pass by again right?

But if I wanna push towards Kiama , then best to choose your first option

Thanks!

There are no direct roads from the Blue Mountains to Wollongong. Most direct route to the Wollongong "CBD" (I'm using that term lightly) would be down the mountain via A32/M4, right at A9 (exit M4 on the left), the road then turns into B69 at Campbelltown, and follow B69 all the way down (note the left hand turn at Appin) to the M1, and take the exit once you go down the big hill. Although if you want to start from Stanwell Tops instead of Wollongong, you would go into the western suburbs of Sydney, head down towards Liverpool via various main roads (or the M7 toll road if you feel rich), and connects on to A6 Heathcote Road.

It will be extremely difficult to find anywhere with free parking in the CBD. I would consider an airbnb.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Thanks! I think I got you.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Not sure what is at Stanwell tops , but it seems that Scenic Bridge is near by.
I think on the way from Kiama to Sydney, I would pass by again right?

But if I wanna push towards Kiama , then best to choose your first option

Thanks!

Stanwell Tops has good views, and if the conditions are right, there will be people doing hand gliding. The sea cliff bridge is about 10 mins drive from there. The quickest way between Sydney and Wollongong/Kiama would be via the freeway, but you can take the windy coastal road as well between Bulli and Stanwell Tops.

If you want to head straight from the blue mountains to Kiama, then the first option would be best. Also consider taking M31 south just before you reach Campbelltown, then take B88 towards Wollongong and take the short detour to Mount Keira. Nice views up there, and since you're going to be close by anyway, it makes a good stop to stretch your legs.

Another option is to take M31 to the Southern Highlands, then take A48, and follow tourist route 9 to Kiama. Adds about half an hour, but there are a few towns with cafes, wineries, and waterfalls in the area. You would also go by the "famous" Robertson pie shop - it's pretty good but probably not the best in Australia as some would claim. You will also go through an area called Macquarie Pass. It's very steep downhill, and full of hairpins. Think of it as a road Takumi Fujiwara would go practice on.

 

[yupwhatsup]

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?

Went there around 12 in the noon from Central, Sydney a few days back. Was not too bad. Though if u carrying luggage then maybe difficult to carry up or down the stairs.

Sent from Sony F8332 using GAGT

 

[Whirling_Dervish]

Hopefully it will not be a bad experience for me. Below is what i found about the train to Katoomba situation from internet.

Wow, I have taken the Blue Mountain line many times and I have never seen such a scene before. Honestly, if you can help it, try going on the weekdays instead of weekends.

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?

The trains in Sydney are fine, to be honest. The ones running between Katoomba and Central are the older train with the maroon colour seats and while they arent the most comfortable, they are still okay. The toilets are fine honestly; even a clean freak like me can handle it!

Just remember to tap on and off when you enter and leave a train station. Some stations, like Katoomba, do not have a gated gantry and just have opal card tappers as standalone...well stands. So you could miss it and forget to tap on/off if you are not used to the system or if you are just not careful for a split second. And God forbid if you are caught by the transport officers without tapping!

 

[beano]

Usually they give chance to tourist?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Usually they give chance to tourist?

I watched them escort a tourist out of the train because the said tourist couldn't find her ticket.

 

[IronMan123]

OMG, haze pollution currently in Sydney.
Very dry winter this year. For those who are heading to Sydney these few days, please take note.

[/IMG]

 

[Awesom Andy]

OMG, haze pollution currently in Sydney.
Very dry winter this year. For those who are heading to Sydney these few days, please take note.

A bit of a random trivia... the BA plane in the 2nd photo is the one you would be on if you choose to fly BA to Sydney.

 

[converse2010]

Hello everyone, is there something worthwhile that is a 'must buy' over in Sydney? Will be heading there during mid Oct.

 

[beano]

Hello everyone, is there something worthwhile that is a 'must buy' over in Sydney? Will be heading there during mid Oct.

Abalone? lol

 

[dede1217]

Abalone? lol

I went to sydney fish market ...
They have live abalone , they still crawling around ... if i rmb is 20+ aud. but didnt eat ... haha

 

[dede1217]

Hello everyone, is there something worthwhile that is a 'must buy' over in Sydney? Will be heading there during mid Oct.

Not much things i guess ... Went there, didnt really buy so much ...
Their things quite expensive ... Just went there fish market eat prawns oysters lobster, each person about 40+ sgd ...

 

[converse2010]

Alright. Guess there is nothing much to be brought back. Mostly food from what I can see haha.

Thanks all!

 

[kevin301]

Alright. Guess there is nothing much to be brought back. Mostly food from what I can see haha.

Thanks all!

I have bought stuff like:
1) full-sized road bicycle
2) iPad mini
3) Garmin bicycle computer

from Sydney before.
After claiming back the GST, the price is quite attractive.
Additional incentive for me is to spend the AUD from my account there.

I guess it depends on whether you find it worth the while to carry back or not. Price difference isn't particularly huge.
I saved about S$60 on the iPad mini and about $250 on the bicycle.

 

[beano]

Go during boxing day sale, it'll be fun shopping..

 

[osereneo@hotmail.com]

Sydney airport to Rydge world square

Hi, can anyone advice what's the cheapest and best way for 4 adults and 2 kids to travel from Sydney airport to rydge world square?