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Awesom Andy

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is it possible to get to royal national park via public transport?

It is possible, if a vintage tram run by volunteers is counted as public transport. https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/

The park also extends all the way to the train line, so you can in theory walk in from Heathcote, Waterfall (plus others) train stations. This may be useful if you are going for a long hike, as it may be a very very long way away from where you actually want to be.
 

lordleslie

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Thanks Awesom Andy for the kind reminder! We are rotating between 3 Drivers for the trip up and down so everyone’s got some rest in between

Before we look at the rest of the trip, I think you really should ask yourself if it's a good idea driving for 3 hours right after the red-eye flight.
 

awhw

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About breakfast recommendation - I don't think there's anything interesting along the way to the Hunter Valley. I'd like to suggest you grab a quick bite at McDonalds (or any other cafe that's open in the airport - you can also go upstairs to the departure hall for more eating options). Lots of the wineries in the Hunter Valley have good brunch/lunch choices. Excellent choice in going to Tyrells and Audrey Wilkinson. Many of the wineries are next to each other, so it's easy to go winery-hopping.

The drive up should be pretty fast and relaxing as you'd be going against the morning peak traffic.
 

Awesom Andy

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Thanks Awesom Andy for the kind reminder! We are rotating between 3 Drivers for the trip up and down so everyone’s got some rest in between

That's good to know. Always good to have another driver or 2. There's never too many. :)

Day1 (Wed)

Land at 5am++ local time
Thinking of renting a car from the airport straight and then drive up to Hunter's Valley to Tyrrell's Wines or Audrey Wilkinson 3hours via M1 (since 5 am nothing to do)

Breakfast along the way to Hunter's Valley (Any recommendations?)

Lunch around Hunter's Valley (Any recommendations?)

then drive back to Sydney downtown to have dinner (any recommendations since driving) before returning car and check-in at the hotel.

Once you start to head out of Sydney, there are very few places for food. Pie in the Sky in Cowan could work, but it's more for a snack rather than breakfast. For a bigger breakfast, perhaps The Grounds of Alexandria would work. They open at 7/7.30, and it's a short drive from the airport.

There are plenty of places for lunch, although most are designed to be enjoyed and services are generally at a very relaxed place. It's fine if you want to chill out for a couple of hours, but if you just want a quick bite and move on, it's a bit more difficult. There's a complex catered for tourists opposite Hunter Valley Gardens which might work for that purpose (although I don't go there myself). If you search for Tempus Two, it will get you to that complex.

As for dinner, there are tons and tons of choices, given you'll be passing through the northern suburbs.

Day2 (Thu)

Circular Quay
Harbour Bridge
Rocks Market
Chinatown & Paddy’s Market

The Rocks Market only opens on the weekend. It is somewhat interesting for tourists, but I have to admit that I have never bought a single thing from there despite numerous visits. You should be able to fit in a few more sights around the city as well.

Day3 (Fri)

Explore around hotel area before heading to airport.

Where is the hotel and what time is the flight?
 

Zappalapa

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Nope; it isnt possible. You need to rent a car for that one.

It is possible, if a vintage tram run by volunteers is counted as public transport. https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/

The park also extends all the way to the train line, so you can in theory walk in from Heathcote, Waterfall (plus others) train stations. This may be useful if you are going for a long hike, as it may be a very very long way away from where you actually want to be.

I see. I'm looking at short coastal walk from Bundeena to Watamolla and saw that there is a short ferry service from Cronulla.

Thanks for replying!
 

lordleslie

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My flight timing is 2.50pm and I’ll be staying at the Hyatt Regency.

Thanks for sharing! As for lunch, any recommendations around hunter valley?

That's good to know. Always good to have another driver or 2. There's never too many. :)



Once you start to head out of Sydney, there are very few places for food. Pie in the Sky in Cowan could work, but it's more for a snack rather than breakfast. For a bigger breakfast, perhaps The Grounds of Alexandria would work. They open at 7/7.30, and it's a short drive from the airport.

There are plenty of places for lunch, although most are designed to be enjoyed and services are generally at a very relaxed place. It's fine if you want to chill out for a couple of hours, but if you just want a quick bite and move on, it's a bit more difficult. There's a complex catered for tourists opposite Hunter Valley Gardens which might work for that purpose (although I don't go there myself). If you search for Tempus Two, it will get you to that complex.

As for dinner, there are tons and tons of choices, given you'll be passing through the northern suburbs.



The Rocks Market only opens on the weekend. It is somewhat interesting for tourists, but I have to admit that I have never bought a single thing from there despite numerous visits. You should be able to fit in a few more sights around the city as well.



Where is the hotel and what time is the flight?
 

Awesom Andy

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I see. I'm looking at short coastal walk from Bundeena to Watamolla and saw that there is a short ferry service from Cronulla.

Thanks for replying!

In that case, you can catch the train to Cronulla, and then the ferry. Note that the ferry does not accept Opal cards as far as I'm aware.

At the end of the (rather long) walk, you can walk to Otford station and catch the train back to town.

Note that it's strongly recommended that you start the walk from Bundeena. If you start from Otford, you run the risk of missing the last ferry, which can be as early as 6pm on some days. There is no other public transport options out of Bundeena.
 

lordleslie

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Hey Awesom Andy, thanks for your tips earlier on.

Here's my rough plan for my Day 1:
> Land in SYD at 5am
> Collect Rental Car at 6am
> Drive to The Grounds of Alexandria for coffee & breakfast
> Head up to Hunter Valley
> Visit Tyrells Winery and then have lunch at Goldfish Hunter Valley Restaurant
> Visit Tempus 2 Winery
> Drive back to SYD
> Stop by at Bottom of the Harbour Seafoods for Fish & Chips
> Return Car by 5.30pm (Timing depending on rental co)
> Check in to the hotel
> Chill & rest or head over to Pancakes On The Rocks for some late night pancakes
 

Awesom Andy

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Hey Awesom Andy, thanks for your tips earlier on.

Here's my rough plan for my Day 1:
> Land in SYD at 5am
> Collect Rental Car at 6am
> Drive to The Grounds of Alexandria for coffee & breakfast
> Head up to Hunter Valley
> Visit Tyrells Winery and then have lunch at Goldfish Hunter Valley Restaurant
> Visit Tempus 2 Winery
> Drive back to SYD
> Stop by at Bottom of the Harbour Seafoods for Fish & Chips
> Return Car by 5.30pm (Timing depending on rental co)
> Check in to the hotel
> Chill & rest or head over to Pancakes On The Rocks for some late night pancakes

If you happen to get to The Grounds too early (it opens 7/7:30), and if it's a weekday, Crave Coffee around the corner opens at 6am. Nothing much in terms of food, but at least you have something to have a coffee first. (Although I haven't been there before).

I'm not sure if you'll make it back to Sydney and return the car by 5.30pm. Seems very rushed to me.

But having said that, I still think you should drop by Audrey Wilkinson for the views, at the very least. Make sure you go via McDonalds Road though. The back way won't work unless you have a proper 4wd.

Goldfish is still a sit-down restaurant. The complex also has take-away type of food, should you be pushing for time.
 

lordleslie

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If you happen to get to The Grounds too early (it opens 7/7:30), and if it's a weekday, Crave Coffee around the corner opens at 6am. Nothing much in terms of food, but at least you have something to have a coffee first. (Although I haven't been there before).

I'm not sure if you'll make it back to Sydney and return the car by 5.30pm. Seems very rushed to me.

But having said that, I still think you should drop by Audrey Wilkinson for the views, at the very least. Make sure you go via McDonalds Road though. The back way won't work unless you have a proper 4wd.

Goldfish is still a sit-down restaurant. The complex also has take-away type of food, should you be pushing for time.

thanks for the heads-up! I might skip the fish & chips to make it back in time, I'm just trying to see if it's possible to squeeze in depending if I can find which rental company with the latest return timing.
 

kevin301

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if you pick-up the rental car in the morning, wouldn't the return timing be the following morning, 24hours later ?
 

iantao99

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Uber or Taxi

Planning a trip to Sydney.

Was planning to take Uber up Blue Mountain.

Read some bad reviews about Uber scamming riders over various issues.

Is it really that bad for Uber?

Even though taxi is more expensive, but better peace of mind?

Any bros can share experience? :)
 
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Awesom Andy

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if you pick-up the rental car in the morning, wouldn't the return timing be the following morning, 24hours later ?

You can return on the same day.

Rental cars work by 24 hour days, so you can return it the next morning for the same price.

However, in this case, given the hotel choice, keeping the car overnight will result in a substantial parking charge.
 

Awesom Andy

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Planning a trip to Sydney.

Was planning to take Uber up Blue Mountain.

Read some bad reviews about Uber scamming riders over various issues.

Is it really that bad for Uber?

Even though taxi is more expensive, but better peace of mind?

Any bros can share experience? :)

Are you planning to take Uber from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, or just short trips within the Blue Mountains.

If you are talking about the former, it will cost you at least $200 one way, assuming the driver is willing to take you on the 1.5 hour ride. Taxis, again, if they are willing to take you, will cost around $300 one way.

If you're just making short trips around the Blue Mountains, it depends on where you are. It's not too difficult around the larger towns.
 
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