The reason why I kept mentioning IG, is that I believe those places would be nice for taking photographs. Yes, there are quite a number of cafes in Surry Hills. Use TripAdvisor to find out what are the better ones.
Many of these cafes would have very nice pastry stuff.
Orange is too far to be a day trip, unless you fly there. Not sure what’s there, but check out this page: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/orange-area
Can’t tell if May is too late to see autumn leaves. But actually once you arrive, you should see if the trees are still red/brown or already botak. Maybe I will look out for you come April (if I am in Sydney).
I have never been to Auburn Gardens, so can’t comment on that. I have passed by it a few times. It’s in the residential suburb, so it may not be as nice as the Royal Botanic Garden (in the city). Btw, the Royal Botanic Gardens is very picturesque. Your Mister will love it! Some of the spots have amazing views of the Opera House (either right infront of it at one corner of the Garden, or from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (at the other corner of the Garden). Refer to Google Map, and you’d know what I mean. Btw, if you can, visit Fort Denison. Your Mister will love it!
Service apartments are nice. It’s just that their kitchens are too small for proper cooking. Your daily budget for meals is really generous. It’s enough for some pretty fancy dining. In Australia, they rate the restaurants by “hats”. 3 hats is the highest rating. I’ve only been to 1-hatters, so can’t comment much. But $100 per person (excl wine) is sufficient for a fancy 3-course dinner. It’s best to make reservations so that you can be assigned to better tables.
Tip - the Chinese, Japanese and Korean, Vietnamese restaurants are far better than those in SG, at the same price point. Generally you should be spending less than $20 per person. Do try that if you are sick of western food. Besides those “hat” restaurants, there are lots of bistros and pubs that serve really good steak (ranging from $15 to $38, for different cuts of beef). While in Sydney, try the tiger prawns. I had the very best in Lobster’s Cave. But that’s over 15 years ago. Wonder if they are still around. LOL.
Tim Tams are probably the only snacks I can think of. And maybe nougats. You can get cheap Tim Tams in Coles/Woolies. I have yet to find a place that sells nougats cheaply. Locals don’t eat that. So they only sell to tourists at tourists traps. Maybe the shops in Chinatown May be cheapest.
If you are into wine, then those reds or whites in the $40 (or less) range would be very good value for money. The same wine will cost twice in SG.
Many of these cafes would have very nice pastry stuff.
Orange is too far to be a day trip, unless you fly there. Not sure what’s there, but check out this page: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/orange-area
Can’t tell if May is too late to see autumn leaves. But actually once you arrive, you should see if the trees are still red/brown or already botak. Maybe I will look out for you come April (if I am in Sydney).
I have never been to Auburn Gardens, so can’t comment on that. I have passed by it a few times. It’s in the residential suburb, so it may not be as nice as the Royal Botanic Garden (in the city). Btw, the Royal Botanic Gardens is very picturesque. Your Mister will love it! Some of the spots have amazing views of the Opera House (either right infront of it at one corner of the Garden, or from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (at the other corner of the Garden). Refer to Google Map, and you’d know what I mean. Btw, if you can, visit Fort Denison. Your Mister will love it!
Service apartments are nice. It’s just that their kitchens are too small for proper cooking. Your daily budget for meals is really generous. It’s enough for some pretty fancy dining. In Australia, they rate the restaurants by “hats”. 3 hats is the highest rating. I’ve only been to 1-hatters, so can’t comment much. But $100 per person (excl wine) is sufficient for a fancy 3-course dinner. It’s best to make reservations so that you can be assigned to better tables.
Tip - the Chinese, Japanese and Korean, Vietnamese restaurants are far better than those in SG, at the same price point. Generally you should be spending less than $20 per person. Do try that if you are sick of western food. Besides those “hat” restaurants, there are lots of bistros and pubs that serve really good steak (ranging from $15 to $38, for different cuts of beef). While in Sydney, try the tiger prawns. I had the very best in Lobster’s Cave. But that’s over 15 years ago. Wonder if they are still around. LOL.
Tim Tams are probably the only snacks I can think of. And maybe nougats. You can get cheap Tim Tams in Coles/Woolies. I have yet to find a place that sells nougats cheaply. Locals don’t eat that. So they only sell to tourists at tourists traps. Maybe the shops in Chinatown May be cheapest.
If you are into wine, then those reds or whites in the $40 (or less) range would be very good value for money. The same wine will cost twice in SG.