Tell me about Sydney

[AverageJoe]

Hey everyone.

Im off to Sydney with the family (wife, 8
Year old, 10 year old).

We are staying in The Rocks area.Does anyone have any input for good things to do and also things to avoid?

Cheers!

 

[High Voltage]

It's Australia - everything there will try and kill you

 

[tim]

Are you Charles Saatchi and are you craftily trying to food national assets for Johnson

 

[tim]

It's Australia - everything there will try and kill you

You'll be didgereedone in

 

[ricbake]

She works behind the bar in the Crown and Anchor, left for a while and turned up at the Cambria
But now is back to the C&A

 

[weltweit]

Taronga Park Zoo is a boat ride away from Circular quay, and I think worth a visit.

 

[DownwardDog]

Take plenty of money.

 

[redsquirrel]

Hey everyone.

Im off to Sydney with the family (wife, 8
Year old, 10 year old).

We are staying in The Rocks area.Does anyone have any input for good things to do and also things to avoid?

Cheers!

It's a fantastic pace. Obviously you'll go see the Opera House but I'd also recommend doing a tour, it is a fascinating building inside too. Also if there is something on there at the moment I recommend trying to get tickets. Both the Bell Shakespeare and NSW theatre companies are great.

The botanic gardens are beautiful and well worth spending a day just wandering around.

The Sydney Observatory is on the hill above the Rocks and not only has a great view of the city but is really quite fascinating in itself (although last time I went the visit was slightly marred by all the exercisers on the hill).

St James Church is also worth a visit, though kids might not be that interested.

EDIT: If you are interested in art the NSW Gallery of Art is currently displaying the entries for the Archibald prize.

 

[planetgeli]

Excellent transport system, especially the ferries.

Stayed in Newtown. A different flavoured restaurant at every turn. Great bookshops. Surprised to find someone selling socialist worker at the rail station entrance.

Loads of good places. Went to Parramatta just for a trip on the ferry and it was great. Green everywhere. Playing fields and sports facilities everywhere. You can see why they excel at sport.

I was only there a week but loved it. Thought I was going to hate it. Never been so wrong about a place.

Obviously beaches too.

 

[weltweit]

Don't know if they are still there, probably, but there were hydrofoils available from circular quay, well worth a trip across the water on one of them, impressive machines.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

The bridge climb is pricey but I'm really glad I did it.
A walking tour round The Rocks is great to get some of the history. I did a nighttime walk as well.

 

[Me76]

I've just left there!!

Sealife in Darling Harbour is good, the wildlife centre next door not as great but does have koalas and Rocky the crocodile and you can get tickets that are 2, 3 or 4 attractions and the price for each gets cheaper as you go. I did Sealife, wildlife and the Sydney Tower for $60.

They are lots of whale watching tours which is cool. I did this one that have an offer on for half price, the guys were really informative and the boat isn't too big so I'd definitely recommend.

The Chinese friendship garden is beautiful.

I got the ferry to Manley which is a nice place and has a great beach. You can get the ferry really easily from Circular Quay.

Take some coats and jumpers. It's winter here and even when about 19 degrees, it feels chillier than it does in the UK.

It is expensive, so just be prepared for it. But the people are great and customer service is amazing.

I've had a ball though. You will love it.

 

[marshall]

Agree, the ferries were great, particularly enjoyed the trip/wander around Manly, also good photo opportunity for the Opera House when you leave/arrive harbour.

Another vote for the botanical gardens, check out the thousands of bats, they'll be hanging upside down during the day - as bats do - but go back at dusk when they begin to stir. Freak out the kids

Liked the Rocks area itself, for places to eat, interesting history. What else, the Sydney Tower Eye offers pretty amazing views over the city, we went at sunset and it was spectacular. Didn't expect to enjoy Sydney as much we did, in fact, was surprised by Oz as a whole, after a few weeks of travelling about, totally got why people emigrate there.

 

[AverageJoe]

Great info everyone - I'm very grateful!