| Author |
Message |
    
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 10:02 pm: |     |
My husband and his best friend are heading Down Under for two weeks in January to see the Australian Open and check out various cities, sights and pubs. Has anyone been recently and/or have recommendations for hotels/eateries/great places in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns? All info much appreciated! |
NCJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 10:39 pm: | |
Liz, I forwarded your request to my two closest cyperpals in the Land of Oz. Will post when I receive a reply!
NCJ aka LibraryLady
On a coffee break..or something like it. |
NCJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1075
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 7:32 am: | |
Just received this from my friends..
re: request. Barry is the best one to answer this as he lives in Melb, Sydney will have the Jazz Festival throughout January I believe, and if they're nice people they could stop o/n with us (if we're here) on their way to Sydney from Melbourne.... Melb to Bris you need to count on at least 2 days on the road continuously - make sure they realise the expanse of land is virtually the same as the USA (turn the maps upside down and superimpose; using the same scale they're almost same size). Not a good time of year for Bris - too humid! (beginning of cyclone season) Gold Coast/sunshine Coast too crowded with holiday makers so prices are up.
Let me know if you want to get in touch with her.
NCJ aka LibraryLady
On a coffee break..or something like it. |
Rebecca Raines
Citizen
Username: Robin_realist
Post Number: 35
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 10:56 am: | |
Liz, I spent a week in Sydney this past August. Spouse there on business, stayed for vacation. It's wonderful. You can't go with? I can tell you lots about Sydney but not much into pubs. They're everywhere anyway. They have a great tour of the pubs in The Rocks section of Sydney. All info is at the Visitors Center in The Rocks. You can't miss it. Just walk down Sydney Harbour and you'll see the sign on your left, water on your right. Most tours can be scheduled the day of. We were there in winter but still lots of tourists. Bear in mind that Sydney is extremely hot, 110 degrees in pretty normal in the summer. We had a good time at a place called Lillipilli. Aborigine/bush food. No entertainment the night we were there, only weekends I think. Let me know if you want to know more. R |
NCJanow(akaLibraryLady)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1082
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 7:56 am: | |
Make sure you check out TOMORROW's New York Times travel section. It's all about Australia.
NCJ aka LibraryLady
On a coffee break..or something like it. |
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 47
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 9:34 am: | |
thank you for all the tips and especially the NYTIMES tip - my hubbie was about to book and he'll just hold the rez until tomorrow. I will be in touch about the other info, your friends are so kind! |
NCJanow(akaLibraryLady)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1083
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 9:56 am: | |
Liz, Tomorrow's Time is available today. If you would like my copy of the travel section, email me and we'll make arrangements for you to get it. njanow@sopl.org
NCJ aka LibraryLady
On a coffee break..or something like it. |
pstob1126
Citizen
Username: Pstob1126
Post Number: 29
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 5:46 pm: | |
Liz - The suggestion for "The Rocks" area is right on the mark. There's a comfortable "Holiday Inn - Old Sydney" http://sydney.holiday-inn.com/ right in the middle, close to the Quay (where you hop on the water taxis) and the rail station. It's also just a short walk from the bridge, Opera House and some great gardens (if you're into that stuff). Don't miss "Philips Foote," restaurant just up the street where you pick out a choice steak and charcoal grill it yourself. Several lively pubs in the area as well. Some great day trips into the nearby Blue Mountains in a 4-wheeler can be arranged through local hotels. Great views, stops for a Koala park, lots of Roos, etc.
I'm headed back there 11/29 (business) and will gladly collect some brouchures if you wish. Drop me a note at pstob1126@hotmail.com if I can help.
|
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 49
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 10:25 pm: | |
Yes we have heard the Rocks is THE area. Nick will check out that Holiday Inn, he is trying to use his AA miles to book things so that might work out nicely. And a trip into the mountains is perfect!
Any thoughts about best beaches or small villages worth a day trip near either Sydney or Melbourne?
thanks!! Liz and Nick |
pstob1126
Citizen
Username: Pstob1126
Post Number: 30
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 6:25 am: | |
Bondi Beach and Coogi Beach are super spots, the latter just reviewed in the NY Times. And, if interested, there's a convenient way to tour the outskirts of the entire city (including Bondi/Coogi) on the Bondi Explorer bus. It starts at the Circular Quay (by The Rocks) and makes 19 stops around the whole area. You get on and off as you please (there's another bus every half hour). There's a similar route, The Sydney Explorer, that stops at 25 spots within the city limits. Either tour is about AUD$30 (about US$20).
Don't forget to spend a few hours in Darling Harbour - lots of shops, museums, one gigantic flea market, etc. Incidentally, ask about the weekend flea market at the Rocks - I think it's every weekend during the Summer.
BTW, if you take a 4WD Blue Moutain tour, ensure that it includes a stop at the Featherdale Wildlife Park. You'll get your fill of Roos, Wombats, Koalas, Dingos and Crocks.
Sorry, can't help on Melbourne.
Paul |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2262
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:24 pm: | |
I prefer Melbourne to Sydney, like NYC to LA. The best part is Queensland (north east), lots of other internationals, not as easy to get around or do things as the Caribbean. If people ask tell them you're Canadian - they may want to argue politics and war, and I mean ARGUE. Aussie women LOVE American guys, it is unbelieveable what I saw when I was there (even timmeh would have his pick!). |
Tiny Timmeh
Citizen
Username: Timmeh
Post Number: 689
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 6:37 pm: | |
Timmeh? |
Rebecca Raines
Citizen
Username: Robin_realist
Post Number: 47
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 9:36 pm: | |
Liz, A few things I didn't mention that reading these posts reminded me of. Your husband and friend should do the Bridge Climb. My spouse and I did it and loved it. You get all geared up with climbing suit, harness, etc and using stairs and ladders climb to the top of Sydney Harbour bridge. Very safe, I don't really like heights but with all the gear, I felt okay with it. We also really enjoyed our tour into the Blue Mountains and a day trip to wine country, the Hunter Valley. The Rocks flea market was open weekends in August(winter to them), so will surely be open now. Don't rent a car. No point, you can get anywhere by ferry or walk. Cars take forever anyway. By the way, they pronounce the word quay like key. We felt no negativity toward us as Americans but we didn't go in many bars. One other thing we really enjoyed was the ghost tour of the Quarantine Station, Manly Bay. Somewhat creepy with lots of interesting history. Hope they have fun. R |
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 54
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 11:07 pm: | |
Am so glad to hear not rent a car, and they would love the ghost tour...and maybe the climbing too. These are awesome ideas, it always pays to get the inside scoop from people who have been there, done that! Many thanks!! Liz
PS - Aussie girls love American men...hmmmm...do I need to send a spy along, or better yet, a chaperone? :-) |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2266
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 9:56 am: | |
Bars/pubs in Australia are usually betting parlors where they serve alcohol, so unless your husband likes to bet they aren't much fun. Sydney has great music fests on the water, they import a lot of US blues bands - I went to a blues fest almost every day I was in Sydney. I highly recommend renting a car if your husband leaves Sydney for any lenght of time, and there's lots of nice scenery if you're willing to drive long distances.
Liz,
I wouldn't worry much about your husband - the aussie girls are about twice as big as us (Androgynous Pat kept coming to mind) - thank god they were nice! |
eliz
Citizen
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 635
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 7:16 pm: | |
Bars and pubs aren't much fun??? I lived in Sydney for about 6 months and spent plenty of time travelling around having lots of fun in more pubs than I can remember!
The Rocks is great - would also suggest the option of staying out at the beaches i/o of the city - it's very easy to get around with the ferries. I'm partial to Manly Beach since I lived there - it's a quick ferry ride to Circular Quay and the Rocks. Hunter Valley is a great day or overnite trip if you're in to wine. I'm jealous.
(I do agree with Mem that being Canadian definitely goes over much better than being a "yank" - that said the people are wonderfully kind and a helluva lot of fun). |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2277
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 1:58 pm: | |
Eliz,
The pubs in the cities were good, but once you leave the city they tend to turn into dog/horse/lottery/bingo you name it betting. With lots of drinking! |
pstob1126
Citizen
Username: Pstob1126
Post Number: 32
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 6:44 pm: | |
Liz - Got two pounds of literature for ya. Drop me a note so I can get it to you. I don't think private line is working. Thanks, Paul
pstob1126@hotmail.com |
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 68
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 1, 2004 - 9:54 am: | |
The info you brought back was awesome! Thanks Paul and to all who contributed tips and ideas over the past months - my hub is going to have a blast with all this inside scoop (thankfully he has no interest in betting)!
Happy and Healthy 2004 -
Liz |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page