Australia – Sydney by Gautam Khattak

Last updated: August 29, 2011

Disclaimer: These are notes I’ve written or gathered from various sources. I have not experienced all things in this document nor is it intended to be a definitive guide.

General Tips

Currency: AUD – Australian Dollar
Conversion Tool: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=100+usd+to+aud
(Update for current rates)

100 USD = 95.849
1 USD = .96 AUD
100 AUD = .104.33 USD
Tipping:

There is no service charge, tax or tipping in Australia. What’s on the menu is on the bill and all you pay. Makes it very easy! Waiters make between $15-20 an hour so they do not expect a tip.

Transportation

There is a train that goes from the Airport to the city. It connects to the Subway system in Sydney making it easy and quick to get downtown. There are taxi’s and a decent subway system to get around, as well as a ferry system.

Tourist Destinations

Sydney Opera House – This iconic building is cool, you’ll probably end up taking a few hundred pictures of it while you’re in Sydney. I saw a play here as well; the show was pretty good but was really under the opera house rather than in the main rooms. Basically see the Opera House but don’t feel obligated to go to a show just for the sake of it but if you see something interesting you want to watch, by all means enjoy!

Taronga Zoo – Take a ferry from Circular Quay to the Zoo. There are a lot of exhibits here including a walkabout area where you walk in an exhibit with wallabies and kangaroo’s. There is also a few platypus exhibits but those suckers are really shy in the day time so don’t make that your only reason to see the zoo. If you buy the Zoo Express ticket from Captain Cook Cruises at the pier you get a free round trip ferry pass to the zoo.

Sydney Harbour Bridge – You can do a Bridge Climb up to the top of the Harbour Bridge. I hear dusk or dawn is the best time to go. I was interested in doing this until I was told the price (~$200).

The Rocks – The Rocks is a cool trendy area between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. There are plenty of restaurants and shops, nice to walk around and grab a meal or drink. There are also a few art galleries there that could be worth checking out. If you’re into photography I recommend checking out the Ken Duncan Gallery.

Jenolan Cave – I didn’t go here so can’t comment but it looked cool.

Blue Mountains – I didn’t have a chance to but several people recommended taking a scenic drive or tour through the Blue Mountains.

Manly Beach – This was the better beach out of Manly and Bondi. You can get to it by ferry from Circular Quay. There is a hike you can do to old WWII bunkers. The entire hike to the ocean viewing point is about 6-8 hours.

Bondi Beach – The most known and popular beach in Sydney. But really was disappointing. Granted it was wintertime but I preferred Manly Beach a lot more.

Hyde Park – A park in downtown Sydney which can be fun to spend some time. Have a picnic or work out (lots of lunchtime workout groups)

Hyde Park Barrack’s Museum – The Hyde Park Barracks was built in 1819 to house, clothe and feed convict men and boys. This brick building and walled compound, located at the head of Sydney’s historic Macquarie Street, was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway. After 1848 the main dormitory held newly arrived female immigrants while a handful of government agencies made use of surrounding buildings. In 1862, separate wards for destitute women were added upstairs and the Barracks became known as the Hyde Park Asylum. Sydney celebrated the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1887 with the construction of major public buildings and monuments. The Hyde Park Barracks became a hub of government departments and renamed Chancery Square. Until the late 1970s, thousands of public servants, legal workers and litigants occupied dingy office spaces, courtrooms and corridors, scattered throughout the increasingly crowded complex. Today the Hyde Park Barracks is a museum about itself. GK Editorial: Not all that exciting if you don’t care about the history of Australia. If you’re bored and have an hour to kill, check it out.

Dining & Nightlife

When I was in Sydney I stayed in Darling Harbour, near Circular Quay. It was a very nice area but SUPER expensive to eat and drink. I’m talking about $11 a beer and lunches were in the $30 range and dinner’s above $60.There are a lot of restaurants and bars along George Street and in the Rock’s. King’s Cross has some cheaper pubby food. And Chinatown is also more of a local hangout (as opposed to near the water).

Searock Fish Café – This was the first meal we had in Sydney and it was AWESOME. I had a Mixed Seafood Basket and it was amazing.

Sydney Cove Oyster Bar – Stopped here for some Bloody Mary’s, Oysters, and Oyster shots. They have more on the menu but that’s all I really needed.

Lord Nelson’s Brewery – It’s a bit of a hike from the Rocks but well worth it (or take a cab). The beer is excellent and the food is amazing. I liked their 3 Sheets Ale

Fortune of War – The Fortune of War pub in the Rocks is supposedly the oldest bar in Sydney. It was a cool joint, people were friendly and more importantly the beer was less than $8 which was great considering everywhere else we went.

Sydney Fish Market – Want fresh seafood, this is a good stop. It gets crowded but there’s a reason for that.

Wagamama – This is a Asian noodle chain that can be found in a few locations in Sydney.

King’s Cross is the general go-to place for clubs and bars. George Street near China town also has a lot of pubs locals go to. The area around Darling Harbour and Circular Quay is quite expensive.

Ivy Bar – Popular lounge in Darling Harbour area. It can get packed.

Jackson’s on George – Located in the Rocks. This 4 fl

Shopping

Australia is a great place to buy Uggs in case you need a pair J. Speaking of ‘a pair’ don’t forget to pick yourself up a pair of kangaroo testicle bottle openers (joking…but seriously they sell them)

Lodging

Westin in Darling Harbour – Paid roughly $200-300 a night. The hotel was very nice and location was great but find something cheaper because this Westin wasn’t all that a Westin can be.

YHA Sydney – YHA is a very highly regarded backpackers chain. I only stayed here one night for about $45 and it was very nice. I did a dorm room style because I was only sleeping and catching a flight but they have double rooms available for rent. Very professional.

Helpful Links

• http://www.barsandnightclubs.com.au/search/sydney/all/
• http://www.sydneypubguide.net/

Itinerary I followed (my first visit)

Day 1 (Saturday):

• Walked to Circular Quay to check out the Opera house and eat at the Café’s in that area.
• Went out in King’s Cross

Day 2 (Sunday):

• Darling Harbour
• Fish Market

Day 3 (Monday):

• Hyde Park
• Hyde Park Barrack’s Museum
• Bondi Beach

Day 2 (Tuesday):

• Fishmarket
• The Rocks
• Sydney Opera House Show

Day 4 (Wednesday):

• Taronga Zoo

Day 5 (Thursday):

• Manly Beach
• Flew to Queensland