i will be passing thru sydney 3 sept enroute to new cal. the next day and returning 17 sept till 19 sept then homeward bound. looking for suggestions on things i absolutely MUST see/do while there.i will be staying at the Travelodge Wynyard at 7-9 York St. downtown, apparently within walking distance of the Rocks, Opera House, Darling harbor, etc. of course i will hit those places but what about lesser known things like small pubs, restaurants, cheap "harbor cruises" via the ferry system( and which boat to take, where to get off for a while, then back on, etc) and anything else a first time visitor might enjoy. there must be somebody out here with local knowledge!! thanks a lot mates jerry

You could take the ferry acros to Tarronga Zoo. There is an Aquarium at Darling Harbour. Doyles seafood restaurant somewhere there (I'm not a local)
The museum is in the city. Thats about all I know.

Take a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly and enjoy walking around Manly shops and also Manly beach. Manly has a village feel to it.

Go to Paddy's Market, perhaps use monorail to get there. Good place to buy souvenirs and its in Chinatown, good place to eat as well.

My opinion is Darling Harbbour is oversold as a harbour, its an estuary. The Rocks by Circular Quay hums at night as does whole Quay area up to Opera House. Wall to wall cafes and bars and all easy walking.

Top restaurant at night is the German one at the Rocks, sit outside and enjoy the oompah orchestra along with a big stein. Another is Diethne if you like Greek food. Its on main road nearer Chinatown.

Jerry,

You’ve got yourself into a pretty decent location. As you wrote, right in the middle of the main destinations. You could easily kill all your time just walking around those areas.

Like the others mentioned, a ferry trip across the harbour should be high on your list. Taronga Zoo is only a short ride, but nice. Manly or Watson’s Bay will give you more time to enjoy the harbour. Fish ‘n Chips from Doyle’s at Watson’s Bay is a bit of an institution.

There’s no shortage of too cool pub venues in downtown Sydney nowadays. Most of the old-timer pubs have been slicked up for the Friday Night Suit Brigade. Can still make for a great night out, but it’s getting harder to find a pub with much soul left anymore. The Lord Nelson at the top end of The Rocks (Cnr Kent & Argyle Streets) has a microbrewery on site. I like their “Three Sheets†brew. It’s one pub I’d go to if I were a first timer in Sydney. Otherwise The Australian, also in The Rocks, is another one I would try. Good food at both places.

While in the city, take a walk through the Queen Victoria Building and The Strand Arcade. They’re more than just shopping centres.

If you still have any time left over then you might try strolling around one of the inner city “villagesâ€. Either Balmain (take the ferry again or taxi), or Paddington (taxi) would be my first picks.

All in all have a great stay in Sydney. Oh, and have a great hunt in N.C as well

- stu

Oxford street is an interesting place to visit

Of course this ultimately comes down to personal preferences. But for me the must sees are the Cross for the nightlife, Bondi for the daylife, a visit to Circular Quay, and a visit to Sydney cannot be complete without a picture of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

In addition to the other posts, things I enjoyed but would consider optional depending on preference, a walk thru the Botanical Gardens and a look over the city from the Amp Tower.

PM me when you get a chance and I'll give you my ph. Lots of great stuff to do.
rob

quote:

Oxford street is an interesting place to visit

woulnt know never been there.
greg

err....so I'm told...

Note to self:

Stay away from Oxford Street. (Anything Bakes recommends has to be viewed with some suspicion.)

I second the Circular Quay to Manly ferry trip and back again.

A cheap way to do a harbour cruise.

Come-on Frank there are some nice friendly people in Oxford st.....always happy, some would say its a Gay old place

Bakes,
Are you giving personal references? I can just picture you in leather chaps( the al fresco style)
and a big German Shepard on a leash.
Butch and bitch(but only if the dog is male.)
Need you postal address again. More colouring in books to send.
rob

altho i never had the plesure of visiting the taxi club has a few interesting folks....... so i been told
greg

Jeeze Rob...chaps are so, like yesterday

I suppose that with the high humidity of the NT chaps would give you a rash.Unlike the other types of rashes likely to be caught around Oxford St

Actually its bloody cold and rainy here at the moment....now where are those chaps...

quote:

Originally posted by Bakes:
Come-on Frank there are some nice friendly people in Oxford st.....always happy, some would say its a Gay old place

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

I'm betting it just like Karangahape Road at the top of Queen Street in Auckland. Hey, it looked like a girl to me!

jdollar,

Try the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo pubs in the Rocks.

Take the ferry to Manly, visit Bondi during the day, the eye candy will blow your mind......

Oxford Street is ok, as long as you stay at the Paddington end

And visit the Lord Dudley Hotel in Woollahra,(neighboring suburb to Paddington) great looking barmaids

thanks guys for all the info and keep 'em coming if anything else comes to mind- there is nothing like local knowledge!! jerry

just heard on the news, 5000 American seamen aboard the Kittyhawk landed in Sydney tonight, Thursday 5th.
I hope these guys leave our girls alone!!!
Mothers---lock up your daughters.
Malcolm

I was told 7000 sailors.
Must be one big ass boat.