sherpahigh

I posted this in travel as well but figured... who better to ask than the locals, so here goes:

Well it's looking like I'm heading down under for work here at the end of October. I'm pumped to return to Australia for my 3rd visit and even more excited to check out New Zealand for the first time.

I've only got about 5 days in each place though and some work will have to be done, but I will have some free time to explore. I've done a lot of the touristy stuff around Sydney before but any advice for some must see cool things to see and do around there would be appreciated.

As for New Zealand, I'll be flying into Christchurch and staying on the South Island. Anything that I must see while there? Let me know.

I'll be renting a car in both places so getting around won't be a problem.

Cheers.

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Latch

If you haven't checked out the Blue Mountains near Sydney, that's definitely a good idea. Some great views.

Otherwise... I'm outta ideas for around Sydney hehe.

Mr_Wall

Have you done the Harbour Bridge climb? I heard it's not too bad

TIO

I've never met anyone who's been on the Harbour Bridge climb and not absolutely raved about it.

As for New Zealand...5 days isn't nearly enough. Last time I went there, I spent 2 weeks on each island, and didn't see half of what I wanted to see. It's amazing how much they cram in to that country. I could name a dozen things that you should see and do, but you'll have more than enough options as is. Everything there is just breathtaking.

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Strewth

spindles

What kind of things are you interested in?

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sherpahigh

Thanks for the replies. I have been through the blue mountains but never stoped there. I think it's on the list this time. Any hike or other activity in particular I should look into around there?

The harbor bridge eh? I have heard it's pretty cool and all, but I've always seen it as a big touristy thing to do. Maybe I'll check it out though. I do like good views. How much is it these days?

I love Sydney itself, and have hung around the city for a few weeks on previous visits, but I'm sure I missed some stuff there. I was based in some "funky..." hostel in the kings cross and pretty much walked everywhere. This time I'll be staying in a hotel and I'm not too interested in catching up with the kingscross again, so any other "centraly" located ideas on where to stay? cool things to check out in the city?

As for other activities I like. I'd love to ski in NZ, but I think it might be the end of the season and I'm not too keen on lugging along all the equipment for just a day of skiing. Other than that, I love the outdoors, ummm... anything interesting or different I suppose.

I'm sure I'll think of some more questions as the trip gets closer.

cheers

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Ella

A couple of suggestions....I'd head up North and check out Cairns and Port Douglas, but it's a little humid at that time of year. Still worth a look, tho. The Red Centre is awesome - you'd need to fly, but if you can, fly to Alice Springs and check out Uluru. Absolutely awesome stuff. And Melbourne is always worth a visit....

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Meridae'n

Pub crawl down Oxford St. would be good... although I'd probably start at the city end if I were you, don't want to be too drunk in Paddington.

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Mr_Wall

Across from Central Station there is a Backpackers Hostel which I heard was alright... But there are quite a few around I'll post them when I get a decent list off some friends of prefered choices.

Whats wrong with being a tourist, when you are one? you can get away with more

TIO

Ask around when you get there...when I was in New Zealand, there was an offer on at one of the mountains where you could get a free day's lift pass for a couple of Mars bar wrappers. If you take your thermals with you, renting skis and pants and a parka for a day isn't all that pricey.

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sherpahigh

I have been up to Cairns on my past visits, and everywhere inbetween there and Sydney on the coast. I've also traveled quite a bit inland between there on a lot of the farm land and that with the work I was doing there. Haven't been to Melbourne yet, but I'm not sure I'll have time to squeeze it into this trip.

As for staying in hostels, I think they're a lot a fun and have done that on all my past trips, but this time the company's footing the bill so I think I'll hit up a hotel instead. I remember the name of the last hostel I stayed in now though, it was the Funk House in the kings cross. Pretty cool place.

I'll definitly hit up a pub or two, but it gets a bit harder when you're on your own, though I'm sure I'll manage to meet a few people there. Never been a real problem before.

I'll be sure to bring some of my easy to pack ski stuff in hopes of getting out skiing for a day while I'm there. It sounds like there's a good base and the only reason that the resorts will shut down will be because of lack of skiers in the spring. Hopefully there'll still be a couple open.

Is there anyone from NZ on here at all? Or anyone with some experience down there? Is it worth it to drive to Queenstown and check stuff out there?

And there's nothing wrong with being a tourist when that's in fact what you are. I just find some of the touristy activities to be a bit on the cheesy, crowded side. I'm not a big fan of being part of the herd. That said, not all touristy activities are like that, I'm just jaded from my experiences with them in Mexico and what I saw of all those Oz Experience buses around there.

Anyway, thanks for the tips. Keep em' coming.

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spindles

I have friends who have been to queenstown - and said it is a blast. Bungee jumping, jet boating on tiny creeks, white water rafting etc. - lots of stuff to do there apart from skiing.

Would you be interested in canyoning /abseiling kinda stuff. If so, have a look at this:
http://www.canyontours.com.au/

On Ella's Uluru suggestion - Ella, have driven down from Alice? it is a F'ing long drive - about 8 hours round trip - especially when you can fly direct into Uluru itself. It is a great place to go - but I would suggest going out to The olgas as well (aboriginal name of Katajuta sp??) and take a walk through the valley of the winds - IMHO, more spectacular than Uluru.

Places to stay in Sydney - there are so many hotels - I would suggest (depending on your budget) trying to stay at somewhere that has a view (either over darling harbour) or circular quay/opera house. I have stayed in the Shangri-La (even if not staying here, worth a look at the cocktail bar on the top floor - pretty nice view - though the cocktails are rather pricey) which is really nice, and the almost floor to ceiling windows overlooking the harbour are fantastic (though it is kinda at the pricey end of hotels). I nearly always book my hotel accomodation online (www.wotif.com) have a good selection of sydney accomodation - but only 2 weeks in advance...

Things to do in Sydney:
If you are techy minded, the powerhouse museum is pretty interesting.
Take a ferry trip to Manly or a harbour cruise.
Historical (I know Oz isn't that old but) a walk around the Rocks is pretty interesting.
Also the Botanic gardens and Mrs Macquaries chair is easy walkable distance around passed the opera house - this is where the colony really started!!

Pubs - take a walk to the Lord Nelson (on Kent St) and try some of the house beers! The old Admiral's has a kick like a mule
Also worth seeing is the Hero of Waterloo and the Mercantile (good old irish pub) - this place goes off on a saturday night. These are all in the Rocks.

Blue mountains walks - there are great views from so many places - but I particularly like the walk from the (Wentworth Falls) train station / highway following the creek to Wentworth Falls itself. It is a pretty easy (and flat walk) but crosses the creek right at the top of the falls and continues down into the valley - must admit that I haven't gone too far down here, but even going down a little way gives a spectacular view back onto the falls themselves.

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sherpahigh

Hey, thanks for all the tips and links spindles. I'll be sure to check some of that out. I'll be stoping in the Blue Mountains for sure since I have to drive through there to get to the Orange Field Days and I've been through them 3-4 times without stopping yet. I might also look into that museum, sounds interesting.

Anyone else have any websites worth looking at to get deals on hotels in Sydney?

Also the links for New Zealand look interesting.

Cheers

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Ella

Once when we were travelling through Sydney, we stayed at a huge YHA hostel near Chinatown. Cheap, cheerful and convenient.

YHA Central Sydney

Wotif is an excellent place, as suggested for hotel deals. As for the drive from Alice, yeah, it is a long one, but it depends on how much of the country you want to see. Flying in to Uluru would be wise for the time strapped traveller, and be sure to see the Olgas. They are all quite incredible.

If you do make it to Melbourne, make sure you do the drive down the Great Ocean Road.

Great Ocean Road

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spindles

That's OK!
Jenolan caves is worth a look, especially cause you are heading over the mountains - particularly touristy, so avoid the weekends, also if you want to see an amazing view, go out the other side of Jenolan caves to Kanagra Walls (dirt road for about 5km in but absolutely spectacular once you are there:
http://www.bluegumdata.com.au/pictur...ngraboyd04.htm


When you get to Orange, organise some wine tasting - most of the wineries don't have a cellar door, but just ring up most of them to arrange tasting - my favourite is Branghan (sp?) - really good savignon blanc.

Also, a nice little restaurant we tried a couple of years ago - Keirans (in the main street) was pretty yummy - hope it still exists

Final word of warning - the police between Lithgow and Bathurst are pretty nasty - stick to the speed limit

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sherpahigh

Thanks for all the tips again!


I was just talking about this with a friend of mine that grew up in Australia. The speeding fines over there are crazy these days. Downright scary. I'll be sure to keep the speed in check.

When I was working there for 8 months I used to drive all over interior NSW and Queensland in the company's Nissan 4x4 and speed like a banchee there, usually around 120-140 km/h. Never even once saw a cop. Stupid really. Coincidentally I was at the Orange field days standing next to my boss at the time and some farmer came up and started asking him about the Nissan that the company had (name on the side) cause it blew by him like he was standing still. My boss just turned to me and shook his head. Pretty funny actually as I was leaving the next day.

Anyway, sorry for the story. I'm pumped for a short visit, I love Australia.

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