Sydney/OZ

[gemweeks]

hey, going travelling in may, due to spend a month in OZ before moving onto the states, but starting in sydney.  little bit clueless as to 'must sees' in OZ, was hoping for some advise?  on top of that, advise as to the best and cheapest ways to get around the country, e.g, sydney to melbourne, also would quite like to get to cairns. then last question, i promise, is it best to book the travel to other cities once we're in sydney, or do it from home before we leave the uk?  answers to any these questions would be fab!!!

[gemweeks]

you've met him too, he gets around doesnt he!! if i go halfway around the world and don't meet karl i will be so disappointed now!!  also you said he's a talented photographer,i got an A in my photography A-level and when i go to university in september im doing a photography course...we've already got so much in common!!!  so if i think of anything else i'll post a new question.thanks.

[Marvin84]

hey Gemweeks.... it sounds as though you will have everything covered coming to our fair shores... while you are in Sydney:

Bridgeclimb is great, but if you dont have the $150-odd dollars, goto the Shangri-La hotel to Lvl 36(ish).. there is a cocktail lounge which is expensive for drinks ...but the views are sooo much prettier, and there is a lift!!.. then for an interesting dinner, goto Centrepoint Tower, where you will dine in a revolving restaurant (approx $50 for a buffet dinner) which will give you more excellent views of the WHOLE city..... then on to Darling Harbour for some yuppy clubbing, or Kings Cross (which is an experience in itself!!!) or if you're not into the Cross, Paddington is another (safer) option for great clubs (Oxford St). Coogee is where EVERYONE from the UK hangs (either there or Bondi) - so you'll be in good company!!!! :-)

Virgin and Qantas are the best for flights, you can expect to pay about $150 return to go to Qld / Melb, but try this site for comparisons:

http://www.zuji.com.au/zuji/home/0,,ZUJIAU,00.html

and try this for local "what to do" info (this site is for things going on everywhere.... it doesn't list absolutely everything - but it's a start....

http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/

While you're here, take in a harbour cruise in Sydney, goto the Crown Casino in Melbourne (and eat LOTS in Melb, they've got the best restaurants!!!), in QLD the gold coast is the place where Schoolies go - it's very touristy, and quite a young crowd.... But definately goto the Barrier Reef (even if you do nothing else in QLD)....

[Marvin84]

Other states are nice, but if you spend at least a week on the east coast, you'll get thebest of all worlds.... May will be cooler this year, but you'll be fine with a jacket - Melb. WILL be the coldest, especially if you goto Phillip Island (MUST for the penguins!!) or the Great Ocean Rd (12 Apostles).

Mostly everthing is able to be paid by VISA or Credit Card, but have cash if you stray from the City or are on a bus.....

Hope that you have a FABULOUS time!! and I hope that these tips help!!!!
PS here is another link - may help, may not!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/sydney/index.htm

..... I think that you should just come over and drink nice cold beer - and NOT FOSTERS (nobody drinks that, so don't order it!!!!) :-)

[RedJimmy]

I think Graemer and morg-monster have just about covered everything but i will say the things i enjoyed most up the east coat were Cape Tribulation about 1hr north of Cairns where i did some scuba diving. White water rafting on the Tully River, Whitsundays three day boat trip and Fraser Island 3 day 4X4 "safari"(this was probably the highlight). I flew from Sydney to Cairns and then made my way back down to as far as Surfers Paradise and flew to Melbourne fom there.

[gemweeks]

hey marvin, totally wanna know where the good clubs are, however, the ones where we are gonna be safe!!! o great the beaches are filled with brits are they, we wanna see some hot Australian's!! thanks for your post!

[Marvin84]

gemweeks.... not all the beaches :-) try Manly and up the coast, Dee Why - Palm is best though very out of the way.......... Oxford St is best (Paddington end) for clubs.... You find that there are a lot of gay clubs in that area and for some reason... its safer???!!!! :-) Have a great time!!! Check the City Search weblink for best clubs though!!!

[Marvin84]

.....and for god's sake - don't wear Speedo's!!

It's criminal!!! :-)