<p>We are going to Sydney for 10 days this July. It’s going to be their winter. My husband has been for work, but it’s going to be the first for me and two daughters. I have booked a 2 bedroom in Surry Hills, which is suppose to be close to U. Sydney. At this time, I am not planning on renting a car. If you world travelers out there have any suggestions on what we could do during the day, great restaurants, day trips, please let me know. I would also be interested to know what’s the best local transportation.</p>
<p>I love Australia - I could live in Sydney tomorrow! Take a harbour cruise, visit the zoo, climb the bridge, see the Opera House - don’t need a car for any of these things. If you have a car go to the Blue Mountains and see the Three Sisters, etc. (although I am sure there is a tour bus that goes as well.) There is an enormous amount to do IMO.</p>
<p>Eat at Tetsuya’s, but you would need to make a reservation now (even now may be too late).</p>
<p>I agree with canamer - definitely the Sydney Zoo. You’ll take a ferry to get out there so a little bit of harbour cruise is built in. The views back to town are lovely and you can see koalas and other indigenous animals.</p>
<p>The Sydney Zoo doesn’t compare to the Melbourne Zoo in my opinion. Go see an AFL game.;)</p>
<p>I second canamer’s suggestions of Bridge Climb, harbor cruise, and tour of the Opera House. We took public buses in Sydney and Melbourne, as both cities have great public transportation. In 10 days, we visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairnes. I loved Sydney, but Cairnes was my favorite area, followed by Melbourne.</p>
<p>Bridge Climb, take the local ferry in lieu of harbor cruise, Aquarium, Opera house, (for a lovely, albeit pricey dinner with a great view Benalong’s in the Opera House is a recommend) Botanical Gardens, The Rocks, all of the major museums are worthwhile, as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions. I have read about taking the local ferry in lieu of the cruise. I just looked up Bennelong. It looks great. I could make reservation online too.</p>
<p>Visit Bondi Beach and get some fish and chips across the street.</p>
<p>I just booked a Blue Mountain tour, with lunch.
Food is very important to my family. Yes, we will definitely go to Bondi Beach. There is a Chinese garden around Chinatown, wonder if it’s worth visiting.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to pack your kids’ student I.D.s When we toured the Sydney Opera House, the ticket agent asked my daughter for her student I.D. so that she could get the cheaper student admission rate. It didn’t matter that the I.D. was from a high school in Maryland, Happykid got the cheaper admission.</p>
<p>Try to get outside of the city long enough to see a nature reserve and a bit of the coastline and countryside. I can’t remember the name of one reserve I went to but it had some herds of Kangaroos that were right out there with you (not behind fences). The Eucalyptus forests are different looking as well (unless you’re from around here). If you don’t want to drive I’m sure there must be some day bus tours from Sydney of these areas.</p>
<p>I grew up in Sydney.
If you can rent a car for a day and feel comfortable driving on the left side, take a drive north all the way to Palm Beach (passing by Newport, Bilgola, Avalon beaches) then around the tip to the other side which has lots of coves and little harbours and marinas , through Caneel Bay, Taylor’s Point, Newport. You could start this at Manley, go north, take route 14.</p>
<p>Closer to downtown, the Botanical Gardens, the Domain, Paddington with the old Victorian terraced houses with intricate wrought iron balconies. Double Bay and Vaucluse are nice. I second Topanga Zoo and a day in the Blue Mountains.</p>
<p><a href=“Blackstump 404”>Blackstump 404;
<p>For shopping there are unique boutiques over by The Rocks, Queen Victoria Bldg, MLM Centre, and Pitt St Mall. You will see lots of didgeradoos for sale and try to hear someone playing one. Opals are another big item in Sydney. I liked the Darling Harbour area with restaurants, outdoor bands, IMAX etc. There are lots of sushi bars. Doyle’s Seafood is a great restaurant.</p>
<p>Go to an AFL (Australian Rules Football) match, a soccer game, a cricket game, or a rugby match.</p>
<p>I had to work when I was there so I dropped into an internet cafe for an hour and sent emails back home every day. The time difference took some getting used to. I woke up every morning at 4 AM and was tired around 7 PM every night.</p>
<p>Austrailia is known for their beautiful opals so I’d put jewelery shopping on the list. If you like antiques, I took the city bus to an antique district. I was surprised to see so many Asian antiques. My husband really enjoyed the Lord Nelson Pub, in the Rocks area. It’s one of the oldest pubs in Sydney and they brew their own beer.</p>
<p>hmmm, jewelry…I am looking into a wine tour to Hunter Valley. Any recommendations?</p>
<p>The Chinese garden in Sydney is definitely worth the trip, and is extremely cheap.</p>
<p>Climb the trees in the park by the Opera House. The signs say “Please climb the trees”!</p>
<p>Here’s my list of suggestions. My last visit was spent going to musuems in the morning, shopping in the afternoon, and theatre/music at night…it was fabulous. In no particular order:</p>
<p>Darling Harbour - IMAX, Aquarium and the Australian National Maritime Museum. We went to the Maritime Museum as an afterthought, and we could have spent half the day there. It was great.</p>
<p>The Rocks - This is where I bought opal jewelry. Great museums too - [Australian</a> handcraft at Craft NSW, for handmade gifts, craft collectables.](<a href=“http://www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/]Australian”>http://www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/), The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Sydney Museum. The Botanic Gardens are nice (but Melbourne’s is better). Take a tour of the Opera House and you get a discount on tickets bought for that day. You can also go online and purchase your tickets before you leave. </p>
<p>The Jewish Museum. The docents are survivors. Small, but powerful.</p>
<p>The Taronga zoo (as previously mentioned) is good</p>
<p>Public transportation is reasonable. Ferry, bus, cab are all doable</p>
<p>The What’s On website has lots of good info - [City</a> of Sydney : What’s On - Category Search](<a href=“http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/html/custom/2229-category-search.asp?categoryID=1004]City”>http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/html/custom/2229-category-search.asp?categoryID=1004)</p>
<p>[The</a> Bell Shakespeare Company](<a href=“http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/]The”>http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/) are performing Pericles with taiko drummers at the Opera house</p>
<p>Lots of good live music in Sydney. See if the Waifs are performing anywhere </p>
<p>if you are interested in aboriginal art [Aboriginal</a> Art](<a href=“http://www.aboriginalartcentres.com/]Aboriginal”>http://www.aboriginalartcentres.com/)</p>
<p>dine at [Rockpool</a> – Rockpool Sydney / Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne / Spice Temple Sydney / Neil Perry](<a href=“http://www.rockpool.com/]Rockpool”>http://www.rockpool.com/).</p>
<p>Thank-you. I am packing today.</p>