I am traveling to Austrailia in December. We will be going to Melbourne, Sydney, and Tasmania. Any things that are an absolute MUST see/eat/do?
2006-07-19 09:11:52 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
I'm from Sydney so my answers really only apply for it. The Sydney Opera House is, of course, very beautiful but difficult to appreciate without actually going to see some music played, as the acoustics are one of its best features. So, if possible, try to go see something (anything, really, they're all fantastic) there.
The Sydney Botanic Gardens are really nice to have a stroll through, as they're right next to the Opera House. If you walk right across them you get to the NSW Art Museum.
Definately get one of the bus tours that goes around the city as orientating yourself is one of the most important things.
Hyde Park is smack-bang in the centre of the CBD and so is worth visiting. There's a beautiful fountain there that is great to eat by.
As another writer said, do the Bridge Climb or, if you don't have the cash for it, at least walk across it.
Visit 'The Rocks' and get a tour if possible. It is full of history as its where the first settlers lived. Also if you want some food in that area, go to 'Pancakes on the Rocks' which is fantastic food (yes, especially for dinner) and does serve more than just pancakes. However it is a little pricey.
Visit the Australian Museum near Hyde Park, lots of activities - its like a great maze full of stuff to see and do. Very relaxing.
If you want something a bit more up-beat and touristy - go to Darling Harbour on the weekend. There are always clowns and buskers, as well as a 3D movie theatre (IMAX) and harbour cruises. Sometimes there are jetboat shows on as well. Of course right next to Darling Harbour is the Aquarium which has sharks, seals, one of those cute touchy-ponds, etc.
If you're interested in shopping visit the historic Queen Victoria Building and Pitt St Mall, both of which offer many stores and boutiques.
The Centrepoint tower (which has now been aptly renamed 'Sydney tower') is near Pitt St and for a price you can catch a very high elevator up and get panoramic views of the entire city.
If you're around on Saturday, catch a 433 or 431 bus from the CBD to Glebe Markets, which offers the best in second-hand and independent music, clothing, and much much more.
About an hour and a half west of Sydney is the Blue Mountains which I definately insist you visit. They have a fantastic rock formation known as the '3 Sisters' which has a great Aboriginal history and myth to them. Katoomba is the main town to go to, it's a great getaway I suggest you go there for either a daytrip or two days as it really is very beautiful.
The beauty of Sydney is that all of these things (bar the Blue Mountains) are incredibly close to one another. This means that if you're lodging near/in the city you'll have plenty to do and see. If you have any questions about these things feel free to email me ILeftMyPotato@hotmail.com.
Hope you enjoy Sydney :)
Anna
2006-07-24 04:50:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anna M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the way to Australia and your not seeing the Great Barrier Reef???
You should be going to Cairns, Queensland...its just paradise
Out of all the places you are going I would probably recommend Tasmania...you are probably catching the ferry from Melbourne over, right? Melbourne is crap...just a big city with crap weather. The shopping is okay...look out for the sales. Sydney is great as far as big cities go in Australia...its my favorite big city in Australia. Check out the Harbour and the Bridge, do a boat cruise and you can climb the bridge, also the Rocks, Circular Quey, Tarronga Zoo, Bondi and Manly Beaches. The Opera House is great...if you can get tickets to a performance there then check it out. If you want to see the "real" Sydney...go to Kings Cross at night time....you will see some very colorful characters. Yes, it is the prostitute/druggie part of town but I love it for a change of scenery and people with crazy hair, lots of leather and body piercings!
2006-07-24 19:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by skattered0077 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harbour Bridge Climb in Sydney. Otherwise, just hang around and look at stuff.
If you are driving from Sydney to Melbourne I would leave the main drag south of Goulburn and head through Canberra to Cooma, Jindabyne and the Alpine Way to see some of our high country.
In Melbourne I think the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are worth the trip.
In Tasmania I thought the highlights were the Freycinet Peninsula, Cradle Mountain and Strahan and the Gordon River.
2006-07-19 19:02:13 · answer #3 · answered by iansand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on which part of Tasmania you're visiting. If its Hobart (South) - Visit Richmond, or Mount Wellington. The Salamanca markets are on every Saturday, and are full of browsing oppitunities.
If its the North. Launceston has the Cataract Gorge - a natural 'park' through which the Tamar river runs. It has a chairlift and plenty of walking tracks, and also peacocks wandering around. Its a 2min drive or 8min walk from the City.
Also Cradle Mountain is beautiful, you can probably find heaps of sites about it. George Town has a lighthouse. And the Tamar Valley (which Launceston is in) is full of vineyards and wine tours.
Other than that, Tasmania is a friendly place to visit. Enjoy your trip :)
2006-07-23 19:29:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should check out the Opera House and Toranga Zoo in Sydney.
You have to catch a ferry to the Zoo and you will pass the Opera House on the way over on the ferry.
2006-07-20 21:42:07 · answer #5 · answered by spartan_dh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i recommend that you go to the aquarium at darling harbour and the taronga zoo in sydney..
2006-07-19 20:03:16 · answer #6 · answered by gnome_14au 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋