I will be in Sydney for 7 days in November. What things must I see (bearing in mind a tight student budget!) ?

Question

Im on a study cruise that will be stopping in Sydney for 7 days in November. I have a measley budget of about £300, not including accomodation... What can of thing shall I do/see?

Thanks!

O and I'm a UK resident... dunno why this would help, but I thought it might! I'm a relatively active person, and quite interested in history...

Answer 1

Walk 1. From Circular Quay with the Bridge to the left, walk left to George St and turn right. Turn left into Argyle St and walk up through the Argyle Cut under the Bridge approaches to Millers Point. As you come out of the cut, take the stairs on your left and walk up to the Observatory on the top of Observatory Hill. It is quiet and beautiful up there with great views and a wonderful little museum at the Observatory.

Walk back down the road and cross the main road (watch out for buses) to the Lord Nelson hotel where they brew their own beer. Walk back towards the Bridge and explore the Garrison Church. Walk down the hill to the Hero of Waterloo Hotel, Sydney's oldest pub. Continue down the hill to Dawes point under the Bridge. This is where William Dawes set up his astronomical and meteorological observatory in 1788. Walk back along George St to the Quay. Explore anything of interest on the way.

Cost? A few beers in the many delightful pubs. Possible entry charges to museums, not much else.

Walk 2. Start at Dawes Point and follow the harbour round past the Overseas passenger terminal. the Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay, the Opera House, the Botanic gardens to Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Walk back to the city through the gardens and the domain past the art gallery

Cost? Nothing apart from possible entry charges to museums or the gallery.

The two walks will take you to some of the oldest, special and most delightful parts of Sydney.

Apart from that, Taronga Zoo is a must as is a trip to Manly on the ferry and a trip to Parramatta on the Rivercat. While it will cost you $200 to climb the Bridge, it costs nothing to walk over it on the footpath. If you are going to see manly Beach you must see Bondi as well. Take a bus from the city or Central Station.

Use day tickets on the trains and buses to get around and use the red Sydney Explorer buses.

Sydney is an expensive city but there is plenty to do that costs little.

Answer 2

First thing to do is to buy a 7 day travel card, this takes you on all buses, trains AND ferries in the Sydney area - it's great value (or was 4 years ago). Walk round the botanical gardens, great views of Syney skyline, get the ferry up the harbour, ditto views, get the train to north Sydney, have a look at the beach that Sumer bay is filmed at, must see and have a photo taken at Bondi, then walk back along the cliff path to Coogee, the sculpture trail might be on then, have a dip inthe bay with the shark net (can't remember the name) and generally chill. FAB place, would love to go back!
Have fun!

Answer 3

I don't know whether you are outdoor oriented or city-oriented. Some suggestions are

- take a train to the Blue Mountains and do some bushwalking in the Blue Mountains National Park; it's a World Heritage Area

- walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge for free

- take a train then bus to Bondi Beach; it's not the best beach but it is the most famous and very accessible

- visit to the Australian Museum (near the Sydney CBD) for free from 4pm to 5pm

- visit the NSW Art Gallery (walking distance from the Sydney CBD) for free all day

- the best zoo is Featherdale, as it is Australian native animal oriented and one can hold more there than elsewhere, but is not as easy to get to as Taronga (which is large but has a lot of non-Oz animals)

- take a ferry on the harbour, perhaps from Circular Quay (next to Sydney CBD) to Manly, walk along the foreshore to the Spit Bridge, then take a bus back to the Sydney CBD (or do it all in reverse).

- if you can get there, visit Nan Tien Buddhist Temple, just south of Wollongong (about 1.5 hours drive south of Sydney).

Email me if you have any more questions. [e-mail]

Answer 4

maybe get on the ferries and visit the beaches such as Manley. Get on the monorail and look around. Get on a bus and visit Bondi beach. Visit the Opera House and the beautiful botanical gardens!The bridge climb is awesome but costs about 70 pounds. A day trip to the Blue Mountains costs about 60 pounds maybe less. The Malls are lovely. Take a trip up centre-point Tower and post your postcards from the highest postbox in the southern hemisphere!
I'd love to hear more about your study Cruise! Where else are you visiting?

Answer 5

i'd get a week travel card.. it'll let you get on the buses, ferries, and trains on any line, at any time... they also go fairly frequently and usually on time.. travel system is pretty good in sydney.. not very expensive either.

get yourself on the ferry across to manly beach.. its a nice enough beach and theres a great walk you can do along the cliffs.. theres often markets there andsome cool shops aswell.. although it can get pretty busy sometimes..but its got the nicest ice cream shop ever hehe
one thing i love about sydney city is the art gallery of nsw... a great way to spend a couple of hours if you're into that kinda stuff.. and totally free aswell
darling harbour is a beautiful place, and theres usually some kind of event going on there.. and theres always playing in the water fountains to fall back on haha
the harbour at night is beautiful.. you could catch a night cruise on a ferry.. or even just find a spot to sit down with a picnic and watch the sun go down
observatory hill has some awesome views.. i can sit up there for hours on end..

hope you have a good time :o)

p.s. dont bother with the monorail in the city.. it's a waste of time and money..
also dont bother with paddy's markets.. just a load of crap there.

Answer 6

The opera house of course! And the bridge. You can walk over it if you like (not sure how much that is). Take a ferry ride round the harbour. Darling Harbour and the botanic gardens are also worth a looksee. Taronga zoo is good too. Theres also an aquarium. Ooh and near Darling harbour there is a beautiful chinese garden. Its so peaceful and a great place to get away from it all.

Answer 7

Make sure you have an international student card to help get you in cheaper to places. Walk around the harbour, circular quay, darling harbour, botanic gardens and hyde park. That won't cost you money to visit. The Powerhouse Museum in Darling Harbour is worth a visit if you want to pay in somewhere. Otherwise Manly is nice to visit or Coogee. The Rocks area is also interesting. Have a good time.

Answer 8

beaches! palm beach and manly r good