Budget isn't huge. But figuring to spent ~$1,500 - $2,000 spending cash for trip. That includes bar and food $$$ too.
Figured my days would consist of going for a run or swim in the morning, having breakfast, walking around (I'm used to spending a day walking - it's a military thing), taking pictures, visiting the Opera House, famous places, things like that. If I see an adventure that looks interesting, I'd jump on that.
Scott
Cool,
OK Places to visit that are free or minimal cost (BTW anything below $20aus per adult in Sydney is considered low cost)
1. OperaHouse, get close and personal. See how the shell's are finished etc. This is free and 24Hr/day, walk around its perimitter, the views are great.
2. See the Sydney Harbour bridge, forget climbing it (its about $175). For much less (i think it was $15) you can go up the south-east tower! Then walk to the otherside on the pedestrian footpath. The path is open 24/7 and is free. You need to access it from Cumberland St, Concierge at the Westin will give you a free map.
3. Once on the other side of the bridge you can follow the foot paths (heading generally east) to Bradleys Head, awesome views and a good couple of hours each way walking. Taking in some nice parks and some of sydney's pricier housing.
4. Visit the ROCKS, its a historic/touristy part of town, art, bars, cafe's and other tourists will be flocking it. But if you explore the back lanes, not just George St, you can find some interesting things to see. Don't eat there though, far too $$$$. At night a few night spots open up, such as the Fortune of War, the Lowenbrau and the Argyle Stores are the big ones to see &
at.
5. From the rocks, follow George St under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, its interesting from a mechanical POV at how this mamoth thing even stands up.
6. Take a Ferry (river boat) to Parramatta. You will see Sydneys largest water way and for $15 its cheap going. Lots of nice housing and boats all over... reminds you about the wealth in this town. Ferry departs from Circular Quay hourly, allow 1.5 hours travel. Then you can return the same to city, or walk to parramatt Westfield shoping town (a largish mall) and take the train back in. Sydney trains are a suburban experiance, and will be a bit of an eye opener, really shows off the eclectic mix of cultures this city suffers/benefits from.
7. Goto Darling Harbour, theres a few cool shops, IMAX theatre, boats, the Maratime Museum, and the Casino.... if your into that sorto of thing
8. The city has a mass of shops, your hotel is particularly close to Pitt St Mall, their all pricy but worth a look. The food court has some cheap eats.
9. China Town is about 8 blocks walk from your hotel, affordable eating and something to see and do. Don't expect to hear or read much english though.
10. Near chinatown is Paddys Markets, local markets with plenty of cheap produce or cheap gift ideas. Much better than the normal gift shops in terms of price.
11. Center Point Tower, is close by in Pitt St mall, not free, but if your into views its hard to beat.
12. Botanical Gardens adjacent to the Opera House, will soak up half a day of exploring. Walk it all then keep going east to the Woolloomolloo ship yards.
13. Once at Woolloomolloo Visit the infamous Harry's Cafe the wheels, it cooler at night. There is a small Naval base there too. Plus local bars...
14. Close to Woollomollo is the infamous Kings Cross, its pretty quiet during the day, but Friday and Saturday nights after 10pm, it kicks into gear. Countless bars, clubs, pubs, tourists, strippers, hoes, etc... make the red light distric interesting place. Walk it, its about 1/2 hour East South East from your hotel. I recommend Hugos if you like it fancy/trendy or the World if you like it a bit more raw.
15. Since you like a walk, better yet take a Bus, ask concierge about the Sydney Explorer and Bondi Explorer goverment bus tours, cheap and easy. Take notes, see what you wan to come back late to see in detail.
16. Bondi & Coogee beach, great beaches, Sydney icon and a nice water front walk between the two. Allow a day, great place for photos and meeting other tourists. For its the beaches that highlight Sydneys lifestyle.
17. Lane Cove & Kuringay Royal National Parks, speak to concierge.
18. Frasers Motorcycles, australias biggest and DUCATI importers. Out at Parramatta Rd North Strathfield, near the M4, this is a bus and walk. About 1 hours travel from the hotel. See lots of nice dukes and other bikes.
19. Northen beaches, Manly, Curl Curl, DeeWhy, Freshwater, Palm beach etc all worth a visit, if not some lazying about anyway. (ps. Friday nights at Manly, at a pub/bar call the Stiyne, is Brazilian night, lots of freindly Brazilians, and you might bump into me there.
20. Just across from your hotel on either side of the plaza are Vault, bar 333 and MARCS. If you like
and maybe a dance with a local sheila (sheila = girl, but dont use that term).
21. Neutral Bay, if you need some serious Japanese food, this suburb is were the majority of Japanese have setteled, its also were i live.... on the other side of the harbour and easy to get to. Not the cheapest eating though, proper Japanese isnt cheap here.
22. Toroga Park Zoo, see a Koala, Kangaroo, Wallaby, and all those snakes and spiders you heard about. Take the Ferry across, its worth it. But not the cheapest thing to do. i think it was over $30 for an adult, but don't quote me on that one.
23. There is a few night clubs/bars about town, like Ivy, Establishment, Bungalo 8, James Squire, Tank, etc,. if your into that.
24. In Darling harbour there is both a Wildlife park and an Aquarium, i think their a little pricy, but worth a visit.
25. If your up for a walk. You can travel to the south head, going through the southern hemispheres most expensive real state, all the way to the tip. Its called the GAP and you will know why once you get there. This is a full 4 hours walk and 4 back again, so see how you go. If not see the concierge about getting a bus to the south head to see the gap. Nice view of the ocean, Sydney harbour and some seriously price realstate.
26. Hyde park (close to the hotel) is neat, is near some churches and has a War Memorial to visit.
27. Think about a Day trip the Capital, Canberra. You will need to spend a little, its 3hrs by bus each way. But both Goverment Houses (old & new) plus the War Memorial are well worth it.
28. There is much to be said about the Harbour both in Day & Night, its got very different looks. Easy way to take some great photography and spend time looking around.
29. Look out for street magazines in shops (particularly the trendy street clothing store) there's always
live music on at many venues across sydney, most of which are free entry.
30. On the corner of King St and George St there is a late-hours supermarket. Easy way to buy food, take back to the hotel for cheap easy/healthy eats. Its called COLES Express, theres also one inside the Wynyard train station plaza, 2nd level. This is much more affordable than the prices you pay in the hotel or the surrounding restaurants. Plus it gets you out & about, lots of single young business women about too...
Hope that gives you some ideas mate. - Chris
