Michelle and I will be spending some 20 hours this Friday and Saturday traveling from Kansas City to Sydney, Australia, and I couldn’t possibly be more excited about it. Since I was a kid, Australia has been at the very top of my list of “places to go someday,” and the fact that I get to do it with Michelle, and as part of a great event like Web Directions South is a testament to just how great a life I’ve had the privilege of leading over the past several years. I love travel and I love meeting and exchanging knowledge with the wonderful people in the web community, so the fact that I get to do both on a regular basis is just amazing (also thanks to Blue Flavor, which not only lets me do this, but actually makes speaking at events around the world part of my job requirements). I’m so lucky.
As I said, I’m super stoked about going to Sydney, and I’m really looking forward to partying again with old friends like Jina and Josh, catching up with some great acquaintances like Scott and Cheryl and Daniel, meeting several of my tweeps in person for the first time, and also getting to know entirely new people.
Having just returned from London and not had a ton of time to plan out our trip, I’m looking for advice: what should we do while in Sydney?
We’re thinking about the bridge climb thing. It looks pretty intense and fun. Have any of you done it? How is it? We’ll also probably hit the aquarium, as we’re bigs fans of that sort of thing, and go to the beach at some point, as we don’t get a lot of that here in Kansas City (which beach? Bondi?). And of course we’ll be at the conference parties and events.
Beyond that, we haven’t really made any plans. What’s good in Sydney? What should we see? What should we do? Where should we go? We’ll be staying in Darling Harbour and will be confined to public transportation within Sydney or nearby (i.e. I don’t think we’ll have time to make a day trip to some other city, sadly).
Any tips would be most appreciated!
001 // Alex Holt // 09.17.2008 // 11:55 AM
You’re in my home town… bastard! Makes me kinda wanna go back (for a trip anyhow).
Do the bridge climb… it’s cool. I’d recommend trying to tee up an evening one.. Sydney’s skyline is really nice under lights.
Other than that… take a ferry from circular quay out to Manly and go to the beach.. it’s a nice trip on the harbour.. and the northern beaches are a little less crowded..
002 // Brian McKinney // 09.17.2008 // 12:16 PM
I lived in Australia for about a year, it’s a great place and I’m sure you’ll get a big kick out of it.
Definitely the bridge climb is a good one. Also the circular quay ferry trip is a good suggestion. It’s been a couple of years, but I vaguely recall some relatively short mono-railish train ride around some of the buildings in the CBD that was pretty touristy, but sort of a good time.
It’s a shame you won’t be able to see more of Australia than just Sydney. Sydney is a great town, but down the coast a bit there are some really beautiful smaller towns located right along the beach that are a lot of fun. Plus if you ever get the chance, Melbourne is totally kick ass and you need to check that out.
003 // Jina Bolton // 09.17.2008 // 3:02 PM
You broke Josh’s and my URLs! ;)
I look forward to Sydney! I’ll be watching this post for suggestions as well. :)
004 // Andy Croll // 09.17.2008 // 3:29 PM
Melbourne is kick ass, I’m currently visiting!
Sydney stuff:
Do the coast walk between Bondi and Bronte beaches, particularly if it’s a nice day.
Get around by using the boats as much as you can, the trip to Manly Beach is worth it if only for the return journey across the harbour.
I’d recommend a trip up into ‘wine country’ as well, it’s only a couple of hours away, if you can hire a car or get some kind soul to drive you!
005 // Jon // 09.17.2008 // 4:45 PM
As above the coastal walk is stunning, and the ferries are a great cheap way to see Sydney’s stunning harbour. Also why not have a drink in the revolving bar at the top of the centerpoint tower one evening, the views are spectacular. Also if you get a free day try and go to the Blue Mountains, only an hour or so on the train and worth the trip. One more thing go and have a drink at the pub in Watson’s Bay next to Doyle’s, the fish and chips are fantastic and the view is amazing.
Have a fun trip, looks like the weather should be good for you its apparently going to be 31C here on saturday woohoo!
006 // Luke Walding // 09.17.2008 // 4:52 PM
You could try the Minus 5 bar — a bar made of ice, literally, where you wear big Eskimo coats and what not and are only served Vokda!
Minus 5 Shop 18, 2 Opera Quays East Circular Quay http://www.minus5experience.com/
That is a strange one but its different.
If you want to get a taste for good bohemian night life hit King St in Newtown and bar hop around — cheaper than the CBD (and better) and only a stones throw away. The food in Newtown is awesome as well, a billion and two different cuisines to be had.
007 // Al // 09.17.2008 // 4:56 PM
Jeff,
I’d definitely give the bridge climb a go, I climbed the Brisbane Story Bridge in 2006 and it was a fantastic experience.
Al.
008 // Scott G // 09.17.2008 // 5:12 PM
yup, as everyone says above you have to do the ferries while in Sydney.
There are two trips you should do:
Circ Quay to Manly, beautiful slow harbour ferry past the heads and over to Manly. Get off, chill out and check out Manly for a while (make sure you cross from Harbour side to the ocean side, some people completely miss this).
All day ferry pass in the Harbour. Get on at Circ quay or Darling Harbour and for about $13 you can just cruise around from stop to stop. Get off for a bit, hit a pub or walk around and get back on! Great day :-) Watsons Bay, Rose Bay (where we are)… all great stops.
Have a good flight and see you when you get here!
009 // Geoff // 09.17.2008 // 6:38 PM
The bridge climb is good, but if you aren’t able to do that, then Sydney Tower also gives great views (go up late afternoon stay for sunset)
Manly ferry - absolutely.
Bondi to Bronte walk.
Walk around The Rocks, the Opera House and the Botanic Gardens.
Sydney Aquarium is awesome. The wildlife world next door [www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au] is pretty good too, but Taronga Zoo is much better. Taronga requires a whole day though. Go by ferry and take the cable car to the top. [www.taronga.org.au].
The Maritime museum is good if you like boats. Has a submarine you can tour.
The Blue Mountains is worth it if you have time. [www.visitbluemountains.com.au/]
Darling Harbour itself is pretty sterile - don’t hang around longer than you have to.
010 // Jordan Gillman // 09.17.2008 // 8:22 PM
In terms of beaches, I would avoid Bondi as its the tourist beach. Try Coogee or one of the beaches a little further south, or if you are game, head a half hour further south to Cronulla as it is gorgeous down there.
+1 for Newtown - fantastic cheap food. If you are looking for a good coffee try and find Campos Coffee its about 2 doors down off King St (the main st of Newtown).
Also worth checking out Glebe (along Glebe Point Road esp) for nice cafes.
011 // Joshua Lane // 09.17.2008 // 11:07 PM
Minus 5 looks AWESOME!!! And it sounds like everyone agrees that we should check out “Manly” beach. I expect Jina will make numerous jokes at my expense where that one is concerned.
012 // gareth design // 09.18.2008 // 12:52 AM
my parents have told me the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb was good, never been to Oz myself though. Bit Jealous!
013 // Jeff Croft // 09.18.2008 // 7:04 AM
I think I saw it on The Amazing Race once. I hate the cold, so I’ll probably hate it, but I’m totally down for doing it anyway. :)
As well she should.
Thanks for all the great suggestions, guys. Getting more excited by the minute!
014 // Mary Nolan // 09.19.2008 // 1:07 PM
Lived in Sydney for over 6 years and miss it lots!
+1 for the Bondi to Bronte walk (you can extend it and walk all the way to Coogee - about 2 hours to do the whole walk). Another good walk (but longer, about 14 km, is the one from the Spit to Manly)
+1 also for the Manly ferry suggestion.
Sydney is really easy to get around using public transport - you can find out info about ferries, trains and buses on http://www.131500.info
015 // Shaal // 09.19.2008 // 1:12 PM
At this particular moment when i think of Australia, it reminds me of a movie where the hero says he is “Khaaf KHHOSTRALIAN KHAAF MOUNT GHEVEREST” ( Half Australian Half Mount Everest).
Australia is a lovely place to be… i wish i’d make it to Monash for my Masters there, you chill;)
016 // Kelvin Nicholson // 09.19.2008 // 11:21 PM
If you are confined to public transport, you should really think about getting an all day “day tripper” pass. They cost about $16, I think, and you can ride any ferry, train or bus. If you only have 20hrs, then the bridge, Opera House, Gardens and a ferry might be all you can squeeze in. The Rocks are the best place to bounce around for pubs.
Are you arriving this (today) Friday, or next Friday?
017 // Keri Henare // 09.21.2008 // 5:02 AM
Detour to NZ, you know that you want to.
018 // Emma Best // 09.22.2008 // 5:28 AM
Australia- lucky you! But I am of the Melbourne camp. Try taking a short 45 min flight down there and spend the day. Far more cultural, less flashy, great cafes and bars: especially around little collins street, is slightly reminiscent of Southern Europe. Reading all the comments on this post makes me wish I had made better use of my time whilst in Australia, rather than just working. Have fun!
019 // Will // 09.24.2008 // 5:59 AM
You should visit Newtown when you’re in Sydney, go for a bit of a walk on King St, there are a number of nice restaurants and places to enjoy.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3hu9b3
Hope you have a good trip.
020 // Ian Lloyd // 09.25.2008 // 8:20 AM
Jeff, most people have said the things that I would too (bridge climb, defo!) and the coastal walk. Blue Mountains has also been mentioned - but you’d need to hire a camper van for a couple of days and get away from it all. I’m sure you’d love it though.
Personally, I didn’t rate Manly - the ride over was nice, but the strip between the ferry port and the beach was pig ugly, full of cheap dollar shops. All tat and no substance. That was 4 years ago, so might have changed.
Whatever you pick, you’ll love it.
021 // quality bathrooms designer // 10.13.2008 // 4:29 AM
I’d love to work down under some day, and the web industry there seems really exciting. Have a great time!