Australia advice for a MONTH!!!!

[Necromancer]

Originally Posted by Tash1

Thanks for your responses sparkelyfish and Necromancer!! Necromancer, I would really appreciate some restaurant/food recommendations in Sydney, we our food!! Thankyou! Can you hear the excitement in my posts!!!! LOL!!! I'm actually getting goosebumps just thinking about this trip, this has been a long time coming.

Ha, I'd be excited too.
I'll PM you some restaurant info in a minute.
I hope you enjoy your stay.

[Tash1]

Thanks for your responses and recs flashy.stems and teinna. We're doing the coastal drive along the GOR to Melbourne, then flying from there to Tassie, so that should be FUN!! Tasmania looks stunning, we're there for 10 days and hoping to be very active, to burn off all this delicious food we'll be scoffing!!!

Teinna, enjoy Europe, but if you're coming in January, bring lots of woolies and thermals!!

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by Necromancer

Ha, I'd be excited too. I'll PM you some restaurant info in a minute. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Thanks sweetie!!! PM'ed you back!!

I just travelling!! Counting down the days, and CANNOT WAIT!!!

[Necromancer]

^^ I bet you can't. I used to love travelling a lot when I was younger. It was always so interesting and exciting. I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time, Tash.
BTW, I just sent you another long arsed PM.

[Linica]

Tetsuya's you need to book months in advance, You will be extremely lucky to get in over the New Year period.

My partner took me on the bridge climb as a surprise for my 30th in April, I have lived in Sydney for 9 years and I have never appreciated Sydney until I saw it from the top of the harbour bridge, you will love it.

Definately as necromancer suggested and visit the hunter valley, hire a horse drawn carriage to take you on the tour of the wineries, last thing you want to be doing is wine tasting then having to drive, check out the smelly cheese shop too.

So many restaurants to choose from in Sydney.

Bondi Beach is an icon however I have been to so many that supercede that beach. Cable Beach in Broome for one and few on the whitsunday's.

There is Toronga Zoo in Mosman (just over the bridge), another skywalk climb from the centrepoint tower, fish markets in Pyrmont (a must for their fresh seafood) to name a few.

[bipolarbear]

Your trip plans sound fantastic - be sure to post pictures and reviews when you get home. Have an unbelievable time. I'm so jealous!!

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by Necromancer

^^ I bet you can't. I used to love travelling a lot when I was younger. It was always so interesting and exciting. I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time, Tash. BTW, I just sent you another long arsed PM.

I love long-arsed PM's!!! Haha, I'm no spring-chicken, I'm in my 30's, but love to explore new countries, cultures and take in new experiences!!! Life's too short!!

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by Linica

Tetsuya's you need to book months in advance, You will be extremely lucky to get in over the New Year period. My partner took me on the bridge climb as a surprise for my 30th in April, I have lived in Sydney for 9 years and I have never appreciated Sydney until I saw it from the top of the harbour bridge, you will love it. Definately as necromancer suggested and visit the hunter valley, hire a horse drawn carriage to take you on the tour of the wineries, last thing you want to be doing is wine tasting then having to drive, check out the smelly cheese shop too. So many restaurants to choose from in Sydney. Bondi Beach is an icon however I have been to so many that supercede that beach. Cable Beach in Broome for one and few on the whitsunday's. There is Toronga Zoo in Mosman (just over the bridge), another skywalk climb from the centrepoint tower, fish markets in Pyrmont (a must for their fresh seafood) to name a few.

Thanks for your response Linica. I'm so looking forward to the Discovery bridge climb, too bad we can't take video cameras, it would be amazing to film the view from there. It's always the way though, I don't think I ever truly appreciated what London had to offer, now that I don't live there, when I go back, I always do the touristy things.

I've heard that Bondi isn't all that, but I'm sure we'll take a look there, or Manly beach? Unfortunately, the Whitsundays are out for us, didn't have the time to fit it all in, as we didn't want to just rush from one place to the next, so it's just NSW, Victoria and Tasmania for this trip.

Bipolarbear thanks!

[Linica]

[QUOTE=Tash1;12922688]Thanks for your response Linica. I'm so looking forward to the Discovery bridge climb, too bad we can't take video cameras, it would be amazing to film the view from there. It's always the way though, I don't think I ever truly appreciated what London had to offer, now that I don't live there, when I go back, I always do the touristy things.

I've heard that Bondi isn't all that, but I'm sure we'll take a look there, or Manly beach? Unfortunately, the Whitsundays are out for us, didn't have the time to fit it all in, as we didn't want to just rush from one place to the next, so it's just NSW, Victoria and Tasmania for this trip.

Thats one thing with the bridge climb, you are not allowed to bring anything, no camera's phones, jewellery, they do take quite a few photos though, you get the group shot as a complimentary gift.

If you want a busy beach then head to Manly, Bondi or Coogee, however, if you get a chance, check out Balmoral Beach or the inlet at Cremorne Point on the North Shore, family orientated but you can also have privacy further down the coast line.

[Bitten]

I just did one of my trips to Sydney and have to give a big shout-out for Rockpool Bar and Grill - Neil Perry's new restaurant, is beyond amazing! Love the food, wine, service, atmosphere - absolutely brilliant dining experience, expensive obviously, but really special. We went twice (booked in August the first night and then while we were there, we thought this was amazing, so asked whether there would be a possibility of a table the next night and there was!)

If you can get a table there, I guarantee you will leave satisfied - the food is outstanding (I'm a really fussy person with restaurant food because we're a family of good cooks so if I feel like I could better food at home, I'm not paying someone else to make it!) and the service is almost military precision.

I also would recommend a quick pop into David Jones' food hall for noodles at Noodle Bar - 11am to 5pm, you have to wait for a seat (no reservations and a busy lunchtime crowd) but if you go before 12pm or after 2.30pm it's pretty quick. Order the pad thai. When I'm there, I don't even speak to whoever is with me - I just shovel food in. It's disgraceful really, but it's sooooo good.

Have fun in Tasmania, it's the most beautiful place (let's keep it quiet though ).

[Dimple]

If you're going to do the zoo, and you're catching a ferry from the city or elsewhere, I'd suggest you get a Day tripper from your first point of public transport. Its about $15 or so. It may gone up since i last worked there a few years ago. A ferry to Taronga Zoo is about $12 and you have to pay extra for the cable car. You may as well get that and use your ferry pass to get about 10% off admission. If you go early and then come back early, you can catch a ferry to Manly on that same ticket. Normally thats about $13 return so you're already saving so much on that ticket.

Double Bay is also quite nice if you want to catch a ferry there. I think its a 25 min boat trip.

[Tash1]

[QUOTE=Linica;12929992]

Originally Posted by Tash1

Thanks for your response Linica. I'm so looking forward to the Discovery bridge climb, too bad we can't take video cameras, it would be amazing to film the view from there. It's always the way though, I don't think I ever truly appreciated what London had to offer, now that I don't live there, when I go back, I always do the touristy things. I've heard that Bondi isn't all that, but I'm sure we'll take a look there, or Manly beach? Unfortunately, the Whitsundays are out for us, didn't have the time to fit it all in, as we didn't want to just rush from one place to the next, so it's just NSW, Victoria and Tasmania for this trip. Thats one thing with the bridge climb, you are not allowed to bring anything, no camera's phones, jewellery, they do take quite a few photos though, you get the group shot as a complimentary gift. If you want a busy beach then head to Manly, Bondi or Coogee, however, if you get a chance, check out Balmoral Beach or the inlet at Cremorne Point on the North Shore, family orientated but you can also have privacy further down the coast line.

Seriously, no jewellery? I won't be stacked up with gold medallions or anything, but not even rings? I'll need to check the site again, the hotel better have a good safe!!

Thanks for the beach recommendations!

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by Dimple

If you're going to do the zoo, and you're catching a ferry from the city or elsewhere, I'd suggest you get a Day tripper from your first point of public transport. Its about $15 or so. It may gone up since i last worked there a few years ago. A ferry to Taronga Zoo is about $12 and you have to pay extra for the cable car. You may as well get that and use your ferry pass to get about 10% off admission. If you go early and then come back early, you can catch a ferry to Manly on that same ticket. Normally thats about $13 return so you're already saving so much on that ticket. Double Bay is also quite nice if you want to catch a ferry there. I think its a 25 min boat trip.

Thanks for all the tips Dimple! I've read that there's a Saturday market aswell, in the Rocks area? Is it worth a visit?

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by Bitten

I just did one of my trips to Sydney and have to give a big shout-out for Rockpool Bar and Grill - Neil Perry's new restaurant, is beyond amazing! Love the food, wine, service, atmosphere - absolutely brilliant dining experience, expensive obviously, but really special. We went twice (booked in August the first night and then while we were there, we thought this was amazing, so asked whether there would be a possibility of a table the next night and there was!) If you can get a table there, I guarantee you will leave satisfied - the food is outstanding (I'm a really fussy person with restaurant food because we're a family of good cooks so if I feel like I could better food at home, I'm not paying someone else to make it!) and the service is almost military precision. I also would recommend a quick pop into David Jones' food hall for noodles at Noodle Bar - 11am to 5pm, you have to wait for a seat (no reservations and a busy lunchtime crowd) but if you go before 12pm or after 2.30pm it's pretty quick. Order the pad thai. When I'm there, I don't even speak to whoever is with me - I just shovel food in. It's disgraceful really, but it's sooooo good. Have fun in Tasmania, it's the most beautiful place (let's keep it quiet though ).

Good to hear you had a fab time Bitten!! Ooh, thanks for the extra recommendations, that's what I love to see.....efficiency!! Nothing stands between me and my food!!

Haha, shovelling food.....you should see my husband, he craters it in!!

You know I'm getting sooooo excited about Tasmania now, not a single person has said anything bad about it. Does anyone have any advice/places to go there. We'll be doing a self-drive loop, starting in Hobart. Thanks XXX

[Linica]

[QUOTE=Tash1;12981760]

Originally Posted by Linica

Seriously, no jewellery? I won't be stacked up with gold medallions or anything, but not even rings? I'll need to check the site again, the hotel better have a good safe!! Thanks for the beach recommendations!

Definately no jewellery, rings are okay, you will have to put all your personal things in a locker (you hold the key). If you wear eyeglasses, they will give you bands to tie the frames up. You will also walk through a metal detector to make sure you dont carry anything. One more thing, they will also breathalise you before the climb, if you have any alcohol in your system, they wont let you climb.

The rocks markets is relatively small, you will go past it anyway to get to the climb. There are better markets in Sydney, Surry Hills, Paddington, Kirribilli, Bondi and Paddy's to name a few.