Things to do in Sydney

[Doctoroncall]

I'll be on a business trip next month and I'll have a free weekend in Sydney so if anyone can recommend places for evenings out, good restaurants and site seeing I would be very grateful.

 

Looking to see a performance at the Opera House, but that is as far as I've got!

[CylonKing]

Manly beach is worth popping over to on the ferry. Gives you good views of both the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The botanical gardens are worth wandering round and being at near dusk to see the fruit bats flying around - they are huge! Apart from that, there wasn't that much to actually do in Sydney, was just nice to wander round the various areas, soaking up the atmosphere.

[doubleonothing]

A lot of people will say climb the Harbour Bridge. I've never bothered as it is quite expensive and you can't take your own camera - they want you to buy their expensive souvenir photos. Instead climb the pylon closest to Circular Quay (Of the 4 bridge support towers it's the one closest to the Opera house) which is no-where near as expensive and you can use your own camera.

 

I quite like the area around Circular Quay and Darling Harbour - Plenty of places to eat and drink down there.

 

In terms of night life I've always relied on asking the taxi drivers who are noramlly pretty good.

 

(Can also advise of a good strip club if required)

[Doctoroncall]

I'll be staying in Manly so that is covered!

 

I'm thinking of the bus tour as I've been on a few at other cities and they have been good value.

[dubai_phil]

The Hi Speed Cat service out to Watson's Bay is a great tour of the Harbour, have Fish & Chips in the park by their kiosk then walk up to the cliffs not sure it goes from Manly though.

 

Darling Harbour is great for evening dinner and The Rocks area on the left side of the Bridge as opposed to the Opera House side is a nice place to bumble round

[CB Saint]

I did the bridge when I went - I enjoyed it. They do breathalyse you before hand so be warned - we had a morning slot and I got hammered the night before so was flapping about being over the limit.

 

After the opera house we ate at the restaurant beneath it http://guillaumeatbennelong.com.au/ - very good fine dining

[swannymere]

I've got a friend who's a 'hatted chef' (Aussie Michelin Star) in NSW, would you like me to ask him for recommendations for eating out in Sydney?

[FloridaMarlin]

On the recommendation of an article by Frank Keating, I remember catching the ferry over to Mosman Rowing Club and had a blinding night.

 

It began when we sheepishly wandered up to reception waiting for a member to sign us in (as it is a member's club), to be told by the steward in a broad Ozzie accent: "You can bloody write can't you? Put your own names in the bloody book."

 

We then equally sheepishly went to the bar and bought beers and stood there nervously. A couple of guys came across and said; "Are you Poms?" Not knowing what to expect, we admitted we were. We mentioned Southampton, not expecting them to know where it is, when they said they knew it well because they came across to the Boat Show every couple of years.

 

That was is, we were made. I don't think we bought another drink all night, and staggered as p*ssed as pirates to catch the last ferry, and back to Circular Quay.

[Saint 76er]

The Hi Speed Cat service out to Watson's Bay is a great tour of the Harbour, have Fish & Chips in the park by their kiosk then walk up to the cliffs not sure it goes from Manly though.

 

Darling Harbour is great for evening dinner and The Rocks area on the left side of the Bridge as opposed to the Opera House side is a nice place to bumble round

 

What Phil says is correct. The ferry from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay is a great way to see the harbour. The F&C are Doyles Seafood Restaurant and are famous in Sydney, you can choose their kiosk or fine dining. It's worth climbing up the cliffs (easy) for a great view of the entrance to the harbour and the ocean beyond. These rocks are crowded on Boxing Day for the start of the iconic Sydney-Hobart yacht race. Then go to the nearby bus stop and catch the local bus to Bondi Beach. If you can drag yourself away from the beach babes simply hop on another bus back into central Sydney. A great days sightseeing for a handful of dollars.

 

If you ask a cabbie you will likely end up in Kings Cross and that is plain dangerous these days, be warned. Darling Harbour is the go, lots of bars and restaurants in a lovely location and quite safe. Unfortunately, they have pulled the monorail down now, but just walk around DH (on the edge of the CBD) and pick a bar/rest you fancy. My suggestion is to find the James Squire pub/rest as their beers are really good. Last time I was there it was down past the aquarium.

 

Final suggestion for a great day out (not boozy) is to book a tour to the Blue Mountains. Go with the small company using minibuses not the big coaches full of pensioners, these will be cheaper, have a younger crowd and more personalised service and will pick up from your hotel. Spectacular scenery such as 'The Three Sisters' and you can walk down to the forest floor and catch a (very steep) funicular railway back up. Or just take the cable car if you prefer. Also, if you are lucky, you get to visit the Sydney Olympic Park on the way. BTW, if you do get a chance to climb the Bridge then don't miss it. Apart from stunning views, how iconic is it to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and know you have stood on top of it!

[um pahars]

I'll be staying in Manly so that is covered!

 

I'm thinking of the bus tour as I've been on a few at other cities and they have been good value.

 

Chose well by staying in Manly. That's where we based ourselves and wasn't too difficult getting back in to Sydney CBD (regular ferry, bus or taxi).

 

We actually had a great time in the bars and restaurants lining the front at Manly. Decent mix of people. A few rough and ready pubs, right through to top end bars & restaurants.

 

Over in Sydney as someone else said a walk around the Quays, past the Opera House and in to the wonderful Botanical gardens and along to Macquaries Chair is very pleasant, with great views of the harbour. We got up early one morning and got a tram?? to the fish market somewhere past the casino in Darling Harbour by Anzac Bridge. Shared a bit of breakfast with some local pelican

 

Thought Bondi was awful, so I'd give that a miss (Its a downmarket Manly!!).

[christineb]

Kings cross is ok but full of backpackers. Try to do the bondi to coogee walk- amazing scenery . They sometimes have a firework display at darling harbour on sat. Paddys market for cheap souvenirs. Blue mountains are superb. The rocks has a great market on sat morning.

[Doctoroncall]

I've got a friend who's a 'hatted chef' (Aussie Michelin Star) in NSW, would you like me to ask him for recommendations for eating out in Sydney?

 

That would be great. Nice to have a selection of fine dining to bar food with a beer.

 

 

Great suggestions, thanks everyone.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Rather than walking everywhere and as time is limited you might enjoy a guided tour on a bicycle. Bonza Bike tours operate out of the Rocks and do a great job covering all the spots and the back stories. Includes a pub stop. The ferry trip to Watsons Bay, prawn sarnie at Doyles and the stroll along the cliffs would be my go for the Sunday.

[swannymere]

PM sent regarding eating out.

[Whitey Grandad]

We were there for three nights in February last year, staying in the Shangri-La hotel in The Rocks area, great room with a view of the bridge and opera house. We managed to fit in a day trip with http://www.bluediamondtours.net which included a visit to the Featherdale wildlife park, trip to the Blue Mountains and trip back on the Parramatta ferry. Ask for Alena. Bondi is easy by bus from Circular Quay, buy your tickets at a kiosk. We also did a couple of harbour tours. I would also have liked to have gone to Manly beach and perhaps have had a meal at Doyles

 

http://www.doyles.com.au

[swannymere]

Hi Apologies for the late reply, my friend has been difficult to get hold of due to work, he's got back to me and recommended a number of places.

 

Three Blue Ducks - http://www.threeblueducks.com is owned/run by 3 former chefs from Tetsuya's which as you probably know was/is the best restaurant in Sydney in many people's opinion. It's kind of a Tapas style where you share small plates of food.

 

Bodega and sister restaurant Porteno - Come highly recommended and again is a Tapas style restaurant, Porteno's chef was voted 2013 Chef of the Year in the Sydney Morning Herald

 

Marque - One of your suggestions is well-liked by my friend as well.

 

and his own favourite is any of the Stefano Manfredi restaurants, his favourite is Balla.

 

Hope this hasn't come too late and have a great time. Cheers.