I will be there for 10 days in February.
I’ll have plenty of free time, looking for must-dos that do not involve overnight travel. I have a wide variety of interests, so I don’t want to limit suggestions. Nothing too extreme or strenuous, I guess.
The only sure thing at this point is the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb.
Suggest away!
And, anyone here been to Wollongong?
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My favourite parts of Sydney are Darling Harbour and Taronga Zoo. I also loved pootling along in a houseboat on Hawkesbury River.
I once went down to South Coast NSW, places like Gerroa, Berry, Kiama, etc. But that might be a bit difficult to get to and not especially worth the effort.
I hope you mean that you’ve already booked onto BridgeClimb, I think its booked out way in advance. A walk across the Harbour Bridge at road deck level is free and almost as spectacular.
Its likely to be hot, with a lot of days in high 20s along the coast and cracking 40 deg C in the western end of town, so hit the beach… I’ve never taken one of the guided cruise boats, but ferry trips from Circular Quay to Manly are very cheap.
If you end up in Darling Harbour go to the Aquarium, its very good, and has a wildlife park on top of it.
The Australian Museum has a display of its greatest exhibits, which is excellent. Their current Mammoths exhibit is fine, but costs extra. Of the big galleries Art Gallery of NSW will keep you busy, but find the White Rabbit Gallery near Central Station, which always has excellent contemporary Chinese art. Hyde Park Barracks is a bit of a favourite if you want to explore convict history.
Personal favourite things to do
lying on the grass in Hyde Park at dusk, watching vast flocks of big flying foxes [fruit bats] making their way across Sydney for a feed.
eating takeway on the forecourt of Sydney Opera House at night with the Harbour Bridge lit up
catching a Manly Ferry during a high swell
Wollongong is somewhere I tend to drive through but a day trip up the escarpment to Fitzroy Falls would be very pleasant, and continue on to the Big Potato at Robertson.
A longish day trip but Canberra is 3 hours by coach from Sydney, and you can get an explorer bus pass there which will take you on a circuit of the main places to see and do things.
Taronga Zoo is nice, also getting the ferry to Manley and walking back along the coast was a real treat. Also a trip out to the blue mountains and Katoomba is highly recommended.
I have to say that those bridge walks always seem massively expensive and overrated for what you actually get to see (and you can’t take photos, you have to buy theirs at an extortionate rate) so unless it is a childhood wish-fulfillment thing I’d walk across the normal way, visit the bridge museum and pocket the cash for a slap-up harbourside lunch instead.
I’ve been to Taronga Zoo and really enjoyed it; especially the bird walk and the giraffe exhibit. It’s about a 90 minute drive, but I’ve also gone hiking in the Blue Mountains - spectacular views and there’s a gondola ride that takes you to the bottom of a waterfall.
Another vote for the Katoomba/Blue Mountains area. There’s an “explorer bus” that you can hop on and off at various spots in the area. The hike down into the gorge from Echo Point or Wentworth Falls is spectacular.
A bit further afield but worth the trip if you’re into caves at all is Jenolan Caves.
Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions. The Bridge Climb is not booked, I didn’t realize the urgency.
I will look into everything proposed.
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I hope you have a chance to do this. I don’t agree that walking the road deck is nearly as good. Walking to the top was a terrific experience, I thoroughly recommend it.
I was on a work trip so I didn’t spend too much time as a tourist. Apart from that I mostly walked around downtown and near the Opera House and botanical gardens. I’d recommend just walking a lot downtown actually, it’s very conducive to that.
I did take the fast ferry out to Manly for a nice dinner at a brewery. The highlight of that was seeing the city from the water at night. Spectacular!
I’ll add another recommendation for a day trip up into the Blue Mountains.
If you get a chance go for a walk around The Rocks area, it’s the closest thing to history you’ll find in Australia.
Couple of tips for Taronga Zoo, go early! It will still be hot in Feb, and past 11ish or so a lot of the animals will be sleeping, relaxing and hard to see. I personally think the best way to get there is via ferry from Circular Key, and start your visit with cable car, to th3 top of the park, as the whole thing is on the side of a hill, so starting at the top makes all your walking is downhill.
If you’re staying in the 'Gong, do you have your own transport?
'Cause most of the suggestions upthread are in Sydney and you’ll kill off a lot of time commuting, whether by car or train.
Might be better off staying in Sydney for a couple of days to make the best connections.
If you do have wheels then the Grand Pacific Drive is a good day trip.
Includes the Sea Cliff Bridge, which seems to feature in most of this countries car ads.
Canberra is much easier access from 'Gong than Sydney.
A trip up to the Southern Highlands and through to Katoomba would be solid days tour.
The Departure Lounge?
Visit the nude beaches and get a tan. Perhaps Lady Bay Beach, Sydney? There’s a full list here.
Another Blue Mountains here. It’s a must.
I quite enjoyed the Botanical Gardens. More than I thought I would.
Also the aquarium has platypuses, which is just cool.
I’m going to translate your thread title into Midwesternese.
Things to do in or near Chicago, America (staying in Milwaukee)
If you’re going to sightsee in Sydney, make sure to factor in traffic.
By far, the best thing to do in Wollongong in February is go to the beach. Fisherman’s Beach is my fave.
Why on earth are you going to Wollongong?? (I’d ask the same of an Aussie posting about a trip to Milwaukee, tbf!)
The wife and i will be there in Feb (last week) and first two of March. We’ll be a week in Sydney, Melbourne for 4 days/3 nights, Brisbane for a week with local friends and back to Sydney for a woman’s Christian conference (20,000 women and me!) - actually I’ll play some golf and wander around a bit more.
Sydney transport? Is there a travel card of some sort?
Following the thread.
Opal Card
Works for bus, train, light rail and ferry services in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter (Newcastle), Illawarra (Wollongong) and Southern Highlands.
Free lodging.
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Thanks!
My favorite recommendation is probably a walking tour of “The Rocks.” I don’t think we booked ahead - I think we just went to the tourist info place in The Rocks. Great history and overview of the early settlers and the area. While I enjoyed the Bridge Climb, I wouldn’t bother to do it again. It was a nice view but it was… not dangerous enough? not amazing? not thrilling enough? I don’t quite know how to describe it. You remain at least a meter or two from the actual edge, so you get a beautiful view, but you can’t look down. Part of the reason I love heights is looking down! I guess it was a little sedate for me. Go if appeals to you, but if you can’t get a booking or decide not to, climb the bridge tower instead. It’s free (I think) and the views are just as nice.
Of course, go to the beach - maybe Bondi or Manly, but there are plenty of beautiful beaches in Wollongong. My husband spent many summers at Port Kembla beach. QVB - Queen Victoria Building in Sydney is beautiful if you are interested in architecture or shopping. Hyde Park is lovely. I found the Red Bus tours in Sydney to be well worth it. You will see the basic tourist sights and can hop on and off. When I first moved to Sydney, that overview tour was fascinating and helpful.
Toronga Zoo is worth it if you like zoos and take the ferry from Circular Key. Darling Harbour, Paddy’s Market and the Powerhouse museum are always on my list for visitors. Eat at some of the many wonderful restaurants. For a quick lunch, eat a meat pie, a burger with “the lot” (hamburger with a slice of pineapple, beetroot and a fried egg) or hot chips with chicken salt. Extra points if you can find lamingtons or pavlova for dessert. Do not ask for Foster’s beer. Drink VB or Tooheys or XXXX (four X) at a local pub, preferably one that is showing Rugby or Aussie Rules on the telly. Sydney Botanical Gardens and Blue Mountains/Katoomba are worth seeing. Have a great time!
The trip looms (leaving in 10 days).
I don’t know why I didn’t ask this in my OP, but here goes:
I do a good bit of photography, it is always one of the things I am most excited about for any trip.
Aside from the obvious photo ops (Opera House, Blue Mountains, etc.), are there mor mundane (to most people) scenes to seek out, perhaps sights not seen in my ordinary suburban/urban life? I’m thinking of cottages in woods, old barns, cobblestone streets, things like that.
I’m probably not being clear.
Maybe a scene like this or this or this.
Anything a little out of the ordinary, I guess, and not too far from Wollongong or Sydney.
Thanks!
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