Australian Members Advice Solicited

[hsguy]

My daughter and son-in-law are in Sydney for two weeks as their daughter, my granddaughter, is there for a summer internship. Any recommendations for must do activities would be welcomed!

This solicitation is certainly not confined to Australians, if you have visited any suggestions are appreciated. I spent one day unexpectedly in Sydney at the start of the Pandemic so my knowledge is confined to the airport, my hotel and the road between the two, not exactly Frommer's Travel Guide material. A story for another time. Thanks.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Ask around a little then go on a Walk About.

Ivan

 

[rednichols]

My daughter and son-in-law are in Sydney for two weeks as their daughter, my granddaughter, is there for a summer internship. Any recommendations for must do activities would be welcomed!

This solicitation is certainly not confined to Australians, if you have visited any suggestions are appreciated. I spent one day unexpectedly in Sydney at the start of the Pandemic so my knowledge is confined to the airport, my hotel and the road between the two, not exactly Frommer's Travel Guide material. A story for another time. Thanks.

Wish I could help more; I lived in Sydney about a year and ten years in Melbourne prior and now in Brisbane for a decade since. I have a 'think outside the box' suggestion: Australia and Australians LOOK like America but nothing is the same; a sort of Looking Glass world where more is opposite than cars being on the opposite side of the road. So look for an opportunity to spend time with the Aussies themselves to experience the difference. I know from experience that Aussies go to America without learning from the Yanks about how different things are done between the two. Even identical words can have opposite meanings: 'mickey mouse' can mean 'poorly done in the US and 'well done' in Australia.

Oh, and just because they're smiling doesn't mean they're being friendly. It just means 'I acknowledge your presence' :0. Worst drivers in the world, says their champion cyclist Cadel Evans. I agree! And no regard for pedestrians whatsoever: a pedestrian does not have right of way on a footpath; the cars do!

 

[Moo Moo]

It's where I live (albeit out in a North West suburb approx 45 minutes to the CBD). Main attractions:-

Sydney Harbour Bridge - go on the Bridge Climb
Opera House
The Rocks - historical area plus great Pubs (bars).
Powerhouse Museum
Trip to Manly beach on the Ferry
Trip to Bondi Beach - bus/ taxi
Trip to The Blue Mountains (day trip - hire a car)
Darling Harbour walk
Taronga Zoo

Where's your Grand-daughter working at?

 

[16thVACav]

Go opal shopping in the Rocks. Visit Darling Harbour - lots of attractions and restaurants.

 

[hsguy]

Thanks for all the advice, I will forward it to my family. My daughter and granddaughter have found the Australians very friendly, but they are both outgoing and likely to chat up any people they meet so that helps. To paraphrase an interesting quote apparently referring to England and USA "We are two countries separated by a common language.".

As far as driving, I can't imagine any worse drivers as here. A bit of a story; I rented a car a few years ago in a country the drives on the "wrong" side of the road. As I left the rental agency locals were waving to me and honking. I thought they were being very friendly to a tourist until I released I was on the "wrong" side of the road!

Moo Moo, my granddaughter will be working in the CBD of Sydney.

Of course, I need I need to add a bit of a story. I was fishing in NZ and met two Australian brothers who had a second home in the area I fished. They had sold the home, were cleaning it out and had many bottles of spirits and wine. They invited me over and were bemoaning the fact that they were rather unsuccessful in their fishing attempts thus far. I directed them to my favorite pool and they were there before I arrived. Now, this may be more understandable to fly fisherman, they were dry fly fishing with no success but I broke out my wet line and a Woolly Bugger and started catching Trout. They came up to me and said "we mistook you for a gentleman last night", we had a great laugh. Good chaps!