SYDNEY - Tour suggestions - Dec 2020 & NYE

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mrmerc500

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Continuing on from the recent Hobart discussion regarding December & NYE trips, like to hear some inspiration for Sydney...

Travelling over from Perth 29 December for 5 nights, what ideas would you float on a reasonable budget?

Like to be in Sydney for NYE however would you go out of your way for this years and what vantage point would you consider?

I see that one could catch a ferry to Barangaroo which would be cool if they’re running from McMahons or Milsons Points.

Otherwise happy to head down to HARS for some aviation history & tour if available late December.

Any reasonable hotel destinations to focus on with the major chains would be good however flexible for comfortable & modern hotels or AIRBNB’s.
 
I have to dash your hopes of getting a good vantage point for the Sydney NYE fireworks (which are limited to 7 minutes at midnight). Very limited numbers will be allowed at vantage points with passes being allocated to front-line workers only. You can only enter the CBD area and some areas on the North Shore with a pass which will only be allocated if you have a reservation at a restaurant - as usual venues with good views of the bridge cost upwards of $350 pp. Hotels in the CBD with views are upwards of $1000 pn for NYE. Generally the ferries won't be running in the lead up to the fireworks or afterwards. The NSW gov website has details.

However, except for NYE fireworks - this is a great time to visit Sydney - I did a quick check on a booking site and there are still reasonably prices hotels in good locations for your dates. There will be a holiday/party atmosphere about - I would strongly recommend booking restaurants before you arrive - popular ones are pretty booked at the moment - walk-ins / list minute reservations are hard to come by. Many restaurants are not open every day (since Covid restrictions were lifted) - this may change in the lead up to Christmas / the holiday period.
 
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We have stayed at a few different Meriton properties in Sydney. We find them good value as we enjoy the space that they provide. Not sure of your prior Sydney experience but the Manly 16ft skiff sailing club is a spot we enjoy visiting. Also maybe consider the Sydney Flying Squadron Kurribilli as another that gives a harbour dining experience
 
The Opera House precinct is definitely the premium view of NYE fireworks.

unfortunately prices at the various venues start from like $450 Up. I had registered for some event and received an email with all the different options..... and this with only a demure midnight soirée 🎇

hotels on NYE are notoriously chronically overpriced before and Upto 1 January but are cheap as chips in early January all over the place. Bargains galore
 
Yes lots of restrictions for NYE fireworks viewing this year and i honestly wouldnt pay a premium for any available bookings for what wil be a shorter show than usual. But there are lots of other things to do in Sydney over that period.

If you are into musical thetre you can see if you can pick up tickets to:
  • Rent @ Opera Hpuse Drama Theatre
  • Pippin @ The Lyric (Star City)
  • Frozen @ The Capitol

Take a ferry to Manly or Watson's Bay to see the best of the harbour and then have a great beachside lunch.

There are free guided walking tours in the Rocks.

Consider a history or ghost tour at the old Quarntine Station on North Head (short drive from manly pier) History Tours at Australia's First Quarantine Station

Do one of Sydneys many free foreshore walks The 14 Best Walks in Sydney plenty of cafes, pubs or resturants to stop at enroute or at start or end.

Bridge Climb is fun but expensive, twilight is bets one up int he day, watch sunsent then down int he dark.

You can go camping and glamping on coughatoo Island Stay at a historic island on Sydney Harbour | coughatoo Island although likely sold out.

Day trip to Blue Mountains.

Visit Taronga Zoo (they also have over night camping there).

Food tour around the city.

Sea Kayak on the harbour (from Rose Bay and likley other places).
 
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Some nice walks over the harbor bridge around Kirribilli, opera house to Woolloomoo, or for longer Bondi to Coogee or Manly to spit (take bathers)
 
The Opera House precinct is definitely the premium view of NYE fireworks.

unfortunately prices at the various venues start from like $450 Up. I had registered for some event and received an email with all the different options..... and this with only a demure midnight soirée 🎇

hotels on NYE are notoriously chronically overpriced before and Upto 1 January but are cheap as chips in early January all over the place. Bargains galore


for those of you who wish for a sydney indulgence, the Joan Sutherland theatre looks the bomb!
 
Yes lots of restrictions for NYE fireworks viewing this year and i honestly wouldnt pay a premium for any available bookings for what wil be a shorter show than usual. But there are lots of other things to do in Sydney over that period.

If you are into musical thetre you can see if you can pick up tickets to:
  • Rent @ Opera Hpuse Drama Theatre
  • Pippin @ The Lyric (Star City)
  • Frozen @ The Capitol

Take a ferry to Manly or Watson's Bay to see the best of the harbour and then have a great beachside lunch.

There are free guided walking tours in the Rocks.

Consider a history or ghost tour at the old Quarntine Station on North Head (short drive from manly pier) History Tours at Australia's First Quarantine Station

Do one of Sydneys many free foreshore walks The 14 Best Walks in Sydney plenty of cafes, pubs or resturants to stop at enroute or at start or end.

Bridge Climb is fun but expensive, twilight is bets one up int he day, watch sunsent then down int he dark.

You can go camping and glamping on coughatoo Island Stay at a historic island on Sydney Harbour | coughatoo Island although likely sold out.

Day trip to Blue Mountains.

Visit Taronga Zoo (they also have over night camping there).

Food tour around the city.

Sea Kayak on the harbour (from Rose Bay and likley other places).
Jump on the Light rail to dulwich hill and visit the nearby funky cafe... Dear Delicious

theres also a dog cafe Cafe Bones in Haberfield adjacent Hawthorne Light Rail station

plus the old Tramway sheds now funky dining cafes and restaurants right next to Jubillee Park light rail station. With an old tramcar as a feature
 
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