Sydney - 3 weeks, Jan, where to stay?

[ravenousbugblatterbeast]

We're thinking of visiting Sydney in Jan (one of DH's best mates is getting married, and seems like a good excuse) DH has been, but as a backpacking student about a century ago, I've never been, DS is 7.

Would it be best to stay out at a beach, and then go into the CBD to do the tourist stuff, beaching/slobbing about the rest of the time? Or stay in the city and travel out to various beaches?

Depending on the answer to those questions, can anyone recommend apartment accommodation in City/beach locations BUT which won't be too noisy (is that possible..?) If we stay near a beach will we necessarily have to schlep to a ferry terminal or are some more convenient than others?

Help me!

Thankyou!

We ended up at Bronte Beach by bus from Sydney centre by accident rather than Bondi and it was much nicer although both beaches easy to get to from the centre so could prove a good base working the other way. There is another popular beach further out from the centre and you need to get a ferry. It's more expensive for accommodation but can't just remember the name!

Stayed at Sydney Central YHA which had ensuite family rooms but might be a bit much for 3 weeks - OK for a few nights/maybe a week.

You could split your holiday though and have a week in Sydney for the wedding, see the sights, go to the beach etc. There is a travel pass that lets you ride all the buses, trains and ferries round Sydney so don't pay for an expensive harbour cruise! Then have some time in the Blue Mountains - truly stunning, stay at Katoomba or you can do it by train for a day trip from Sydney. Make sure you ride the trolley train back up from the valley - well worth the walk down!

In short - it would be a pity to go all the way to Australia and only see Sydney - there's loads you can see in 3 weeks, internal flights are not too expensive if you book in advance and even a week in 3 different places should be manageable with a 7yr old.

Hmmm, that's interesting, do you mean do the Sydney area ie Blue Mountains (although I'm not sure whether DS wd appreciate mountains!), or should we also look at somewhere like Queensland then as somewhere else to go? We have friends in Perth but not sure what there is there to do, as it's 5 hours away from Sydney.

Anyone else have any suggestions for where to be based in Sydney? Are Bondi and Manly full of backpackers and noisy? Is it better heading for Mosman or Balmoral beach area (all names flung at me by DH as possible options - hellllllppp!!)

Hi Ravenous - hope this isn't too late!

Bondi is a great spot to stay, lovely bars and restaurants and handy for the city. There are some decent priced holiday apartments on Hall St - www.apartmentsbondibeach.com/content.cfm?ContentType=Content&ContentID=1

I stayed there a couple of years ago - be aware the pool on the website is at the Icebergs on the beach, NOT the hotel! The apartments are basic but good value. Mostly families and Aussie couples rather than backpackers.

If you want something swankier to spoil yourself the Intercon in the CBD has great harbour views, or any of the big hotels at the Rocks end of George St. January is a great time to be in Sydney you'll love it!

Look into Virgin Blue for cheap internal flights - they go everywhere. Be aware it's school hols though so might be busy - why not hire a car in Sydney and drive up to Byron Bay, stopping at caravan parks in the way? This one's about half way:

www.arrawarrabeachholidaypark.com/site/accommodation

Most have fully furnished chalets you can stay in, it's a great trip to do in a week and you could fly back ...

Have a great time !

Many many yrs ago we stayed in The Harbouside Apartments (self catering) for a month. Swim pool, fab vies and very very central. On the North Shore near The City.