Thread: Port Guide: Sydney, Australia

We did a day trip out to the Three Sisters (?) , it would have been great had it not been cold and rainy.

Shame Tony - it's hard travelling when the weather isn't great especially when you are short on time as you so often are when cruising. If you do get some bad weather in Sydney then there are still some indoor activities that might work.

Shopping is a definite option - with the Queen Victoria Building, the newly opened Westfield or for your souvenir t-shirts etc Paddy's Markets at Haymarket

or IMAX - Is a 3D movie theatre with the world's biggest screen and is conveniently located in Darling Harbour.

Or the Museum of comtemporary Art which is conveniently located two minutes from the Oveseas Passenger Terminal

If you're a keen photographer I would still suggest hitting the beaches - Bondi in the centre of a storm is still absolutely stunning as the clouds roll in!

And if you signed up to take a tour, stll go - it may be a little wetter, but if you are working with a tour operator who is a local they will still be able to show you plenty of highlights of the local area. It's a once in a lifetime chance!

Oh, I'm so glad I found this post! Now that the holidays are over, I'm back to planning mode! We are booked on the Celebrity Solstice in March-April 2013 and depart from Sydney. Over the next few months, I'll be planning our precruise days in Sydney and trying to figure out how many days we need to do the best of the best.... I'd love to go to Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains... . Do you have any recommendations for tours to see this area? I really don't think we will rent a car, but I guess that would be an option...

Originally Posted by timwilloughby

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Caryn - thanks for posting and we can't wait to hear all about your cruise! This guy = jealous.

Ditto, here.

We are booked on the Radiance in March and will end our cruise with 3 days in Sydney. We are still looking for a good hotel. Any advice there?

Thanks for all the great advice! I definitely want to explore the Blue Mountains and the Tall Ships sound fun.

We booked this cruise the day it became available - I think it was March 2011. When we heard that the Spirit was going to Australia, we started watching for the itinerary to be announced. This is a bucket list cruise, we wanted to go to Australia and this is a great way to get there, plus we get to stop in Tahiti on the way.

I'll be sure to post a review once we get back!

Caryn

Originally Posted by WannaBeCruisin

Oh, I'm so glad I found this post! Now that the holidays are over, I'm back to planning mode! We are booked on the Celebrity Solstice in March-April 2013 and depart from Sydney. Over the next few months, I'll be planning our precruise days in Sydney and trying to figure out how many days we need to do the best of the best.... I'd love to go to Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains... . Do you have any recommendations for tours to see this area? I really don't think we will rent a car, but I guess that would be an option...

Hi Susan,

If you have the luxury of choosing how long to stay in Sydney I would say four to five days is ideal. The first day there is normally a bit of recuperating from jet lag going on, but it's the perfect day to walk around the city and see highlights like the Sydney Harbour Bridge (climb it if you dare!), the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Queen Victoria Building and Botanical Gardens. I also think my independent beach walking tour is worth doing if you are a fan of the beaches and would love to take some coastal pictures (see previous post).

If you are thinking about venturing out of the city then the Blue Mountains and the Hunter valley are great options if you enjoy either nature, sightseeing or for food and wine people it is hard to go past the Hunter. There are a variety of different tours you can do, it really depends on you budget. We work with a great little company who are very reasonably priced, do small groups and take you to all the highlights including the Three Sisters, Katoomba, featherdale Wildlife Park. It returns via Olympic Park where the games were held in 2000 and includes an optional river cruise. If you are really keen to get amongst the bush then you may wish to do an eco 4WD tour or a luxury private tour. There is a phenomenal restaurant called Echoes that has stunning views and food to match!

For the Hunter it's very similar, there are group tours that can be done. it just depends on the size of the group you are interested in travelling with, if you have prefences for local highlights and how spoilt you would like to be . There is a one hat restaurant in the Hunter Valley called Muse that also does beautiful tasting and beautifully presented food. I have to admit to being one who is a bit of a food freak. Menus keep me entertained for hours!

If you are lucky enough to have that 5th day it's great for relaxing, doing some shopping, perhaps taking a bike ride over to Manly or seeing the markets at the Rocks.

Originally Posted by packercruising

We are booked on the Radiance in March and will end our cruise with 3 days in Sydney. We are still looking for a good hotel. Any advice there?

Hi Jeff,

Great cruise and there are lots of hotels in Sydney. Radiance will be docking at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the area of Circular Quay. It's Sydney's most historic areas and has a few great hotels as well.

Olde Sydney Holiday Inn - Is within walking distance from your ship, has a nice open atrium and has recently updated their rooms (new tv's, new linen etc) although they are yet to update the public areas. The Harbour side rooms are obviously the most popular and the major highlight is the rooftop pool that will look out straight towards Radiance. The view is hard to go past, especially at night.

Sebel Pier One - Is also within the Rocks area, although a litle further out (possibly a taxi required, or a 12 minute walk with luggage). It's located on the west side of the Harbour Bridge, but still with lovely views and is one of the most serene hotels I have been in, you hardly even hear the city noise where you are located. Plenty of restaurants in the area and very nice interior.

Rendezvouz Stafford Sydney - This one is only a few blocks from your ship, and could be done with a short walk if the bags were not too heavy (if is up a bit of a hill). Very boutique feel, great rooms and the pool area is beautiful (small - but feels very resort like).

if you are looking to be closer to the city then there a few other options.

Four Points Darling Harbour - This is located on Darling Harbour about a 5 minute walk from the city station. It's part of the starwood group and a big hotel - 630 rooms. They rooms do need a bit of a reno, but the views are fantastic and the service is friendly and relaxed. They do a great b'fast buffet and seafood buffet for dinner.

Mantra - 2 Bond Street - If you would like something that is a little more like an apartment or you will be in Sydney for a few days then this mght be a good option. Mantra self-contained apartments are clean central and provide you with a few extra amenities. Great pool area, however location is right in the CBD so very business, but only a few blocks walk to Circular Quay, the city or Darling Harbour.

What wonderful advice Hope. Thanks for helping out.

Originally Posted by shoretours.com.au

Hi Jeff,

Great cruise and there are lots of hotels in Sydney. Radiance will be docking at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the area of Circular Quay. It's Sydney's most historic areas and has a few great hotels as well.

Olde Sydney Holiday Inn - Is within walking distance from your ship, has a nice open atrium and has recently updated their rooms (new tv's, new linen etc) although they are yet to update the public areas. The Harbour side rooms are obviously the most popular and the major highlight is the rooftop pool that will look out straight towards Radiance. The view is hard to go past, especially at night.

Sebel Pier One - Is also within the Rocks area, although a litle further out (possibly a taxi required, or a 12 minute walk with luggage). It's located on the west side of the Harbour Bridge, but still with lovely views and is one of the most serene hotels I have been in, you hardly even hear the city noise where you are located. Plenty of restaurants in the area and very nice interior.

Rendezvouz Stafford Sydney - This one is only a few blocks from your ship, and could be done with a short walk if the bags were not too heavy (if is up a bit of a hill). Very boutique feel, great rooms and the pool area is beautiful (small - but feels very resort like).

if you are looking to be closer to the city then there a few other options.

Four Points Darling Harbour - This is located on Darling Harbour about a 5 minute walk from the city station. It's part of the starwood group and a big hotel - 630 rooms. They rooms do need a bit of a reno, but the views are fantastic and the service is friendly and relaxed. They do a great b'fast buffet and seafood buffet for dinner.

Mantra - 2 Bond Street - If you would like something that is a little more like an apartment or you will be in Sydney for a few days then this mght be a good option. Mantra self-contained apartments are clean central and provide you with a few extra amenities. Great pool area, however location is right in the CBD so very business, but only a few blocks walk to Circular Quay, the city or Darling Harbour.

Awesome hotel advice for cruisers visiting Sydney, Hope. Thank you!