...for two potential tourists. Mrs Sigmund and I may burn some United free miles and visit in Feb or Mar. We've never been there, and it'll be warmer than Iowa. Our very tentative plan is to spend a week or so in and around Sydney, and then a few days out in Alice Springs. We already have passports, and e-visas will be no problem.

I'd appreciate some general ideas and suggestions for old, er...more mature folks. Cheap beer is low on the list, though I might take a peak at the naked ladies at Bondi Beach. Or not.

Avoid any Yahoo Serious movies...

if you're not afraid of heights DEFINITELY do the Harbor Bridge Climb. I did it on a gorgeous day and the view is spectacular.

Doing the wineries is nice there too.

There's no tipping in Australia and they do not have pennies. So it all gets rounded. Also, when you see a price on the menu for food, it includes tax.

The Circular Quay area is really nice as are the Botanical Gardens (to the right if facing the water)

When I went, I did a 3 week trip because I wanted to spend at least 2 weeks there and that excluded the flight time. United only flies into Sydney and Melbourne if they haven't changed that in the last 3 years. I flew into Sydney, then up to Cairns on Qantas to get SCUBA certified on the Great Barrier Reef (Strongly recommend that!). Then I flew to Adelaide on Qantas to visit a friend and then off to Melbourne. Then a short hop from Melbourne to Sydney to wind up back at my starting point to catch the return flight.

Neither the wife nor I have ever been there, but here's a book you might want to read before going.

In A Sunburned Country

All I know is that there are more things in Australia that could kill you than anywhere else on Earth.

Be sure to pet the Box Jellyfish.

pick up one of these for a pet and you will be assured of having a nice restful night's sleep
http://www.australiancephalopods.com/occy_blue_ring.html

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
Be sure to pet the Box Jellyfish.

And the stingrays?

I will also be going to Australia next year. I have a good friend that grew up in Sydney and now resides in Toowoomba. I would go for at least two weeks, you will spend almost two full days flying. I can put you in touch with him, he would be more than happy to answer your questions or offer some suggestions. Email is in my profile.

I have been told the Sydney Harbor Bridge tour is worth the time and money.

quote:

Originally posted by BrianC:

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
Be sure to pet the Box Jellyfish.

And the stingrays?

I've pet stingrays. Not a big deal as long as you know they're there and don't surprise them.

Now, the box jellyfish - well, MA made me laugh for the first time today. Thanks!

It's been 20 years so this might be a bit dated. I've been twice and had a ball both times.

Fan of the music or not, tour the Opera house. It's an amazing structure and the tour was entertaining and informative.

"The Rocks" is a neat area to walk around in but I don't recall if there are tourist attractions there. Find a window seat in a pub, order a meat pie, have a beer, and enjoy lunch just watching the world go by.

I once asked and was told that our accent is as intriguing to them as theirs is to us. Hanging out in a pub, I had several people come up and say hello just because they knew we were Yanks. A very friendly nation.

As for beer, when I was there you could order minis, pints, or schooners. Minis are great way to sample various brews without getting hammered.

I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I did.

Dan

I've spent a few weeks in Sydney and think you can't really go wrong anywhere in that city. There's a place that most people wouldn't think about visiting but I highly recommend it. Don't laugh when you hear what it is.

It's called Waverly cemetary and the location is stunning. It's right above the beach on the way out to Bondi beach.

The first link is to their website and the scond one should get you to some pics. Hope not everybody thinks I'm way weird, but hey, so what. This place is just plain beautiful

http://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/cemetery/

http://images.google.com/images?client=opera&rls=en-GB&...up&resnum=1&ct=title

Sydney is a really neat city. Take the ferries around, great way to see the city. Circular Quay (pronounced key) is a good place to see. It is right next to the original part of the city. We did a walking tour with a guide and learned all about the founding of the city and all the hijinks of the convicts.

Feed the wild cockatoos