Melbourne or Sydney

[alan.barker]

Planning a trip to see ma family in NZ.
A stop over in Aussie but where Melbourne or Sydney.
Maybe Rohan can give me info on this.
It will be first visit in Aussie.
Alan

[rgh0]

I have always said Sydney is the place to visit as a tourist but Melbourne is the place to live long term. But it reslly depends on how long you stopover and at what time of the year and what would you like to do

cheers
Rohan

[2cams70]

If you like food, wine and culture Melbourne has the edge over Sydney. There's no denying though that in terms of the visuals Sydney city with it's beautiful harbour has the edge over Melbourne city. As Rohan said it depends on your interests and what time of year you are planning to visit. You might even be able to tie it in with a few car related events. If you come to Melbourne there's some great areas such as Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula in the west and Mornington Peninsula, Philip Island and Wilson's Promontory in the east. Healsville Sanctuary which is a reasonably short drive out of Melbourne is great if you want to see some native animals. Take the route through Chum Creek - some excellent driver roads through there.

[vstibbard]

Sydney on both accounts, but Melbourne has its claim as well. Alan if you decide on Sydney do let me know, we live in Manly, one of Sydney’s iconic beach suburbs reached by 20 minute ferry from the city. Love to meet up and grab a bite.
Cheers
Vaughan

[alan.barker]

Many thanks Boys,
Nice to get first hand knowledge.
The plan looks like 7/8 days first week in Dec 2023 Aus. Then flight to Christchurch followed by Train to Greymouth.
Sydney seems the likely one for the Harbour. A bit like here in France with Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
Will be booking Flight to go during the week. Since the Covid usual Flight plans have changed. Via Hong Kong with a Peking Duck downtown is now a no no.
Return Flight to be booked later.
To follow
Alan

[vstibbard]

Keep us posted Alan, once dates are confirmed we can see what’s in or arrange a get together if not
Vaughan

[alan.barker]

Hi Vaughan,
We just need to wait untill first week in Feb to confirm for return flight. Max you can book in advance is 1 year.
The flight to Sydney has been blocked but NOT confirmed arrive 2nd Dec and leave for Christchurch 10th Dec.
When all flights have been confirmed i will let you know.
Cheers
Alan

[Andy8421]

Many thanks Boys,
Nice to get first hand knowledge.
The plan looks like 7/8 days first week in Dec 2023 Aus. Then flight to Christchurch followed by Train to Greymouth.
Sydney seems the likely one for the Harbour. A bit like here in France with Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
Will be booking Flight to go during the week. Since the Covid usual Flight plans have changed. Via Hong Kong with a Peking Duck downtown is now a no no.
Return Flight to be booked later.
To follow
Alan

Alan,
I have had a couple of great holiday trips 'down under'. Would definitely recommend Sydney as the first port of call, perhaps Melbourne for your next trip, particularly if you are a foodie. Worth getting a guidebook or similar if you want to hit all the main sights in a week or so and spend a bit of time planning beforehand, but is very worthwhile.

Good luck.

[2cams70]

The beauty of Melbourne is not so much the city itself but the state it is in. Lot's of things to see and do in Victoria and Tasmania is just short sea trip away. You can take your car on the boat too.

Certainly plenty of good driving roads in Victoria (and Tasmania for that matter) if you know where to look!

[bulfin]

BOTH

Visited a few years ago. We did Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. All three were great.
Highlights
Sydney play at the Opera House, lunch with Vaughan
Melbourne local friend tour guide, wild animal park (almost got knocked down by a kangaroo),
lunch at a local pub
Perth tour of mint, native singing and dancing (at my wife's conference)

Worst part the flights to get there, not having enough time to see more

Have been to many places in the world, Australia is one of the few I would like to have another visit.

Bob

[alan.barker]

Flights confirmed we arrive Sydney 2nd Dec 2023 from Singapour and depart for Christchurch 10th Dec 2023.
So a week in Sydney should be good with lots to see.
Just need a good position for hotel in Sydney.
Alan

[vstibbard]

Alan
Drop a PM and I’ll give you a few hotel recommendations.
Vaughan

[661]

I would fly into Sydney and fly out of Melbourne. Having lived a year in The 'Gong we had experience of both as tourists. Hire a car for the journey down, it's a full day with stops at the northern Victoria vineyards.
The car will be useful for The Great Ocean Rd once in Melbourne. 3 days in Sydney is enough in my view. I'd rather see the expanse of the country.
The wife, however, would rather stay on Dee Wye beach where she got fondled in the surf by the Manly league team doing pre season training.

[alan.barker]

Hi Vaughan,
have sent you a PM
cheers
Alan

[Andy8421]

Flights confirmed we arrive Sydney 2nd Dec 2023 from Singapour and depart for Christchurch 10th Dec 2023.
So a week in Sydney should be good with lots to see.
Just need a good position for hotel in Sydney.
Alan

With all due respect to our antipodean members, 'the high quality of service' isn't the first thing that springs to mind when reviewing Australian hotels - so be prepared. If you want the classic Opera House view, then one of the hotels along (semi) Circular Quay is the place to be. On our first trip, we stayed at the Shangri-La on Circular Quay, which as long as you are the right side of the hotel, and on a high enough floor, has amazing views of the Opera House and the bridge. Everything else about the hotel was pretty mediocre I am afraid.

Trips that stick in my mind were the Opera House (the tour and also a couple of shows), Bridge Climb, the Zoo, obligatory visits to Bondi and Manly beaches, coastal walks (Manly scenic walkway, Bondi to Bronte), Mrs Macquarie's point. The Harbour ferries all hub at Circular Quay and if your hotel is nearby, you can get pretty much anywhere in the harbour at reasonable cost with a great boat ride thrown in. We did a Sydney Seaplanes trip to Cottage Point Inn which was fantastic. I can recommend the restaurant, but tragically the plane that we took crashed a few months later, killing all on board. I believe Sydney Seaplanes are still operating, but you may want to think twice on that one.

The pandemic has reshuffled the pack when it comes to good restaurants, but Bennelong in the Opera house, The Quay (cruise liner terminal) and Cafe Sydney in the Customs house were all very good pre-pandemic.

I envy you your trip. I am not sure if or when I will get back to Australia, but I very much enjoyed visiting.