Headed to Sydney and Wollongong in November for a wedding.?

Question

I'm from the US and have never been before -- but i love to travel, love to live the culture when i do travel (not a ton of touristy things, just enough, though!) ... I'm going with my boyfriend to his sister's wedding.

I'm curious, for those of you who have been, what are the MUST SEE attractions when i'm there? not only touristy things, but also the hole in the wall gems that i must not miss? you know, the greats that only the locals know about?

a bit about me: I love to hike, be outdoors, try funky new foods, i love the arts and wine, and beer! and new cultures... any advice or websites that point me in the right direction would be extremely helpful!

We'll be there for 2 weeks -- we have to be in Wollongong for half of the first week for the wedding and family, and also want to hit up the Gold Coast for a bit. But that's all i know--so any help would be completely appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey there,

Lucky you! Sydney and Wollongong! Two really great places to visit. I will be short and succinct:

- Wollongong is about 2 hours drive South of Sydney. You can get a train or hire a car (car would be best.)

- It would be worth it for you to find accommodation in Sydney and also in Wollongong (the commute to Wollongong in one day would be annoying.)

- If you like boutique accommodation try www.stayz.com.au - I have lived in Sydney all my life and use this site for weekends away. It is trustworthy and you can find unique and good value accommodation.

- The areas around Wollongong are beautiful but the Wollongong CBD is not that impressive.

Some Sydney secrets:

- The 'Andrew Boy Charlton Pool.' Besides Sydney's excellent beaches this is a harbourfront pool hidden away with second to none facilities and a captivating view. I have never seen a tourist here.  

- Orbit Bar in the Summit Building - a bar 40 stories up that is classier and less touristy than 'Sydney Centrepoint Tower.'

- Golden Century Seafood restaurant or BBQ King Restaurant in Sydney's Chinatown. Famous chefs such as Jamie Oliver has been known to eat here. You wont need to book and can just walk straight in wearing whatever clothes you like.

- Glebe Markets on a Saturday: Bohemian and fun, often with live music and great food. Only a 5min cab ride from the city.

- the Tilbury Hotel is a great pub in Sydney's Woolloomooloo. Across the road is the famous 'King Street Wharf' which is packed with fairly pricey restaurants. Up the end of the wharf is Russell Crowe's House. Worth a walk up the wharf after the pub. Woolloomooloo is only 5min from the CBD.

Put all of these into google and see how you go.

Enjoy!

Answer 2

Well, I'm born and bred in Wollongong but lived in Sydney for 8 years.  Not much goes on in "the gong", but seeing as you enjoy your beer, head to the Brewery at South Beach - Wollongong's micro brewery.  Aside from that, the beach is your best bet whilst there.  The Glasshouse is the nightclub of choice for most.  For vietnamese food I recommend Trang's on Keira Street.  Sydney is a different matter all together - there are so many places!  The Rocks area is a must see, go to the Argyle on Argyle St.  At the bottom of George St there is the best pizza place in the world called Ziapinas.  At Circular Quay check out the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Check out Cockle Bay/King Street Wharf for great bars - avoid Darling Harbour on the other side.  I'm from Potts Point and it's a great spot for restaurants and nightlife.  You must go to King's Cross, get off Darlinghurst St and go down Bayswater Rd for some good bars, the Lincoln in particular.  That's enough.  have fun and try not to be too "american" whilst you are there... ie, speak quietly and remember your manners.

Answer 3

For a bit of hiking I recommend a national park called Kuringai NP, on the northern outskirts of Sydney.  There are a lot of walks of various lengths, most of which reward you with spectacular views.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=45104424...

There is a similar park on the south side called the Royal National Park.  

The Blue Mountains, to the west of the city also have many walks and spectacular scenery.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=45104424...

For wine, try the Hunter Valley a couple of hours north of Sydney.  Lots of small wineries that let you taste their product.

Answer 4

Hi ,

Wollongong local here.

There are heaps to do bush wise around here.

Heres a few things to do while in Wollongong.First Sky Dive over \Wollongong It's a Tandum jump and you land on the Beach.

www.skydivethebeach.com.au

Then you can have a Tandum Hang glider flight over the Pacific at Stanwell Park About 30 mins North of Wollongong

http://www.hanggliding.com.au

As you Drive North Stop at Austinmer for a swim in the surf or in the Rock pools.After you finish there,go across the road to the Cafe,for a feed or coffee.

http://www.beach.stays.com.au/property/i...

http://www.beach.stays.com.au/property/i...

http://www.austinmer.net/http://www.austinmer.net/

Then drive up the road a little to the Headlands pub for a beer,looks out over the ocean.

Just below the cliff is a great channel between the rocks to swim in.Looks a little dangderous,but is not,unless the sea is huge.All the locals swim there and the tourists always follow.

Next Pub up the coast on the cliff is Scarbouragh about 5 kilometres away.Great views and that time of year you may see some whales out at sea.

Just north of Stanwell Park where the hang Gliders are is the Royal National Park.Second oldest in the world.You can do heaps of day walks there. There is an over night walk all the way along the coast to the southern suburb of Sydney  called Bundeena.You can do this in a day if you are fit.But more fun if you can get some gear and stay onlong the track.

I would suggest that you catch a train from Wollongong,which is a good trip with bush and coastal views to Cronulla,or get a friend to drive you to Cronulla,to the passanger ferry at Gunamatta bay.If you get train the station is only 200 metres away from the dock.Ferry only cost a couple of Dollars..The ferry ride is 30 minutes and is amazing.get of at Bundeena and do the coastal walk.I think it is about 26 kilometres.You finish at Ottford,walk down the hill to the train station and catch the train back to Wollongong.

There is also a new tree top walk just opened west of Kiama at a place called Jamberoo,you will need a car to get there,about 45 minutes south of Wollongong,not been there yet as just opened,here is a web site

http://australia.shopsafe.com.au/attract...

Drive down south to Pebbly Beach,about 2 hrs,where kangaroos live on the beach.You can walk up to them ,even touch them and feed them.

http://australia.shopsafe.com.au/attract...

http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com/photos...

Go to Sydney catch a ferry across to Taronga Park zoo.A day out on it's own.

you got to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

http://www.bridgeclimb.com.au/default.ht...

You have to go to the Sydney Aqaurium its amazing,huge under water tunnel watch the sharks swim over you.Also a huge glass wall ,like a movie screen,its the side of a huge tank.You sit there in the dark and just watch the amazing tropical fish!!!

http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/default...

Would also go to the Power house Mueseum.Lots to touch and see,alot about Australias past,not a dry boring place and huge!

The first post about Trangs Restraunt in Wollongong is spot on! Was there a week ago.

Also in the Gong as we call it,get your friends to take you up to Mt Kiera lookout for coffee and cake,Amazing viewsfor 50 or so Kilometres up and down the coast and out to sea.Also go to Bulli tops to the Panorama Hotel..About 1200 feet above sea level looking out to sea.Have a beer there,also a Restranaunt ,as you look out the windows you feel like you are in a plane.

Also north of the Gong at Thirroul you can do surfing lessons for begginers,thats fun

www.taupusurfschool.com

I am exausted after all that,so have fun.Email me if you want anymore tips,happy to help.

www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Go to the Blue Mountains,Absailing,canyoning and heaps more,put in search engine Blue mountains or Katoomba.Look that will keep you busy for weeks

http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/Defaul...

.You will not need the gold Coast.Over rated I reckon.It's also a thousand Kilometres away,you will have to fly,you really need a month here.

Wollongongwolf

Love my city

Love Austinmer more!

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