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We are looking at stopping over for 2 1/2 days in Sydney in October.
Can anyone recommend a hotel in the city for 2 adults, a 3yr old and 6mth old? I am thinking something inner city so that we can walk to the aquarium and ferry terminal to go to Taronga Zoo. Any other touristy things that we should do?
Also, what's the best way to get to/from the airport? Would it be worth hiring a car?
The Novotel on Darling Harbour is great. It's walking distance to everything you've said you want to do.
The Ibis next door is a little cheaper but it's much smaller and I don't know whether they cater for babies. Maybe give them a ring to find out.
We recently stayed at The Goldsborough apartments, which are near the Ibis/Novotel. Not sure how prices compare but we had a 2 bedroom apartment with bedrooms, bathroom and ensuite downstairs, lounge/dining and kitchen and a small
Laundry upstairs. They can organize a shuttle bus service to and from the airport which would be cheaper than a taxi and drops you right at the front door. Was a short walk to the Pyrmont side of Darling Harbour, there is a fantastic playground we found near IMAX, with play equipment, a carousel on weekends and a water play area. DD loved it. We went to the aquarium, which was a short walk also, and Madam Tussauds is next door. We never went there though. The maritime museum is also on that side, and we went through that too. There are decently priced restaurants/cafes in that area and also the Lindt cafe which is, well, YUM!!
Oh and there's a ferry terminal just behind the maritime museum.
Touristy things to do -
Wildlife world
Sydney aquarium
Sydney tower
Taronga zoo
Powerhouse museum
National maritime museum
Chinese gardens
Monorail
Ferry to manly/fish and chips on the beach
Ocean world manly (just been revamped I believe)
That's all I can think of right now
Transport -
Dont hire a car, most hotels in the city charge you additional rates to park your car there. Sometimes in excess of $20 per night and then there can be a coming/going fee. You may find that a lot have airport transfers available, so a bus meets you at the airport and drops you back to hotel. Travel around the city is relatively easy in regards to public transport. I definitely steer clear of driving myself if I can.
If your chosen hotel doesn't have an airport transfer service, just search the net and quite a few will pop up. I know my mum paid $45 to get from the international airport all the way to the central coast when she visited me last year, so it's not too pricy and definitely a lot more convenient. Otherwise a taxi could work.
Hotels -
Do a search on wotif/last minute to gauge prices etc as well as desired location. To be directly in the city would cost more than being slightly on the outer, however travelling that extra distance to reach the attractions may not be worth the hassle/time.
If I think of anything else I'll pop back
Enjoy your trip :)
I love love love the chinese gardens. I could take a thermos and a sandwich and a book and wander around there all day.
Thanks everyone! Will check out all of your suggestions :)
The train goes from the airport to the city too, makes it so easy!
Check out prices of the train though. If you are buying four tickets then a cab might actually be quicker and cheaper
I think a cab is only around $35 from the airport to the city.
A 3 yr old and a 6 month old can travel free on public transport though, so they'll only need to buy 2 adult tickets, and you can get multi passes which you can use all day on any mode of transport (ferry, train, bus):
Tumbalong park at darling harbor is a fabbo way to burn off some 3yo energy too
It will be $32.40 for the train from the airport. With 2 large suitcases, a stroller and a few carry on bags it might be easier to get a cab or shuttle
Personally I would get a cab or organise a shuttle with the hotel if they offer it. Even if a cab costs a bit extra, with bags and little ones, it's worth it for the convenience.
Thanks for the tip on that playground ss_storm and Kim, it looks awesome! I think we're going to run out of time to do all of these cool things