Expert: Megan - 6/6/2009

Question
Hope you can solve the dilema.
Family of 5 from CA.  We can go to Sydney for 9 days in August, or go to Maui for 7 for a little but less $$.  So the question is if we go to Sydney is it worth it if we don't see the The Great Barrier reef (don't have the $$ for both Sydney and Cairns), and visit only Sydney? Also, since it is your winter, would you still reccomend going anyway?
Thanks for the help!

Answer
Hi Mike,
Thanks for you question. I think it is quite hard to compare Sydney and Maui as they are very differant trips. If you want a warm sunny holiday look at purhaps heading to Queensland (Brisbane, Cairns etc) instead of New South Wales (Sydney). August is part of the Sydney winter but the coldest is usually will get would be a minimum of 8 degrees celcius but the days will get upto about 17 degrees on average. It is one of the dry months of travel and usually has very little rain. In the Sydney great area there are plenty of other things to do and 9 days would defenitely be filled up quickly. Depending on your interests as to how you decide to fill up your time and how far from Sydney you want to venture. This website outlines some of the popular activites in Sydney:
http://www.sydney100.com/

If you decide to look at the greater area the Hunter Valley is stunning (similar to the Napa Valley) and has great vineyards but also beautiful senery around that time. The mountains are also a option and you can considering skiing or snow boarding.

The following website outlines some day tours and other things to do around Sydney:
http://www.sydneyguide.net.au/

My favourite things to do when I visit Sydney is to check out the Markets of a weekend down at "The Rocks" which is the old part of Sydney. It is central and looks over the harbour bridge. It has some great restruants, bars and cafe's. They also have various activites and entertainment on. This is there website:
http://www.therocks.com/

I hope this helps. I won't continue I'll let you have a look at that information if you decide you might like to spend the time in Syndey I can help you with some more information and planning.

Thanks,
Megan