Expert: Ian Smith - 9/3/2004

Question
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
When is the best time of the North American year to make a week long visit to Australia, specifically around Sydney?
Answer -
I hate to be vague but, seriously, it all depends on what you want to do.
Do you want to surf?  Do you want to play golf?  To you want to walk in the Blue Mountains? Do you want to see museums? Do you want to spend all your time on the harbour?
The best time of the North American year?  I thought we all had the same year! (Just that the seasons are back to front)
Personally speaking, I always recommend April-May-June for tourists as the weather is superb (to my liking), the surf is great; except for Easter it's not too crowded anywhere; it's a great time to visit the vineyards.
However, if it's spring blooms you're seeking you'll have to wait till August-September-October.
As I said earlier, it helps to know what your interests are.
I also have a site on "virtualtourist.com" under "iandsmith" with entries for Sydney, Blue Mountains, Pokolbin (vineyards) and Newcastle which will give you much detailed information with photos.  I hope this has been of some help.
Cheers from Down Under, Ian

Thank you.  Actually I have never been to Australia before, so I would probably be checking out all of the great tourist sights in the Southeast portion, as opposed to any sort of "activity" (hiking, golf, surfing etc.).  If the weather is great, I'll probably avoid the museums, too. I'm thinking of checking out Sydney and that bridge.  Landmarks, too.  I just want to see things up close I can never see anywhere.  (Even Australian animals can be seen in an American zoo.)  Do you have any specific ideas for places to visit?  I'm thinking early March sounds best for an 8 day visit, the way you've put it.

Answer
Okay, a rough itinerary suggestion from me would be to spend 3 days in Sydney seeing The Rocks and Darling Harbour (that includes the Opera House and the Bridge) one day; then catch a ferry to the north shore (say Cremorne Point and walk the foreshore to Taronga Zoo Wharf then catch ferry to Manly (maps are readily available and pics in the website I mentioned previously).  Third day I'd check out the Queen Victoria Building, Strand Arcade, Botanical Gardens and Bondi Beach (I personally don't rate the latter very highly but it's on most people's list).
Then I'd head to the Blue Mountains for two days and make sure I did one of the walks (the Grand Canyon and/or the National Pass tracks are two I'd suggest).
Then I'd finish with a couple of days at Port Stephens, water wonderland, where you can do a day trip to the vineyards.
That will give you a rounded view of Australia though eight days is tragically short!
Cheers and hope you have a lovely trip, Ian
If you want more details, please feel free to ask.