Archive for December, 2011

New Years Eve Accomodation in Sydney - Part 2

Published by
Garry Searle
 in Sydney Attractions and Sydney Australia. 0 Comments

If you’re planning to be in Sydney for New Years Eve, you’re in for a treat! The city really does go all out to show in the New Year with a bang! However, while it’s certainly a great place to wring in the New Year, you may find that finding budget friendly New Years Eve accommodation in Sydney is a little trickier than you’d like!

Here are my top tips if you’re still looking for New Years Eve accommodation in Sydney that won’t break the bank:

Book Early

It may be a little late to say that you should book early when looking for accommodation for New Years Eve in Sydney, but it’s always a good idea! Some hotels and accommodation establishments even have policies that only allow them to accept New Years Eve bookings from a certain date, so when you contact them, find out when you may book, and make a note to do it! Budget friendly New Years Eve accommodation in Sydney is not all that common, and it tends to fill up fast, so you want to make sure that you’re ahead of the curve on this one!

Look On the Internet

One of the best ways to find budget friendly New Years Eve accommodation in Sydney is to search on the internet. Don’t just go to well known hotel sites though - consider local online classifieds too - you may find hidden gems that you wouldn’t find elsewere.

Consider Hostels

Another good idea, if you’re looking for budget friendly Sydney accommodation for New Years Eve, is to consider a hostel, rather than a hotel. They’re not as luxurious as hotels, and you might share a room with fellow travellers (not a problem if you’re travelling in a group!) However, they are usually much cheaper than hotels, and they are generally quite near to the ‘action.’

Enquire About Pub accommodation

There are a surprising number of pubs in Sydney that also offer accommodation. The type of accommodation varies, and many offer shared bathroom facilities, but they’re usually cheaper than hotels, and they’re usually conveniently located. In fact, you’re perfectly located, above a pub, to have a little pre New Year’s Eve party of your own!

Consider Cockatoo Island!

Most people don’t think camping when they think New Years Eve accommodation in Sydney, however, that’s exactly what you will find on Cockatoo Island! What’s more, the island is located right in the middle of the Sydney Harbour, and there’s no better place to see the fireworks from. It’s not all tents and sleeping under the stars either - there are chalets and holiday apartments too, so if roughing it is not your thing, you do have options!

Chain Hotels and Motels

Finally, there are the chain hotels and motels in the city. Usually, they’re not nearly as luxurious as their big name cousins, but they do the job admirably if you’re only looking for a place to lay your head in between exploring the city or partying up a storm! Better yet, many have websites, where you can check availability and make bookings, so it couldn’t be simpler to get the accommodation you need.

It is possible to enjoy New Years Eve in Sydney without spending a small fortune on accommodation. You might not get the same level of luxury you could expect at a top hotel, but most of the accommodation
is perfectly clean, convenient and serviceable, and after all, you’re in the city to get OUT of your accommodation - not spend time indoors looking at the walls! So think outside the box a little, and you should find that you can still find budget friendly New Years Eve accommodation in Sydney.

New Years Eve Accomodation in Sydney - Part 1

Published by
Garry Searle
 in Sydney Australia and Sydney Tourist Attractions. 0 Comments


If you’re looking for New Years Eve accomodation in Sydney, chances are you already have a few criteria - budget, level of luxury and possibly even the view you’d like from your hotel window. However, there are a few other things you should bear in mind before you book New Years Eve accomodation in Sydney, and when you book.

Which Event Will You Be Attending?

Sydney is a major destination for New Years Eve, and while that means that there are plenty of events on offer, it also means that getting to those events can be tricky at times. It’s a good idea to decide ahead of time which of the events in the city you will be attending, and to book your accomodation near to their location. That not only makes it easier to get to the event, but also to get home!

Are You a Reveller, or a More Sedate Traveller?

Another important thing to remember is that in Sydney, some areas can have New Years Eve events that last well into the wee hours of the morning. If you like to party up a storm, then being in the thick of things, in the hot spots in the city is a good idea. However, if you prefer to end your revelling a little earlier, then you might want to choose accomodation a little further outside of the party areas! Being further outside of the city center and it’s parties also means you’re closer to New Year’s Day attractions, like the best beaches, when you wake up in the morning.

Left Your Booking Too Late? Look Outside of the City Center

If you’ve left booking New Years Eve accomodation in Sydney a little too late, and are finding that everywhere you call, there’s just no room, you may find that outside of the center of the city, you have more luck. City center accomodation in Sydney, particularly for New Year’s Eve, tends to get booked up very early on! However, the further outside of the city center you go, the more likely you are to find one or two establishments that still have accomodation available.

Private Accomodation Options

Sydney has plenty of accomodation options available, so if you’re not finding the hotel accomodation you need, you might want to consider some of the others. Bed and breakfast establishments are one, and hostels are another. There are even private apartments to rent in many areas of the city. So make sure you cast your accomodation seeking net wide, and you should find what you’re looking for.

Think Outside the Box - Hire a Houseboat!

One of the biggest attractions in Sydney at New Year’s Eve is the fireworks over the harbour. However, accomodation that has clear, direct views of the festivities tends to be very expensive! If you’re on a more modest budget, particularly if you are travelling in a group, hiring a houseboat, and watching from the water might be just the ticket! Houseboat hire is available for boats of various sizes and luxury levels, and they are often cheaper per person than hotel accomodation!

Sydney is a great place to spend New Year’s Eve, and while accomodation can be tricky to find - especially accomodation that meets all your requirements! Make a point of thinking about exactly what you need, and book early! That, along with these tips, should ensure that your New Year’s Eve in Sydney is a fabulous experience!

5 Things to Do With Toddlers in Sydney

Published by
Garry Searle
 in Sydney Attractions and Sydney Tourist Attractions. 0 Comments

If you’re a parent, then you know that travelling with kids is never simple. In fact, selecting a destination that keeps both you and your kids happy is a tricky business, and even more so when one or more of your kids is a toddler! To make things a little simpler, I’ve listed my top 5 things to do with toddlers in Sydney (and the central coast), so that you can decide whether this is the right destination for your family!

#1 - Visit the Taronga Zoo

Most toddlers love animals - and there are plenty of those at the Taronga Zoo! Tiger cubs, the Gorilla Forest and Asian Elephants are just a few of the fun and fascinating exhibitions that you and your toddler will see at the zoo. There are also daily activities and talks, and Animal encounters that let kids get up close and personal with some of the friendlier animals in the zoo. Definitely fun for the whole family, and guaranteed to keep even the most energetic toddler spellbound for the day!
tarongazoo
#2 - Visit the Sydney Aquarium

Another animal themed day trip that will keep the whole family entertained and enthralled is the Sydney Aquarium. From Dugongs to ‘Nemo’s’ in the flesh, to sawfish, they’ll love the colors, the exhibits, and everything else. Plus, if you time your visit carefully, you can watch one of the feedings or talks.

#3 - Get Wet at Vera’s Water Garden!

Vera’s Water Garden at The Entrance is a great place to take toddlers, and older children. There are pools, fountains and other fun filled water attractions in the garden, and it’s a great choice if you have children of different ages - thanks to the various pools and activities.

#4 - Picnic in Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park, also known as Sydney’s Olympic Park, is a great day trip for families with toddlers. There are picnic and barbeque facilities, playgrounds, walking trails and fountains to splash in, all contained within the boundaries of the park. In fact, if you like, you don’t even have to bring your own lunch - because there are cafes and restaurants in the park too! Let the kids run around on the lawns, while you watch from the shade.

#5 - Explore Science at the Powerhouse Museum

Museums can be boring for toddlers - they don’t appreciate static exhibits as much as the rest of us! However, the Powerhouse Museum is different. It’s a museum dedicated to all things technology and science related, and nearly everything in here moves, lights up, or otherwise entrances little people! There are also special exhibitions devoted to kid friendly things - like the famous Wiggles, and to arts and crafts that let kids get their hands dirty. Another great choice if you have kids of varying ages!

There really is something for everyone in Sydney - and it’s especially family friendly. Aside from the attractions I’ve mentioned here, there’s also paddle boat rides, bush walks, a working farm to visit and more. So no matter what your toddler likes, there’s sure to be something to amuse, entice and excite them, every day of your stay! In fact, Sydney is probably one of the very best cities to visit if you have small children to keep amused on your vacation!