Heading out to Oz in June for a few weeks staying mainly in Brisbane, heading down to Sydney for a few nights during our stay. Have booked into a hotel in the Kings Cross area. Had not researched the area prior to booking and have just found out that it is Sydneys red light district and has a reputation for drugs and tourist muggings. Can anyone advise us otherwise of the area. Should we look at changing hotels?

TBH, it wouldn't be my choice of area to stay...

Can you elaborate on that.........

Yes, King's Cross has a reputation. But it also has a very up and coming side. There are some really good bars and restaurants in the area. It's also right in the heart of the city. So long as you're sensible, I think it's a fine area to base yourself in. I quite like the place.

okay, tell more.........is it close to get into the city and should we get taxis back at night?

okay, so we should not look at changing hotels then?

It is a wee bit of a seedy place to stay. I wouldnt say it was anymore dangerous than staying in a city in uk ie manchester london. But if i was to be honest it wouldnt be the first place id stay in sydney. Mine would be manley just a boat ride away to the city, lovely beaches and very much so a nice place all round. Dont gert too hung up on it if it is a decent hotel you wont have any worries!

Yes it's close to the centre and as GM says there's nice parts and not so nice parts... I guess it depends how long you're planning on staying and what you want to do/see while you're there... As someone else said Manly is a great place to stay and is just a half hour ferry ride to Circular Quay... Then there's hotels bang in the centre so a lot of things are walkable...

Not knowing what type of holiday you're after and whether you have children etc, can't really call it. It's certainly a great place for a night out. And being so close to the CBD, it's in the middle of everything. (Yes, Manly has the beaches, but personally, I'd prefer to get the ferry over there when you want to hit them and stay closer to town - that's where most of the tourist stuff is located, after all.)

There are more sex shops and lap dancing places and prostitutes in Kings Cross than in other suburbs. If that offends you, you might not want to base yourself there. (But there are sex shops all over Sydney, so escaping them is tricky!) Horses for courses.

we stayed for a week in Kings X and had no problems. Yes it is a tad seedy but if you take care to behave as you would in any other big city you'll be fine.
It's very convenient for the city centre, and you're also close to Harry's Cafe De Wheels for those late night hunger pangs!

Can't comment on Australia (so following may not be much help, sorry) but have accidentally stayed in red light areas in europe (marseilles?!) and had no problems at all - just be sensible. Sure it can't be that bad. Enjoy!

it's no worse than urban san francisco...stay on the main streets at night, and walk purposefully, and you'll be fine. apparently there's a really good Czech restaurant/bar near there called Prague, too....

We stayed in Kings cross when we were backpacking and didn't have any problems. The area certainly has character. We had a tranny prostitute who used to tout for business outside our hostel but he was vey polite and always said hello!
I didn't feel unsafe (although I was with my big, burly husband) and it was very central.

It really does depend on what you want. It's central, full of bars & restaurants as well as late night takeaways. It does have a lot of lap dancing bars & a few prostitutes hanging around, bu there's always someone around & a decent number of police at the weekend so I don't think it's unsafe or anything- just a little seedy!
What kind of place do you want? I'm guessing fairly budget? If so, try the Oxford Koala on Oxford Street. It overlooks Hyde Park & is about as central as you can get.
If I find a link to it. I'll post it for you