old.sparkles

My sister is visiting from the UK later this year and wants to see some more of Australia so we're headed to Sydney for 3 days and Cairns for 3 to go and see the reef.

Anyone have any suggestions for hotels in both locations, and any other info we may need - transfers to / from airports, getting around, places to see, etc.

She also wants to do a drive to Alice Springs and Uluru from here, probably stopping at Coober Pedy in both directions. Not sure on where to stay in Alice though so again need suggestions and advice for the drive.

I've had a quick look at Trivago but any extra advice before I book would be much appreciated.

Ta Muchly

Beoz

Considering Sydney hotels are expensive you might as well splurge. Get one with a view. For a cheaper one with a view try the Harbourview in Nth Syd. Its not in the thick of it but a 20 minute walk across the bridge or 5 mins on the train. The view is amazing looking back across the harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and the city.

Hope that helps

old.sparkles

That does help - thanks.

Any ideas on transport to / from airport?

Beoz

I usually just get a cab out of habit but there is a train. I have never got the train but I'm told its good though overpriced.

I think if there's a group of you a cab could work out cheaper. I think the train is $15 dollars or so. A cab is about $50.

old.sparkles

Only the two of us, but knowing the cab price in advance is always good

Thanks again Beoz

Beoz

No prob. If there's anything else you want to know just shout.

old.sparkles

Thanks Beoz, may take you up on that nearer the time.

Swerv-o

I usually get the train these days - though I am usually travelling alone as well. They have made it generally painful to get taxis, so I never bother with them now.


S

old.sparkles

Thanks for that S - we get into Sydney on a lunchtime so the train would work too but the flight onto Cairns is early morning so the taxi would probably be the only option. I don't want to be driving so not hiring a car.

Swerv-o

How early? I wouldn't risk a taxi if there was any danger you would end up in Sydney morning traffic.


S

Dreamy

I've just had a quick look at the times from Central to Domestic Airport and the earliest train gets you in just before 5am so unless it's very very early you should be good with the train.

Here's the transport page so you can have a look. TransportNSW

It'd also be worth getting an Opal card for your travels around Sydney. (The details are also on that link)

When we stayed in Cairns, we stayed at the Pullman International Cairns, which was fab, but there are loads of hotels in Cairns - we just pulled up a map of the place and checked the locations.

From Cairns airport, we used the shuttle bus, which you can book in advance or arrange in the airport when you get there. Cairns Airport - Buses

You can either book a return or arrange one through your hotel. They also travel to Port Douglas.

When we did Cairns, we did a trip to the Daintree Rainforest, which was great. We went with these blokes: Billy Tea Tours

It was great, we were picked up and dropped off at our hotel and the guide/driver was a complete nutter.

GarryP

She does realise how far Ayers Rock is from Adelaide, doesn't she? Tell her it's further than Land's End to John'O'Groats each way, and far more boring.

Remember if it's 'summer' then it's the wet season in Cairns, which means wet and sticky. Can't remember any particular hotel up there, it was something of a Benidom type vibe to my memory. Don't forget it's also cyclone season. Whitsundays and Hamilton island are also possible locations to consider. Maybe a liveaboard?

Sydney in three days isn't going to see much.

bobbyftm

Just done both Cairns and Sydney with the in laws last month.... all 6 of them
Cairns trip from airport to city circa mid late $20s for a taxi and 15 min drive. We stayed at Pullman Reef Casino Accommodation Cairns | Best Hotel in Queensland | The Reef Hotel Casino but i am a member of the Accor group which gives me a bit of a discount but regardless of that the hotel is absolutely fabulous and well worth the extra $$$. Tamarind restaurant within comes highly recommended even if like us you have never heard of stuff on the menu There's a lagoon in the the centre just in case you don't get a hotel with pool Be sure to walk around the esplanade adjacent to the cruise terminal as there are some lovely restaurants along there as well.They all enjoyed the Kuranda skyrail trip Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Cairns to Kuranda Rainforest Tour - Queensland Tourism as well as a snorkelling trip out on the reef If snorkelling or boat trips is not your thing there is a helicopter ride available from the promenade over the reef Port Douglas is a lot smaller than Cairns about an hour north which maybe worth a trip on the local bus on a Sunday for the markets if that's your sort of thing. There is also the usual shopping centre towards the railway station and a couple of pubs en route which are very authentic looking where the locals hang out

Sydney rail link from airport is great and cheaper if you're going to hit traffic during rush hours.Approx $16/17 per person each way and run very regular cheaper still with Opal card as suggested). However taxi out of Sydney is comparable in price of train as there is no road/congestion/whatever it is called tax on leaving the city but people pay something like $6-$8 on entering city for some reason Once again we used Accor branded hotels ,this time was The Menzies which came in at $190 / night including b/fast which is good for it's central position then we stayed in Sofitel which was very nice but more expensive at $230 / night room only.Pullman Hyde park is another one of our favourites and like most of them range in cost from $130/night to $250 depending on the weather i think !! Usually the cheapest onewe use is Mercure Potts Point (Kings Cross area) but has a hospital close by and is sometimes quite alarming but neat and clean with good service! Ferry ride to Manly beach is always a great way to sail the harbour cheaper than an organised boat trip at approx $9 each way. Paddington has some strange sights and markets on a Saturday near the top end. We took the oldies up to Kings x by rail then walked all the way back via Woolloomooloo and the infamous Harrys Cafe de wheels Harry's Cafe de Wheels - Famous for Pies and Peas, Meat Pies, Hot Dogs in Woolloomoloo for lunch then through the Botanical gardens and back to Opera House . Their stepometers were working like crazy but they all enjoyed the relaxing walk. Too many pubs and restaurants to mention but Darling Harbour is a nice spot to dine ,we had another exquisite dinner at this place http://kingsleysauststeak.com.au/ Oh and last but not least where i can guarantee to get rid of the mother in law and escape for a beer with father in law is here http://paddysmarket.com.au/

Somewhere in here i hope there is some useful info for you W ,enjoy the trip

Beoz

Just to add to Bobby's suggestions, a ferry ride out to South Head then a walk around the head, beer at the Watsons Bay Hotel is always a nice trip. If you fancy splurging a little swap the beer for a blanc and some seafood at Doyles.

Bondi to Bronte walk is well worth it.

The zoo can never be turned down.

As Bobby says taxi's into town are more expensive than out of town. Tolls and airport fees I think. But the train is piss easy from any train station.

Get an app for your phone Tripview Lite. You can map any trips you need to make. It will give you the preferred methods of transport, bus, train, ferry and the times they all leave and where from.

Oh on Cairns first thing I did was to hire a car and get out of there. Plenty to see and do within a couple of hours if you have a car. I drove as far north as I could get with a 2 wheel drive just for kicks.

bcworld

I always tell the cabbie to take the via Redfern route, not the freeway, which out of peak hours means a total of about $30 into the CBD...so basically 2 train tickets.

Seconding what bobby said, sign up for Accor and keep and eye out for the very regular 40-50% off sales, many of which also include breakfast. There are a huge number of Accor properties in Sydney...in July we paid about $160 for a park view room at Pullman Hyde Park with breakfast...but there were plenty of options around $100/night e.g. the Ibis hotels, Mercure Potts Point (Kings Cross) etc.