Flying into Sydney on Australia Day 2019 - any tips?

We plan to take the train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay and walk to Holiday Inn (The Rocks). Our plane is due to arrive at 07:30.

This was all very straightforward until we realised that we were arriving on Australia Day.

Very excited about our timing from the cultural point of view, but wondered whether there might be anything we should know about that would enable us to get the best possible transit and experience of the festivities.

I've done some google research on previous Australia Days, and have bookmarked the event webpage to check back on as it gets nearer, but other than anticipating a lot more people traffic, does anyone have any tips for a first time visitor to Australia?

Well, you're in for a treat. A hotel booked at Circular Quay on Australia Day is as rare as rocking horse poo. As you're arriving quite early, the train ride in shouldn't be too crowded.....later in the day it will be. Once settled in your hotel, the best thing you can do is start walking. It will all be

happening around The Rocks, Circular Quay and the Opera House precinct . If you can stay awake....the fireworks will be fabulous. Don't consider driving anywhere. Welcome.

Yes Sydney Harbour is the place to be on Straya Day, plenty going on both on land and and water, above all, enjoy.;p

Agreed, the fireworks will be great, see if you can get to a pub for lunch, they may have something special going on.

Sounds good.

There’ll be a bit of activity around that area.

Brilliant timing, well done. Your trip in to town should not be awful, you are located in the midst of the Celebrations and will be able to experience our second most significant cultural day.

What a wonderful day to arrive!

There might be a little more security out and about even at 7.30am.

Brilliant timing, well done. Your trip in to town should not be awful, you are located in the midst of the Celebrations and will be able to experience our second most significant cultural day.

What is the first, NYE?

Thanks to all for your responses. Really appreciate all the good vibes. It feels somewhat like I've won something I didn't know I was entering :D:D:D

Actually, if I was a well-informed traveller, I would have booked to go a day earlier. We are in danger of flagging badly after a long flight but won't want to miss anything. On the other hand, with so much going on and only one day to catch it, we could be more motivated to keep going. I love fireworks, and Sydney has a bit of a reputation in that respect.

Pub lunch sounds good, but if its anything like home, the pubs are bursting at the seams on special days; will put it on my list though, thanks.

Re "rocking horse poo" - haven't heard that one before, thanks for the giggle.

Interesting that security would be out that early - perhaps we'll get an escort :)

Assuming that traffic is diverted/blocked, but that foot traffic won't be affected - we were planning on taking a left at Argyle St to get to George Street. Although honestly it's not a long walk by any means so not a problem if we get diverted a bit.

An aside - is there any street food or snacks that isn't normally there that you would recommend? Had some really tasty things at street fairs that you don't see on regular days.

Thanks again.

What is the first, NYE?

The first....Anzac Day, 25th April, remembering all those who fought and died in all conflicts.

Thanks to all for your responses. Really appreciate all the good vibes. It feels somewhat like I've won something I didn't know I was entering :D:D:D

 

Actually, if I was a well-informed traveller, I would have booked to go a day earlier. We are in danger of flagging badly after a long flight but won't want to miss anything. On the other hand, with so much going on and only one day to catch it, we could be more motivated to keep going. I love fireworks, and Sydney has a bit of a reputation in that respect.

 

Pub lunch sounds good, but if its anything like home, the pubs are bursting at the seams on special days; will put it on my list though, thanks.

 

Re "rocking horse poo" - haven't heard that one before, thanks for the giggle.

 

Interesting that security would be out that early - perhaps we'll get an escort :)

 

Assuming that traffic is diverted/blocked, but that foot traffic won't be affected - we were planning on taking a left at Argyle St to get to George Street. Although honestly it's not a long walk by any means so not a problem if we get diverted a bit.

 

An aside - is there any street food or snacks that isn't normally there that you would recommend? Had some really tasty things at street fairs that you don't see on regular days.

 

Thanks again.

What about as rare as Hens teeth.

Foot traffic should be fine from the station to Holiday Inn.

Nothing that I can think of in terms of stall food you won’t get any other time. In fact I’m not sure there will be any stall food on Aus day. But lots of places around there to grab a bite anyway.

As for Aussie food there is a wide range, but a few things I like to make sure our visitors try...

Meat Pie

Vanilla slice (a type of cake pastry, a custard type layer then icing on top)

Cherry ripe (chocolate bar)

Tim Tam a chocolate coated biscuit (cookie)

Lamington (a sponge cake coated in chocolate icing with coconut, I prefer with cream inside)

Sausage sandwich a bit of a staple down under, sausage usually done on a BBQ, with onion and sauce.

But you’ll also find many of the tings you will find at home.

For one awful moment I thought you would say 'Mardis Gras.' :evilsmile::evilsmile::rolleyes:

 

The first....Anzac Day, 25th April, remembering all those who fought and died in all conflicts.

Perhaps it is, for some the one you mention maybe more important and for others it could be any number of special days.

the 7th of May or even the 27th of May for instance.

If you want to avoid the crowds around Circular Quay, you can catch a ferry to Milson's Point Wharf, under the Harbour Bridge, or McMahon's Point Wharf. Take take away food and enjoy a relaxing picnic whilst enjoying all the Australia Day activity on the Harbour.

The Holiday Inn has a rooftop pool and recreation area and your views from there will be outstanding.Grab some Stubbies from the Irish Pub about 100 mts from the Inn and settle into the entertainment on the harbour from poolside..Tucker's good at the Irish Pub if your peckish after the long flight. Welcome to Oz and hope you enjoy your cruise

Try and take a ferry ride around Sydney Harbour, would be a good way to see what's going on, mind you they could be busy.

Also keep an eye out for the 3 cruises ships that will be in the Harbour as well :)

Get out and about and chat to locals at the bar/pub, you may get invited to a special location party.

Get out and about and chat to locals at the bar/pub, you may get invited to a special location party.

Malcolm T might invite you to his pad across the harbour.:') BYO Bolllinger. Great views of the goings on from ye olde PM residence.:o

Now do not forget to pay a visit to Harry De Wheels pie cart at Wooloomooloo.

Harry's is an institution, get a floater.

Harry's is an institution, get a floater.

Don’t think Harry does a floater.

Just a tiger (pie, peas, potato and gravy)

Don’t think Harry does a floater.

 

Just a tiger (pie, peas, potato and gravy)

Spud floater then. :') Tomato sauce or bbq sauce on that? :confused:

Spud floater then. :') Tomato sauce or bbq sauce on that? :confused:

None, or if I must Tomato

That would do nicely.

You have an amazing location for Australia Day! Your hotel has a roof top terrace & pool also with great views, I have stayed there a few times (not on Australia day) and I have stayed close by there for the big day.

On Australia Day a few years ago, we picked a spot on the waters edge and watched all of the activities on the Harbour, so much to see. Tall ships, ferry races, 21 gun salute, planes in formation overhead, tug boats dancing on the harbour, street performances and large crowds sporting Australian flag tattoos on their faces (removable ones, although from personal experience those suckers take a few days to come completely off, lol)

Here is a link for the 2018 Harbour Activities to give you an idea of events

A good high spot to check out is on top of the cruise terminal, a few minutes walk from your hotel.

As for food, we had pancakes shaped like Australia, sausage sandwiches and all sorts of food and all free at a few different spots in the Rocks and Circular Quay, not sure if this is still the case though.

Arriving on foot in the early morning should not be any problem at all but crowds will build as the day goes on.

You could also email your hotel and see if they have anything happening on their rooftop pool terrace at night for the fireworks, I know on New Years Eve they do, but I am not sure how "big" an event they are on Australia Day. In previous years they have had the fireworks at Darling Harbour, not on Sydney Harbour, last year they returned to Sydney Harbour, but I am not sure if they are on the scale of New Years Eve.

Your hotel is right in the middle of things, so you could go out and about, come back and have a rest and set off again if tiredness overcomes you, or you could have a swim and still keep your eye on whats happening on the Harbour.

Enjoy!!

Now do not forget to pay a visit to Harry De Wheels pie cart at Wooloomooloo.

On my list, but probably not on the first day. From my intensive trawling of this forum and the ports of call, pies are ubiquitous and a tourist "must-eat" and Harry's seem to be the 'creme de la creme'. And both of us love pies.

You have an amazing location for Australia Day! Your hotel has a roof top terrace & pool also with great views, I have stayed there a few times (not on Australia day) and I have stayed close by there for the big day.

 

I know, it looks great, one of the reasons we picked it, and now we get the bonus of a view without a cruise-ship in the forefront!

 

On Australia Day a few years ago, we picked a spot on the waters edge and watched all of the activities on the Harbour, so much to see. Tall ships, ferry races, 21 gun salute, planes in formation overhead, tug boats dancing on the harbour, street performances and large crowds sporting Australian flag tattoos on their faces (removable ones, although from personal experience those suckers take a few days to come completely off, lol)

 

Here is a link for the 2018 Harbour Activities to give you an idea of events

 

Thanks, will check that out.

 

A good high spot to check out is on top of the cruise terminal, a few minutes walk from your hotel.

 

Saw this viewing option on the Hotel info from last year's Australia Day, and the temporary tattoos. Glad of the warning that temporary doesn't mean easy wash-off.

 

As for food, we had pancakes shaped like Australia, sausage sandwiches and all sorts of food and all free at a few different spots in the Rocks and Circular Quay, not sure if this is still the case though.

 

Will look out for this.

 

Arriving on foot in the early morning should not be any problem at all but crowds will build as the day goes on.

 

You could also email your hotel and see if they have anything happening on their rooftop pool terrace at night for the fireworks, I know on New Years Eve they do, but I am not sure how "big" an event they are on Australia Day. In previous years they have had the fireworks at Darling Harbour, not on Sydney Harbour, last year they returned to Sydney Harbour, but I am not sure if they are on the scale of New Years Eve.

 

I emailed them a few days ago, but no reply yet. Not sure whether it might be too far in advance, but no harm in asking. :D

 

Your hotel is right in the middle of things, so you could go out and about, come back and have a rest and set off again if tiredness overcomes you, or you could have a swim and still keep your eye on whats happening on the Harbour.

 

Yes, we're so glad we pushed our budget a bit - we did wonder why it was so expensive, but now we know, and it's all good.

 

Enjoy!!

Floater? A floater here is spirit poured on top of a drink - guessing that's not what is being discussed here.

To everyone who suggested getting out on the water: my original plan was to do so on the first day - fresh salty air, wind and water are so good for reviving while kidding ourselves that we're on the move, while really resting. But I thought with all the water based demonstrations/activities etc that normal ferries and tourist crafts wouldn't be running. Will check that out.

@beatleman: Alcohol might finish us off - but if we were to get a takeaway from the pub, wouldn't the hotel take exception to that? Good to know we're not far from affordable liquid refreshment.

@Gut2407: will absolutely be trying most of the items on your foodstuffs list. And what we don't try, we'll bring home. Thankfully our customs are not quite as scary as the antipodean lot (or maybe that's just because we're used to them.) As for hen's teeth, not sure who stole that from who, but it's used over here quite a bit too. ;p

I really appreciate all of your tips and good wishes, if I've failed to acknowledge you, please know that I am grateful to everyone who takes the time to read and reply to anything I post.:D:D

A pie floater is a pie floating in some peas, Harry's doesn't do them though.

I am sure you days will be jam packed.