4774Papa Posted July 18, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Planning two RCL cruises out of Sydney. There are four days between the cruises. We have been to Sydney in 2013 on a Celebrity cruise that started at Perth and ended in Sydney. We would like to visit Melbourne, but with only four day between cruises, not sure we want to do that. I know flying is the best way to get there, but after flying from the East Coast of the US, we just don't want to fly again. Is there a train from Sydney to Melbourne? Also, if we don't go to Melbourne, any suggestions. We have already been to Brisbane, the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karennella Posted July 18, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Yes there is a train but it takes quite a few hours. I understand you not wanting to fly again, as I avoid flying too if I can. But Melbourne is only an hour or so and there are numerous flights a day. Could I suggest Canberra as an alternative. Don't know if you are inclined to drive but if you are, you can go directly to Canberra and then cross to Batemans Bay on the south coast and drive back to Sydney on the scenic route. Otherwise there are trains, buses, tours going to Canberra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchhalm Posted July 18, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) There are 2 daily services between Sydney and Melbourne. travel time 10 to 12 hours. Trains offer First and Second Class (with next to no difference in comfort). From either end there is a morning and evening departure, the latter one offering a sleeper service. There is no dining car as such, but a moderately priced buffet with hot and cold snacks and meals and beverages. No smoking on the train. One-way fares can be as low as AUD 30 p.p.! Perhaps consider a train ride one way and a the flight other. It is a quite pleasant ride, (especially if you buy two seats for the extra space and privacy, as I did ) From memory, all seating faces in the direction of travel. Australia's capital, Canberra is quite interesting for a one-night / 2 day visit. There are several organised tours from Sydney available, as well as frequent long-distance coach trips rom Sydney's central train station's coach terminal/ Drive takes 4 to 6 hours, depending if there is a stop between the cities or not. Edited July 18, 2016 by buchhalm missed a crutial word! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted July 18, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I did some research and found many day tours of Canberra. Can't find a tour that includes Canberra and something else in the south of NSW. I could do the car rental, but then I would not have a tour guide. Perhaps we will do the day trip to Canberra one day, then Hunter Valley again for a second and then spend the third day in Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted July 18, 2016 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) Planning two RCL cruises out of Sydney. There are four days between the cruises. We have been to Sydney in 2013 on a Celebrity cruise that started at Perth and ended in Sydney. We would like to visit Melbourne, but with only four day between cruises, not sure we want to do that. I know flying is the best way to get there, but after flying from the East Coast of the US, we just don't want to fly again. Is there a train from Sydney to Melbourne? Also, if we don't go to Melbourne, any suggestions. We have already been to Brisbane, the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley. There is a train. About 13 hours my kids use it a bit. So that's nearly two of your days gone. Down and back. Edited July 18, 2016 by GUT2407 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradUT Posted July 18, 2016 #6 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I'd recommend renting a car, driving to Canberra and sightseeing there for 2-3 days and then perhaps driving the coastal road back to Sydney. Having lived for several years in Canberra, I can attest that there is more than enough to see and do for several days. If you like art and museums, there's the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia. If you like history, there's the fabulous Australian War Memorial and Lanyon Homestead. If you like native animals, you can get close-up views of them in the wild at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve or on the easy Yankee Hat Hike in Namadgi National Park (where you can also see aboriginal rock art). If you like good food and wine, you'll find it there too. See: http://www.visitcanberra.com.au While I don't think a guided tour is necessary in Canberra, there is a HO/HO tour that you could take one day to get the lay of the land and then on subsequent days, you could visit the various sites on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted July 18, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I'd recommend renting a car, driving to Canberra and sightseeing there for 2-3 days and then perhaps driving the coastal road back to Sydney. Having lived for several years in Canberra, I can attest that there is more than enough to see and do for several days. If you like art and museums, there's the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia. If you like history, there's the fabulous Australian War Memorial and Lanyon Homestead. If you like native animals, you can get close-up views of them in the wild at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve or on the easy Yankee Hat Hike in Namadgi National Park (where you can also see aboriginal rock art). If you like good food and wine, you'll find it there too. See: http://www.visitcanberra.com.au While I don't think a guided tour is necessary in Canberra, there is a HO/HO tour that you could take one day to get the lay of the land and then on subsequent days, you could visit the various sites on your own. Yeah I'd second Canberra as a good suggestion, except it's full of politicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradUT Posted July 19, 2016 #8 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Yeah I'd second Canberra as a good suggestion, except it's full of politicians. Unfortunately, I'm used to 'em. (I live right outside Washington, D.C.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted July 19, 2016 #9 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Unfortunately, I'm used to 'em. (I live right outside Washington, D.C.) You've probably developed an immunity then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassamanda Posted July 19, 2016 #10 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Yeah I'd second Canberra as a good suggestion, except it's full of politicians. I agree that in this case, a 2/3 day visit to Canberra by car would be appropriate. The War Memorial is a must see and can occupy a full day or 2 half days. Lots of good hotels around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted July 20, 2016 #11 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I'd recommend renting a car, driving to Canberra and sightseeing there for 2-3 days and then perhaps driving the coastal road back to Sydney. I agree that in this case, a 2/3 day visit to Canberra by car would be appropriate. The War Memorial is a must see and can occupy a full day or 2 half days. I also agree with these. It seems almost perfect for the OP. You definitely do not need a guide for Canberra. All you need is a guide book, a car and a decent map. Some of the locals even speak English! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted July 20, 2016 #12 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I agree that in this case, a 2/3 day visit to Canberra by car would be appropriate. The War Memorial is a must see and can occupy a full day or 2 half days. Lots of good hotels around. Parliament Houses (old and New) The Zoo (stay at the hotel if the budget allows) Telstra Tower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted July 21, 2016 #13 Share Posted July 21, 2016 You could fly to Melbourne, rent a car, and drive up the Great Ocean Road. We picked up a car, drove through Melbourne and then the Great Ocean Road. Dropped the car at Melbourne Airport and took a flight back to Sydney. Did the flight on Tigerair, lower cost budget airline. Service was just fine. Melbourne is a beautiful city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted July 21, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted July 21, 2016 You could fly to Melbourne, rent a car, and drive up the Great Ocean Road. We picked up a car, drove through Melbourne and then the Great Ocean Road. Dropped the car at Melbourne Airport and took a flight back to Sydney. Did the flight on Tigerair, lower cost budget airline. Service was just fine. Melbourne is a beautiful city. We just don't want to fly anymore after the long flights from the East Coast of the USA. Still considering a day tour of Canberra or renting a car. I have driven on the left while in England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted July 21, 2016 #15 Share Posted July 21, 2016 (edited) We just don't want to fly anymore after the long flights from the East Coast of the USA.Both Canberra and Melbourne are short flights from Sydney. Barely an hour's flying to Melbourne, and on a good day only about half that to Canberra. The Qantas terminal (T3) at Sydney is really very comfortable and calming, and the terminal at Canberra is pretty much the same. Security is never any form of hassle at any of these points. It is really very, very easy. In fact, it's so easy that when I'm in Sydney, I'm perfectly happy to pop down to either place just to have lunch or dinner with someone. Edited July 21, 2016 by Globaliser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRSBITS Posted August 1, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I'd recommend renting a car, driving to Canberra and sightseeing there for 2-3 days and then perhaps driving the coastal road back to Sydney. Having lived for several years in Canberra, I can attest that there is more than enough to see and do for several days. If you like art and museums, there's the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia. If you like history, there's the fabulous Australian War Memorial and Lanyon Homestead. If you like native animals, you can get close-up views of them in the wild at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve or on the easy Yankee Hat Hike in Namadgi National Park (where you can also see aboriginal rock art). If you like good food and wine, you'll find it there too. See: http://www.visitcanberra.com.au While I don't think a guided tour is necessary in Canberra, there is a HO/HO tour that you could take one day to get the lay of the land and then on subsequent days, you could visit the various sites on your own. We are also looking for something to do prior to our 2018 TP cruise. These ideas are perfect for us, since we have toured much of eastern OZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted August 1, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted August 1, 2016 We are also looking for something to do prior to our 2018 TP cruise. These ideas are perfect for us, since we have toured much of eastern OZ. Great, we hope to see you on the cruise. We are still undecided about renting a car. I am comfortable driving on the left, since I have do that in England. Still, I found some great one day tours from Sydney to Canberra so we would not have to move hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eded1953 Posted August 9, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Great, we hope to see you on the cruise. We are still undecided about renting a car. I am comfortable driving on the left, since I have do that in England. Still, I found some great one day tours from Sydney to Canberra so we would not have to move hotels. I am also planning on this cruise and the one on the Radiance with the four day in between...at the moment looking into. Hotel and activities....I am traveling solo and want to see what is easy for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted August 9, 2016 Author #19 Share Posted August 9, 2016 I am also planning on this cruise and the one on the Radiance with the four day in between...at the moment looking into. Hotel and activities....I am traveling solo and want to see what is easy for me... Have you been to Sydney before? If you haven't, I suggest the following: 1) one day tour to Blue Mountains 2) one day tour to vineyards of Hunter Valley 3) Tour of Sydney that includes Harbour and Manley Beach. https://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Day-Tour-with-Optional-Sydney-Harbour-Lunch-Cruise/d357-2230S17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted August 9, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Have you been to Sydney before?If you haven't, I suggest the following: 1) one day tour to Blue Mountains 2) one day tour to vineyards of Hunter Valley 3) Tour of Sydney that includes Harbour and Manley Beach. https://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Day-Tour-with-Optional-Sydney-Harbour-Lunch-Cruise/d357-2230S17 I'd add a trip to Canberra and suggest including Taronga Zoo in number 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eded1953 Posted August 9, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Have you been to Sydney before?If you haven't, I suggest the following: 1) one day tour to Blue Mountains 2) one day tour to vineyards of Hunter Valley 3) Tour of Sydney that includes Harbour and Manley Beach. https://www.viator.com/tours/Sydney/Sydney-Day-Tour-with-Optional-Sydney-Harbour-Lunch-Cruise/d357-2230S17 Thank you for the suggestions.....first time to this area......can you suggest a hotel....again thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted August 9, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Thank you for the suggestions.....first time to this area......can you suggest a hotel....again thank you It really comes down to tastes budget and location, together with any loyalty points you might have. Having said that Can't Beat Oark Hyatt or Pier 1 (Marriott) but costly. Holiday Inn the Rocks is great if you are leaving from the OPT, also close to ferries and trains at Curcular Quay. Meriton appartments are nice because you get more room and kitchenette / laundry. We like The Grace for a lovely Building in a convenient location at a lower price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted August 9, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 9, 2016 ... first time to this area ...If it's your first time in Sydney, and you only have four days, then forget the Blue Mountains, forget the Hunter Valley and forget Canberra. You'll more than fill your time in Sydney without spending a lot of time travelling to these other places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted August 10, 2016 Author #24 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Also, if you can catch an opera and the famous opera house, it is wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted August 14, 2016 #25 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Does any one have a list of things to do in Sydney?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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