Australia Journals

Nine Days in Australia

Best of IgoUgo

A May 2006 trip to Australia by Howdymike

Beautiful Wave Photo - Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia

Quote: Part 1 of my 2-week vacation down under.

16 Photos

Hilton Sydney

Hotel

Quote:

Not even a year old, this new Hilton hotel has a very modern style at a central location in the city. We had a room on the 30th floorwhich was very slick looking, albeit a little small with an interesting glass-enclosed bathroom in which you could see the silhouette of whomever was taking a shower. There were two comfortable double beds in this room and a very nice 26" LCD television. From 30 floors up we had a nice view to the south and we could see George Street and the Queen Victoria Building right below us.Both Circular Quay and the Opera House are about a 20 minute walk from the Hilton, but Town Hall and Martin's Place train stations are both a five minute walk. The walk down George...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 6, 2006

Hilton Sydney
488 George Street
Sydney, Australia 2000
+61 (2) 9266-2000

Cheer!
Flag

Taronga Zoo

Attraction

Quote:

A popular destination in Sydney, and for good reason. Taronga Zoo is a very unique and pretty zoo that features animals you definitely don't see every day. It is built on the side of a hill right by Sydney Harbour to give at an interesting terrain, which can tire you out after a day!The main appeal of Taronga is all the animals you can't see anywhere in the world except Australia. Right at the entrance you can pay AU$3 to get your picture taken with a koala, or if you just want to look at them up close and snap a few photos that is free. There is a fun kangaroo area where you pretty much just walk through they're little habitat and get up close. There are too many cool exhibits and anim...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 8, 2006

Taronga Zoo
Bradley's Head Road
Sydney, Australia 2088
+61 (2) 9969 2777

Cheer!
Flag

Penrith Panthers

Attraction

Quote:

The main reason I went back to Australia was to see my family and my mates from a study abroad in high school. So, in Australian fashion, six of my buddies and I went to a pub and then to Penrith Panthers. It's sort of an awkward name because that is also the exact name of the rugby club in Penrith--I'm not sure why they insisted on the same name. You have to be a member in order to get in, but my friends just had a guest pass for me so I'm not sure about getting without a member. They told me it was Australia's largest nightclub, and I certainly didn't doubt it. It has a few restaurants and bars, a large electronic gambling area, three dance clubs, and other lounge areas, as well as outdoor pati...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 11, 2006

Penrith Panthers
Mulgoa Road
Penrith, New South Wales 2750
(02) 4720 5555

Cheer!
Flag

Manly Surf School

Attraction

Quote:

Located in a building right on Manly beach, Manly Surf School is Sydney's largest surf school. With a very friendly and experienced staff, surfers at any level can take beginner, intermediate, or advanced lessons. Their most popular lesson is beginner though, as with its location it is very convenient for tourists to take a lesson in an afternoon. Lessons are $50 each, and that includes the board, wetsuit, and instruction. The more lessons you take the cheaper they get. Private lessons are offered at $80 per lesson. Lessons are available every day throughout the year at 9:00 and 11:00 AM, along with 2:00 PM lessons from November through March; each lesson is two hours long. Manly Surf Scho...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 11, 2006

Manly Surf School

Manly, Australia
+61 (2) 9977 6977

Cheer!
Flag

Manly Beach

Attraction

Quote:

Sydney's second most popular beach, behind Bondi Beach, is Manly Beach. It is located just north of the opening of Sydney Harbour to the Pacific Ocean. It is popular because of the beautiful water, soft sand, and its beautiful setting. Surfing is also a popular activity, as the waves break nicely and it is susceptible to southwest swells, which are the most common. There is also a nice pedestrian walkway with shops and restaurants between the beach and Manly Wharf.If you're going to Manly from the city, the best way by far is to take the ferry from Circular Quay. Not only does it provide a great boat ride through the harbour with outstanding views, but it is the quickest and cheapest way ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 11, 2006

Manly Beach
The Corso
Sydney, Australia 2095
+61 (0)2 9977 1088