Sydney Master Thread

[BBPAPA]

Shabbos in Sydney is fine. you can stay in city center and daven at Great Synagogue, either buy food in advance from Bondi or arrange hospitalty through shul.
You can also stay in Bondi where there are many shuls. Few hotels in Bondi, eg Adina Serviced Apartments (which used to be a jewish sports club with decent kosher restaurant, RIP).

I just returned from a week in Sydney, staying with family. Plenty to keep kids amused. Can recommend Taronga Zoo (by ferry from Circular Quay) or Sydney Zoo and Aqarium at Darling harbor (walk from city). I got discounted rates from experienceoz.com.au ,zoo + aquarium cost around AUD 45 (USD 30) combined per adult, AUD 30 for kids.
Lots of day trips if weather is OK.
Kosher options in Bondi pretty good - Katzys, Pita Mix, Savion, Jesse's were all good and reasonably priced (compared to Israel..).

Food options in supermarkets have improved - loads of dips available in all supermarkets (even Uluru/Ayers Rock), Hummus/Avocado, Egg Salad etc. Yumi brand with Australia Kosher symbol.

Any q's let me know.

Thanks for your input.

Have some, not a ton of Hyatt points. (Would love to stay at PH)
Is Hyatt Regency a decent option in the city center? Walking distance to Great Synagogue or any other shul?
Any shuls have Shabbos meals available?
TIA

[Dan]

Booked JFK-SYD RT 11/3-11/12 (arriving 11/5)
Enough time to see MEL?

Moish's TR mentioned Free ETA--link?

Personally I'd fly into MEL, drive the GOR and stay on the GOR, stay at the PH MEL for shabbos and eat next door at Chabad, and fly to SYD on Sunday and stay at the PH and hit up the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, etc.

[BBPAPA]

Personally I'd fly into MEL, drive the GOR and stay on the GOR, stay at the PH MEL for shabbos and eat next door at Chabad, and fly to SYD on Sunday and stay at the PH and hit up the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, etc.

Your trip itinerary would be L'chat-chila. I'm at the B'di-eved stage.

Hyatt Regency in the CBD- near the shul? Online reviews of the place are eh.
Other options?

[Dan]

Your trip itinerary would be L'chat-chila. I'm at the B'di-eved stage.

Huh? Go use some Avios and fly onto MEL.

[G11600]

Thanks for your input.

Have some, not a ton of Hyatt points. (Would love to stay at PH)
Is Hyatt Regency a decent option in the city center? Walking distance to Great Synagogue or any other shul?
Any shuls have Shabbos meals available?
TIA

Hyatt Regency is fine. Close to Great Synagogue (5-10 mins walk max). Also close to Darling Harbour, CBD etc. Great Synagogue occasionally have shabbat meals, check website. Otherwise order takeaway from Katz's or Pita Mix. I'm sure they'd deliver if you arrange an Uber.
Personally I'd stay in Sydney, it's a great city.

[BBPAPA]

  Much appreciated.
The bridge climb- worth the cost?  TIA
 

[BBPAPA]

Huh? Go use some Avios and fly onto MEL.

will consider

[Dan]

SYD is great, I just don't see how to spend more than a few days there.

Blue mountains perhaps? Or fly up to the GBR for a couple days?

[mimb]

Much appreciated.
The bridge climb- worth the cost?  TIA

Didn't do the bridge climb when I went, think it was ~$200. Seems cool but too pricey

[BBPAPA]

SYD is great, I just don't see how to spend more than a few days there.

Blue mountains perhaps? Or fly up to the GBR for a couple days?

What did you think of the Blue Mountains?
Worth it for a day trip and returning to Sydney same day?

[Dan]

I didn't go.
@jj1000 did you make it?

[mimb]

What did you think of the Blue Mountains?
Worth it for a day trip and returning to Sydney same day?

Did a day trip to Featherdale wildlife park (one of the best places in Sydney IMO) and Blue Mountains. Timing was a bit tough but it was nice hiking and exploring.

[shmebeble]

The blue mountains are beautiful. I think its worth it. We also did the caves another day, I would skip those

[PlatinumGuy]

Much appreciated.
The bridge climb- worth the cost?  TIA

The bridge climb is quite fun, but the overwhelming majority of the 2 hour tour is spent waiting aimlessly for the tour groups in front of you, so I would strongly recommend taking the first tour of the day to avoid that.

[BBPAPA]

Anyone able to offer advice on cellphone use.
Google Fi in Israel more expensive than I thought it would be.
Looking for other options in OZ.

Any places that don't accept CC's?