Advantages: What a beautiful city!!!
Disadvantages: Don't go when it's really hot or when there are tonnes of tourists

...I had the opportunity to visit Sydney, Australia in March of 1999. This was the most beautiful city I have ever seen! From the transportation, to the accommodations, to the people, everything was superb. Sitting right on the harbour, it offers great sunrises, and lovely crisp days. In March, it rains more often than not, however the rain lasting several hours and stopping for the rest of the day. The transportation system is incredible. Whether by bus, car, or ferry, there is virtually no problems, at least none that I came across. If you have any questions about how to get around or where to go, asking someone on the street does quite well as the people there are very friendly. For those interested in some tourist highlights, I would recommend the following: 1. The Harbour Bridge Climb: For AU$100, you can view Sydney... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Food was excellent, great city views and well-equipped gym
Disadvantages: Casino a bit drab, but is being upgraded.

...This review for Ciao describes my stay (during August 2008) at the glittering Star City Casino Hotel, located in Pyrmont, an inner city suburb of Sydney Australia. Previous reviews of this hotel have only really described the casino area, but you can have a great time staying here even if you aren't into gambling, because there's lots of places to eat and things to see and do. Also I took a few photos at the hotel, and readers may be interested in these. Good points were as follows. Excellent proximity to the downtown area. It was easy to get to most of Sydney's attractions from here. For example there is a monorail which runs very near to the hotel, and this got me in no time to shopping areas downtown. This facility runs every two or three minutes. However, it's a pleasant 15 min walk if you prefer walking and there's lots... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A Great Night Out For a Meal, Theatre Production and Casino Spending!
Disadvantages: SPEND SPEND SPEND. Prepare to Use Lots of Money

...When i looked at the previous reviews for this I was astonished not only to find one review, but the fact it wasn't even about this casino! I felt compiled to write a review and give Star City Casino of Australia the proper review that it deserves. During my travels around Australia i spent a month in Sydney (please see my other reviews about Sydney) and was amazed by the diversity of the attractions available. Star City Casino is one of the most extravagant, luxurious and star quality attractions that Sydney has to offer, whether you are a backpacker, on a hen or stag night or there on an adult family holiday. The outside of the building is utterly impressive adorned with lights (the firework name "Star City" formation was fantastic), moving escalators, cascading waterfalls and water features, extensive plants and trees... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Awesome place/great photo opportunities!
Disadvantages: I was jet lagged when we saw it!

...in an old naval base! It really was the bare essentials with bunk beds, but it was the most basic place we stayed in. And perhaps appropriately the most uncomfortable on the first few days, when we were absolutely knackered from jet lag and would be prepared to sleep anywhere. Our first real day of the tour (not in a plane), we officially 'did' Sydney Harbour bay. However if you go to Sydney do not do it the same day as you land. We were knackered and this may have meant we didn't appreciate the places we were seeing in Sydney as much as you would if you were 'fresh'. Sydney Harbour bay is the most iconic place in Australia and the most popular tourist destination. This review is about Sydney Harbour bay rather than Sydney as a city: We took the local Sea Cat Ferry down river into Sydney Harbour. The best way to see the harbour... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Excellent City, Clean streets, Great Transport, Loads to do
Disadvantages: Changable and Blustery in Winter, A Bit too far from Ireland

...I stayed in Sydney for over 10 months in 2003 and the hardest thing I had to do was to leave the place. Sydney is an amazing city, with so much to do you will never get bored. From the Harbour area to the beaches of Bondi - theres something for everyone. When we arrived we did the usual tourist trips, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Trips on the Harbour Ferries, Centrepoint Tower but as time went on we found a hidden Sydney. These are areas or items in Sydney which are not on the usual tourist trail. Places like Suzannah Place in the Rocks which documents early life around 1830, and how the working classes lived. It is a living museum. Other areas of interest included Balmain, Manly, Paddington and Potts Point. We were lucky enough to be there for the New Years Eve fireworks and they are as amazing as people say. However if you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Superb service, good facilties, excellent food, reasonable prices
Disadvantages: Not in the city, I was there on business

..., although to be fair it wasn't too far away as to be unwalkable. LOCATION & GETTING THERE This hotel is a fair way from Sydney Airport, and cost around AUD 65 in a taxi, the journey taking around 45 minutes in morning rush hour traffic. As I have already mentioned, the hotel was in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde near Chatswood, and a journey by bus into the centre took around 40 minutes. Daily bus tickets are available from the driver which cost AUD15 (c£6) and covered travel on all the city buses, trains and ferries. Consequently, if you like to be in the thick of things, then the Stamford Grand is not for you. However, if you are travelling on a budget and need to keep costs down, then believe me, you could do a lot worse. There is ample on site free parking for drivers, there is bus stops... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great city opera house
Disadvantages: expensive

...to choose from you have no excuses for not spending a day soaking up the sun. I highly recommend the Coogee to Bondi beach walk, it takes about 2 - 3 hours but it is really worth it if you want to see some of the beaches that Sydney has to offer. You can always take a ferry trip to Manley Beach which is a great day out, really pretty and a great view of the Opera House and Bridge from the water. If Manley is looking too busy for you then why not stroll down to Shelley Beach next door. Palm Beach is an hour bus ride away but if you are a fan of Home & Away it is worth a trip on a Tuesday as this is when they will be filming. The City itself is much like any other, full of the hustle and bustle of workers and tourists; Sydney has a good public transport system to help you get around much like the London Underground. Blue Mountains... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Tourist Attractions, Nice Beaches, Hot, Cheaper in some places than the UK
Disadvantages: Long Flight, Not easy to get around

...Since I was a teenager I had always wanted to tour Australia, and finally as I hit 18 I booked my first visit to Sydney. From the minute I stepped on Emirates Airlines I was satisfied. It was a fabulous, unforgettable experience. I flew from London Heathrow to Sydney and spent three weeks staying in Hotel InterContinental Sydney, which was probably the most expensive but luxiourus hotel I have ever stayed in. I spent the first two or three days relaxing at the hotel, going to it's gym, the pool and having a look around the city. We spent the time looking at the tourist attractions, including The Sydney Opera House, where we dined and watch a production, which was absoultey spectacular, we did a Captain Cook Dinner cruise around the Sydney harbour which had a tasty menu, which we enjoyed and ofcourse I could not leave Sydney without... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great views over the city
Disadvantages: Not cheap

...from a girl from NYC saying "Very fun tour and ride" which I think proves my point - adults have to be on a different wave length to love this, and the ones more likely to be so are the typical American travellers, 'doing' Australia the way they 'do' Europe, spending as much time on their whole trip as I would in one city, and fitting in as many dreadful, tacky stops as possible. It reminds me very much of a 'whirlwind tour of America' I did in Baltimore - like low- budget Disney. 3. SKYWALK The newest attraction at the tower opened a few weeks after we went. Cashing in on the success of their rival, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Skywalk offers an "exhilarating outdoor walk" 260 m above the city. It's a little more than that, though. You also get to model high fashion protective clothing (like bridge climb) and snazzy safety... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Breath taking, Awe inspiring and most of all Fun
Disadvantages: No, none - I loved it

...I landed in Sydney on Boxing Day evening 2003 armed with only my backpack and my Lonely Planet guide book for company. I was on my own, (due to being let down by the friend I was supposed to be travelling with) and determined to have a good time. Needless to say I didn't find it too much of an effort. I had booked hostel accommodation as I was to be in Sydney until Jan 1st and knew it would be difficult to get anywhere on the day which from speaking to others proved to be a good decision. After clearing immigration I found the city shuttle outside ($8 au, refunded by hostel) I was at the Alfred park budget Hotel in Redfern, walking distance into the city in about 20 mins. I was in a 4 bed mixed dorm with a colour TV and fridge and felt at home straight away. Luxury it wasn't but it was clean and safe and besides I wasn... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful