Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Sydney

sydney parks

neworder7 — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:20:41 -0800

Are there any quiet, leafy parks not so far away from Sydney CBD area? I'd like to be able to go there via bus/train in 30mins at most to go for a walk and chill out.

Great places to lunch in Sydney's CBD for under $15?

carnival of animals — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:30:42 -0800

Know any great places to lunch in Sydney's CBD for under $15? Building on this question, do you know of any great places to have a sit-down or take-away lunch in Sydney's CBD? (Also, coffee?)

To leave enough time to walk there, enjoy a meal with a friend and walk back within a 45 minute lunch break, it would probably have to be west of Hyde Park and north of Hay St, but I'll gladly brisk-walk for something out of the ordinary.

My staple at the moment is Central Baking Depot on Erskine St, with coffee from Mecca. Laksa King also on Erskine St, Naughty Chef in Hunter Connection, and Plan B next to Becasse are also favourites.

live in melbourne, work in sydney - have you done it?

compound eye — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:11:37 -0800

what's it like living in melbourne and commuting to sydney for work? Have you done it?
how often do you travel back and forth?
daily? weekly?
do you have kids at home in melbourne?
did it work out?
what was it like?

is it worth it?
or is it hell?

Whatever happened to Duty-Free shops in Australia?

AmbroseChapel — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:44:01 -0800

Whatever happened to Duty-Free shops in Sydney? I live in Sydney and I haven't been overseas for quite a while. When it came time to think about duty-free shopping, it seemed that the concept had disappeared from the city centre. Most of the shops, particularly the big Downtown in Pitt Street, were gone, and it seemed like the only place you could buy duty-free stuff was at the airport.

Is this something to do with the GST? Some plot by Macquarie Airports?

Sydney in 5 days.

semmi — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:43:23 -0800

Where to stay and eat inexpensively and safely for a young female passing through Sydney, and what to see there in 5 days.

sydney cost of living

neworder7 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:24:25 -0800

CostOfLivingFilter in Sydney: I am 35 year old, professional in Sydney with a salary around AU$100K. I have no dependents, leading a normal modest life with no extravagant expenses. Why do I still feel the life is out of my reach? I am 35 and I think I am old enough to settle, stop living like a student. Maybe buy a property. I know mine is not a huge salary and I also think it is not very little either for a single person. I realized it seems that it does not look possible to buy a decent house/apartment closer to city without having to go "out west". Also, saving for a deposit is very hard while paying a rent even for an average place in the city.

I am not originally from Australia, been here for couple of years only, so please help me realize where I am placed financially in this society?

Thank you

Digital piano shops in Sydney

neworder7 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:58:15 -0800

Looking for shops to buy a digital piano in Sydney (or if its online, Australia wide) I live in Sydney city area. The only piano shop I know is Allans music in CBD. I would like to check out other shops to buy a digital piano.

I am looking for the obvious things like variety of products to try out and good price :) Even if you are not sure about the prices that's ok too, I just need some guide where to look.

Can you suggest a shop or two in the Sydney area? Also if there are online shops Australia wide I would also be grateful.

Thank you

What are the Sydney Apartment Piano Anti-Noise Law

neworder7 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:18:17 -0800

I am a piano student will be renting an apartment on my own soon. I was wondering what are the anti-noise laws in Australia (Sydney) regarding practicing musical instrument at home. I have heard that one should not disrupt neighbours' "quiet enjoyment". But I am trying to understand what this means.

Are there some hours that I would be allowed to play by law, for example would playing after 12pm before 9pm be ok without requiring to get a neighbours consent?

My ultimate goal is I don't want to find myself that I am not able to practice, or be kicked out of apartment due to my playing within reasonable ours.

Any comments welcome...

Sydney and Melbourne with a baby?

k8t — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:36:34 -0800

Sydney and Melbourne with a 10-month-old in September. Any suggestions? We're taking advantage of the cheap travel to AU from the US and taking our little family on a trip to Sydney and Melbourne. I haven't been in 15 years, SO has never been. 4 days in each city. (Hotel in Sydney: Menzies Hotel and hotel in Melbourne: Swanston Hotel Melbourne Grand Mercure to give you a sense of location.)

Any baby-friendly suggestions for activities and dining? Thankfully the baby is good natured and is pretty tolerant of museums and the like.

SO is into nature and photography. I like food, funky markets and interesting cultural stuff (ethnic neighborhoods, for example). Baby is into playgrounds.

We have a bunch of travel books and sites, but personal recommendations are great.
TIA!

Travel Tips While in Sydney

Effigy2000 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:11:02 -0800

Going to be in Sydney for my Honeymoon in early October. Looking for suggestions plus local advice. We're going to be there for three days... a Saturday, a Sunday and a Monday. We'll probably fly out Monday afternoon. We're staying near World Square. What are some good things to see and do while in town over the weekend, and what about during the day on the Monday?

Things we definitely want to do are all the touristy things, like see the Opera House and the Bridge, visit Circular Quay and the Sydney Tower. But what else should we definitely check out? And what should we stay away from?

Finally, some local advice advice would be great.

1. Taxi fare from Sydney Airport to World Square. Roughly how much? Will this incur tolls? What route should I tell the driver to take?
2. Taxi fare from World Square to Kirribili House. Roughly how much?
3. Best place around World Square for a nice romantic dinner that doesn't cost the Earth?
4. Is the monorail worth getting around town on?
5. This is going to sound paranoid, I know, but it's worth being prepared; what areas should we avoid at night?

Where can I find this dress?!

theRussian — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:41:07 -0800

I love this dress! - who made it? Ok, so this dress worn by Teri Hatcher at the Coraline premiere in Sydney is awesome. I certainly can't afford it, but I'd love to find out who made it/where I can get one. Anyone in MeFi land know??

More pics here.

Thanks in advance!!

Where to see live music in Sydney?

Admira — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:29:27 -0800

Where to go to see Live Music in Sydney? Given I'm into music, I really should know this but I don't tend to get out and see live music much. I have some friends from overseas who have tasked me with finding something on Saturday night. I'm looking for something that won't be so loud you can't talk to each other, isn't necessarily a cram everyone in to dance kind of place, possibly some jazz or latino style music. Usually I would go to the basement, but they are doing some Pink Floyd tribute which isn't my thing at all. I was thinking maybe vivaz at the rocks, but last time I was there it was a bit sleazy. The only other thing I can come up with is a gig by Chris McNulty at the Seymour Centre, but I have no idea what kind of music that is (other than jazz). Any other suggestions? Close to the city would be nice, but I'm open to ideas.

Bathroom renovation in Sydney

Admira — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:46:35 -0800

Gday, Can anyone recommend a company to do a bathroom renovation in the inner west of Sydney? Or any hints and tips on picking a company, costs etc? Convenience, time and cost are all (naturally) important. Thanks!

Where to go in Australia and for how long?

smackfu — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:12:22 -0800

I'm visiting Australia for 10 days / 9 nights, flying in and out of Sydney. How would you divide your time amongst the various cities? 3 nights each in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane?

Family Friendly Restaurant Central Sydney

singingfish — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:50:23 -0800

Reasonably priced, tasty family-friendly restarauant/pub in Central Sydney (Rocks/Circular Quay / Darling Harbour) early-ish Friday evening (i.e. tomorrow). Normally this would be easy, but I'm on instructions that there's to be no Asian food involved and so I'm at a loss. Help mucho appreciated...

Cheap Mountain Biking experience in greater Sydney?

gttommy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:36:43 -0800

Cheap Mountain Biking experience in greater Sydney? I'd like to organise a mountain biking excursion for my mates. But from what I see the offerings in the Blue Mountains are all pretty expensive (AUD $120+ per person).

Any ideas? Some place cheap (say under $60), has easy-medium grade route and with an instructor would be ideal.

Who pays for broken gas pipes?

Man_in_staysis — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:33:14 -0800

I live in Sydney and have a gas leak. We've had someone out and they said it is in the junction box or something. This faulty junction box is on my property and will cost close to $5000 to fix. Is AGL (the gas company) responsible for paying for this or am I? I know that certain things on my property are the resposibility of the gas company e.g. the gas meter. I'm just not sure aout the actual lines and pipes themselves.

Do the lines and pipes for services become the responsibility of the property owner when they are on your land?

How can I book a sane vacation?

mhz — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:41:25 -0800

What's the safest/best way to book airline tickets? Hey…

I'm planning on flying from New York to Melbourne. I don't have a credit card. What is the best way to make sure my trip is hassle-free?

I've flown many times in the past and have never had a problem with lost baggage. But I figure I'll get screwed sometime, and with the multiple connections (and chances for things to go wrong) I'm seriously debating the extra $60 or so that the booking website charges for insurance. So as far as insurance is concerned:

- Is it worth it?

- What do these things usually cover? I'm landing in Australia a day before my friend's wedding – what exactly happens if Gaffubid my stuff gets lost?

- Is it possible to get a third-party insurer after booking my tickets, with a better cost/benefit ratio? If yes, please provide a link.

- Is there a credit card that helps? I vaguely recall something about AmEx guaranteeing something – does it only work for the cardholder? How about someone in the cardholder's household? How about a companion? If so, does the companion ticket need to have been bought together? Are there any other credit cards that would offer this?

- I'm going to start and end in Melbourne, but I will be in Sydney and possibly other cities as well. Is there a better traveler's insurance which will cover all flights and incidentals during my trip?

slightly offtopic
- I will probably be flying Virgin Blue (MEL-SYD-MEL), and I can't seem to figure out from their website if there's a 1 bag limit (using the super cheap fares) or not. I know there's an $8 charge – I just don't know if I can take two bags.

I've flown between the US and Australia multiple times, so I think I've got everything covered, but if there's anything else that may help…

If it helps at all as far as getting insurance things are concerned, I'm 22, male, US and Australian citizen.

Thank you very much

Where is the best tapas in Sydney?

Admira — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:10:20 -0800

Best tapas in Sydney? Hi All,

I'm looking to try out tapas in Sydney on Thursday night - can anyone recommend anywhere? I've tried the places in the Spanish quarter and though its nice I'm sure there are better.

Thanks!

Ideas on getting to Vienna from Sydney?

gttommy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 02:44:12 -0800

Things to consider on getting to Vienna, Austria, from Sydney, Australia? I'm planning to go to Vienna with 2 other people in around mid-May 2009 for 2-3 weeks.

I'm looking for some ideas on where I can get the cheapest airfare, when I should look out for travel bargains, when I should go, what I should prepare for, and anything that might be good to consider on getting to Vienna.

Cheers! Vielen dank!

Can you find this Edna image?

ShameSpiral — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:22:43 -0800

Edna-filter: I am trying to find on-line a particular image of Dame Edna Everage. The picture I am trying to find has Edna wearing an Australian flag dress. Attached to the shoulder (or maybe split across both shoulders) of the dress is a model of the Sydney Opera House. I have Googled in vain, but I feel it MUST be somewhere on the web.

(P.S. No, I'm not misremembering this pic.)

Thanks in advance, possums.

Good places to buy $US cash in Sydney CBD?

UbuRoivas — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:49:38 -0800

Good places to buy $US cash in Sydney CBD? I need to pick up some $US cash for travel (it's about the only way to carry currency in Burma - no banking, no travellers cheques, Euro also accepted but less common) and given the current shitty state of the Aussie dollar, I'm looking for the best exchange rates I can get.

Hopefully, somebody has already done my research for me, and knows where the best rates are to be found - eg with minimal or zero commission.

If it makes any difference, I'm budgeting on US$500.

Decent banana costumes in Sydney

gttommy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:42:15 -0800

Where's a good place to hire decent banana costumes for someone in Sydney, Australia? I'm looking for non-saggy, bright yellow banana costumes for beach wear. Affordability is very important. I'm open to ideas for alternative ways of obtaining them for cheap. I just need 3.

Thanks mefi!

Amazing places to show overseas vistors in Sydney?

Admira — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:41:39 -0800

Amazing places to show overseas vistors in Sydney? HI All,

I've lived in Sydney most of my life and I've had no trouble in the past entertaining overseas visitors - Blue Mountains, Opera House, Harbour Bridge etc.

But I have a friend from overseas who is living here, they have done all the standard tourist things (other than the mountains, they come from a very mountainous region so the piddly Blue Mountains is unlikely to impress them). I'm looking for something out of the ordinary - for me as well! Maybe National Parks (of which I know very little about), or even weekend trips with a few friends (Hunter Valley).

Thanks!

Welcome to Sydney, Avaniceday.

jacalata — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:10:11 -0800

I might be moving to Sydney. What should I think about when planning? I have a job opportunity in North Ryde, starting February next year. I'm hoping to go overseas for January, then move back and use my employer-provided accommodation for a couple of weeks while finding a place to live. How can I make this easiest on myself?

Specific details: the job is accessible from North Ryde station, which I'm told should be open when I start. I will be earning my first real income, but at the moment my intention is to mostly maintain my current povo student lifestyle (ie: share houses) and save money for travelling. I'm not a good driver and don't want to buy a car, so I'm looking for somewhere I can walk home from the nearest bus/station at 3am safely. I'd also like to join a nearby soccer team, ideally a university club or similar atmosphere.

Bearing all this in mind...what area should I be looking at? How should I look? And most importantly, is the beginning of February going to be the Worst Time Ever to be looking for a place to rent?

I haven't really thought about any other aspect of the move yet, so if something jumps out at you, feel free to mention it!