Australia/New Zealand What to see in Sydney / Melbourne?

[Sam N]

I'll be visiting family in Australia in late-May / early-June. What are some of the most interesting places to shoot (and places to go in general)?

I'm particularly interested in any festivals or the like going on in that time frame. I'd also like to see some of the best of the natural beauty or any historical sites.

Thanks.

And on the off chance that there's an RFF meet of some sort in Melbourne, I'd be up for that too.

 

[Tarzak]

Sam,

There is so much to see, depends on your interests and your time available.

Jazz and Shiraz Festival on the last weekend of May:
http://www.jazzandshiraz.com.au/ssc...7D09CE2CA25746D001E0F13?OpenDocument&Expand=2
I have never been so cannot recommend either way. The location is just off a beautiful collection of beaches that form part of Bate Bay at Cronulla on the southern coastal fringe of Sydney.
It will be the beginning of winter when you arrive, this can mean anything from beautiful sunny mid 20's (Celcius) with chilly nights to miserable cold (well cold-ish 10˚). There is no rhyme nor reason to our weather, it depends entirely on your luck. Also very few people living in Sydney have very good heating in their houses. We all seem to believe the lie that we live in an endless summer. I say this as almost without exception visitors from the northern hemisphere complain about being cold during our very mild winters. Melbourne? colder than the antarctic.

Ok. I lie.

I'll post more info as it comes to hand.

PS bring your cossies just in case

 

[Sam N]

That Jazz and Shiraz festival sounds perfect (the people I'm visiting are Jazz musicians). Unfortunately I'll be in Melbourne by then. I've been told to bring a variety of clothing and to dress in layers.

 

[Tarzak]

The Rocks is what's left of Early European settlement in Sydney. Has a lot of character. Some of the oldest Pubs In Australia.

the Lord Nelson:
http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Acco...bs_and_Bars-The_Lord_Nelson_Brewery_Hotel.htm

The Palisade Hotel:
http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Accommodation_Dining_Bars-Pubs_and_Bars-The_Palisade_Hotel.htm

Different styles and worth a look, a bit off the easy to find part of the Rocks. If you see a map on a pylon, I hope it works for you as I was involved in the design of them (and the structures).

You can download a PDF of the Rocks from:
http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Getting_Here_and_Around-Maps.htm

 

[Tarzak]

I you have a day and want to go for a bush walk (hike, tramp, trek, ramble - what do Californians call it?) i would suggest Bundeena to Marley Beach in the Royal National Park. A walk that hugs the coastline, just like the majority of Australians.
This walk goes through different types of coastal terrain and has some spectacular vistas of sandstone cliffs meeting the Pacific Ocean. If you are into landscapes. The walk is rated as moderate. I would call it easy. 6.5Km one way. Take a picnic and all the water you will drink as there are no facilities at Marley Beach. Again, take your cossies unless you plan to go for a nude swim.
I would happily do this walk on my own, but take care at the cliff edges please and if you are down on rock platforms near the waves keep your eyes on the waves (and the rocks) as a big set can come in and sweep you off. Usually only happens to fishermen who are being silly. Your safety is your responsibility and all other disclaimers...

http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalkin...l-national-park/bundeena-to-marley-beach.html
Has a rudimentary map which is functional at least.

Catch a train from Central station to Cronulla. Catch a Ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena. I would like to suggest that you look at the map installed near the ferry jetty but the Local Council there has been slow to install the map (yes I worked on that one too). Who knows it may be in place by the time you visit...

If you have time you can try to find the Aboriginal rock carvings at nearby Jibbon Beach (in the scrub behind the beach).

 

[Tarzak]

The ferry is small and pretty rustic (hold on it's been ages since I caught it they may have updated). If the swell is big it's a pretty rocky ride, but it's short.

 

[Tarzak]

Galleries/ Museums?
Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, State Library of NSW often has photographic exhibitions, Australian Centre for Photography, Museum of Sydney, the Australian Museum (Natural History), PowerHouse Museum, Maritime Museum.

There are lots of small galleries all over the place.

 

[newsgrunt]

Great Ocean Rd, Cape Schanck (both are amazing coastlines) , Queen Vic Market (in Melbourne) are a few quick ones of the top of my head.

 

[Tarzak]

Great Ocean Rd is fantastic!
Not quite Melbourne though, but if you can fit in a days drive... do it.