Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 3 . SYDNEY
CityRail station. To reach Bondi
via public transport, take bus no.
380 or 382 to Bondi Beach from
Circular Quay—it takes up to an
hour—or a quicker alternative is a
CityRail train to Bondi Junction to
connect with the same buses. Bus
no. 378 from Railway Square, Central
Station goes to Bronte, and bus
no. 373 or 374 travels to Coogee
from Circular Quay.
Watsons Bay Watsons Bay is
known for The Gap—a section of
dramatic sea cliffs—as well as several
good restaurants, such as Doyles on
the Beach, and the Watsons Bay
Hotel beer garden—also run by
Doyles. It’s a terrific spot to spend a
sunny afternoon. To reach it via
public transportation, take bus no.
324 or 325 from Circular Quay.
There’s a limited ferry service daily
from Circular Quay (Wharf 2),
starting at 10:15am on weekdays,
9:15am on weekends and holidays.
North of the Harbour
North Sydney Across the Harbour
Bridge, the high rises of North
Sydney attest to its prominence as a
major business area. There’s little
for tourists here, except the possibility
of being knocked over on a
busy thoroughfare. Chatswood
(take a CityRail train from Central
or Wynyard stations) has some
good suburban-type shopping, and
Milsons Point has a decent pub, the
Kirribilli Hotel, as well as Luna
Park, an ill-fated amusement park
that’s basically out of action due to
wealthy locals who complained the
roller coaster was too noisy—you
can see the giant smiling clown face
from Circular Quay.
The North Shore Ferries and
buses provide access to these wealthy
neighborhoods across the Harbour
Bridge. Gorgeous Balmoral Beach,
Taronga Zoo, and upscale boutiques
are the attractions in Mosman. Take
a ferry from Circular Quay (Wharf
2) to Taronga Zoo—10 minutes—
and a bus from there to Balmoral
Beach (another 10 min.).
Manly & the Northern Beaches
Half an hour away by ferry, or 15
minutes by the faster JetCat, Manly
is famous for its ocean beach—it
gives Bondi a run for its money—
and scores of cheap food outlets.
Farther north are more beaches
popular with surfers. CityRail train
lines do not go to the northern
beaches. The farthest beach from
the city, Palm Beach, has magnificent
surf and lagoon beaches, walking
paths, and a golf course. To
reach the area via public transport,
take the ferry or JetCat from Circular
Quay (Wharves 2 and 3) to
Manly. Change at Manly interchange
for various buses (nos. 148
and 154–159) to the northern
beaches. You can also take bus no.
L90 from Wynyard station.
West of the City Center
Balmain A short ferry ride from
Circular Quay, Balmain was once
Sydney’s main ship-building area.
In the last few decades the area has
become trendy and expensive. The
suburb has a village feel to it, is
filled with restaurants and pubs,
and hosts a popular Saturday market
at the local church. Take bus
nos. 441, 442, or 432 from Town
Hall or George Street, or a ferry
from Circular Quay (Wharf 5), and
then a short bus ride up the hill to
the main shopping area.
Homebush Bay Sydney Olympic
Park was the main site of the 2000
Olympic Games. You’ll find Stadium
Australia, the Aquatic Center,
and Homebush Bay Information
Center, parklands, and a waterbird
reserve. To reach the area via public
transport, take a CityRail train
from Circular Quay to the Olympic
Park station.