For our honeymoon my fiancé and I are flying into Sydney Australia in early June and then flying back to the USA 10 days later. That gives us 9 days in Australia. It is our first visit.
Right now, the only thing arranged are the flights.
Would love recommendations on any must see spots, must eat restaurants or any excursions. We are not opposed to flying to other areas for a few days. We are foodies, like the arts, adorable baby animals, and generally would like any unique to Australia experiences.
We will tour the Sydney Opera House, unfortunately there is not a performance while we are there. The zoo seems an obvious choice too.
Are there any recommendations for the Sydney area, or must do excursions?
One of the items I am considering is Bundaberg vs Cairns to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Bundaberg is closer but travel times are about the same (3hrs) because Bundaberg’s connection in Brisbane. If we spend 1 day exploring the Reef, which would be better for spending a 2nd day.
Also thinking of spending 2 days in Hunter Valley? It will be winter there, not sure how much they shut down. Any experience with the 1 or 2 day tours out of Sydney to the area? I see that there is a “Wine” Train option too. Any must see wineries, with a Red Wine focus or restaurants in the area?
Is two excursions outside of Sydney too ambitious for 10 days?
From the trendy wine bars of Surry Hills to ambient wine bars on the water, Sydney has them all. Here are the best wine bars in Sydney. Link by: Dave English
For the reef, Orpheus Island and the Lodge are amazing. Fly in and out. Old timey bungalows and rooms (14 units or so) Fabulous giant clam refuge and snorkeling. The Lodge used to give each guest a small boat to explore and pack terrific lunch baskets with lots of lobsters, clams, cheese, wine, etc (we haven’t been there for 25 years). Pretty darn pricey, though
Time of year (June) is a little limiting, less for the temperatures, as the reduction in daylight hours.
Plenty to see in and around Sydney, but sensible to consider options like Hunter Valley / Blue Mountains.
Within Sydney, riding the ferries is a cool way to explore, better on clear/sunny days, but still fine outside of that. The metro system good, but much is walkable. Walking the bridge remains exciting to many, or more cheaply you can climb one of the pylons for super views. Some good beaches (very much not just Bondi). Doyle’s fish and chips at Watson’s bay is very famous. The best? Probably not, but the setting is good, serving it as goujons makes eating ‘on the hoof’ easier, and there’s a decent walk back into the city. Botanical gardens are handily placed, but IMO dull (especially compared to Melbourne’s). Plenty of good dining, but it’s been too long for me to recommend anything, except for making use of the extensive pan-asian cuisine.
I’ve been to Bundaberg and the distillery tour. Interesting, but IMO far from worth a major detour to get there. Useless in June, but they also have a super 50m open air swimming pool. Also botanical gardens. As for Cairns, IMO it’s worth a major detour… to avoid it You go there as a base to go other places.
My wife and I went to New Zealand and Australia for our honeymoon this past November. You’re going to love Sydney - fun, safe, great culture, and great people. Super walkable with fun areas to explore (eg the Rocks). We only wish we had more time to really dive into the Sydney scene and not just go to only popular places, but our time was limited. Our restaurant highlights were Quay (fancy but not overly snobby, delicious, beautiful view of the Opera House at night, very reasonable accompanying wine) and Mr. Wong (great vibe, could probably eat and enjoy everything on their menu. We would go there a LOT if we lived in Sydney). If you do end up there, start at Palmer & Co. (a cool speakeasy type bar in the same building as Mr. Wong just one floor below and around the corner). Would also highly recommend finding a nice private boat ride around Sydney Harbor - nothing like having some wine with your fiancé enjoying that magical scenery.
We really loved our time on Hamilton Island as well and I’d highly recommend it, but not sure it’ll be quite the same during the winter month of June? It’s an easy flight from Sydney.
Baxter inn for whiskey / cocktails. Worth going IMO even if that’s not your thing… Cool place/vibe. There was some other cocktail bar that made the some top 50 list that I went to a few months ago and wasn’t that impressed (kinda gimmicky).
2nd Mr.Wongs.
Liked the Mi Goreng sandwich at Dutch Smuggler (casual cafe in city centre)
Walks - through the botanical garden, bondi to cogee, manley reserve or manly to some bridge.
Also, you may want to explore Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, which was first rate for wildlife before the terrible fires of several years ago. Any locals who can comment on the island’s recovery?
Super cool place- who wants to tell him how to get there?
Walk down Clarence Street and head down the alley when you see these trash cans, turn right at the end of the alley and head down the stairs. Open the unmarked door
There are at least a few super cool places on Clarence Street. On the other side there is a hidden rooftop bar, and another small alcove (single car garage basically) tequila/mezcal bar.
Go to Port Douglas 1 hr north of Cairns. Paradise. Excellent restaurants, beach and accommodation. Palm Cove also very nice mid way betwen Cairns and Port Douglas. Not a fan of Cairns and Bundaberg only if you love rum!
Recovery going well. Bush recovers quickly. Southern Ocean Lodge has reopened which offers 6 star luxury.
If you are doing Great Barrier Reef definitely do the “Reef Sleep” which is an overnight stay on the Great Barrier Reef. Essentially it is a small group of 15 people or so and you have the reef to yourself.
In terms of Sydney food I would highly recommend the following - Ester (prefer it over Firedoor but both are very wood fire driven), Mr Wong, Bessie and Almas and Seans (get a window table to oversee the beach and bonus is BYO!).
Though it’s good reminder for me that I didn’t mention the scenic railway there, with gradients as steep as 52 degrees. A very odd feeling, that you’re not 100% sure you won’t get tipped out!
You go there as a base to go other places.
