When our family went to Sydney, I researched and researched about the place. I found out a lot of useful information in the Internet, but it took me several google search results to get enough to make me comfortable enough to go there with my family. Admittedly at that time, only a few of my friends have been there, so I can’t ask them about their experiences.
Still, after all the research, there were things I found out only when I got there. Below is a compilation of first-hand learnings from our family visit in 2015. Knowing these beforehand may make your vacation in Sydney much more enjoyable.
On Dining Out and Visiting Malls
- Most shops and restaurants close early, or are closed during Good Friday.
We arrived in Sydney on Good Friday. After settling in at our place, it was already dinnertime and we were hungry. Imagine our surprise when rows and rows of restaurants were actually closed. We chanced upon this chicken place that was also about to close. So we immediately bought our food and consumed it there.
TIP: If you are arriving hungry on Good Friday, a good place to go to for a quick fix are the supermarkets like Coles or Woolworths. They have prepared snacks that you can just buy and eat at your place.
- On a regular day, malls, shops and restaurants close by 5pm, except Thursdays. They open until around 8pm/9pm on this day.
I live in a country where malling is probably the national pastime. Malls are open until 9pm/10pm. When you are at a boutique during closing time, salesladies patiently wait for you to finish shopping. So imagine my surprise when I got to Sydney.
Shopping time ends by 5pm. I was devastated when I first found this out. Moreover, during closing time, the salesladies approach you and politely tell you to go pay now or come back another time.
TIP: Allocate your shopping time to Thursdays when the mall is open until 8pm/9pm. If you are on a short trip, just schedule your shopping time earlier.
- Shops are closed on Sundays. Restaurants that are open have a surcharge for dining on a Sunday.
Sydney promotes work-life balance. Therefore, they encourage people to spend time with there families. Alas, the rule of malls open only until 5pm and shops closed on Sundays. For those restaurants open on a Sunday, they have a surcharge since they took their time away from their families to work.
TIP: On a Sunday, just go to Coles or Woolworths, and buy prepared meals or sandwiches.
On Transportation and Going Around
- There is a wide variety of public transportation in Sydney.
You can go around via buses, trains and the ferry. To go around Sydney, best internet resource for a trip planner is https://transportnsw.info/. It provides information about the transportation time, fare, and even provides options to find a wheelchair friendly route.
- Not all transportation is wheelchair friendly.
Since my baby was pretty spoiled and loved riding her stroller, it was important for us that the bus is wheelchair friendly. We learned first-hand that not all buses and train stations are stroller friendly. We got down this station and had to carry the stroller up the stairs. ☹
TIP: Check online or the bus stop to make sure your trip is accessible. Tourist destinations and busy stations are usually stroller friendly.
- Maximum capacity for a taxi is only 4, this includes any person of any age.
An infant, no matter how old, counts as one. No amount of begging or arguing will change the cab drivers mind because this is against the law and they will be penalized if they do overload.
TIP: If you are a bigger group like our family is, you can call for a maxi cab that can accommodate 6-11 persons. To book for a taxi, you may check http://www.nswtaxi.org.au/passengers/book-a-taxi for the accredited taxi in Sydney.
- Babies less than 1-year old are required to ride in a car seat.
Our little Jacob, who was only 6 months old at that time, was required to ride a car seat. When we learned about this, we initially panicked since we didn’t bring one all the way from Manila. Good thing is that most taxis have a car seat at their trunk, and they immediately strap it on when they see you are holding a baby.
- Buses only accommodate up to a maximum of 2 wheelchairs / strollers.
On days that I get tired carrying my little Jacob in his sling, we bring 2 strollers. Fortunately, buses accommodate up to 2 stroller-passengers, so we were good to go. If more there are more than 2, bus drivers will not allow you to ride.
TIP: if the bus is at maximum capacity for the stroller, just fold the stroller and the bus will allow you to ride.
- The Opal Card is the most convenient way to pay when getting around Sydney.
Without the Opal Card, I would probably get lost with how the fare system works. 😊 We stayed in Balmain and the ferry there does not even have a ticketing counter. Imagine for someone from a third-world country and is very unfamiliar with this kind of system, it was pretty daunting not to have an OPAL card.
TIP: You may avail and top up the OPAL at most convenient stores. You may also check their website https://www.opal.com.au/ for more information about this.
On Tourists Spots
- Purchase your tickets online.
Most tourist destinations offer discounts when you buy the tickets online. It will also cut the time to line up to buy the tickets. Remember that tourist spots close by 5pm so every minute counts.
- Download the free app “Walking the Rocks.”
The Rocks is a historical area in Sydney and a central place for all kinds of activities. This app is full of interesting information that gives you a great background about the place. It makes exploring it all the more fun. Plus, I love the augmented reality in it.
This app is available for apple and android. However, it needs internet to access the augmented reality and other information.
- Most tourists spots also close at 5pm/6pm.
With two children in our trip, trying to get out of our house early is always a challenge. From cooking breakfast, cleaning after breakfast, getting the baby and the toddler all dressed up, plus getting my own shower, we normally arrive at our destination around lunch time. And believe me, lunch time is almost always not enough to enjoy the tourists spots.
TIP: Same as the mall, tourist spots also close by 5pm/6pm. It is best plan your visits well.
Hope these tips will help you make your vacation in Sydney very enjoyable. Our family enjoyed our time there very, very much. For a review of the places we visited, I will post it soon.
NOTE: We travelled as a family to Sydney in April 2015.
Adventures In Pink 