Sydney Australia: Vacation Travel Guide


S Y D N E Y 
A U S T R A L I A

14 Days Vacation and Travel Guide

The Land Down Under and considered as the 6th largest country in the world - Australia has been acclaimed to be a well-loved destination by everyone. 

Numerous tourists regard this gorgeous country for a dream vacation exploring the flourishing popular cities of Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, and Melbourne with its prominent landmarks, the famous Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, its beautiful landscapes of blue and green mountains and the outback sceneries. 




Australia is extraordinarily a progressive urban hub and offers a diverse option of entertainment; from fashion to shopping, creative arts and culture, varied musical styles, delightful healthy food choices, a feast of coffee and chocolates, with lovely beach attractions and various recreational activities, may it be adventure and sports, 
from downtown or uptown area. 

One can’t deny that it’s an ideal location for tourist and suitable for any type of traveler to explore, to discover, and even a perfect place to settle down.

Back then I use to hear that Sydney the Capital of New South Wales is too crowded, but as we have traveled back and forth I reckoned that this populous city has maintained that peaceful vibe and that unique natural charm. 





The landscaping of the city center is still astounding preserving it's historical sites. 

 I love that relaxed ambiance when you stroll along the most beautiful Sydney Harbour greeted with sounds of the kookaburra birds. 

 And when you get to visit nearby suburbs and cities, the brick-made residential houses are so attractive, maintained fairly clean, adorned with beautiful flowers specifically roses with all grown autumn and winter trees adding color to the street sides.






TIME and WEATHER

 The country enjoys 4 seasons, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring and it varies in each state due to the fact that it's a very big continent. 

Sydney is located in New South Wales, the eastern side of the country and they are 2 hours advanced from the Philippines with the usual sunrise at 5:30 AM and sunsets earlier as expected. 

 Golden hour in this country is such a beauty with clear blue skies in the morning and orange-red sunset.








Australia is well-known for so many attractions and seasonal activities and we have purposely scheduled this trip for the month-long Vivid Sydney Event. I thought it will be memorable to go through both autumn and winter with June 1st as the official start of the coldest season. 
Upon arrival at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Sunny weather with a cold puff of air welcomed us straight away. 

 In some early mornings, we get to exhale steam out of our mouth, that’s how cold it can get with an average temperature between (6-14 degrees Celsius), totally a brand new experience and the exact opposite of the very humid weather in Cebu.

 I had to say this that we have been truly blessed with perfect weather since Day 1, and not until our last day that the rain started to pour down heavily.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with a wonderful climate!



LANGUAGE and FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE

From the time we stepped foot in the country arriving at the Airport we were instantly treated respectfully by an officer. Seeing that I am traveling with my parents and my Aunt in a wheel Chair and all seniors, then we were given much priority.

As we spoke to the Lady Officer, the Aussie slang is really evident, that familiar accent I use to hear back then when I worked for an Australian Telco Company.

How are you doing mate? How’s your day going? 

 These are the familiar greetings we hear from the locals anywhere we go. And not answering it may be regarded as disrespect, so don’t forget to express an answer, 
Yes, It's a Lovely Day!  I really find it a respectful and friendly gesture.



A laid-back life, simple living is very evident and humbling for Australians and a nurturing family is very crucial. Children are given much attention with emphasis on education, spiritual and well-being, with residents getting favorable support from the government. 
Commercial establishment usually closes at 6:00 PM allowing the workforce to be home early and get settled with their respective families, a truly impressive working culture. Other than that is the reality that they patronized their own products, if we see McDonalds and KFC in every corner in Major cities in the Philippines then here it’s the contrary. 

It is really not able to discover such commendable good governance for the Australians. 

 Indifference, social structures may arise but I still feel their respect for a diverse nation, adopting a multicultural society with the strict implementation of their policies and laws. 

 The Australian government has set all these into order, and it takes one responsible individual to embrace change and discipline in each implemented system.






WHERE WE STAYED 
PLACE and TRANSPORTATION

This 14-day vacation is mainly concentrated within the state of New South Wales (NSW) and we resided in Castle Hill, a Suburb of Sydney just an hour away from CBD. Luckily we had free accommodation staying with our relative for 2 weeks.

Our location is just so perfect with a big grocery store right across, a few minutes away from a Catholic church and a running field just nearby.
NSW has maintained a very efficient transportation system, from buses, trains, tram and ferry ride so it will be manageable to wander and explore. 

 Hey, Don’t forget to purchase your OPAL CARDS and Top up! :-)

We traveled mostly via private car with my cousin driving most of the time, except visiting the City center since parking lots are really a challenge and it will be a wise idea to just commute around.






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COST and EXPENSES
Our daily routine is to eat breakfast and dinner at home and do some lunch out with special dinner occasions. 

 Food servings are really expensive as well as water so the bulk of the expenses goes to this daily consumption visiting one of the most expensive cities in the world. 

Food Serving - $12-20
Bottled Water - $4
Coffee - $3-4





SYDNEY AUSTRALIA BUDGET


PHP
AUS

Visa Fee
5300.00
143.24
Australian Tourist Visa
VFS Fee
700.00
18.92
Mailing Fee with VFS Office in Keppel Cebu
Ceb-MNL-Ceb
5300.00
143.24
Roundtrip Ticket
MNL-SYD-MNL
15500.00
418.92
Roundtrip Ticket (food and 20kgs baggage )

26,800.0
724.3





Opal Card (new)
666.00
18

OPAL Top UP/Reload
5550.00
150





Blue Mountains
1443.00
39
Entrance Fee
Featherdale Wildlife Park
1184.00
32

Vivid Sydney Cruise
925.00
25






9,768.0
264.0





Shopping
3700.00
100
Souvenir and Pasalubong Items









PHP
AUS

TOTAL
40,268.0
988.3
Food and Accommodation not included




Food Allowance
6660.00
180
$30/Day (6Days5Nights Vacation)
Accommodation
7215.00
195
$39/Day (5Nights Accommodation)
Bondi Beach Day Tour


Transportation Cost
Canberra Day Tour


Transportation Cost/Free Entrances
PLACES AND THE THINGS WE DID IN SYDNEY

 Read: Free Things to do in Sydney Australia >>>

  • Sydney Darling Harbour
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Cockle Bay Wharf
  • Sydney Vivid Cruise and Buffet
  • St Mary’s Cathedral
  • Botanical Gardens, The Calyx
  • Art Gallery House of NSW
  • Swissotel and Sydney Eye Tower
  • Chinatown Australia
  • Paramatta Park Visit
  • Ferry Ride in Paramatta River


OTHER ATTRACTIONS
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park
  • Scenic World of Blue Mountains
  • Bondi Beach


CANBERRA DAY TRIP
  • Australian War Memorial
  • The Old and New Parliament House
  • The Outlook - Overlooking view of Canberra city


POPULAR STORES
  • Paddy's Market - for Souvenir Items
  • Costco, The Outlet, Ikea Stores for Wholesale Shopping
  • Lindt Factory
  • Coles and Woolworths for Groceries



RESTAURANTS
  • Pancakes on the Rocks
  • East West Buffet
  • Shinara Grill and Lounge, Korean Buffet
  • San Churro
  • Michels Patisserie
  • Max Brenner
  • Ippudo Japanese Restaurant
  • Arisun Korean Restaurant


   SAMPLE ITINERARY  




Day 1
12:00AM (PH TIME) Depart from Manila to Sydney via Cebu Pacific Air
                The airline schedules the flights by midnight
9:30AM (AU TIME) Arrival in Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
11:30AM Arrival in Official Residence in Castle Hill, 2hours ride from the Airport
12:00PM Lunch at Home
1:00-5:00PM Rest and do groceries for our Daily supplies (Coles and Woolworths)
             Dinner at home

Day 2
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Ikea Store
Lindth Factory

Day 3
Day time City Tour – Free Attractions in Sydney
Read: Free Things to do in Sydney Australia
7:00PM – Vivid Cruise

Day 4
Day Trip to Bondi Beach Australia > > > >
Paddys Market Souvenir Shopping
Chinatown Australia
  
Day 5
Scenic World of Blue Mountains
OR
Canberra Day Trip

Day 6

Depart Sydney to Manila



____________________




AUSTRALIAN TOURIST VISA
Contrary to what many have said that it is quite difficult to be here proved it wrong because we were able to make it happen without paying for any agencies and got our visas approved on the same week of lodgment.

I have made a separate entry about the Visa application process.
How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa for Filipinos > > >

 To note, the Australian immigration rules for applying a tourist visa has really been simplified. There’s no need to send out passports for stamping and that you don’t have to be interviewed for the final requirement. Another thing is that we can now apply online which really works well for those, internet savvy individuals.

But more importantly, it’s a big realization that we Filipinos can really travel this far and that Australia is an open country for tourist after all. All Short Term tourist visa allows a visitor to stay for 3months.

We have made an early booking for this trip around February 2017 with Cebu Pacific Air promotional flights. By End of March 2017, we lodged our Application and got our approved visas after 6 days.

Feb 2017 – Purchased our Cebu Pacific Flight to Sydney
March 30 – Lodged our Visa Application
April 8 – Visas Approved
April 24 – Booked Cebu to Manila Flight via Cebu Pacific Air
May 23 – Cebu to Manila Flight
May 24 – Arrival in Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport




Truly I am very much lucky to have accompanied my family for this long-awaited vacation.

 Maybe some plans didn’t work out as I wanted it but being a bum and unemployed for over a year now has given me the opportunity to travel longer and spend some quality time with my parents. 

 On the other hand, I made it sure that it should be a meaningful trip making them comfortable and fulfilled as we made this dream come true.

To this writing 17 days after our trip, I am still in all awed and my heart is indeed excited to share our travel experience, our Australian 2-week vacation. 

Each of us follows a different travel pattern and I created this blog to summarized my personal observation of this countryside's tourism pleasures. 

Thank you, Lord, for this meaningful trip.




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