Sydney Articles
October 19, 2005
Popular Hostels in Sydney
Sydney, being Australia's largest city and point of entry for more than 85% of international travelers, is full of hostels. Prices for a backpacker hostel Sydney side usually run around $20 a person for shared accommodation. Although there are a number of places to lay your head, a few giants tend to dominate the backpacker and flashpacker market. They tend to be close into the city, or at least, the action, are relatively clean, offer a bar or other services and most importantly, can host large numbers of travelers at any time.
Wake Up City Central: This is the newest of the grandaddy Sydney hostels. Although some BnA members have claimed it can be a bit loud and unruly in the dorm rooms, others appreciate the outgoing attitude. There are a number of organized activities run through the hostel. For more on Wake Up, check out the message board posts.
The Maze Backpackers: As one BnA member commented on the boards, they don't call it the maze for nothing. This building is just down the road from Wake Up and can be a real doozy after a big night on the town. Expect lots of young backpackers who are just starting their work visas.
Footprints Westend: Also located on Pitt street, and across from the Maze, Footprints offers a range of tours and services. The work agent can be especially helpful for those who are heading to Sydney to look for temporary employment. Make sure you have the appropriate visa - they can't be of much help if you don't have one!
Living Down Under
When I moved to Sydney, Australia to attend Sydney Uni, I justified it to all my friends and family by saying that "if the ticket was so expensive, I might as well be there for awhile." I left in July, thinking that this was it - one last flirtation with travel and life overseas before I finished up school and headed to the scary world of work and two-week vacations.
While in Sydney, I stayed at UniLodge - accommodations that would have been ok, if they weren't run by such inept people. Actually, I don't think it was so much that they were inept as they were uncaring or uninterested. Their prime spot near campus meant they could charge exorbitant rates and still be full. As far as I know, there were no Australians that lived there.
Every weekend, my roommate and I would walk past the central train station and the coolest looking Sydney hostel - Wake Up. We'd get our fresh produce and wander around Paddy's market, looking for souvenirs and gifts to bring home. My favorite purchase? Macadamia nuts.
My 20th birthday was spent at the bar at the bottom of one of the hostels Sydney Australia is famous for - Scubar. It was an eclectic crew of people - most of whom were from a country other than the one I was living in, but fun nonetheless.
At the time, I didn't know that I'd be spending my 21st birthday in Oz as well - this time as one of my final stops on a round the world journey. So much for the last fling with travel. It was different then, as was I, but I soaked up the fun (and, admittedly, libations) with equal enjoyment and thrill that comes with traveling overseas.
Backpackers' bed bugs get the bite
New rules to help backpackers in Sydney! Clover Moore, has proposed that all new hostels will require mattress protectors, pillow covers and dense foam to 'eliminate bedbugs'. Coverings must be...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
World's Best City: Sydney
It's the rock star of the world for the eighth time: Sydney claimed top honors in American mag Travel and Leisure's poll of best places in the world. Bali remained...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Move to stamp out illegal backpacker operators
Authorities Move to stamp out illegal backpacker operators in a new taskforce designed to protect backpackers and guests that visit New South Wales. "There are real dangers associated with trying...Continue reading... | by Court | #
A symbol of an entire country
As an icon of a city, it is as instantly recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty or the Golden Gate Bridge. It is almost 50 years since...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney wins �Best Hotel in Australia�
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has been recognised as the best hotel in Australia in the 2005 TRAVEL + LEISURE Top 500 World�s Best Awards. The Awards highlight the views, location,...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Sydneysiders clean up their act
It was once dubbed Sin City, but new drinking and smoking laws are turning Sydneysiders into saints. A cigarette at the pub, a Christmas tinny on Bondi Beach and even...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Why Pay To Travel On Public Transport, When You Can Go For Free
Rebecca Turner, a legal secretary living in Sydney, Australia, decided that there should be a fare free day, and she asked her fellow Sydneysiders supported her and just not buy...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Fly and maggot plague hits city
SPRING rain, warmth and excessive lawn mowing have combined to cause a plague of flies in Sydney and surrounding areas. From Fly and maggot plague hits city Nasty! Anyone...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Down Under: The place that made traveling teen want to stay: Sydney
Of all the places I've been, only Australia has satisfied my craving, and only Sydney stopped my need to travel, to keep discovering new places. One day I will...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Sydney again ranked world�s best city
Sydney was today ranked the number one city in the world for a record ninth time in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers� Choice Awards in New York. The magazine asked...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Beaches of Sydney
In Sydney, it's beach season year-round. Even if the locals shy away from lying out in the sand, you can almost always find a few surfers out trying to catch...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Sydney, New South Wales
Sydney is home to approximatly 4 million people, or 20% of Australia's total population. The city is the land down under's historical, cultural and social epicenter. It is, understandably, the...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Sunday night at the Coogee Bay Hotel, Sydney
After a night of barely any sleep, and a full day at the cricket (and the prospect of a long day of driving the next day), what better way to...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Steve Waugh's Last Stand: Sydney
Having never been to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), I didn't really know what to expect. It's located walking distance from the center of Sydney and right next to the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Road Trip from Brisbane to Sydney
It's always tough to blog about stuff that happened a few days ago, especially if there is more stuff to blog about right afterwards. So here is a roughly chronological...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (7)
Pre-Road Trip tp Sydney and Nick Departure
We are all getting ready for some new adventures in the new year....Continue reading... | by Sean | # | Comments (3)
Sydney Cricket Test vs. India: Howzat!
After missing the results of the first two test cricket matches between Australia and India (a draw and an Indian win), Sean and I have really been getting into the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
