Head in the clouds Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 In transit overseas next month with my wife, I've arranged a two day stopover in Sydney and two half days in Perth. Neither of us have spent any time in either of those Cities so we'd appreciate any suggestions about the best things to see and/or do in the short times we have available. Our interests are Aviation, Maritime, Marine, History, Science and Architecture primarily but we are open to all suggestions from those who know the local attractions. We have been offered the use of friends' cars while we're there but would prefer to use taxis and/or public transport to avoid parking and navigation hassles, so would also welcome any guidance about the best ways of getting around. Thanks in advance!
Downunder Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 http://www.raafawa.org.au/museum/ http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/shipwrecks ( http://museum.wa.gov.au/ ) http://www.perthmint.com.au/visit_the_mint_visit_the_perth_mint.aspx http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255103-Activities-Perth_Greater_Perth_Western_Australia.html I like the tripadvisor list. A months worth of stuff there. Take your choice. There's probably enough things to look at just walking around the city centre for 2 days. If your accomodation is booked there, you're laughing.
rgmwa Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 Agree with Downunder's suggestions. Aviation museum is well worth a look. rgmwa
ben87r Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 The zoo would be my favourite attraction in the city, and you would get to see some of my handy work, we did the not so new anymore upgrade In 03-04 for the elephants.
rgmwa Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 I assume you mean Taronga, Ben? Interesting, as we did the same for the elephants at Perth zoo around the same time. Had to design an `elephant handling device' from scratch. That was pretty interesting. rgmwa
ben87r Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 Yep that's the one!! I we had a team of chippys there doing all sorts of strange and wonderful things, best part was the monkey enclosure, we had 100' (maybe 120') boomb lifts there to apply the mesh across the tops but when used for height alone you got a pretty special view, Taronga has to be in one of the best locations in the city! Sure was a decent time getting to see al the different types of wildlife, some in cages, some just strolling by! Got any photos? Was that for the Asian elephants as well do you know?
rgmwa Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 Don't have any photos sadly, although I still have the drawings. It was basically a steel cage (err... I mean `elephant handling device' ... Zoos don't like to use the word `cage' any more) with sliding gates at each end and movable sides to `crush' the elephant, plus lots of inspection ports to allow the keepers and vets to take samples, administer injections, etc. It also had an overhead gantry and winch so they could lift any elephant that might collapse. It was designed for a 6.5 tonne Asian elephant as we don't have any African elephants here. The keepers rate elephants as the most dangerous animal in the zoo - particularly the bulls when they're charged with testosterone. Very powerful, smart, and they remember people they don't like. If they pee on you, you're OK. That means they like you. rgmwa
ben87r Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 Sounds similar to the setup they had installed there. Any idea if your plans were used?
rgmwa Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 I don't know, although it would be possible. We researched what equipment other zoos had but information was pretty scanty, so we basically started from first principles based on lots of meetings with the keepers to find out what they needed. Then we had to figure out how strong it had to be, how to get the mechanisms to work, and how it could be operated simply and safely. We also looked at the fairly primitive setup they already had to work out some of the small details like inspection doors. You can't take chances when people need to work closely with elephants, so at the end of the day when it all seemed to work and the keepers said they liked it, we were pretty happy. rgmwa
facthunter Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 HITC My wife does a great job everywhere I go Just using the net for information at the planning stage. We use lonely planet, or anything that sounds OK, for the off the usual and the respective tourist information material for the states. Driving in both places is not fun I do it, but would like not to have to. I hate finding parking. Sydney drivers are alright . They have to be. The lanes are a bit narrower than standard watch for long tray trucks on turns. Nev
facthunter Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 IF you are shooting a "western" in the main street. Go to Rottnest Island and ride a bike around. Walk King's Park. Margaret River Wineries. It's HOT in Summer. Nev
Downunder Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 Fremantle and Rottnest are nice but within the time constraints too much time would be wasted. There is no "peak times" for traffic now. It is always "peak"! Value for money/time stick to a city walkabout. Cherry pick your venues. As stated above, anything outdoors will more than likely be very hot...... and not that enjoyable in the middle of the day. All you'll want to do is get somewhere cool........
facthunter Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 Air conditioned Bar. Trouble is you could do that where you came from Nev
Birdseye Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 http://www.raafawa.org.au/museum/ http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/shipwrecks ( http://museum.wa.gov.au/ ) http://www.perthmint.com.au/visit_the_mint_visit_the_perth_mint.aspx http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255103-Activities-Perth_Greater_Perth_Western_Australia.html I like the tripadvisor list. A months worth of stuff there. Take your choice. There's probably enough things to look at just walking around the city centre for 2 days. If your accomodation is booked there, you're laughing. I'd trade the Mint for the RAAFA museum at Bullsbrook. Also shopping and eating opportunities in Perth over Freo.
Downunder Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 I'd trade the Mint for the RAAFA museum at Bullsbrook. Also shopping and eating opportunities in Perth over Freo. Last time I went to the RAAFA museum it was the middle of summer too and as there's quite a lot to look at, it's something of a day trip I recon. Anyway, by midday it must have been about 45 degrees in that big steel shed......Made a mental note that winters the go next time..... *Not sure if it's aircon now but doubt it*
Gnarly Gnu Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 Perth - a car would be helpful, can't miss King Park. Sydney - if you are in the city don't get a car, plenty to see walking the city or via train / bus; maritime museum at darling harbour, zoo, Opera House, go for a ferry ride to Manly etc. At Sydney domestic is a small Qantas museum, open limited hours.
coljones Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 Sydney is a harbour city (even if the big boats have been kicked out by greedy governments and their developer mates) A wander around Circular Quay, including the Opera House and Botanical Gardens. In addition to the Ferry and walk to Manly Beach the Ferry to Watsons Bay for lunch at the pub or up to Parramatta also via ferry. Circular Quay is a bit of a node between buses, trains and ferries and provides a vantage point to wave to Tones at Kirribilli House and Sir Pete at Admiralty House. You could also walk across the Harbour Bridge and have a beer in the Kirribilli Hotel At the North West corner there is an Aviation Museum. You will need a car to get there. Enjoy
Kyle Communications Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 Do yourself a favour and treat your stomachs to a food heaven while you are in Sydney.....not aircraft related but also a must eat, there are quite a few stores in Sydney http://adrianozumbo.com Mark
coljones Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 You are correct Kyle, food in Sydney is excellent - Sydney has the best Laksa in the world @ Sayong Curry and Laksa, Lower Ground Food Court 303 Pitt Street, Sydney. http://reviewclue.com.au/chicken-laksa-sayong-curry-laksa/ Woolworths at Town Hall, out the back door and down the stairs to the food court. A bit of a mad house between 12 and 1.30 but Sayong is open from about 11am til 3pm for a very relaxed and refreshing lunch. Does anyone know a Laksa joint in Copenhagen (other than Nam Nam and Wogamamas). To go without Laksa for too long is a cruel and unusual punishment
damkia Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 Freo and Rottnest Is. in Perth. Margaret River wineries if you have a car and don't mind driving. Sydney - usual stuff (Bridge/Circ Quay/ Opera House), DEFINITELY Manly ferry, for the views (take camera). Bondi beach (bucket list), Blue Mountains if you have a car.
sfGnome Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Sydney ... DEFINITELY Manly ferry The trick with the Manly ferry is to catch it over to Manly from Circular Quay in the mid-late afternoon, wander around Manly a bit (grab some fish & chips, sit on the sea wall and watch the late afternoon surfers and runners/walkers, and finish off with a gelato on your way back to the ferry), and time the return trip so that the sun is setting as you leave. Sit up the front, and watch darkness fall over the harbour and the city light up. Best view you'll get for minimum dollars. On the other hand, if $$ are not too much of a worry, do the bridge climb. Dusk is the best time there too for much the same reasons, but it's also the most expensive and most booked out.
Phil Perry Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 In transit overseas next month with my wife, I've arranged a two day stopover in Sydney and two half days in Perth. Hi HIC,. . . . . Can't help much with Perth, only spent 3 hours one night in a bar ( dry driver ) and then went back to the hotel, flew out from Janda at first light. When I first emigrated to Australia, and hit Port of Fremantle at 6.35 AM on 15th Feb 1971, . . . .all the taxi guys were still in bed, so we just ambled around "Freeyo" for a couple of hours dodging the tumbleweeds. . . . Then re-embarked and went to the convict reception centre in Port Melbourne. . . . Sydney,. . . .Hmm,. . .been there a few times, but the knowledge is very stale, ( 1979 ! ! ) but if you're into weird music, you could see if any of those classic street entertainers shown on the "Billy Connoly's World Tour of Australia" on his motortrike, are still doing their stuff around the streets close to the Opera House. . . . .looked like a hoot, and I think that was filmed around nine years ago ( still stale ! ) But "Our" Billy was quite impressed with the sculptures erected by the city authorities. . . I'm sure these other worthies will be able to help. . . . . ( even though you're a hhhhhhh Helicopter Jockey ! ! ! ) SSSSSSSSSSS. . . .A Dark side there is. . . . . . ( Sorry Yoda. . . ) Phil
bexrbetter Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 This is an old thread Phil. As for Manly ferry, that's ok, but Parramatta is a much longer trip and more to see besides going under the Bridge.
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