Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sydney Central
combines
modern facilities, such as a
swimming pool, sauna and
24-hour security access, with
old-world charm and is very
conveniently situated right
opposite Sydney Central
Railway Station.
Blue Parrot Backpackers
is
situated in a converted
mansion in the quieter end of
Potts Point and only a short
walk from the Harbour.
Choose between the huge
sunny garden courtyard with
its tall trees or the large, cosy
common room complete with
fireplace.
YHA Australia
is a useful
source of information when
planning your trip, offering
advice about travel deals as
well as helping you decide
on your itinerary and find
places to stay. Two other
useful online sources that
provide lists of budget hostels
in Sydney are
hostels.com
and
hostelworld.com
.
primarily, if not exclusively,
for same-sex couples. Many
of the small hotels in the
inner city areas of
Darlinghurst, Paddington,
Newtown and Surry Hills are
geared specifically towards
gay and lesbian visitors,
although most of them also
welcome heterosexual guests.
At the
IGLTA
(International
Gay and Lesbian Travel
Association) and the
Gay and
Lesbian Tourism Australia
websites you can search
for gay or gay-friendly
travel-related businesses,
including hotels, guest-
houses and tours.
Interior of boutique hotel Medusa,
Darlinghurst
(see p176)
rooms and dormitories are all
available, but dormitories are
often mixed sex; check before
arriving. The backpacker scene
changes quickly, so ask other
travellers for the latest develop-
ments. Kings Cross and Glebe
have the largest concentration
of cheap accommodation.
Wake Up!
backpacker hostel
is one of the best of the
bunch, with clean, modern
facilities, including a bistro,
café, bar and internet connec-
tion. It is also well located
right next to Central Railway
Station and offers a free
orientation morning to all
guests. If required, staff can
also provide a list of suitable
employment agencies for
those who would like to work
during their stay in Sydney.
G'day Backpackers
and
Pink
House
are smaller hostels
offering good facilities in
restored buildings close to
Kings Cross. Pink House also
provides plenty of help if you
need to find work in Sydney.
CAMPING
Although not an option in
the city itself, camping is
available in several national
parks close to Sydney. This can
be a cheap and idyllic way of
enjoying the natural beauty
and wildlife of the bushland.
The
Royal National Park
(see pp164 -5)
has a campsite
with facilities at Bonnie Vale,
just outside Bundeena.
Advance booking is required
all year round. Free bush or
“walk-in” camping is allowed
in several other places, but
you should ring the park
in advance to obtain the
necessary camping permit.
At The Basin in
Ku-ring-
gai Chase National Park
(see
pp154-5)
, bookings should
be made and all fees paid
before your stay or on arrival.
There are toilets, cold
showers, barbecue facilities
and a phone.
There are basic campsites
near Glenbrook, Woodford,
Blackheath and Wentworth
Falls in the
Blue Mountains
National Park
(see pp160-61)
.
Jenolan Caravan Park
in
Oberon has cabins and
caravans for hire as well as
camping pitches with and
without electric hook-ups.
You will need to book if
you want to camp at the
Euroka Clearing near
Glenbrook, but this is not
necessary for the other
sites. Bush camping is also
permitted in the park, but
there are some restrictions.
Contact the national park for
more details before you visit.
HALLS OF RESIDENCE
Student rooms, with shared
bathroom facilities, are
available at the University of
Sydney over the summer break
from December to February.
The university is conveniently
close to the city and to public
transport, and the moderate
price includes breakfast.
GAY AND LESBIAN
ACCOMMODATION
Lesbian and gay visitors are
welcome in all of Sydney's
hotels. In fact, quite a
number of places cater
Manly Pacific Parkroyal
(see p177)
, overlooking Manly's ocean beach
