woodworker2012

Hey everyone. My family will be traveling to Australia in July, first Cairns then up/over to Sidney. Other than the obvious touristy sites for pictures any recommendations out there from experience? Will be in each local approx. 4-days each (one at the reef, striving to take underwater pics as well. :) )

Thanks

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Visit with locals. Avoid the touristy places. Have a great time

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

When you drive in the USA and have your window rolled down your elbow points to the yellow line. In land of OZ same hold true tho you are sitting in the USA passenger seat. I have the length of the parking lot before I was in rush hour Sidney traffic .... remember elbow out the window points at the yellow line. When driving, you will find that they are ... by law... courteous.

The beaches are almost empty, the Sea food is from another world... taste and look.

I used a super zoom because it was easy.

In Florida we have little lizards... this photo is of one at a restaurant begging for food ! Bricks were perhaps 5". Out in the parks they are even bigger!

FEED ME

(Download)

HEMP IS A GREAT FABRIC...AND OTHER

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Digital1022 Loc: Holland, PA

I was there in 2015. Spent the entire time in Sydney as we have friends there. Harbor area is nice with a lot of activity and photo ops. Beaches are great and there are a number of them around the Sydney area. Not sure what the weather will be like as July is the dead of winter in Australia. Could be chilly and wet. You definitely want to see the Sydney Opera House. It is an unbelievable piece of architecture and If you are lucky enough to be there when a show is playing, don't miss it. The acoustics are perfect. Interesting side trip to the Blue Mountains about 2 hours outside Sydney. Small towns and beautiful landscapes with hiking opportunities. Hope you have a great time. Here is one of my better images taken while I was there.

woodworker2012

THANKS! Yeah we start in Cairns and end up in Sydney which is the reason for the trip. My daughter (age 15 now, 16 when we are there) will get to perform in the Opera House with a group. She performed in Carnegie Hall 2-years ago, now in Sydney, she is so excited. We were in Italy on her 13th birthday 3 years ago and it was awesome. Will be our furthest trip yet.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Only passed through Cairns. No suggestions. Was based in Sydney for eight months. Sydney's CBD (Central Business District) is relatively small. Simply wandering around with a camera will produce a lot of great photo opportunities that are non-cliched. There are multiple parks, fountains, and museums with some interesting architecture. As your daughter is singing at the Opera House you will see it. Circular Quay, where the Opera House is located (the last pronounced Key) is a do not miss no matter how "touristy." Pulsates with action, especially in the evening. You can ride the ferries from there to a number of destinations.

I lived in Pymble, a northern suburb. Riding the train into the city over the bridge from the north (sit on the left window in the direction the train is going, the seats face in both directions) is a great sight. Alas, the train windows are not good for photography due to glare and scratches. If you get off at North Sydney or the stop after (before crossing the Harbor Bridge) and wander you can get perspectives of the Harbor, Opera House, and Bridge that a lot of people don't get. There is a small amusement park, Tivoli I think, that could be fun to visit with a camera just before crossing the bridge from the north. As we were in and out of Sydney for several weeks at a time, I never managed to get there with a camera.

Photography is not allowed inside the cathedral.

The trains stop running a bit after midnight. Pay attention to time.

Rush hour traffic around Sydney is ugly.

Enjoy the time there. Is a great city though expensive. Very friendly helpful people.

One more bit of advice. If you are a beer drinker there are many beers, regional and craft, that are immensely better than Fosters. I don't think I saw a bottle or can of Fosters the entire time in Australia.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I have just returned from 21 days in Australia and New Zealand. In a few weeks I will have my tour pictures in place on Flickr®, although I probably won't have descriptions for them for a month or 2. The big draw in Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef, and I'm sure you will want to avail yourself of the photo opportunities there, both by boat and by snorkeling/scuba. My tour group rode the Kuranda Scenic Railroad and then returned via the Skyrail gondolas through the Rainforest.

Will you be going to Ayers Rock? We did, and it is awesome.

In Sydney we took a dinner cruise, and, of course, a tour of the famous Opera House. In the Featherdale Wildlife Park we could interact with all sorts of wild animals, including opportunities to pet Wallabies. It's a zoo, sort of, but most stateside zoos don't have many Australian creatures in them.

Be prepared for a long flight to Australia (and returning to the US). From LAX it's about 15 hours flight time to Sydney--I don't know of there are flights directly to Cairns or not, but if so the time would be a little less.

Have a great time. The performance hall in the Opera House has fantastic acoustics--your daughter will be delighted.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nothing there!?

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

Bring me along as your camera bearer! Seriously, have a great time. Needless to say, get the iconic picture of the Sydney Opera House, and there is also a "Guided Tour" that allows you to climb the arch on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. What awesome shots you can get from there.

Ken S.

ozdude Loc: Brisbane Australia

Cairns reef trip is a must. Snorkel or scuba.
Also skyrail and scenic railway is good. Do the rail trip up to Kuranda and skyrail back.
www.skyrail.com.au/cairnstours
Day trip to Cape Tribulation is great for photography. You may even see a croc or two on the ferry to Cape Tribulation

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Check on the climb over the bridge. I don't think people walking across the top of the bridge are allowed cameras, backpacks, or anything else that can be dropped. The price is high. There are a few other options, including simply walking across from North Sydney on the sidewalk adjacent to the roadway.

downshall Loc: Madisonville, Louisiana

I am pretty certain this is correct (at least to the best of my recollection it is correct). It is, however, a great climb. My daughter and I did that back in 2014. Here's the proof...

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

I live in Cairns, done so for some time, if you need/ want local info when you are here, give me a call, PM me for ctc info.
July will be winter, same sort of climate as Florida in Dec! Great one day, perfect the next!!
4 days is not a lot of time, but will give you a taste, and you can always return..... Bill

davefales Loc: Virginia

Eat at Bill's in Darlinghurst; http://www.bills.com.au/#darlinghurst

We had a fabulous breakfast there. Dinner has to great, too!

We enjoyed the Bridge Climb immensely.