La Maison Bleue Leura: A Blissful Stay at Blue Mountains

This was our second Airbnb experience in Australia. As a family traveler, having a place to stay for four person with a fully equipped kitchen is a must. So for us, it is better to choose apartment from Airbnb rather than staying in a hotel.

When I and mr.husband searching for a place to stay at Blue Mountains, we fell in love with La Maison Bleue in Leura. After our Prince Henry Cliff Walk experience (where we started our walk in Leura), our favorite city in Blue Mountains area is definitely Leura.

Isabelle, the owner or La Maison Bleue welcomed us with a hug, we knew from our first step to the house, we will call Isabelle's house our home.

The beautiful corner at Isabelle's house

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Our First Airbnb Experience in Sydney

When I was looking for a hotel in Sydney for our 2014 New Years family trip, I was frustrated to find a hotel for 2 adults and 2 person under AUD150 per night. It was just impossible to find that price in Sydney, especially for New Years period.

I discussed it with Mr.Husband, then we switched to look for an apartment using Airbnb website. Food in Sydney is expensive, so we need to cook. An apartment with kitchen will solve our problem. And with our budget, we tried to find an apartment outside Sydney, located near the beach. Yes our Kiddos love beach!

It was in March 2014 when I look for our accommodation for December 2014. I sent email to the owner of the apartment (named Nicholas) and he replied my email, "It is so early, usually I get booking 3 months prior to the date of reservation" Hahaha.. a family traveling means a well preparation.

Nicholas' apartment was my first choice, and when he replied my message asking whether his apartment was available, I booked it directly, and had to pay in advance to Airbnb. This is the link to his apartment: Nicholas Apartment in Randwick.

In front of Nicholas' apartment

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Wildlife Sydney Zoo: Enjoying The Indoor Zoo

Another thing to do when you visit Darling Harbour with your kids is to visit the Wildlife Sydney Zoo. It is located next to Madame Tussaud Sydney and also a few meters away from SEA Life Sydney Aquarium.

We visited Wildlife Sydney Zoo before started our roadtrip to Newcastle. It was a perfect timing as the weather was really hot. We didn't have to worry about the weather because it's an indoor zoo. Yup as stated in their website: Sydney's Most Unique All Weather Attraction.

We arrived around 11 am and the place was really crowded. The longest queue belongs to SEA Life Sydney Aquarium, the zoo's queue at the ticket counter was not that long, but still we had to queue for about 20 minutes before getting our complimentary tickets.

The ticket counter, next to Madame Tussaud

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SEA Life Sydney Aquarium

Our kiddos love to visit aquarium so much, we have visited Sea World in Jakarta, SEA Aquarium in Resort World Sentosa Singapore and the Grand Aquarium in Ocean Park Hong Kong. So far, their fave aquarium is the SEA Aquarium in RWS Singapore. 

When we planned a visit to Sydney with our kiddos, of course the SEA Life Sydney Aquarium was on our bucketlist. It is located in Darling Harbour, one of our favorite location in Sydney. I and Rene have passed Sydney Aquarium many times when we visited Sydney, but we have never gone inside the aquarium.

We visited Sydney Aquarium on the second day in Sydney (yup it was the boxing day!). We planned to arrive at the ticket counter as early as possible to beat the crowd. The queue was not yet that long, maybe everyone else were busy shopping at the Sydney CBD.

Finally we are here!

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A Great Day Out at Australian Reptile Park

When I found out that we will be passing Australian Reptile Park on our roadtrip from Sydney to Newcastle, I put it directly on our Sydney Family Trip itinerary. From its website, I saw how children could be so close with all the fluffy animals and also the reptile.

We arrived at Australian Reptile Park in the morning around 9.30 am. We saw some big vans and buses were already parked in the parking place. It was great to arrive early in the morning, we headed to the ticket counter after passing this giant reptile.

Finally we are at Australian Reptile Park

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The Magnificent Jenolan Caves

We always wanted to visit The Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains, as it claimed as "the most spectacular and most famous cave in Australia". Having seen its website, I agree that the caves at Jenolan are so beautiful!!

But it is 175 km away from Sydney, we will have to spare two days in Blue Mountains to visit Scenic World and The Jenolan Caves. Or, if we wanted to have a day trip to both of the places, then we should hire a car. That's why we postponed visiting The Jenolan Caves until our third holiday in Sydney. We had plenty of time, and we rented a Hyundai from Apex. Perfect! A visit to Jenolan Caves was finally in our itinerary :)

Grand Arch, the entrance to Jenolan Caves complex

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Port Stephens Dolphin Watching With Tamboi Queen Cruises

When I was doing research for our Sydney Family Trip itinerary in Port Stephens Tourism website, I stumbled on "the top 10 things to do in Port Stephens",  especially for the dolphins. The reason why we wanted to go to Port Stephens was the sandboarding, but seeing the website, I just knew that dolphins watching is also another main attraction in Port Stephens.

We put the Dolphin Watching in our itinerary knowing we could see the dolphin from a boom net. That would be awesome for our Kiddos! Actually, we could also watch dolphin in Lovina Bali, but there is no boom net.

After the cruise in Port Stephens, I asked our Kiddos, which one they like the best, the cruise in Port Stephens or our cruise in Milford Sound NZ? With no doubt they answered Port Stephens. I believe the boom net is one of the reason.

Awesome boom net!

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Sandboarding with Port Stephens 4WD Tour

It was another dream coming true: trying the experience of sandboarding at Port Stephens, which is one hour away from our rented apartment in Jesmond, Newcastle.

In the email, Anna from Port Stephens 4WD, a tour which sponsored our family to do the sandboarding, advised us to do it in the morning. "It's going to be the busiest day of the year. We will be open at 9.30am, just look for the red bus", she replied our email. Yes, we planned to do the sandboarding on 31 December, of course it was a super peak period.

We arrived around 9am, headed to the lower parking place of Birubi beach. Just next to the parking place, there's a beautiful beach called Birubi. Of course Kiddos requested to swim at the beach after the sandboarding. There were many tours providers at the lower parking place. We went to the red bus, as suggested in the email from Port Stephens 4WD.

Kiddos couldn't wait for their turn to do the sandboarding

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Sydney Powerhouse Museum: Circus Factory and The Exhibitions

The second museum we visited during our Family Trip in Sydney was the Powerhouse Museum. We had seen the roof of the museum many times with "Powerhouse Museum" sign on it, but we had never passed the main gate of the museum.

We were confuse of getting to the museum after visiting Paddy's Market. We thought that the museum was connected with Darling Harbour. But a project called The Goods Line Project was on progress and because of this, the footbridge that connects Darling Harbour with the Powerhouse Museum was closed. Somehow we found our way passing Pier Street, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Center, and voila we finally arrived at the Powerhouse Museum. Yeay:)

Welcome to the Powerhouse Museum

I approached the ticket counter, while Rene was with our Kiddos, because they insisted to take picture with a steam locomotive which is located not far from the ticket counter. 

This Locomotive no.1 first operated in 1855

Our Kiddos with Locomotive no.1

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Australian National Maritime Museum - Sydney

We have seen the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour area on our previous visit(s) to Sydney. But we thought that we would save it until we visit Sydney with our Kiddos. So when we planned our Sydney Family Trip, Australian National Maritime Museum was on the top of our list.

Finally we made it! We took our Kiddos to enjoy the vessels (including the amazing submarine), as well as the exhibitions.

We took bus and train from our rented apartment at Coogee beach. Thereafter we board on the ferry from Circular Quay to Pyrmont Bay wharf. Approaching Darling Harbour, we saw all those beautiful vessels that we would love to visit.

A funny poster welcomed us, and of course we couldn't wait for the submarine!

Lets take the Sub!

We went inside to the ticket counters located in the museum building. Any visitors who wish to get into the vessels, should purchase the tickets at this place. To visit all the exhibitions and also the vessels, the Big Ticket is recommended. It cost AUD27 and AUD16 for an adult and child ticket respectively. Or you can buy a family pass cost AUD70 for 2 adults and max 3 children. 

While if you only plan to visit the exhibitions, the ticket is AUD15 for adult and AUD10 for children. This ticket will give you access to enjoy permanent and temporart exhibitions.

I will share with you how we had explored the museum, by visiting 3 vessels and of course the exhibitions inside the museum:)

Getting our family pass

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Waiting for Sunset at La Perouse Sydney

My husband Rene wanted to see the sunset at La Perouse Sydney back in December 2012, when we visited Sydney during summer time. We didn't get the chance, so we went there on what so called our Sydney Autumn honeymoon.

I didn't have any idea at all what La Perouse is, so I just followed Rene taking the bus to La Perouse. Unfortunately it was a cloudy afternoon. But for the sake of our curiosity of this place, we still went there.

A very romantic place, if only we could see the sunset

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Public Transport From & To Sydney Airport: One of The Cheapest Option

What is the cheapest public transport option from Sydney Airport to the city? It was my question even on my second visit to Sydney. The first time, we needed a public transport from Sydney airport to Anzac Parade bus stop. We were informed by our friend to take bus 400 from Sydney International Airport.

On our second visit, we asked the staff of City Hotel Sydney how to get to Sydney CBD from the airport. The staff recommend us to take the Airport Train and alight at Town Hall Station, which is only 10 minutes walk to the hotel. Of course it was not our option as Sydney Airport Link cost AUD 17.20 per person one way! 

After browsing on the internet, we decided to combine bus 400 from international terminal and airport train from Mascot Station, thus avoiding the 'gatepass charge'. Train station at Sydney Airport is privately owned, a station access fee of AUD 12.60 per person (one way) applies at Domestic and International Airport. Taking the airport train from Mascot to Town Hall Station cost only AUD 3.8 per person one way. 

Taking the airport link from Mascot Station

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Things To Do in Blue Mountain: The Prince Henry Cliff Walk

I let my husband, Rene, made our itinerary for our Vivid Sydney trip. He asked me, "Are you sure?" And I answered a big YES! Our itinerary turned out to be a very healthy one. After a 6 km coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi beach, Rene put another 6 km walk in Blue Mountain called The Prince Henry Cliff Walk. 

It was our second visit to Blue Mountain, our first visit could be read in this link. We would like to do something which is cheap, and the bush walk was one of the option. And the view during our 6 km walk was really worth it.

Isn't it gorgeous?

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Halal Food in Sydney : Chinese Noodle Bar & Kungfu Ramen Haymarket

As we moved to Big Hostel on our last night in Sydney, we wanted to try the famous halal Chinese Noodle Bar, about 10 minutes walking distance from our hostel. It was already closed when we got there, so we tried the next morning to have our brunch. From what we heard, this place is crowded during lunch or dinner, so we came earlier.

The Chinese Noodle Bar is located on George Street, near Central Station. You can find many hostels, travel agents and internet cafes around the restaurant. 

One restaurant you must visit if
you are looking for halal food in Sydney

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The Coastal Walk in Sydney : From Coogee to Bondi

There are many ways to enjoy Sydney on the cheap, one of the thing is to do the famous coastal walk. Rene, who made the itinerary for our Sydney Autumn trip had planned to walk from Coogee beach to Bondi beach. The walk is about 6 km long (OMG!) and normally without too many stops, it could be done within 2 hours.

In our case, we made several stops to take pictures of course, we just loved all the beaches we had passed during this coastal walk :)

A healthy and cheap way to enjoy Sydney:
Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk

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The Amazing Vivid Sydney Festival

I was informed regarding the Vivid Sydney Lights, Music and Idea festival from @TravelJunkieID and @travelingprecils last year. After seeing their posts on Vivid Sydney, I told Rene that someday I would like to visit Sydney to see the Vivid Sydney festival. 

Never thought that my dream would come true this year, we got a promo ticket from Air Asia, and there were two holidays in the last week of May 2014. Holidays during the week and a promo ticket is a perfect match! By only 2 days of our office leave, we could go on holiday for the whole week. 

Be ready to see how beautiful Sydney is from the pictures we would love to share in this post :)

Sydney Harbour Bridge During the Vivid Sydney, seen from McMahons Point

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The Big Hostel Sydney : Where to Stay Near Central Station

I was looking for a private room in a hostel near Central Station of Sydney when I came across The Big Hostel on booking.com. Although we are backpackers, when it comes to choose whether to stay at dorm or private room, I always choose the private room, despite of the price. I did it once staying separately: Rene at a mixed dorm and I stayed in a female dorm. Ended up we had to share the toiletries, and worried will we be able to wake up on time the next morning?

There are several hostels near Central Station: YHA Railway, YHA Central, Bounce Sydney, Woke Up Hostel, and many more. But I choose the Big Hostel because they had a private room available for AUD 110 per night.

The reception of  Big  Hostel

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Having Lunch at Sydney Fish Market

We didn't have the chance to go to Sydney Fish Market on our first visit to Sydney, therefore on our second visit, it was on the top of our itinerary. 

We took light rail from Paddy's Market and alight at the Fish Market. We followed the sign from the light rail station to the fish market. It was only about 5 minutes walking from the station to the market.

The first thing we saw was the parking area and some seafood shops and restaurants. We were not sure which restaurant to choose, so we just walked approaching the blue building with the sign of "Sydney Fish Market".

Welcome to Sydney Fish Market

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Review of City Hotel Sydney (Now: BreakFree On Clarence Sydney)

It was indeed a challenge to look for a hotel with maximum AUD 100 per night at Sydney CBD, especially during the Vivid Sydney festival. As always, I searched for a hotel via booking.com where I came across a budget hotel called City Hotel Sydney. At the moment, the hotel is changed to Breakfree on Clarence Sydney.

When I further read the review on tripadvisor, I was very sure that this hotel was "the one". 5 minutes to Queen Victoria Building which is linked with the Town Hall train station, 5 minutes to Darling Harbour (from Market Street), and it has an en suite bathroom. Other than that, the room price is AUD 109 per night, with a "pay later and free cancellation" option.

Located on CBD, this hotel is recommended

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Berapa Biaya Liburan ke Sydney?

Posting ini saya tulis untuk pembaca tesyasblog yang menempatkan Sydney sebagai lima besar dari travel bucketlist-nya. Sydney yang ketika mendengar namanya terkesan "mahal" (eh, bukan kesan aja sih, emang mahal!) dan mewah, ternyata bisa dinikmati dengan cara backpacking juga loh! 

It was a bright day at Darling Harbour:)

Tiket Pesawat Jakarta ke Sydney

Ini hal utama yang harus didapatkan jika merencanakan backpacking ke Sydney: tiket pesawat yang murah. Kami membeli tiket pada saat Air Asia X Sale bulan Oktober 2013, seharga Rp 8,7 juta untuk dua orang PP. Pas banget sih waktu kami lihat tanggal kalender, pada bulan Mei 2014 ada dua hari libur dalam satu minggu. Dan pada tanggal tersebut, ada Lights and Music Festival Vivid Sydney.

Desember 2012 ketika kami liburan ke Sydney untuk pertama kali, kami mendapatkan tiket Rp 6,5 juta pp per orang menggunakan Garuda Indonesia. Sekarang harga Garuda enggak pernah semurah itu lagi. Jadi walaupun harus lebih lama terbang dan transit di KL, kami rela deh:p

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