Sydney on the cheap

ENJOY Sydney's top attractions and accommodation at a fraction of the price with these money-saving tips.

Sydney

SYDNEY is not exactly the cheapest place in the world to visit, often appearing high on lists of the most expensive cities around the globe.

But if you are on a budget there are ways to get a similar experience to the best the Harbour City has to offer.

ACCOMMODATION

FOR the ultimate Sydney Harbour vista, it's hard to be beat a premier grand harbour view at the Shangri-La Hotel in The Rocks.

The building is the tallest at this end of town and from a corner suite on the 30th floor, which starts at $365 a night, you can lie on your king-sized bed and look down on the dazzling harbour all the way out through the Heads.

The air-conditioned room also has a plasma TV with free in-house movies, a DVD player, writing desk, free Wi-Fi and wired internet access, an in-room safe, lounge and coffee table.

You can choose whether to have a shower or a bath in the marble bathroom, which comes equipped with everything you could ever hope for - a hair dryer, fluffy white towels, an emery board, laundry powder and cotton buds. The hotel also has an indoor heated

pool, gym, spa, sauna and steamroom.

Its downstairs eatery Cafe Mix offers an expansive buffet breakfast for $38 which features seasonal fruit, a selection of homebaked pastries, toasting bread, bacon and eggs, cereal, muesli, juice, tea and coffee.

Cost: $403

The alternative

Just a few metres further down Cumberland St, the recently opened Sydney Harbour YHA has rooms with harbour views for a fraction of the cost. You may have to put up with the sound of strangers snoring, but for just $42 a night you can stay in a six-bed share room.

Due to planning restrictions the rooms are only on the second floor so the view isn't as spectacular, and the view of the Opera House is obstructed by other buildings in some.

But for the price the sight from the rooftop terrace is hard to beat.

The rooms have air-conditioning, but you have to ask reception to turn it on for you, and there are lockers which cleverly include a special shelf with a powerpoint so you can recharge your laptop computer while you are out exploring.

All the rooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers and there are TV lounges to promote guest interaction and 12 internet terminals near reception. There are also twin, double, family and shared rooms for four people.

While the Shangri-La's carpark was built over archeological sites, the YHA has done a commendable job incorporating remnants of 1860s terraces built by the city's early settlers into its design.

The hostel has a large communal dining area and a communal kitchen with pots and pans, cutlery and storage space for food.

You can buy a packet of cereal and milk from the desk for $2, or a DIY cooked breakfast, which includes eggs, bacon, a can of baked beans and tea or coffee for $6.

Cost: $44-$48

CLIMB THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

Since launching more than a decade ago, BridgeClimb has become the must-do activity for visitors to Sydney.

There are now three climbs you can choose from, depending on how much time you have and the kind of experience you are looking for.

The original BridgeClimb takes you over the outer arch of the bridge, and takes about 31/2 hours while the Discovery Climb takes the same amount of time but instead takes you through the heart of the bridge so you can see the structure.

The new Express Climb costs the same but takes just over two hours. It doesn't include as many photo stops, the group is smaller and less time is spent practising before you depart.

All end at the summit, which is 134m high and has 360-degree views from the centre of the bridge with the harbour on one side and Parramatta River on the other.

After the climb, you are given a personalised commemorative climber certificate and a complimentary group photo.

You can also buy an individual photo for $16.

On the way out you can visit the new Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Centre, which has interactive exhibits and a digital high-definition cinema playing short movies about the bridge's history.

Cost: $198

The alternative

For just $9.50 you can climb the 200 steps to the open-air observation deck of the famous bridge's southeast pylon.

At 89m high, the pylon lookout is 45m shorter than the bridge's summit and if you are short you will have to stand on a step to see over the side of the sandstone balcony and through the clear plastic safety barrier.

When the bridge opened in 1932, the pylon lookout was the highest viewing point in Sydney.

If you get tired on the way up, the pylon also has three levels of exhibits showcasing the history and construction of the bridge.

Or if you don't mind putting up with fumes from an eight-lane motorway, and only experiencing the views from behind a high barbed-wire fence, you can just walk across the bridge to Milsons Point and back again for free.

Cost: $9.50

SEAFOOD DINNER AT A DOYLE-RUN RESTAURANT

A visit to a restaurant run by the famous Doyle seafood clan is an iconic Sydney experience.

They opened the doors to their first Watsons Bay eatery in 1885 and there are now several venues from which to choose. They include Doyles on the Beach and Doyles on the Wharf in the original suburb or Doyles at Sydney Fish Markets.

If you are staying in the city, Peter Doyle@the Quay, which is run by the son of the late Peter Doyle Sr, is the most convenient. Here you can enjoy the restaurant's golden fried flathead fish and chips for $36 or a whole WA lobster mornay will set you back $63.

Cost: $36-$63

The alternative

Just around the corner, you can enjoy a plate of fish and chips at the Glenmore Hotel for just $16.50.

The meal consists of battered whiting with crinkle-cut fries, lemon and aioli sauce.

On a summer day, there is a relaxed, fun vibe on the rooftop and you can look through a wire fence past The Rocks rooftops to the harbour.

You could also buy a takeaway lobster mornay from one of the outlets at the entrance to the Sydney Fish Markets at Pyrmont for about $18.

Cost: $16.50-$18

LUXURY LUNCH CRUISE

Hitting the water on a two-hour Magistic Lunch Cruise on the $5 million Magistic Two catamaran is a fabulous way to see Sydney from a different angle.

Passengers are picked up from King Street Wharf at 12.30pm daily and the boat cruises past Fort Denison, along the eastern suburbs shoreline before returning via the northern side of the harbour.

The boat is big enough for 120 to 350 people and along the way an interesting commentary is given about the history of the harbour and the multimillion-dollar waterfront properties you pass.

Tables are set with white linen serviettes and wine glasses when you arrive and the buffet has fresh prawns and oysters, hot meals such as fish curry, carvery meat, a range of salads, desserts, cheeses and fruit.

The vessel was chosen for the transfer of guests to the wedding reception of tennis star Lleyton Hewitt to actor Bec Cartwright and also hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Australia for the APEC conference.

Cost: $128

The alternative

A return ticket to Manly on the ferry will set you back $12.80 and takes about half an hour to get from Circular Quay to its destination near the harbour entrance.

The 70m, 1140-tonne boat leaves roughly every half an hour, or every 20 minutes on summer weekends during peak season. You will share the experience with about 1000 other passengers on a busy day and the ferry doesn't go anywhere near as close to shore as a luxury cruise, but you still get to experience the salty sea air and see the famous landmarks en route.

On a nice day you can sit outside on the lower deck or chance a soaking on the boat's bow if the sea is rough.

There is no commentary - only a welcome message over the PA and announcements warning if there is a large swell.

The on-board cafe sells a range of snacks, including meat pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, muffins, packets of chips and chocolate bars.

Cost: $12.80

Travel tips: NSW travel guide

Going local: More Aussie holiday ideas