Good stuff.

 All is sorted then. Thanks for the advice!

Im staying here http://www.newcastlebackpackers.com/

Yeh its cheap but they have free surfing lessions, seems to be a few mins from the centre and they have tours of the pubs aswell :-)

Group of us staying at Manly Pacific for 5 nights and will be making our way to Newcastle and back on same day for Eng game. Any suggestions for best way for us to travel, there are 17 of us including (3) 17 year olds and (2) 12 year olds. Im sure a couple of  our guys wouldnt mind driving if they have to although we all like a beer so probably if we could get a minibus and driver  or something it would be better. Day after Eng match is our last night in Sydney and we then move on to Brisbane/Gold coast so not really feasible for us to stay in Newcastle overnight, although in hindsight that may have been betterr option.

Any advice appreciated on this. All other venues ok as grounds not too far away from where we are staying, just the Sydney one thats a way to travel.

G'day Wendyh

I see your options as being:

(1) Taxis (4 people) or Maxi Taxis (10 people) to suburban North Shore line (apprx $50-$60 each taxi one way) travelling to Hornsby and change trains there to Newcastle and do same on return leg. I don't know cost of train journey but estimate $25-$30 each.

(2) Ferry to Circular Quay (City) train from Circular Quay to Central Station (3 stops) and then train to Newcastle (1.75hrs to 2hrs for train leg), total time would be approximately 3.5hrs - 4hrs each way but nice way to travel as very scenic. Total cost approx $30-$35 each.

(3) Hire cars and drive to Newcastle about 1.5hrs to 1.75hrs from Manly.

(4) Have your hotel arrange a driver and a Mini-bus which may be expensive but worth exploring and I would have them book well in advance. This option may actually be competitive price wise when compared to public transport and much more convenient.

(5) Hire a van or mini-bus that can fit you all so you only require 1 driver. In NSW they will require a bus licence if seating over 10 people.

Warning: be conscious of the fact that Sydney to Newcastle trains do not run 24hrs so do not miss the last train if that is the way you choose to travel. Otherwise the first train departs around 5.00am, I think. The rail journey is very scenic particularly around Gosford area.

The road from Sydney to Newcastle is a big Freeway most of the way with a speed limit of 110kms/hr so is easy to travel on. Newcastle is a great town with friendly locals who are RL nuts and great pubs so I would spend time at one or two of those and fork out the cash for a driver. The extra cost when converted to pounds should be nothing for you guys anyway.

I hope this helps. Please post any more questions or queries if you require any clarification of above and I wor others will attempt to assist. Enjoy your stay.

Cheers 

 

wendyh:

Group of us staying at Manly Pacific for 5 nights...

Nice Hotel was there a few years ago, 2 mins from the centre of Manly and across the road from one of the best surfing beaches in Sydney!

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

wendyh:

Group of us staying at Manly Pacific for 5 nights and will be making our way to Newcastle and back on same day for Eng game. Any suggestions for best way for us to travel, there are 17 of us including (3) 17 year olds and (2) 12 year olds. Im sure a couple of  our guys wouldnt mind driving if they have to although we all like a beer so probably if we could get a minibus and driver  or something it would be better. Day after Eng match is our last night in Sydney and we then move on to Brisbane/Gold coast so not really feasible for us to stay in Newcastle overnight, although in hindsight that may have been betterr option.

Any advice appreciated on this. All other venues ok as grounds not too far away from where we are staying, just the Sydney one thats a way to travel.

getting public transport to newcastle is easy... but getting back that late could be a problem if they don't put on extra trains for the game.

Hiring a car/van/minibus would be much easier for a group as large as yours..  just leave real early for the game to allow for you getting lost/stuck in traffic/finding decent parking etc..  if you go this way... plan and book early.

Red Vee:

Antsvb:

Red Vee:

We are staying in Sydney and we have only got this part of our trip left to sort out.

 We are having a bit of trouble sorting out how we are getting there and back, and whether or not we will be staying over.

 

Could anyone suggest some decent accomodation? It doesn't have to be anything spectacular, just clean and tidy and if possible, a decent location.

 

Also it seems that the train looks to be the best option, but we can't seem to find any timetables/operators that run there.

 

Any help is appreicated.  

 

 

 

Saints fan I presume......good stuff.

What sort of accommodation...hotel/motel, b&b, backpackers, etc???

 As for trains, go here

http://www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au/

Go to timetables, scroll down to "Intercity Lines", and select "Newcastle-Central" or vice-versa.

Looking at a 2.5-3hr trip.

 

Exellent. It seems that the trains are very regular. Would you suggust pre booking tickets before we get there, or just purchasing them when we arrive?

you don't pre-book tickets for the syd to newcastle line... you buy them just before you get on the train.

im off to this game with the missus! we are looking into staying in a hostel will be sorting that soon! we should all meet in an irish bar before hand! or a traditional "red lion style" english pub!!!

Why not Newcastle leagues club?

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

Dead right druzik, when in rome,  why would you want to go to a english pub in oz? get to the leagues clubs, they are the best in oz with the best atmospheres, they cater for everything league and you avoid trouble. One thing i would like to know is if any poms are coming over, would you still be able to post some reply's on here to let us know how you are travelling, keep us informed how your trip is going?

I hope so... maybe one thing to do is to have the leagues clubs set up and internet cafe or something for the duration of the games?

Anyway, sydney and Brisie and Melbourne are full of internet cafe's and most hotels have a small back room for internet and stuff anyway so I hope we can get a run down form out intrepid travellers of what their thoughts and impression are, of the league and Oz!

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

Thanks for that info Rowly, and other guys who have replied.

I honestly hadnt realised it was so far away, and would take so much organising to get to Newcastle. Really glad I have enquired with you all now.

Am going to speak to others on our trip and discuss options. Thinking now we may be better trying to stay overnight in Newcastle somewhere and drive back next morning.

thanks for all help with that one anyway. this forum is great!

 

wendyh:

Thanks for that info Rowly, and other guys who have replied.

I honestly hadnt realised it was so far away, and would take so much organising to get to Newcastle. Really glad I have enquired with you all now.

Am going to speak to others on our trip and discuss options. Thinking now we may be better trying to stay overnight in Newcastle somewhere and drive back next morning.

thanks for all help with that one anyway. this forum is great!

 

everything is further than you think in Oz..  many aussies wouldn't think it a big deal at all to drive that far to newcastle and drive back after the game

I'd heard it might be a push to make the last train to sydney, and its quite a long journey anyway. Hired a car for 5 of us from Sydney coming straight back after the game. Should give us enough time for plenty of beers in pub opposite our hotel!

 

 

good call, i never think of the leagues clubs. probably because we dont really have them over here! What time does it open?? haha. im more than happy to put a few bits and peices on about the trip an upload fotos if poss!!