This website is useful for independent travellers and backpackers. It provides details on how much to budget for a backpacking trip.

www.roam-the-world.com

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This is THE place to buy a monster sandwich in Sydney.

It's set back from Pitt Street in a small arcade. You'll recognise it by the huge queue out of the door and down the street. The sandwiches are huge - more than enough to keep you going for an entire day. The lemon chicken comes very highly recommended. We only found out about it from a friend who lives in Sydney. It seems that everyone that goes is a regular and is greeted by name on arrival. If I'm in Sydney again and hungry at lunchtime, I'll be back...

The only downside - just a couple of seats in the window. Best to take your haul elsewhere to munch.

Shop 3
250 Pitt Street
Sydney
NSW 2000

tel/fax 9283 4700

Google map: tinyurl.com/ye39xmp

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The closest thing to a Flexi Pass, Paris Pass, or Heritage Pass in Australia is probably the Aussie Travel Saver.
I signed up for a code RAD5 (a 20% discount for everyone! Unlimited Use till 02/2010)
Before you book tours etc, check the 3000 offers at the ATS web site.
Also get freebies from Optus, plus International calling card.

www.aussietravelsaver.com.au/

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Cheap and so easy to negotiate, even with a surfboard! Helpful drivers who often wait for you to be seated before driving off, a real shock for any visitors from London.

check the excellent website
www.131500.com.au/
to get you from place to place

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It's reasonably priced, in a great location, you get automatic membership to the NSW club which is attached. Rooms are great space with microwave, fridge, sink, decent bathroom. It's a great all round hotel for those on a budget but still don't want to be too far from anything (it's just round the corner from Martin Place and five mins walk from Darling harbour).

Phillip Street

Google map: tinyurl.com/powuua

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Free bus sevrice (route 555) operates a continuous loop between Central Station and Circular Quay along George St & Elizabeth St in both directions.
Approx. every 10 mins.

Mon - Fri 09:30-15:30 (extends to 21:00 on Thurs)
Sat, Sun & public hols (excl Christmas Day) 09:30-18:00

Map of route & stops at url below

www.sydneybuses.info/uploads/File/pdfs/regular_route_maps/555map.pdf

www.sydneybuses.info/news/115/91.htm

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Great restaurant in central Sydney that’s reasonably priced and has soaked up more than a little of the city’s party atmosphere… Loud, funky music makes a great night out but probably not the best romantic meal! They also have a BYOB (bring your own bottle) policy on wine ($2 corkage) that helps save some more cash.

1 Broughton Street (Kirribilli)

Google map: tinyurl.com/re7e9g

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In a city of hostels, you can’t get much better than the YHA Central with its comfortable new beds and rooftop terrace with pool and sauna… A lounge, nightclub and games room all on the premises means you don’t even need to leave this hostel in Sydney to enjoy yourself!
Next to popular Sucbar and opposite central station, the location is just as great as the facilities.

www.yha.com.au
11 Rawson Place

Google map: tinyurl.com/noqtsl

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Open 9am-5pm Thursday through Sunday, this market is a great place to pick up cheap ingredients when you’re in Sydney on a budget! Food fish, fruit, nuts etc. but also tourist souvenirs if this takes your fancy (lots of boomerangs in particular!) and handy backpacker essentials like socks and alarm clocks…

In Chinatown on Hay Street

Google map: tinyurl.com/nxbg5w

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This is a wonderful intimate theatre in Kings Cross. It's the only theatre to produce all Australian work and has some of the most exciting new plays in Sydney. On Monday it has a Pay What You Can policy so anyone can afford to go.

www.griffintheatre.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/lszh7s

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Everyone wants to complete the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, but at $180 a pop (around £90) each, plus paying for their photographs (you are not allowed to take a camera with you) not everyone can afford it.

An equally good option, but one which is little advertised, is the Sydney Pylon Lookout. This involves climbing the interior of the concrete tower of the Harbour Bridge and is the tower nearest the Opera House.

It has three floors of exhibits and a film show but best of all, the view from the open top is only a few feet below the top of the bridge and is equally as stunning.

You can stay as long as you like and take your own photographs. And it is only $9.50 each - under a fiver!

Use the 'Bridge Stairs' from Cumberland Street in The Rocks for access.

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A good breakfast is a Sydney institution. From fresh fruit to slap up eggs and bacon with all the trimmings. Washed down with a cup of the best coffee to set you up for the day. Don't miss out, avoid the hotel smorgasbord rip offs and you won't blow the budget either.

The best cafes are in the Inner West (Glebe, Rozelle, Balmain), Eastern Suburbs and the sea side suburbs (Bondi,Bronte, Manly). The locals have their favourites and don't like to broadcast their location. But just head for the ones with a crowd and enjoy.

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Indian restaurant in Randwick, not too far from the SCG, in case the Army are suffering from Indian cuisine withdrawal symptoms. Great food and nice price. BYO too, bottle shop near-by.

Bombay Bloomers Indian Restaurant
Randwick
NSW 2031
Australia

Google map: tinyurl.com/onfk4p

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This is a great value, B&B style, 19th century budget hotel. You can get rooms for less than $100, which is especially good value as it is short walking distance from Darling Harbour. Good option for families. Book in advance.

22 Allen Street
Pyrmont 2009
Sydney
Tel: (02) 9552 4773
www.woolbrokershotel.com.au/

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This is the best pizza place in the inner city. No, I would go as far to say in all of Sydney. Hidden away behind the Star Casino in the revived suburb of Pyrmont, this place never fails. Pizzas are great, pastas excellent, salads fresh and large and it is BYO (bring your own alcohol). Nothing flash, and seating is limited, but Made In Italy always impresses.

104 Miller Street, Pyrmont;
tel: 9518 8182;
Fish Market light rail stop
www.madeinitaly.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/mag5tt

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An excellent institution, which sometimes confuses European visitors. The acronym means "bring your own", i.e. alcohol when you dine at a restaurant.

Formerly almost ubiquitous, the practice is becoming less common - some say even dying out - no doubt to the pleasure of many Sydney restaurateurs.

It makes dining far more affordable than when you have to include the restaurant's alcohol mark-up, which is usually greater than on anything else you consume.

It also means you can occasionally splash out on a very nice bottle - of Hunter Valley Semillon, say - to accompany a spread of Sydney seafood without worrying about your starving bank account.

BYO is more common at medium range and casual restaurants.

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Having lived here for a year, you need to be aware that buying clothes, books, shoes and food at supermarkets is more expensive than the UK and customer service in supermarkets and banks is shocking. Australia does a good job in giving the impression it's cheap - trust me, it's not.

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A Sydney icon. Harry's Cafe de Wheels has long been held in high esteem as the premium pie-lovers late night eatery. Open late into the night, the vaudeville-style caravan offers drinker, thinkers, and tinkers the best in baked and savoury goods.

Try the Tiger, the café’s house special. There’s a hearty serving of gravy in both layers, all served up with mash and mushy peas. Dynamite.

Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo, Sydney

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Go to this iconic pie stall after a night out, or even before, and have a 'tiger pie' while sitting on a log looking out at the sea - a great Aussie pie experience.

Woolloomooloo; Tel: 61 (0)2 9357 3074; inquiries@harryscafedewheels.com.au

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This is a restaurant precinct near the University of Sydney, and home to lots of goths, gays, upwardly mobile africans, professors and students, and people who like to people-watch. There are some 60 restaurants in the 2 kilometres or so, all of which are reasonably cheap and usually good. You can get a good feed for about $20 a head. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Bring your tastebuds! Several pubs and a couple of backpackers' joints.

Take a bus from the city (438, 426, 423 ,422), go past the university and get off when you smell cooking and see weird folk walking around. Or take a train to Newtown.

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