ChngLeeYoong
Singapore
bboysgirl
New York City
I recommend that you investigate airfares. When I was in Australia earlier this year, I found intra-country flights to be reasonably priced. Melbourne to Sydney is not a short trip. Why waste your time on a bus or train when you can arrive to your destination quickly and enjoy more time there?
The entire transportation system in Australia is top-knotch. Nothing would be unsafe.
jme
3 places
I’m assuming you’re asking whether to take the train or bus to Sydney instead of as a means of transport when you’re in Melbourne? If so, I agree with bboysgirl – travel by plane. It takes about 1+ hour to Sydney from either Avalon or Tullamarine airport, as opposed to a day or more. And there are bus shuttle services from the city to the airport for a reasonable fee (check Skybus or Sunbus). For price comparison of plane tickets, check webjet.com.au. Unless you want to take the time to see the scenery by rail or bus?
2. Haven’t taken either for long distance trip, so can’t really help much there.
3. Haven’t stayed at Nomads, but I do know where it is. It’s in the CBD, so it’s very convenient as you can get cabs, trams, trains and buses from just about every corner. And the free city circle tram line is close by too! Not to mention the Vic markets and a lot of places to dine, shop and chill out at.
royal618
Sydney
Try flying first. As all have said it’s relatively cheap but quick.
Forget the bus, it’s a nightmare, and try the train if you got time to spare (compared to air).
amgroff
Boston
I took the bus from Sydney to Melbourne and then back again from Melbourne to Sydney. It was 12 hours, overnight 7pm to 7am. Pretty convenient actually, and not really all that bad so long as you’re sitting next to a friend. Wasn’t even so crowded, and there really is nothing quite like an overnight bus trip at least once in your life.
I can understand the time and price of air travel, too, though, but I think the buses really aren’t that bad.
ChngLeeYoong
Singapore
I had an experience of taking an overnight bus trip when I was in the States. It’s really not bad, as I’m a pig who can fall sleep easily!
But I don’t know how punctual the bus is in Australia!
ninefigures
Australia
Haven’t used this site for months,
My general advice to any new travelers with spare time, is to go by land.
If there are strains for time then flights can be as cheap cheap as $69.
The distance is always far in Australia, but gives you a glimpse of the countryside.
The cities, after all, have only been here a couple of hundred years.
The landscape is ancient.
Good luck with the back-packing!
ChngLeeYoong
Singapore
I prefer to travel by land too. But the thing is, I need to reach Sydney on the 9th of December to start my 5-week summer program in UNSW.
The worst thing is, I can only leave Singapore after my last paper for this semester on the 3rd of Dec.
.....sigh, i wish i could have more time to spend in Melbourne.
Duncan Galloway
Melbourne
You can search for cheap airfares at webjet.com.au, fares Mel-Syd can be as cheap as $69 (but perhaps not in December). Some fly out of Avalon which is further from the city than Tullamarine (the main & international airport). Suggest spending all your time in Melbourne, check out the city and visit the coast, Great Ocean Road etc. and then fly to Sydney at absolutely the last minute (completely biased opinion!)
ninefigures
Australia
I did my studies in Sydney, although born in Melbourne, and live in smaller places.
Worth a visit, (and a concert), at Sydney conservatorium of music. Supposedly the best music school in the world (we’re speaking of facilities here) – staff quality is always subjective.
...what’s the photo of?? some type of temple??
ChngLeeYoong
Singapore
Oh yeah….a temple in Shanghai. Which university in Sydney you’re from? I guess the university will be extremely quite in the summer time!
ninefigures
Australia
It was the University of Sydney, the main campus being a few kilometres out of the centre. Probably not much happening at the main campus, but the music faculty has public concerts in the main hall, one of the recital halls, or the jazz cafe.
oh – the school is right by the OPERA HOUSE.
