Sydney Travel

• Anzac Day Sydney by Michael Ex-Serviceman
  in Backpackers Sydney Tourist Attractions, Sydney Travel, Sydney, Sydney Backpackers Expo, Sydney Events, Sydney Festivals, Sydney Things to do
  20 Apr 2012  | 0 Comments

  On this day 25th April (every year) please remember:

  Its not just a holiday for barbeques, drinking and playing two up! 

  Anzac Day is a day that we should remember, thank and respect that many persons (both male and female) gave their lives and lots of pain to let us be free and able to lead an everyday life in this world!

  Also remember the wives, husbands, children, parents and other family and friends of these brave people whom gave their lives for us on this ANZAC DAY.  Also we should pay our respects for those involved in military actions around the world over the past years.

   

  Lest we forget.

   

  For all the details on the History, Services and Playing TWO UP duing ANZAC DAY - please click - your complete guide to ANZAC day Sydney.

   
• 
  Sydney Backpackers Can Help Sydney Hostels in Caring for the Environment by Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney
  in Sydney Travel, Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking, Staying at a backpackers hostel
  5 Dec 2011  | 0 Comments

  Everyone has a responsibility to keep our environment clean and green.  At Jolly Swagman, we also stand by this advocate.  We know that by helping to save our planet, we are giving back what Mother Nature has been providing us for some many years.  Australia is blessed by its abundance of pristine nature and we don’t want to take this for granted.  So, we strive to reduce our impact on the environment by being ecologically conscious.  This is a message that we work hard to bring to all our guests.  We have also joined the other hostels in Sydney in encouraging Sydney backpackers to be as environmentally concerned as we are.

   

  We are driven to keep our environment natural and beautiful.  Through these efforts, we will be able to continue offering all our visitors the natural beauty of Australia.  So, we appeal to all backpackers to be with us in protecting our environment. 

   

  How Sydney Backpackers can travel “Green” while in Australia

   

  All staff at Jolly Swagman work hard to do our part in conversation and preservation our surrounding environment.  We also do our best to convey this message to all our guests staying with us.  Here are some simple ways you can pitch in:

   

  • Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
    • You’re probably sick of hearing it but it’s true!
  • No to plastic bags and packages
    • Use refillable drink containers instead.
  • Don’t litter.
    • Throw your garbage, especially cigarette butts, into the trash bin.
  • Save water.
    • Turn off showers and faucets when not in use while bathing, washing or brushing your teeth.
  • Save energy.
    • Turn off lights when not in use.
    • Turn off power points or unplug electrical appliances and electronic devices before leaving the room.
    • Don’t overcharge electronic gadgets.
    • Share washing machines with others to only do full loads and use only cold water.
    • Avoid using dryers and hang washed clothes outside.  The Aussie sun will dry them in no time.
    • Reduce heater consumption by wearing warm clothes when you’re cold rather than overusing heater.
    • Use public transport or car pool when possible.  We have a great train & ferry system that goes to all the sights.
  • Use biodegradable and recyclable products.
    • Toiletries, batteries, etc.
  • Choose Eco-Certified tourism products. 
    • Look for ECO logo.
  • Make your own food.
    • Avoid fast food and take-out packaging.
    • Buy local produce.

   

  Transportation: Huge Impact to the Environment

   

  As a backpacker, it is important that you get to visit as many exciting destinations you can as possible.  In Australia, we have a range of transportation services offered for travellers who want to take a look around the city, certain regions or even the rest of the country.  Our continuing drive to reduce our impact on the environment has led us to plan affordable tour packages that encourage backpackers to travel through the use of public transportation or car pools. 

   

  Throughout Sydney, the best way to get around would be through the train/subway system called CityRail.  If you’re venturing outside Sydney there are a host of transportation options that we have listed below to choose from.  We encourage our guests at Jolly Swagman to choose the affordable transportation option that has the least environmental impact.

   

  • Coach
    • Cheapest and most affordable option
    • Goes through major regional routes
  • Backpacker Tour
    • Growing in popularity among travellers
    • “Jump-on, Jump-off” style tour
    • Point-to-point trips to and from popular destinations
  • Train
  • Air
    • Cheap deals during promotional periods
    • Faster travel when jumping from one city to another farther section of the country
  • Self Drive
    • Backpacker groups that prefer to travel more extensively

   

  You can also ask our travel specialist at the Reception to help you find special transport passes and fare schemes or flexible tour packages inclusive of transfers.

   

  Contact us today and we will help you travel around Sydney and beyond with your comfort and the environment in mind.
• 
  Profiles of Guests Staying in Hostels in Sydney by Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney
  in Sydney Travel, Hostel Life
  17 Nov 2011  | 1 Comment

  If you’re wondering why Sydney seems to be getting busier and busier, it’s mostly because more backpackers and tourists are coming in to visit.  Both domestic and international budget travellers look for value-for-money Sydney backpackers accommodation.  However, keep in mind that where you stay can be just as important as where you go.  That’s why here at Jolly Swagman, we make sure you have a great stay, adding to the Sydney experience that much more.

   

  Getting to Know Our Guests

   

  We provide great service to all our guests because of our years of experience in this industry.  Through these years, we’ve gotten to know the different profiles of our guests.  This helps us create spaces suited for each backpacker or group of travellers, provide interesting activities and facilities for our visiting tourists, and plan itineraries and services perfect for everyone’s individual needs. 

   

  Different Groups of Backpackers/Visitors that We Cater too

   

  Typically, our backpackers are young, educated and adventurous individuals who want to immerse in the local and real culture of the place.  But they can also be divided into different segments, based on their various needs and interests, such as:

   

  • Travellers on Working Holiday Visa
    • 18-30- year-old backpackers allowed to do casual work to supplement their funds
    • Extended period of stay
    • Spend short trips and weekends visiting local sights and attractions
    • Funds spent on travel and adventure activities
    • Short-term or temporary work with low pay and limited responsibility
  • Independent Travellers
    • A wider age range
    • Travellers who choose backpacking as a mode of travel
    • Larger income groups
    • Different and varied interests
  • Domestic or Local Travellers
    • Australians who are on a budget travel but want to see the other parts of the country
  • Students
    • Young people from non-English speaking countries who want to learn English

   

  At Jolly Swagman, we keep your interests at heart, no matter what demographic you’re in.  To ensure that you will have an unforgettable trip, we cater all backpacker needs by providing you a safe, social, entertaining, relaxing, active, and adventurous experience.  With the backpackers’ accommodation we offer, you will have a clean, affordable, comfortable and value-for-money stay.  We want you to come back to your Jolly Swagman room to a place you can consider a second home after a long day’s trip.

   

  Great Facilities at Jolly Swagman

   

  We know you have a checklist of what you look for in good accommodation in Sydney.  Here are some factors you might want to add to your list:

   

  • Accessibility
    • Central to everything and minutes away from:
      • the hottest happenings and entertainment in Sydney
      • some of the best beaches in the world
      • Sydney’s greatest landmarks and attractions
      • Sydney’s premier shopping centres and local restaurants
      • Sydney’s subway system
  • Social Atmosphere and Friendly Environment
    • Large common areas
      • TV room
      • Outdoor terrace with a great view of Sydney Harbour and Sydney’s sunsets
      • Courtyard
    • Fun-filled entertainment schedule
      • Partying, pubs and clubs
  • Facilities
    • Several room types
      • Double private rooms for couples who want privacy, comfort and security
      • Private twin rooms for a group of friends who want privacy
      • Dormitories for travellers who want to meet other travellers and new friends
    • Travel specialist at reception
      • Free information, maps and guide books
      • Cheapest travel deals, packages, flights and tickets around Australia
      • Day trips and tours
    • Job Assistance
      •  Popular job boards with new jobs posted every day
      • In contact with businesses, recruitment agencies, employment agencies
      • Phone messages and mail services
    • Standard room and kitchen amenities
    • Cable Internet computers and WIFI

   

  We do everything possible to make your stay in Sydney fun, exciting and memorable.  Contact us today and to see what great rooms, packages and rates we are offering.
• 
  Australian Interships in Sydney by Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel
  in Jobs in Sydney, Sydney Travel, Work Sydney
  18 Aug 2010  | 1 Comment

  Oceania is a continent where every traveler, backpacker, daydreamer and fortune-hunter would like to go to.

  No matter who you are or where you are from, you will find what you are looking for in Australia, whatever your purpose may be.

  Many backpackers and travellers have been to Australia to discover the beautiful beaches, the outback, the small villages, the metropoles and also, to get to know the hospitable population of Australia.

  "Now what´s a better way to explore this continent than gaining valuable work experience in combination with traveling?"

  That´s exactly what a couple of Dutch students thought when they established Stagehuis Down Under, a company specialized in providing internships and work experience for Dutch students in Australia and New Zealand. Stagehuis started of small but grew fast as they noticed that many Dutch students were eager to go "Down Under" for their internship, graduation or work experience.

  Soon they discovered that not only the Dutch students were interested in their services but also other European students.

  Since then,  they have set up Praktikum Down Under for the German students, Stage Voyage for the French students and Internships Down Under for the English students. Now they run an international company and place hundreds of students every year!

  Internships Down Under, helps students wanting to do their internship in Australia or New Zealand in almost all study fields, next to this they help their students with quality accommodation usually staying at the start and end of their stay at the Jolly Swagman Backpackers, weekend trips and activities, insurance, study guidance, language courses and even full studies.

  So if you are planning to go abroad for a valuable experience make sure you contact Internships Down Under - and tell them you'd like to stay with us here at Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney!
• 
  The Sydney Opera House- the low down for Backpackers in Sydney by Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel
  in Backpackers Sydney Tourist Attractions, Photograpy and Sydney, Sydney Travel, Sydney, Sydney Things to do
  20 Jul 2009  | 1 Comment

  SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

  By ‘Alberto'

  Most Backpackers in Sydney are keen to immediately start exploring Sydney's most famous places from the moment they arrive, and those staying at the Famous Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel are fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of its fantastic location being just minutes away from such places, one of the most popular being the Sydney Opera House.

  There are several great places from which to observe the Sydney Opera House. From the Jolly Swagman Sydney Hostel, head down the old steps at the end of Victoria St. Follow the path around Woolloomoolo Bay and head up towards the Domain. It is well worth continuing up to the ‘chair' at Mrs Macquarie's Point, from where the best post-cardly picturesque view of the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge can be observed. Continue therough the Botanic Gardens around Farm Cove and you will shortly arrive at Bennelong Point where the house itself is located.

  Visitors are allowed to go into the foyer of the Sydney Opera House and sometimes around the front. Tours of the Sydney Opera house are also available in a variety of languages.

  The Opera Bar (located under the concourse) is a great place for a drink in the evening as you watch the sunset over the Harbour bridge.

  Contining around Bennelong Point you will pass the ‘Toaster', a local name for the series of buildings put up on the east side of Cirqular Quay. Just after the Ferry terminal you will come the the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and the overseas ferry passenger terminal; which also affords great views of the house.

  For the especially keen, or those too broke to do the Bridge Climb, a fun and inexpensive activity for adamant walkers is to take the footpath across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Kirribilli, where you can get an often missed perspective of the Sydney skyline. Taking in the amazing view you will understand immediately why this area on New Year's Eve becomes more full than the Dublin Betty Ford Clinic! Trains run regularly back to the city from Milson's Point where you can change for King's Cross.

  All this being said, there is no other way to truly experience the Sydney Opera House other than to see a live performance. Every year the Sydney Opera House showcases a truly world class collection of seasons in theatre, opera, music, ballet as well as hundreds of specialty performances.

  The friendly staff at the famous Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel are always more than happy to recommend performances and check their times.

  
• 
  Backpackers in Sydney for Winter by Ciaran
  in Sydney Travel, Sydney, Sydney Events, Sydney Festivals, Sydney Things to do
  8 Jul 2009  | 1 Comment

  If you prefer the cold to heat, especially if seeking to escape the northern summer, the best time to visit Sydney could be in the Australian winter from 1 June to 31 August.
  As one of the world's great backpacker travel destinations, Sydney offers a myriad of winter escape options for backpacking and adventure travel.

  New South Wales' temperate winter climate (it really doesn't get that cold if you campare it to where i'm from) ensures the famous Sydney harbour, dynamic food scene and vibrant cityscape is perfect year round - and the ideal destination for a winter break.

  Sydney hosts many different festivals and some of Australia's largest social and cultural events over the winter months.

  Some of these include the Biennale of Sydney - the international festival of contemporary art held every two years since 1973, the Sydney Film Festival and many other smaller film festivals and Sydney's new winter festival - a magical winter wonderland of real snow from the Snowy Mountains recreating the splendour of alpine winter celebrations.

  In Sydney, Backpackers find that winter really isn't harsh and the weather's generally very pleasant. It's great for touring the city on foot and for bushwalking.

  Backpackers in Sydney (and Australia in general) find it VERY hard to believe that there are great SKI RESORTS IN AUSTRALIA!!  From Sydney, the ski resorts are really not that far away- see more about the snow below!!

  Holiday time

  It doesn't make a difference to backpackers in Sydney, as every day is a holiday, but during the winder Australian public holidays include the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend in June and the school holidays in July. Aside from within those periods, cheap accommodation in Sydney will be easy to find.

  Winter activities

  • The weather's fine for a  tour of Sydney. Visit The Rocks, Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Museum, Hyde Park, Chinatown or Darling Harbour.
  • Go on a Sydney Harbour Cruise. At the very least, take a Sydney ferry and cross the harbour to Manly.
  • Spot the whales as they travel north in the whale migration season. A great spot is from Watsons Bay and The Gap National Park, or come to reception to organise a whale watching trip on a boat.
  • Go bushwalking, at the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, just a train ride away from Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel
  • Sample Sydney cuisine.
  • Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains which is out in the west of Sydney and experience the beauty of these majestic mountains.
  • If you feel like skiing, drive - or take an organised bus tour - to the Snowy Mountains. Note that accommodation in the ski resorts can be expensive and difficult to find unless you've booked well in advance - just ask Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel staff to sort this for you.
  • Australia's mild winters mean that in most parts of Australia, regular outdoor sports can be played all year, and indeed more vigorous sports are more comfortably played in winter. Australian rules football and rugby league, the two most popular spectator sports in Australia, are played primarily in winter.

  When it's summer in northern hemisphere countries, get away from the heat and come to the snow, for it'll be winter in Australia.

  In New South Wales, in just about half a day by road from Sydney, there's skiing and snowboarding up in the snow, and a roaring fire to come home to.

  Travel southwest to Cooma and climb up the Snowy Mountains.

  From The Jolly Swagman Backpacckers in Sydney, the closest places for skiing in New South Wales are Thredbo and the Perisher ski resorts - Thredbo being the more familiar and better known, yet Perisher is larger and offers more terrain. Depending on one's preferences, both are great destinations for skiing in New South Wales.   Many Europeans are surprised to find out that we have snow fields in Australia, and most report that they are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the snow and the terrain on offer.

  Half a day to the snow
  It takes half a day to get to the Snowy, depending on road conditions, and if you're driving and there's snow on the road, you may need to have snow chains fitted to your tyres. Or you can take a charter or tour bus.  The Jolly Hostel in Sydney can organise and recommend the best organised tours for you to take.

  You can stay at some lovely resorts ON snow, however if your budget doesn't quite stretch that far (they can be very pricey) you may want to stay at one of the "ski towns" close by, and transfer up and down the mountain each day. You also have the freedom of skiing at the different resorts when you stay at the nearby towns:

  COOMA

  Some may decide to drop by the Cooma Visitors Centre and find accommodation at Cooma and bus up and down the Snowy instead, leaving early in the morning and coming back at night.  APPROX 75 KMS to the snow fields.

  JINDABYNE

  The lakeside town of Jindabyne lies 465 kilometers southwest of Sydney just before the snowfields in the Kosciusko national park.APPROX 35 KMS from Snow Fields.

  There's a Snowy Region Visitor Centre on Kosciusko Rd in Jindabyne.
  If you haven't brought your skiing gear, and don't want to buy skis, boots and skiwear, etc, you can rent them here. They are also available at the ski resorts in Thredbo, Perisher but you'll find it a little more expensive up at the slopes!

  Accommodation is available in Jindabyne and one can take to the Perisher slopes through the Ski tube.
• 
  Surfing Lessons Learn to Surf Sydney Weekender by Joe
  in Sydney Travel, Sydney Things to do
  11 Jun 2009  | 1 Comment

  SYDNEY SURF LESSONS

  The Big Surfing weekender

  I work in the backapcker travel industry so a couple of weeks ago, a bunch of friends asked me about surfing lessons and weekend surf trips from Sydney.

  I offered them a number of different options of learn to surf Sydney day trips, Surf camps and Surfing schools that operate and serve the backpacker market.

  They settled on the Mojo Surf weekender surf trip.

  Before I knew it, I found myself booked on the trip as well!! GNARLY!!! Surfing here we come. Hang 5, Hang 10, lefty, righty, point break - YEAH (whatever)

  Pick up was 5pm on Friday evening from the Sydney Central station outside Wake Up hostel Sydney.

  From Jolly Swagman Backapckers in Kings Cross, it was a 2 minute walk down Orwell Street to the Kings Cross Train station, and just three stops from platform number 1 - it took me about 10 mins on the train.

  The Mojo Surf bus was waiting outside the Wake up hostel.

  The bus - WOW you should see it - its black with a big pink / purple sunrise design on the side - its really striking ..... you can't miss it, I can't think how to describe it - but it is really suited to a surfing weekend! Did I like it? - yeah it's way cool, but would I get my car painted like that?? -NO thanks!!

  At Wake Up Sydney I met Ant - the bus driver and waited for the gang to arrive. I was nice and early so gave me a chance to meet a few of my new surfing buddies getting ready for the trip. There was Aexia from Netherlands, two boys from Leeds - Steve and Danny and before long a whole host of American students who were on internship from their universities in USA. I could tell it was going to be a great trip and a whole diversity of people. Most people had never been surfing before (so they told me) - but i noticed that some people did bring their own surfboards. .....  hhhmmmm ......

  My buddies arrived last minute (typical) as the group was boarding the bus.

  The inside of the bus is as cool as the outside - really clean (honestly - immaculate - I've never seen a backpacker tour bus this clean!) there are blue lights illuminating the cabins, really cool designs on the upholstery, flat screen TV, awesome sound system and Dvd player, plenty of room between the seats. It's the coolest bus I've ever seen - I found out later that it is a Volvo and its the first of its kind in Australia! Its got a really big and powerful diesel engine, blah blah blah - I'm not to interested in that stuff but it was very good to be on board!!

  At this time "Ant Man" gave his introductions and told us that the journey to the surf camp was 6 hours drive!!! Wow - a very long drive indeed - we were setting off at 5.30 pm so from my calculation that means we wouldn't get there till 11.30pm!! Okay so a 6 hour drive ahead - my gosh!! Everyone was a bit surprised about this. Personally I'd had a really hard week at work and was happy to sit and chill out for a good few hours and let the stresses of full time work leave my body (backpackers and students -time of your life!! -  enjoy your freedom!! gees i'm getting old ..)

  Sitting, chatting, watching the world go by, crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge, going past the Sydney Opera House and finally leaving Sydney (the big smoke) behind was actually quite relaxing. We listened to music for a couple of hours, then we turned on the DVD player- First up was a movie called "Endless Summer 2" - a surfing movie, filmed some years ago following a year round adventure of two crazy American surfers as they travelled the globe following the summer and surfing all the way as they go - including Surfing in Australia, France, Hawaii, Fiji, etc etc - was a great movie to get us in the mood and definitely one to recommend to anyone to watch sometime. Next movie was Step Brothers and Zac and Miri make a porno.

  We stopped off for dinner break and the bottle shop to pick up booze for the weekend. Most people got cases of Tooheys New or boxes of goon wine - a lot of booze when it was all packed on the bottom of the bus!)

  We eventually pulled into Mojo Surf Shack and a surfy looking character jumped on the bus and introduced himself as Matt, he was obviously a bit of a joker but introduced us to the rest of the crew and got us organised into bed rooms, where to put the beers to get cold, where to go drink the beers, etc.

  The room was a 6-bed dorm on the 1st floor of the surf shack - nice and comfy beds with fresh doonas, pillows and sheets. We quickly got rid of the bags, fridged the beers and headed over to the "Humpy" (a separate area with a huge open camp fire to sit around and drink beer, talk and play crazy games.) ..... Why is it called the HUMPY?? THE HUMPY? I don't know ..... I should ask, although it maybe better NOT to know ......

  One of the first things you notice when you get to THE HUMPY (?) is the STARS above - seriously, when you see the stars like you can there you don't quite believe your eyes..... Millions of them everywhere, the milky way, southern cross etc. amazing. I tried to take a picture but it didn't come out....

  We drank fast but it was getting late and people were drifting off to bed ......

  Wow - is anyone reading this?? I'm really putting way too much detail down ..... think I'll start making it a little briefer ... (if you want all the details, just do the trip, or ask me!!)

  The Next morning we woke up at 7.30am for breakfast - big breakfast - as much as you could eat - all the cereals, toast, fruit etc.

  Next up it was Surf lesson - the theory!!

  On the agenda ......

  Rips, Currents, waves, carrying the board, looking cool (most important), the board, the leg rope, sun cream, Vaseline, Having fun etc etc.

  Then it was time to suit up and head out to the beach!!

  A short walk out, past "the humpy" in the wetsuits and we were on the beach!! - beautiful!!!
  "4 foot swell, on shore breeze" perfect learning conditions!!!

  Lesson time on the beach with Matty - walking out with the boards, waiting for the right waves, paddling onto the wave, popping up onto feet, stance on the board, leg ropes on - LETS GO!

  Into the waves we went - people getting smashed left right and centre!! Awesome fun!!

  As my first wave came up, I had the wise words of Matty running through my head - turn and look for the wave, get into the middle of the board, start paddling, as the wave approaches paddle harder, when you are taken by the wave, its time to pop up, middle of the board, keeps those knees bent ............ WWWOOOOOO!! I was there - up on my feet, riding a "massive" gnarly wave dude ! YEAH!!! Easy!!!

  Surfing is cool!!

  We carried on trying, the teachers in the water with us taking time to give us individual help and extra attention where needed.

  Photos were being taken by a candid camera man!!! - Now I know why they kept saying it .... "make sure you look good and have fun......."

  At lunch time we wandered back to the surf camp, showered off and got had a BIG huge feast, then it was free time - and for most people that was snooze time!!!

  2 pm was back out to the beach - this time we aimed at a different section of beach to try our luck on some different waves (coming from around the point - to use the correct term!!) and riding the rip back out.

  After another good session of riding and having fun in the waves it was obvious that everyone had improved a great deal from the first time we entered the water!

  Everyone had had enough, it was time to head back to camp and get ready for whatever the night had in store for us ...

  Quick shower - wash off the wetsuits and it was beer o'clock and time to sit around the camp fire discovering the stories of the best wave of the day and who had the most fun!!

  One of the American students, it turned out, was celebrating his 21st birthday - so he and his buddies congratulated him by serving up shots of Bundy rum washed down with GOON!! Oohhhh nice .....

  Dinner was served - a huge Barbie with burgers and sausages and salads galore!! The food is so good and so generous!!

  After dinner and to see who was washing up, we split into teams and played a game of Jenga - hilarious - but that's probably because our team didn't lose!!

  Boozing time and off to the Humpy for a huge campfire, drinking games and surfing stories!

  The party carried on till the early hours ......

  The next morning was a 7.30am wakeup call and there were lots of heavy heads and hangovers around the breakfast table!!

  The next day, we did it all again .... I'll spare you my thoughts and ramblings as this is way too long but basically .....

   ...... Surfing Lessons time again .............  Big lunch, back on Bus - chill out session, watch movies - get back to Sydney .......Home wooo!

  Work tomorrow - oh no!