Welcome to the "Land Down Under" ♡♡♡
Welcome to the "Land Down Under" ♡♡♡
The reason you’re here: our wedding.
We can’t thank you enough for making it work to attend our big day. It means the world to us!
We know your objective of travel here is for us, but Australia is a beautiful country with lots to do. We suggest allocating at least 10 days (outside of travel) to make the most out of your trip.
We have consolidated travel advice here to make your trip Down Unda a bit more manageable.
You will need a Passport AND Visa to enter Australia!
Visit the Australian Gov Website
Please follow instructions through the linked website on how to apply for your visa. You will need to download a phone app for your application.
Download Australian ETA App
Annoying, but this is required. This app scans your passport and requires a photo of yourself, along with $20 AUD ($12 (USD) payment. The website has a step-by-step if this gets confusing.
Visa Applied
Your application, if submitted correctly, should immediately return approval. Please keep the information and records of your visa while traveling in Australia.
Flights to Sydney
We know you’ve googled flights to Sydney already and we’re willing to bet eyebrows were raised. It’s pricey, but we’re determined to help you find the cheapest round trip flights.
Below is the Google flight tracker for our suggested dates, (20 Feb - 6 March). Please remember you will lose a day in the air, (if you left on 20 Feb, you’d land on 22 Feb) and keep a day on your return, (if you leave 6 March, you land on 6 March). 2 calendar weeks = 10 days in Australia.
This can be edited to your desire for the dates you prefer.
** Flights are currently HIGH. Please set a flight tracker notification for when rates return to normal. Typical rates in the month of Feb are $850-$1000USD round trip ***
The earlier you buy your flight, the cheaper it will be.
The cheapest round trip flight we have tracked for the month of Feb. was $830. Most airline websites now allow for Paypal Pay in 4 (bi-weekly payments), Affirm or Pay Later methods.
United, American, & Qantas are suggested.
20 Feb - 6 March Travel time ranges from 16-17 hours direct, or 19-22 hours with connection.
Our suggested flight route requires 1 connection from Houston at either Dallas, Los Angeles or San Fransisco before you’re off to Sydney.
We highly suggest booking early to try and score an aisle or window seat as it’s a pretty long flight.
The USD is strong in Australia. Please keep this in mind as you review pricing for your travel. ◡̈
Where to stay while in Sydney? 🏨 🛎️
Where to stay while in Sydney? 🏨 🛎️
Circular Quay/ Sydney CBD
Click the image to launch Circular Quay hotels
When you Google search Sydney, you’re seeing the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. These are located in the area of “Circular Quay”, which is the main Ferry hub in Sydney. Here you can view our famous landmarks, dine with a view, and take the Ferry to Toronga Zoo, several different beaches, Luna Amusement Park, Darling Harbour, etc;.
This would be your most expensive option, but have the ‘views’ any tourist desires while traveling. This also gets you central to the Central Business District (CBD).
Please note this area is good for a more ‘touristy’ stay.
Darlinghurst
Click the image to launch Darlinghurst hotels
Want to be central to Sydney’s “happening” neighbourhoods? Darlinghurst is located East of the CBD and gets you close to lots of buzzing bars, restaurants and “going out” scene. This option has sliding scale pricing for hotels, (based on amenities you need/don’t need) and is good for those who want to get out and explore the food and culture of Sydney.
Please note this area is good for those who want to dine out, shop, hop around different pubs, etc;.
Parramatta
Click the image to launch Parramatta hotels
Parramatta is going to be the most bang-for-your-buck when it comes to pricing and things to do. Parra is close to a mega shopping centre, lots of restaurants and bars, and a close train ride to Sydney Olympic Park. You can easily access suburbs like Darlinghurst, Circular Quay/Central and others via train or public transport from here while saving some money on your hotel.
Please note this area is good to save money, but requires use of public transport to access touristy areas.
Wollongong
Click the image to be taken to 28 Feb - 5 March Wollongong Hotel search
For family coming in that will make their way to Wollongong, we suggest the following hotels:
Novotel – beachfront (5 star, more $$$)
Best Western City Sands – golf club hotel right on the beach (4 star and reasonable)
Please note this area is 1.5 hours removed from Sydney CBD. This is more of a ‘sleepy beach tourist’ area.
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Public Transportation
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🚆 Public Transportation 🚋
Use this trip planner to navigate public transport via train stations.
Example: You are staying at Circular Quay and want to use public transport to get to the nearest train station for our wedding. You will walk to the Circular Quay Station and input that as your start point, and Parramatta Station as your end point. This tool will tell you exactly which train(s) to catch, where to connect, what platform your train is on, etc;
Our advice is to use Apple/Google Maps for your transport needs, especially if in a pinch. Here, you can select bus, train, or drive to find your path between cities.
If I am staying in Parramatta Novotel Hotel and want to see the Opera House at Circular Quay, I would use Apple Maps to use my current location as the starting point, and put the Opera House as my end location. I want to catch a train and then walk, so this is my train and footpath.
Maps also updates you on delays, track closures, and multiple routes you can use.
The NSW transport system uses “Opal Cards”, which are the equivalent of Metro Cards in the States. We believe it is worth it to buy one online and add to your Apple/Google Wallet to tap and go as Opal Card offers discounts on transport. However, you can use your existing debit or credit card to tap on/off through Apple or Google Pay.
Cell Phone Plan 📱
Cell Phone Plan 📱
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INTERNATIONAL DAY PASS
Find out if your cellular provider has International Day passes, like AT&T. For $10-12 a day, you get to keep your phone number, roam with 5G/LTE, and not worry about the fuss of a new sim card + having to track your data.
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AUSTRALIAN SIM CARD
If your line doesn’t offer International Day Passes, then your best bet is to find a suitable plan at the Sydney Airport. They offer the best pricing as tourists are all around. Click below to read the article pictured.
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TURN OFF ROAMING
If you are opting for a SIM card, *turn off your Data Roaming for your American SIM*. This means your phone will not connect to any tower and use 5G/LTE on surged international pricing. It will only use the International SIM card data.