what, praytell, is Frangipani?
What? Really? Don't you have Frangipani in the States? Hibiscus is also popular. Particularly if you have a Barina with green P Plates.
And god, I wish you didn't ask the Vic v NSW question. It seems no one can be honest and objective about it without getting vicious and bitchy. I've been to Melbourne a fair few times and each time have found it not exactly a fun time. I've always had the reason of visiting family as my reason for going, but otherwise I'd never go back there. I prefer NSW. That is why I live here. They prefer down there, hence their living there (strange, no?
). Victorians do get really bitchy and petty about Sydney hatred. I dunno. Sydney has it's share of shittiness, but don't be fooled - Melbourne is just like every other city in the world and has things to do, things to avoid, things that suck.
So, Sydney... what to do? There's the major sights. The Opera House is just incredible. I've got a massive affection for that building after spending many a year at art school researching my hero, Jorn Utzon. You'd spend a really nice day walking around down there. You can start at Lady Macquarie's chair and do the walk around along the water and see the Opera House, the bridge, naturally, then around to Circular Quay and perhaps see what's on at the MCA - Museum of Contemporary Art. Then catch a ferry over to Manly. It's a great 30 odd minute trip on one of our relics - the poor ferries are always under attack for being late, crashing, being old, being this, that, etc., but they're bags of fun (in a rocking, lots of sea spray, crazy way!). Manly is fairly nice. It's a wanky beach suburb which is unfortunately very bogan. There's a million cafes, restaurants and pubs to eat at and a nice walkway along the edge of the beach. If you can find some spare water you may want to have a swim? It can get very crowded. Lots of beachy shopping to be had here.
What else... You might want to book a bridge climb? I'd have to be taken up in a body bag and propped up for photos, but many people I know reckon it's a really interesting and pleasant stroll up what is a great bridge. I love a good bridge (from the ground). A fun day is Taronga Zoo. It's over the other side of the bridge and has a great bunch of exhibits. There's Luna Park on the north end of the bridge, but I can't recommend it as it's been since my childhood that I've been there and I don't know if it's any fun anymore. Besides, you're not travelling all this way for fun parks! In the middle of Sydney is Centrepoint - the most expensive lift you'll ever get in. There's a restaurant up the top which is supposedly very good. Again, I was a kid when I went there (back when it wasn't a tourist's AUD black hole) and it's a mad view. The Art Gallery of NSW is a must-see, I reckon. It's in a great spot with Hyde Park across the road, there's St Marys Cathedral up the top of Gallery Rd., which is a beautiful, glorious old church, and you should be around at a time when the bells are rung, as I think it's every hour. There's the convict barracks which are an interesting trip into our sad past, just on the other side of the road from the cathedral. Down the road from here is the Australian Museum, and if you keep heading in that direction you will eventually end up in our famous Kings Cross. But you may not want to go there.
Darling Harbour is more of some good touristy fun. There's the Aquarium, the Imax theatre, usually an old ship or two hanging around that you may be able to get on - there's actually a Tall Ship called the James Craig which is moored at some place around here,
Sydney Heritage Fleet - James Craig general information. How are you with gardens? There's the botanical gardens which are back over at the Domain, also opposite the Art Gallery of NSW
Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain - Botanic Gardens Trust - Sydney, Australia , but also there is a great Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour.
Darling Harbour - Chinese Garden
I'm getting distracted by my whiny kids, but I'll keep replying if you're interested!