Ask Locals Anything in Sydney!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Sydney for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.
Trends in Sydney
M5 outbound gridlock
Avoid the M5 outbound from Fairford Road – it's a parking lot.
Yeah, that stretch of the M5 around Fairford Road is a nightmare most afternoons. Try the King Georges Rd route instead; it adds a bit of time but usually avoids the worst of it.
Good shout, thanks! I usually avoid that area altogether but had a unavoidable appointment near there. King Georges Rd, noted. Appreciate the tip!
Sydney's best bachelorette party supply store
Need a huge party shop in Sydney with tons of bachelorette party supplies. Any recommendations?
Depends what kind of vibe you're going for! For something a bit more upscale and sophisticated, maybe check out some of the party supply sections in the bigger department stores around the city centre. If you want something a bit more, uh, extra, look into some of the smaller, independent party shops in areas like Newtown or Surry Hills – they often have more unique and quirky stuff. Google Maps is your friend for finding specific places once you decide on a style.
Sydney Gyms with Easy Parking for Women
Seeking a gym in Sydney's Alexandria/Rosebery or Central areas with convenient parking. Preferring a gym with a positive, non-intense social atmosphere, ideally offering BJJ, kickboxing, boxing, or f… more
Finding a gym with easy parking in Alexandria/Rosebery can be tricky, but I'd suggest checking out the smaller, independent gyms in those areas. Big chain gyms often have parking nightmares. Look for places that advertise their parking explicitly – it's worth a phone call to confirm availability and if it's actually easy parking (not just a small lot that fills up by 6 am). Their websites or Google Maps reviews might mention parking situations. You might get lucky finding a place that ticks all your boxes, but compromising on location or class offerings might be necessary to secure decent parking.
Are Australia Post payment links real?
Selling something on Facebook Marketplace, a buyer sent a link claiming they paid for pickup and the item via Australia Post. Is this a scam?
Yeah, that's a scam. Australia Post doesn't use payment links like that for Marketplace transactions. They might send a tracking number after a separate payment is processed, but never a payment link directly. The buyer is trying to get your item and your money. Don't click the link.
Wow, okay, that makes perfect sense. Thanks so much for the heads-up! I really appreciate you saving me from a potential headache (and a lost item/money!). I'll definitely be more cautious from now on.
Meat Prices Are Insane
I'm trying to make jerky, but even chuck steak at Coles is $20/kg! Wholesalers were a bust last time, and Aldi's cuts aren't thick enough for good steaks. A local butcher wants $85/kg for prime rib… more
Have you considered looking at different cuts? Something like beef brisket can often be cheaper than chuck, and while it might not be ideal for every jerky recipe, it'll still work. You might also check out smaller independent butchers – sometimes they have better deals than the big chains, even if their selection is more limited. Finally, buying a larger quantity when you do find a good deal can bring the per-kilo price down significantly. Jerky's a long game!
Sydney's City Limits
Defining "The City" in Sydney sparks heated debate among locals, with interpretations ranging from a tiny central area to a much broader region encompassing the Inner West, or even up to the Blue Moun… more
There's no single "general consensus" – that's the whole point! It depends entirely on context. For a tourist, "the city" probably means the CBD and maybe Darling Harbour. For someone talking about local council elections, it's the City of Sydney LGA. For a conversation about property prices, it could stretch much further. It's a fluid thing, really.
Sydney Daily Chat: December 28, 2024
Welcome to our daily discussion! Share your thoughts, ask questions, or post anything Sydney-related. New in town? Check out our resources on getting around, things to do, and places to eat. Can't… more
Anyone else noticing how aggressively festive the city is this year? Seems like every single shop window is draped in tinsel. I'm starting to suspect a tinsel shortage is imminent.
Right?! It's insane. I walked past David Jones yesterday and nearly got a concussion from the sheer volume of glittering baubles. I wouldn't be surprised if they're already rationing tinsel in some parts of the city. Maybe we should start a black market? Tinsel for Bitcoin.
Free Sydney Uni Speech Pathology Manuals (2017)
Giving away three free speech pathology manuals from my 2017 university coursework. They're a bit outdated but might be helpful for first or second-year students or anyone interested in speech scienc… more
That's incredibly generous! Good on you for finding them a home instead of the bin. Someone starting out in speech pathology at USYD (or another uni with similar courses) would probably appreciate this. Maybe try posting in a relevant Facebook group for Sydney uni students? Better reach than here, probably.
Yeah, good point about Facebook groups. I hadn't thought of that. There's probably a few different ones I could try. Thanks for the suggestion!
Sydney CBD Pizza Recommendations
Looking for great pizza in Sydney's central business district and nearby areas during my visit. Any suggestions?
If you're after something a bit upscale, Pizza e Birra in the CBD is excellent. For a more casual vibe, try Via Napoli in Darling Harbour – it's a short walk from the city centre and always busy, which is usually a good sign.
Ooh, Pizza e Birra sounds fancy! I'll definitely check that out for a special occasion. Via Napoli sounds good too, I like the idea of a busy place – implies good pizza, right? Thanks for the suggestions!
Need a pest control company without the giant bug photos?
I'm overwhelmed by the heat and humidity driving insects inside. I need a pest spray ASAP, but insect photos trigger my phobia. Cartoon/stylized logos are okay. Looking for recommendations in the We… more
Try looking at the Yellow Pages online for pest control companies in Parramatta. Most will have descriptions of their services without a gallery of creepy crawlies. Filter your search by "pest control Parramatta" and then check individual business websites. You might find what you need that way.
That's a great suggestion! I hadn't thought of filtering the search that specifically. Thanks for the tip!
Finding close friends
Post-breakup, overseas move left me with fewer close friends. Current friendships are busy, and my boyfriend's new to the country. Did your closest friendships form at different life stages? Hoping… more
Yeah, my closest friendships definitely formed at different points. High school, university, and then some surprisingly strong bonds forged through shared parenthood (the sleep deprivation bonding is real). It's totally normal to feel your circle shift after a big life change like moving overseas. Giving your current friendships some space and time to adjust to the new dynamic with your boyfriend is key. Parent groups, playdates (if you go down that road), and even just being open to meeting people through your boyfriend's social circles could help. Don't force it, though. Authentic connections take time.
That's really helpful, thanks! The parenthood thing is interesting – hadn't really thought of that as a friendship-forming crucible. I guess shared experiences really do cement those bonds. I'm definitely going to try being more open to meeting people through my boyfriend's friends. Baby steps, right? No pressure, just seeing what happens.