I need advice driving in Sydney.

[owen]

Hey guys.

Being a country boy I need a bit of a hand to get to University of Sydney in the big smoke. I was planning on catching a train from western sydney but due to recent events I might fare better if I drive. Can someone please help me out with how I might get there and where the best place would be to park?

Cheers,
Owen.

[losfp]

Well, USyd is right on Parramatta road, so you shouldn't have too much problem finding it.. Parking, well, there's metered parking in the campus, I believe.. Not sure about around there. I always took the train to uni (UTS, up the road)

This might help - http://www.usyd.edu.au/about/campus/index.shtml

[DStrom]

Parking is not cheap or easy to come by at syd uni ... lets hope its just a short term solution.

[Onyx]

Owen, park at Broadway shopping centre, opposite Victoria Park next to USyd's main campus (I'm assuming you're referring to its main campus?! ie. Darlington/Camperdown campus).

If you get there early, say 6-7am, you could park in the bus lane on either side of Parra Rd or any of the side streets around the campus entrances (like everyone else), but any other time Broadway offers 3 hours free parking. If you need longer, just move your car feed the ticket at the exit and re-enter with a new ticket... Of course what I suggest may be unethical, so depending on your persuasion you might not wanna do it.

I know not what recent events you're referring to, but everyday for 4 years I got off at Redfern station and walked the distance to the campus... there's a huge never ceasing stream of people that takes the route, which won't make it seem like you're venturing into unknown territory - altho apparently it's not recommended after dark. Anyway in that time, I've only been hurled racial slurs and spat at, not physically confronted or had items stolen...

[Catcha]

I've only been hurled racial slurs and spat at, not physically confronted or had items stolen...

Gee thats not nice

[Sheetshooter]

"everyday for 4 years I got off at Redfern station and walked the distance to the campus...

Aaah, Onyx, what a quaint old Sydney-specific term that is: "GOT OFF AT REDFERN"

For the benefit of youngsters and out-of-towners, it referred to a contraceptive technique otherwise alluded to as WITHDRAWAL.

Cheers,

[Oneputt]

Coitus interuptus

[Sheetshooter]

John,

Strangely, a character, Onan, in the book of Genesis has become eponymous with masturbation. However, the proposition that we spilled his seed upon the floor is not all that definitive and he may well have been a passenger on City Rail alighting at Redfern aeons before trains were even invented.

Cheers,

[owen]

Hi Guys. Thanks for the responses. The alternative would be to leave the car at Lidcombe and catch a train in, however I just don't feel like that would be safe enough at this point in time. I'm not sure though. I'm probably making a big deal out of nothing.

Onyx, thanks for the parking tip - I'll check it out.

Cheers,
Owen.

[birddog114]

Hi Guys. Thanks for the responses. The alternative would be to leave the car at Lidcombe and catch a train in, however I just don't feel like that would be safe enough at this point in time. I'm not sure though. I'm probably making a big deal out of nothing.

Onyx, thanks for the parking tip - I'll check it out.

Cheers,
Owen.

You can leave your car at my place (Belmore) and 20 minutes train to the city.

[owen]

Thanks for the offer Birdy. I'll have a chat with the lady of the moment (it's her graduation) and see what she thinks we should do.

Cheers,
Owen.

[birddog114]

Thanks for the offer Birdy. I'll have a chat with the lady of the moment (it's her graduation) and see what she thinks we should do.

Cheers,
Owen.

More than welcome to stop by and have a drink, pick up your prize & certificate, then on the train to the city. I reserve an off street parking for you.

It's a simple way to get from Nowra to Belmore, if you need more instruction, please PM me.

[shutterbug]

Hi Owen,

Just drive to SydUni, plenty of parking as exams are finished. Also you can park at Broadway Shopping Center as suggested by Onyx. It is free for 3 hours I think.

As for training into Uni...maybe get off at Central Station and walking/bus to Syd Uni.

[Onyx]

Congrats to your Mrs Owen, the graduation ceremony should be sweet. Take your own pics and save the $38 for the 'official' one.

[losfp]

If it's during the daytime and if there's going to be a decent number of people at the station, then it shouldn't be too much trouble to just take the train. I've had friends who took the train every day for years without problems. Just be careful at night, is all

[shutterbug]

Usually during Graduation days...most people park at "Shephard St Carpark" next to Seymour center.

What is Mrs Owen graduating in? Health, Dentistry, or Vet Science? or other?

ps. I work at Syd Uni

[birddog114]

Usually during Graduation days...most people park at "Shephard St Carpark" next to Seymour center.

Is it safe in the next few days?

ps. I work at Syd Uni

Lecturer? Proffessor?

[shutterbug]

Usually during Graduation days...most people park at "Shephard St Carpark" next to Seymour center.

Is it safe in the next few days?

ps. I work at Syd Uni

Lecturer? Proffessor?

Graduation is on Friday...all day, different courses. So the Uni will be buzzing with people. You can park on Campus, but it is metered parking. I think the carpark is cheaper (own by the university). They have shuttle buses that take you from the carpark to the main quad.

[gstark]

Owen, park at Broadway shopping centre, opposite Victoria Park next to USyd's main campus (I'm assuming you're referring to its main campus?! ie. Darlington/Camperdown campus).

Broadway also offers a cheaper, student, all-day rate.

As for getting there, just head along Parramatta Road and you can't miss it.

[MCWB]

I'll have a chat with the lady of the moment (it's her graduation) and see what she thinks we should do.

Minimeet? Vince? Everyone will think she's famous with 3 (or more) photographers around her.

I'd suggest parking on the street that runs next to the rail yards, parallel to Abercrombie St (one street further away from Sydney Uni), it's where I park. Lots of 2 hour parks, and after about midday there'll be heaps of unlimited time parks. The 3 hour Broadway shopping centre suggestion is also a good one!

[Steffen]

Broadway also offers a cheaper, student, all-day rate.

And you get ample opportunity to check out Nikon on Broadway Their prices are boring, but they've got a good selection of stuff there to drool over.

Cheers
Steffen.

[owen]

Congrats to your Mrs Owen, the graduation ceremony should be sweet. Take your own pics and save the $38 for the 'official' one.

Thanks mate, I'll pass it on. The longest lens I have is the tamron 70 - 300 though which is very soft at the long end... so I'll probably be using the 18-70, do you think that would get me close enough? Can I run down the front when it's her time to shine?

Thanks,
Owen.

[owen]

Sorry I missed all these replies guys, my mail hasn't been coming in for them.

I really appreciate all the advice I'll have to have a chat with the in-laws as well and see if they want a lift in.

Shutterbug, she's now a qualified Speech Pathologist. Maybe I'll catch you there? How long prior should I get to the venue in order to get a good seat (considering I'll be shooting with the 18-70mm lens)?

Thanks.
Owen.

[Onyx]

The ceremony itself takes place in the great hall - it's very low light, even f/2.8 lenses are pushing it IMHO. But IIRC I don't think they restrict flash use.

The 'official' photog takes the pic as you shake hands with the Uni's Vice Chancellor, he's advantaged with being on stage - mere minions aren't allowed on the stage, so I'd suggest a medium/long tele and a powerful flash.

The ceremony will be the most boring thing you will have ever sat through in your entire life, but afterwards in the main quad you're free to endlessly take photos. There are some really great photogenic places on the campus, ideal for portraits in her graduation gown.

[owen]

Thanks again guys. I have another question. We were planning on going to the QVB afterwards for afternoon tea, but the place we were going to book is closed due to a private function. Does anyone have any ideas of a nice place for afternoon tea that wouldn't be too far away?

Cheers,
Owen.

[birddog114]

Thanks again guys. I have another question. We were planning on going to the QVB afterwards for afternoon tea, but the place we were going to book is closed due to a private function. Does anyone have any ideas of a nice place for afternoon tea that wouldn't be too far away?

Cheers,
Owen.

What type of food, Asian, Middle East, Italian???? range of $$$$?

[owen]

Not so much a meal birdy, but rather coffee and cake - that kind of thing.

Thanks.
Owen.

[birddog114]

Not so much a meal birdy, but rather coffee and cake - that kind of thing.

Thanks.
Owen.

Around Sydney Uni and surrounding areas as Newtown, heap of spots.

You should book a special meal in a nice restaurant to celebrate her graduation day.

[owen]

Yeah, it's a matter of timing though. If we waiting for a reasonable dinner time we'd be waiting a couple of hours.

[shutterbug]

Not so much a meal birdy, but rather coffee and cake - that kind of thing.

Thanks.
Owen.

Try "Cafe Ella" on Abercrombie St, on the way to Redfern Station.

or Gloria Jeans @ Broadway Shops (Air conditioned)

[Alpha_7]

I'd second Cafe Ella, great food there!

[owen]

Thanks shutterbug. I'll get the map out tonight and plot our course for tomorrow.

[shutterbug]

Not a problem....

ps. My mate is graduating from Dentistry

[Sheetshooter]

Owen,

If you are going into town then I'd suggest that in the QVB alone you would be spoilt for choice - let alone the rest of the city. It would be quite safe to play it by ear, there's bound to be many that will take your fancy.

On the next corner down George Streeet from the Town Hall is the CitiGroup building - diagonally opposite QVB. Up on the first floor is the:

Kinokuniya Bookstores
The Galeries Victoria Level 2 500 George St Sydney 2000
(02) 9262 7996

They have a coffee and cake bar and there is an enormous range of photo bookls in addition to all the usual.

Happy trails,

[Sheetshooter]

Try .... Gloria Jeans @ Broadway Shops (Air conditioned)

Struth Shutterbug,

Next you'll be dispatching the pooor chap to Starbucks.

Isn't there room at the pub your avatar suggests you live in?

Cheers,

[owen]

Cheers Alpha and Walter. I had a feeling that there would be many cafe places to choose from, but my wife prefers to have something planned... unfortunately over the few years I've left too many things to the last minute which has lead to us going hungry a couple of times

Shutterbug, so I guess you'll be there watching as well? It will be like a mini meet

[birddog114]

owen,
From Sydney Uni to QVB is a distance, need to drive or hop on a train,
parking in CBD is not free and costly.

[owen]

Yeah, our idea was to catch a bus or train and leave the car parked near the uni, then just head back there after gorging ourselves.

[shutterbug]

Shutterbug, so I guess you'll be there watching as well? It will be like a mini meet

I will be at work

[shutterbug]

She just got Married on Sunday too...

[birddog114]

Shutterbug, so I guess you'll be there watching as well? It will be like a mini meet

I will be at work

I thought you're one of the Chancellors on the stage who hands out the graduation certificate

[shutterbug]

Hmmm.....I am the official Ceremony Photographer

[owen]

Hi Guys. I thought I'd have some pics ready by now but we've had 2 really big storms since coming home so the computer's been off.

A big thanks to Trent for lending me his 70-200 2.8 lens, the shot turned out great (But Lisa had her eyes closed - easy fix though). I'll post it after I get some time to work on it. Again Trent, I really really appreciate it.

It really was a team effort as I was using the CF card that birddog had just sent me, and I was using Trent's lens, so thankyou very much everyone.

[birddog114]

Hi Guys. I thought I'd have some pics ready by now but we've had 2 really big storms since coming home so the computer's been off.

A big thanks to Trent for lending me his 70-200 2.8 lens, the shot turned out great (But Lisa had her eyes closed - easy fix though). I'll post it after I get some time to work on it. Again Trent, I really really appreciate it.

It really was a team effort as I was using the CF card that birddog had just sent me, and I was using Trent's lens, so thankyou very much everyone.

Owen,
Glad to hear that everything's gone well with your plan.
Smarter you're! try to introduce the 70-200VR to Lisa

[owen]

Here's the best action shot. Prior to taking this I was taking test shots and was changing focus points etc the lens misfocussed and then I heard her name called out... I started to really panic haha. I'm glad this one worked out though.



I will post some more shortly.

[shutterbug]

Very nice...much better then the Uni Pro

[owen]

Hmmm... I don't think so Must have been hot in there all day! I was sweating being only in there for the short time I was... although maybe that was due to the amazingly heavy lens that I was holding.

Shame about the mace being in the shot and also the feet being cut off, but Lisa's happy with it so that makes me happy.

[nito]

agreed. much better than the uni pro shots.

[shutterbug]

Hmmm... I don't think so Must have been hot in there all day! I was sweating being only in there for the short time I was... although maybe that was due to the amazingly heavy lens that I was holding.

Shame about the mace being in the shot and also the feet being cut off, but Lisa's happy with it so that makes me happy.

That lens (70-200VR) is tops. I have the non VR 80-200mm F2.8 for sale if you are interested

[owen]

After using that I think the VR has spoilt me. That was shot at 1/60th at 102mm, f2.8 and ISO 800.