Staying in Sydney

Sydney has a full range of accommodation, from backpacker/youth hostel to five-star. The Darling Harbour area of Sydney is a convenient mid-point between the University campus and the harbour. Accor has an Ibis, a Novotel and Grand Mercure apartments at Darling Harbour, spanning several price and configuration options. Check their website for internet specials.

Similarly convenient geographically are the Mercure at Railway Square and the two Sydney Youth Hostels close by.

Previous hosts of the competition may feel there is some irony in accommodation suggestions appearing here, since the person writing this little piece tends to play a game of avoiding recommendations. Generally there are two reasons: the market is so competitive now that it is usually possible to beat corporate rates and group deals; and locals are not usually the ones to ask about accommodation in their home city.

For accommodation reviews I use Tripadvisor. Don't worry too much about their rankings v go for the comments.

Then I do a price check on a site with wide coverage, such as Octopus.

Internationally I like to check Gtahotels but I don't know how they fare with Sydney. Then I go to the operator's own website. Increasingly, but by no means always, that is where you find the best deal and the most generous cancellation conditions. So, check out the range of options Accor offers at Darling Harbour v students might like to cluster around that area.

If you are looking for a special treat in one of the most attractive cities on the planet, harbour views are possible from the Shangri-la and a brace of upmarket hotels at Circular Quay. The flagship Marriott is also nearby and both of these have very appealing club floors. For value, there are those who choose Marriott's other property overlooking Hyde Park. Across Hyde Park and closest to the shops is Starwood's lead hotel, the Sheraton on the Park. Its indoor pool is probably the pick of Sydney's hotel aquatics, but if you want decadence there is the Observatory Hotel's starry subterranean sea, down by the Rocks.

Also near Circular Quay is the Intercontinental, a very agreeable meeting place with its atmospheric Cortille. Starwood's more affordable option, the Four Points Sheraton, takes us back to Darling Harbour, where the Intercontinental Group also has Holiday Inn representation. And all this only scratches the surface.

Last-minute addicts are well-served by the rapidly growing wotif, which you might compare with need it now.

That said, don't spend too much time being accommodated. Get out into the green or blue space. Sydney is a bit elongated, but walking is still a rewarding option. The Botanic Gardens will beckon in April, as will a stroll across the Harbour Bridge to the marvellous vistas from Kirribilli and Milson's point, where you will find North Sydney Olympic Pool, home to more world records than any other venue on earth. Sydney in April is likely to have warm, sunny days with some breezes and maybe cool nights. 14-22 degrees is the average April temperature range, but the maximum has been exceeded frequently in recent years. Serious weather - watchers might like to check for themselves.

We'll add a section on things to do in Sydney over the next few weeks. In the meantime, Tourism NSW will keep you excited.

Updating will continue through to the close of registrations and then a message board will be added.

Any enquiries regarding the 2007 Competition may be sent to the Australian National Representative, Frank Astill, at fastill@usyd.edu.au