gbs

In early May will be visiting our daughter who is studying at Macquarie. Are there hotels available near the school, or would it be more interesting to stay in Sydney and travel out there. I haven't found much info on the school website. Is transportation there reasonable and easily accessible from the city? Or maybe we should stay some in each area? Thanks for any input.

johhj_au

The Stamford at north ryde is a good hotel adjacent to the campus (if she is staying on campus)Get a day or two there on www.wotif.com.au and then spend the rest of your time in the city.

The hotel runs a shuttle to the city (infrequently) or you can get a bus to the city or a bus and train from epping.

You might like to rent a car whilst you are there and visit the northern beaches,blue mountains,chatswood etc

Alan

If you don't mind a bus ride, I think I'd advise staying in the city and travelling out to Macquarie as needed. If you stay at Ryde, near the Uni, you will find a limited range of accommodation; and, maybe more important, you will find that there is little to do and see while you're not with your daughter... my guess is that you'd be spending a lot of time on that same bus getting away from the Uni and going into the city!

There is plenty of bus transport from everywhere in Sydney to Macquarie University.... however, it's not yet well-serviced by train (a new line is under construction). The fastest bus service is the 288, which goes (every 15 minutes) from the Queen Victoria Building right in the heart of Sydney. You can also get the 289 and 292 from the same place, but they're a bit slower. Either way, you could leave your hotel in Sydney and be at Macquarie within the hour. So my recommendation would be a hotel in central Sydney near the Queen Victoria Building... there are plenty of those, ranging from ultra-budget (the Criterion) to massively expensive (the Wsetin). In between these two extremes, the Grace might be a nice compromise... a rather elegant old building that evokes New York and the era of the Chrysler Building. All we really need to know now is what grade of accommodation you are seeking and how much you want to pay.

gbs

Thanks for replies. Another question came up as I was reading responses. My daughter just called. She is leaving for Sydney Wednesday. She was planning on living in suites in the villages at Macquarie, but was just offered space in the colleges. Does anyone know the differences and which is preferred by most students? Thanks again

johhj_au

College accomodation is traditional style university stuff...small single study room with shared bath but fully catered with all meals.

The village accomodation was used by the athletes at the 2000 olympics. About 5 students "share" an apartment style place and have to fend for themselves cooking wise etc.

It is your daughters decision but I would go for the village...she stands a good chance of making friends for life as they "survive" together.

BTW..what is she studying? my wife is an academic at Macquarie. If you are interested and you stay nearby we could have an evening sail on our boat on Pittwater.

gbs

John, thanks so much for your quick response. She is a business major - marketing and int'l business. She is now scheduled for life in the village, but today the school called and said they had an opening in the college. She was told that there she would have more opportunity to meet more Australians, but on the other hand, she was told most Australians live at home, not in the dorms. So that confused her.

What a generous offer - when you don't even know us! We will be there in early May for a visit and you sound like you can be a wealth of information for us!! Thanks so much and hope to talk to you again soon, Gayl

johhj_au

Don't tell anyone I told you this and be aware my alma mater is the best uni in sydney (UNSW) but Macquarie had the reputation of being the "social" university for the middle class kids of sydney's affluent north shore.

Most of these kids live at home or in apartments and the on campus accommodation is dominated by overseas students particularly from south east asia.

you are most welcome to come on the boat...its hard to beat Pittwater on a pleasant autumn evening.I might be a little grumpy and cynical but my wife is perfectly charming.Drop me an e mail if you are interested.

margo_oz

I'll second that John's wife is charming....and John is ....................also charming!

gbs

Well, John, thanks for the info. As a parent, of course, I was very sorry to read that take on Macquarie being the party school. My daughter is really interested in meeting a lot of new people, and of course, going to Australia, she was hoping to meet Australians. Now she's not sure which living environment would be the best choice. She leaves in less than 2 days, so I guess tomorrow is the day she needs to decide. BTW, this is her usual MO and that is how she chose Macuarie - by leaving everything to the last minute, not doing much research and making an uninformed decision at the last minute. I hope all goes well for her!

johhj_au

Gay
I did use the past tense when I referred to Macquarie as the social uni.I am sure its academic standards these days are just as high as any other sydney unis.

I could have really worried you and said she stood a good chance of meeting an aussie bloke and never going back to north america!

AS far as accommodation goes I suspect they will give her a choice after she has had a look at both.Overseas students are the economic lifeblood of australian unis these days.

inthechips2

I read your last entry with a bit of amusement John, as our daughter indeed met an Aussie bloke while he was a student in the States 2 years ago, they've maintained a long distance relationship with a few visits here and there and now she is headed to Deakin in Geelong (if accepted) to be closer to him while studying. And I was interested in your comments about overseas students, as I wonder if there is any reason whatsoever she would NOT be accepted at Deakin for the semester. This waiting is tough as we anticipate making flight plans, etc.!

johhj_au

Is she smart enough to understand aussie rules football?
Is she dumb enough to be a Geelong Cats fan?
Is her credit good?

Then she will get into Deakin.

I have to tell you....Deakin is not the best uni in australia and Geelong is not the best city to live in australia.

inthechips2

But Geelong is where her Aussie is, so there you go.