• "Airport Link is a fast and convenient way to reach the centre of Sydney. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes and the journey into the city takes only 13 minutes. The international and domestic rail stations link directly to the City Circle which means most city destinations are within a short walk of stations" --
  
  -- says the airport website. The fare is $A 15.40 one way (which includes a $A 12 "Gate Pass").
  
  If you buy a "MyMulti" Pass for travelling in Sydney (see below) you still need to buy a "Gate Pass" at the airport for $A 12 (which is included in the above-mentioned fare of 15.40).

• The international and domestic terminals in Sydney have their own railway stations connected to the main network. Catch the train to Central Station (the hub station in Sydney).  All suburban lines are parallel to each other. Change trains to the North Shore Line (going north).  Three stations later, the first over the Harbour bridge, is Milson's Point.
  
  Exit there and the hotel is almost directly across the road on the side that you get off the train (west).

• Please note that there are lifts from and to all platforms at Central and also at Milson's Point.  We recommend you use them rather than dragging suitcases up and down stairs, especially at Milson's Point as the steps are steep.

By Taxi.

• There are of course plentiful taxis from the airport, but please note that they have to cross the main part of the city, and there are likely to be toll charges, and the Harbour Bridge. Crossing the bridge entails a surcharge of $6. These costs will be on top of the usual rates so this is a relatively expensive option.
  

• Once in the city, you can reach Milsons Point also by ferry: from Circular Quay (the central ferry hub) it is one stop to Milsons Point/Luna Park Wharf on the Parramatta River, Woolwich/Birkenhead and Darling Harbour routes. From there, it's an 8 minutes walk to the Vibe Hotel.

• Set your Sat Nav at 88 Alfred St, Milsons Point, NSW.
  
  However, the Milson's Point area is largely high density residential, so parking is not feasible in local streets for non-residents. The hotel does have limited parking facilities (see their website), but they are expensive, and you are unlikely to need a car during your stay unless restricted in mobility.

The two most convenient means of transport are ferries and trains.

Trains

In the central area of Sydney the Circle Line operates - six stations, with trains operating in both directions. The closest Circle Line (CL) station to the venue is Wynyard (accessible via the train from Milson's Point railway station) or Circular Quay (go by ferry from Milson's Point ferry stop).

Adjacent to:

CL Circular Quay: Opera House, Museum of Sydney, the Rocks area of first settlement, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).

CL St James:- NSW Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens, some of the main convict and colonial built buildings including St James Church, Hyde Park Barracks and museum, the Mint, Sydney Hospital, Parliament House, mainly along Macquarie St.

CL Museum: Australian Museum, Hyde Park

CL Central:- other railway and bus lines

CL Town Hall:- CBD, Queen Victoria Building, Strand arcade

CL Wynyard:- Sydney Observatory, Martin Place

 
Ferries

The ferry stop of Milson's Point is down the hill from the venue.  You can catch ferries to Circular Quay or to Darling Harbour. 

From Circular Quay you can catch further public ferries to, eg,  Taronga Park Zoo or to Manly. We strongly recommend a ferry ride, especially on a sunny day. There are also people doing specialist tourist ferry rides operating from the Quay.

Darling Harbour is a tourist-oriented precinct with an aquarium, Chinese garden and casino, as well as the usual tourist type shops and eateries.

Be careful with the last ferry at night as not all late ferries will stop at Milson's Pt.

 
Walking

If you cross under the approach to the Harbour bridge opposite the hotel you will see a set of stairs that go up to the walkway across the bridge. It takes about 15 mins to walk across. At the other side you come out in the Rocks, the oldest European-settled part of Australia. If you walk roughly perpendicular to the bridge from those steps (i.e. east) eventually you should end up in Lower George St, adjacent to Circular Quay.Look out for the pick marks on the sandstone walls that the convict work gangs made.

There are many hundreds of restaurants and eateries within a couple of kilometres of the venue. These include some of the top restaurants in Australia, though many of those are booked out months in advance and are of course very pricey.

Areas where there are a variety of restaurants to choose from and how to get there:-

Under 10 mins walking distance

If you walk under the bridge to the east, across from the Vibe, you are in Kirribilli and there are numbers of small restaurants. Down Alfred St, adjacent to North Sydney Olympic Pool are Ripples cafe and Aqua Dining, both Modern Australian with great views, though bookings are advised.

 
The Rocks and Circular Quay

This area on the eastern side of the bridge has many of the best restaurants in Australia eg. Quay, Rockpool, Bennelong, plus scores of other seafood, modern Australian and European influenced food. For a light lunch with views try the cafe on the roof of the MCA or Sydney cafe on the 5th floor of Customs House (also dinner). 

 
Millers Point

This is the area on the Sydney city (southern side) of the bridge, but to the west whereas Circular Quay is to the east. A number of reasonably priced restaurants have sprung up there catering principally to locals who are living in renovated wharves and theatre and dance patrons, though there are also a couple of upmarket hotels. Examples include Ventuno (Italian), Fratelli Fresh and Firefly (tapas style). The bar area at the Wharf theatre is a nice place to hang out, overlooking the harbour.

 
China Town

This area occupies a number of blocks surrounding Dixon St. It is halfway between Town Hall and Central stations, walking along George St. You can also reach it by catching a bus up George St from, say Wynyard. Pick the restaurants with the most Chinese diners.

 
Buying Souvenirs

The tourist areas such as the Rocks and Darling Harbour, will have many such shops.  For something of good quality and less kitsch have a look at the museum or gallery shops, especially the MCA.