Can I still pay my way in to the Air New Zealand Lounge in Sydney when I am flying China Southern Airlines?

Can I still pay my way in to the Air New Zealand Lounge in Sydney when I am flying China Southern Airlines?

Sorry, but do you really want to, the lounge is very ordinary. 

I found the International terminal public areas more appealing.

I think the NZ lounge at SYD is pretty nice. I'd put it above average for most of the lounges I've seen... even if you exclude the US. 

On a sufficiently long stopover, the $AUD55 is moderately worth it. 

Mitchell: No. Air New Zealand does allow pay-in entry (see http://www.ausbt.com.au/pay-your-way-into-air-new-zealand-s-australian-nz-airport-lounges) but you have to be flying on Air New Zealand. If you're in China Southern business class they will give you a pass to the Qantas Business Lounge. If you're in economy you can always ask at the check-in desk about paying to upgrade, I have read that China Southern does this but it will cost you something like $800 I think. That's a bargain compared to buying business class upfront actually.

Anyway, Sydney really needs a pay-in lounge that doesn't belong to any airline, like the Plaza Premium or Priority Pass lounges you find around Asia. But for now you don't have any option, although Sydney International is better for waiting around compared to many other airports.