Off topic - Trips to Australia

[GNF on Tour]

Me and the missus are thinking of doing a trip to oz as we have managed to organise a month off in late November. Can anybody advise the "must sees and must do's" whilst we are out there if we do manage to go?



Thanks

Depends what you are after really, do you want to do beaches or are happy to explore the interior. Either way as someone else said you will have no chance of doing it all (unless you fancy flying across a continent).

Kakadu - tried in twice, rained off twice - big risk in going all that way to see a few crocs in a swamp
Sydney - I would spend some time there defo, good beaches Manly, Bronte, I actually like Bondi.
Melbourne - over-rated
Fraser Island - quite fun, would only do if part of a trip from say Sid or Bris to Cairns
Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide was fun and the Grampians?? Mountains were great to stay/camp in.
I went by car from Aselaide to Alice and did the rock and kings canyons, coober pedy etc - glad I did it but it was along trip.

Actually, the best place to visit in Australia is New Zealand.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Sydney's well worth a visit. As others have said, the bridge climb/tour isn't cheap but the view is spectacular, particularly at night. Manley beach is only 30 mins by ferry from Circular Key, the Opera House tour is interesting but try to catch a show if you can. The Botanical Gardens are well worth a trip and don't forget to have a pint or two of Three Sheets at the Lord Nelson in Kent Street on the Rocks. Do try some VB whilst you're in Aus - absolutely the worst beer anywhere.
Agree totally with THPP - fly Emirates.
Finally, New Zealand's even better than Australia.

 

[The Modfather]

Previously mentioned on here, but would strongly recommend Fraser Island.

Sydney obviously, and Brisbane.

 

[Lankyseagull]

Highlights from my trip back in '98/9:

Sydney - the bridge climb, Manly beach (chill-out on New Year's Day!), opera at the Opera House (just to say I'd done it!), Katoomba & the Blue Mountains, generally loads of things to do there!

Melbourne - Great Ocean Road, Melbourne Gaol (Ned Kelly's armour is there), drive though the Dandenong Ranges, the William Ricketts Sanctuary (perhaps the most spiritual place I've experienced)

Brisbane - not too much to see here, so took a trip up to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island.

I was out there for the cricket & the top highlight was Darren Gough's hattrick the the Sydney Cricket Ground in the fifth test, not to mention the England-Australia one dayer in near 100 deg heat at the MCG (a few beers needed that day!)

Whatever you do, you'll enjoy it!

 

[GNF on Tour]

Highlights from my trip back in '98/9:



I was out there for the cricket & the top highlight was Darren Gough's hattrick the the Sydney Cricket Ground in the fifth test, QUOTE]

I was there for that!

Remarkable end to what I remember as being an overwise dreadful day.

 

[The Tassie Seagull]

If you want something a bit different, then a trip to see us in Tassie is a good option.

Look up Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, West Coast Wilderness Railway, some of the best wilderness, wildlife and rainforest on the planet, some of the biggest trees in the world, the best eating and wine in Australia, and Bay of Fires (which was Lonely Planets No1 destination in the world for 2009).

Plus although a bit quieter, Hobart (Mt Wellington) is still a fairly vibrant city, see Salamanca Market etc. Not what most people think of as typical Oz, but everybody is surprised when they get here.

 

[rcf0712]

I'm a tad biased but I'd thouroughly recommend arriving in Perth for a few days to acilamatise, then flying to Broome and driving down the West Coast from all the way to Denmark by campervan, amazing scenery, food and wine (down South) and the friendliest people. Lonely plante guide will tell you all you need to know and see.
Then drive across the Nullaboor and spend some time in Melbourne which is an awesome city and brimming with culture, and the Mornington Peninsula's is not too shabby either if you like scenic driving, quality food and cool climate wines - best Pinot Noir in the Pacific IMHO.
Then finish up by popping your campervan on a ferry across the Bass Strait (not for the fainthearted, if you don't get sea sick as that's a hell ride) to the land that time forgot, the awe inspiringgly beautiful Tasmania, for some more scenic touring and imbibing.
Brisbane's full of rednecks, Sydney is the most overrated place I've ever been to and Adelaide is a hole. Darwin's fun but you won't really have time if you do all the above.
Your call of course, and all the above is purely my own personal view based on the night on 16 years I've lived in Perth and extensively travelled around this wonderous isle.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide was fun and the Grampians?? Mountains were great to stay/camp in.

Geelong!!! Not Melbourne

And yeah, some really nice places to rent up around the Grampians especially around Halls Gap.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I'm a tad biased but I'd thouroughly recommend arriving in Perth for a few days to acilamatise, then flying to Broome and driving down the West Coast from all the way to Denmark by campervan, amazing scenery, food and wine (down South) and the friendliest people. Lonely plante guide will tell you all you need to know and see.
Then drive across the Nullaboor and spend some time in Melbourne which is an awesome city and brimming with culture, and the Mornington Peninsula's is not too shabby either if you like scenic driving, quality food and cool climate wines - best Pinot Noir in the Pacific IMHO.
Then finish up by popping your campervan on a ferry across the Bass Strait (not for the fainthearted, if you don't get sea sick as that's a hell ride) to the land that time forgot, the awe inspiringgly beautiful Tasmania, for some more scenic touring and imbibing.
Brisbane's full of rednecks, Sydney is the most overrated place I've ever been to and Adelaide is a hole. Darwin's fun but you won't really have time if you do all the above.
Your call of course, and all the above is purely my own personal view based on the night on 16 years I've lived in Perth and extensively travelled around this wonderous isle.

176% correct on all accounts.

If they followed your plan they'd experience all the diversity within the country from the desert to the ancient Tasmanian forests.

Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide are all worth missing.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Just a side note. If you're travelling through SA don't stop and pop in for a swim if you're near a beach.

Freaking Great Whites galore along that coast line.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide are all worth missing.

Sydney is, by FAR, the best city in Australia. You can't fly 24 hours to Australia and not go there.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Sydney is, by FAR, the best city in Australia. You can't fly 24 hours to Australia and not go there.

Its the least Australian city in the country.

If you want to experience the real Australia, it's the last place in the country to go to.

Have to say every time I've been there I couldn't wait to leave.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

[Sydney is] the least Australian city in the country.

If you want to experience the real Australia, it's the last place in the country to go to.

Have to say every time I've been there I couldn't wait to leave.

That's like going to England for the first time and giving London a miss. Why would you do that?

 

[tedebear]

Its the least Australian city in the country.

If you want to experience the real Australia, it's the last place in the country to go to.

Have to say every time I've been there I couldn't wait to leave.

You do say some rather daft things sometimes. You cannot travel half way around the world to Australia and not see Sydney. If you have 4 weeks you can and should fit it in.

They don't ever have to go back - but don't take someone elses opinion for what is the "last place you'd want to go to"..

I like rcf0712's ideas only if you're willing to spend an awful lot of time on the road...remember when he says drive across the nullarbor you best assume you'll be in the car for at least 3 days...it isn't a small country...

 

[Skaville]

Sydney is very American, Melbourne is very European. Both have their plus points. I'd live in Melbourne over Sydney, but on a short visit, Sydney has the wow factor.

You're unluckily missing out on all he sport in Melbourne. The AFL will be finished, the Derby is in early November, Ashes come to town on Boxing Day, the Australian Open is in January. Missing it now...

 

[xenophon]

Broome, best sunsets on the globe

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

If you only have a month you shouldn't be driving through WA and SA in my opinion. Sure it'll be a great experience but probably best saved for either a dedicated trip to do it properly or as part of a 3 month visa.

The people saying don't go to Sydney are mad. It's so iconic you'd be a fool to miss it and it'll be up to you to make your own mind up about it.

 

[xenophon]

If in Sydney I'd recommend staying in Manly - cheapish accommodation, cool beach and you get that breathtaking ferry ride into Circular Quay every day

Nimbin for good weed

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Sydney is very American, Melbourne is very European. Both have their plus points. I'd live in Melbourne over Sydney, but on a short visit, Sydney has the wow factor.

You're unluckily missing out on all he sport in Melbourne. The AFL will be finished, the Derby is in early November, Ashes come to town on Boxing Day, the Australian Open is in January. Missing it now...

Is the correct answer, except Sydney is a better place to live

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

That's like going to England for the first time and giving London a miss. Why would you do that?

Because i'd rather visit Brighton

Far less chance of running into other Australians.