Posted 2015-09-20 10:10 AM (#515371) Subject: Hey Aussies
Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch
An acquaintance of mine is thinking of a trip to down under. Maybe mid Dec to Mid Jan. Asked me what are the cool things/places to see? What is avoidable? Should New Z be in the mix and if so what part? He asked me as if I should know, always wanted to but never got there. Figured you guys would know and help appreciated. Bo you need visas? Develope a strong liver for Fosters?
Posted 2015-09-20 4:59 PM (#515381 - in reply to #515371) Subject: RE: Hey Aussies
Joined: September 2012 Posts: 813
Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia
Where to go depends a lot on this person's interests and how long the visit is.
Australia is a big country, just a bit smaller than the Lower 48 states. So they'll need to think about how they want to get around. A mix of flying and driving is probably best.
Sydney with its harbour is a stunning city and a great first entry point.
We have many great wine making areas including the Hunter Valley north west of Sydney, the Riverina in south west New South Wales, the Barossa Valley in South Australia and Margaret River in Western Australia.
Tasmania is very historic and very beautiful.
The Great Barrier Reef is a top diving destination and very scenic.
If they want to see some of The Outback, Uluru (Ayers Rock as it used to be called) is worth a visit. Its near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
Canberra, where I live, is not the place to visit on your first trip.
New Zealand is a very beautiful place to visit, I've been there many times. Both islands are worth seeing, but I have a preference for the south island, especially Queenstown and Fiordland. Mind you Auckland on the North Island is a beautiful city.
"You must have a valid U.S. passport and a visa to enter Australia. Most U.S. passport holders traveling to Australia for tourism or business purposes for less than 90 days can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).Aug 18, 2015" http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/australia.html
Fosters isn't all that popular here, but there are plenty of great local beers to keep you hydrated on a hot day.
Muzza could give you more info on his part of the country.
And remember the seasons are reversed, so it'll be summer here in December/January.
Posted 2015-09-20 5:11 PM (#515382 - in reply to #515371) Subject: Re: Hey Aussies
Joined: April 2008 Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia
He'll fly in to Sydney or Melbourne, so there's lots of things to see in both places. Sydney Harbour has a lot of attractions (Opera House, Botanic Gardens, Harbour cruise, The Rocks) most of which are walking distance from Circular Quay. From there you can catch a Ferry to Manly (ferry ride is very scenic and cheaper than a harbour cruise) and go to Manly Beach and the Corso (lots of dining and entertainment). If they have children, then Luna Park is on the North side of Sydney Harbour and worth an excursion. NYE on Sydney Harbour there is always good fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Lots (I mean lots!) of people will be there, so be prepared to be crowded (not for the agoraphobic).
A few hours West of Sydney is the Blue Mountains - They could hire a car, or catch a train. This is worth a day trip or even a night or two. It will be popular that time of year, it is a bit cooler than Sydney, so people will go to escape the heat, but the scenery is absolutely spectacular and there are lots of nice places to stay and good food to eat. North or South of Sydney is lots of good beaches, including some within Sydney itself, such as Manly, Bondi, Coogie. Again, these can be day trips from Sydney. To find one outside Sydney just drive North or South for a few hours, then turn off the highway and head East. NSW has an embarrassment of beaches.
Keep in mind that Australia (like the US) is very big, so the best bet is to decide upon a region and do things around there. He might want to see the Barrier Reef, but keep in mind that it's a long way from Sydney and Melbourne (it's even a long way from Brisbane) and it will take several days to get there and see it. But if you enjoy snorkeling and lying in the sun, that would be good. If he goes up to far North Queensland to see the reef, be warned that he won't be swimming off the mainland (box jelly fish) and even the reef can be a bit dodgy at that time of the year with jelly fish and sea snakes. Even South East Queensland is not at its best that time of year - semi tropical, so it's overcast and humid. The Gold Coast is ok (but not if you're adverse to tacky consumerism) but that's not its best time. However, if he has teenagers, there are a bunch of amusement parks all within stones throw of each other on the Gold Coast (Movie World, Dream World, Wet 'n' Wild, Sea World, something else) - but you can get a similar experience in the US.
Sydney and Melbourne, on the other hand, are both very nice (albeit hot) at that time of the year and there are no nasties to prevent you swimming (you're way more likely to get hit by lightning than bitten by a shark).
Melbourne has a really good cafe culture, and a lazy day wandering through the CBD of Melbourne up and down the alleys is a great experience - coffee tastes better in those little alleys.
No Visa needed. People drink less these days, because drink driving laws are very nasty (do not hop behind the wheel if you're over .05), so his liver should be able to cope.
New Zealand has a lot of nice places, particularly the mountains. But I've only briefly visited Auckland, so I'm no travel guide there.
Posted 2015-09-21 12:17 AM (#515387 - in reply to #515371) Subject: Re: Hey Aussies
Joined: September 2013 Posts: 52
Location: Brisbane Australia
If he's interested in the music scene in Australia it may be worth looking at any festivals and align with them. Some have a lot of overseas content, some have a lot of local content. Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane would be my choices (in that order) is you want to see Aussie bands.
Other than that, as already stated - depends on what they are interested in...
Posted 2015-09-27 11:30 AM (#515578 - in reply to #515371) Subject: Re: Hey Aussies
Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch
Always wanted to go there and this guy got me thinking about it. He's not going as it turns out. But talking about it and playing "what if" has got me cashin in my air miles. Not gettin any younger, might as well go.
Posted 2015-09-28 9:35 PM (#515657 - in reply to #515371) Subject: Re: Hey Aussies
Joined: April 2008 Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia
I'm sure he's in a Quandry. It's Quite a hard choice to make when the airline only gives him a small Quota of things he can take. Would it Qualify as carry on baggage?
Posted 2015-09-28 11:51 PM (#515662 - in reply to #515653) Subject: RE: Hey Aussies
Joined: September 2012 Posts: 813
Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia
naellis58 - 2015-09-29 2:14 PM
LOL!!!!!! I was just trying to pronounce that one myself! LOL!!!!
It would be priceless to hear it with a Texan Drawl!!!! LOL!!!!
Mind you, you could have a lot of fun getting Aussies to pronounce some of the US names. It took me a while to get San Joaquin sounding reasonable in a song I do - and I had a coach from the US!
Posted 2015-09-29 9:41 AM (#515667 - in reply to #515664) Subject: RE: Hey Aussies
Joined: December 2014 Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota
Eynowd - 2015-09-29 3:50 AM
naellis58 - 2015-09-29 1:14 PM
BanjoJ - 2015-09-28 8:05 PM
I want to here Beal pronounce Woolloomooloo.
LOL!!!!!! I was just trying to pronounce that one myself! LOL!!!! It would be priceless to hear it with a Texan Drawl!!!! LOL!!!!
Here, Nancy, this might help.
And he's playing an Ovation
LMAO!!!!! I had to watch it 4 times, I was determined to get at least some of the verbage! LOL!!!!
They said Wooloomooloo so fast I couldn't even catch it!! LOL!!! I LOVE Monty Python!!! Thank You Eynowd!!! Good way to start the day - Laughing!!!
Posted 2015-09-30 2:51 AM (#515694 - in reply to #515371) Subject: Re: Hey Aussies
Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
I actually "missed the boat"... my only regret of my Navy career. I was supposed to be on the Enterprise (or maybe it was the Constellation) in 1978-ish for it's first return back to Australia since WWII I think. Sorry the details are a little fuzzy. I had a motorcycle accident that wracked up my arm and wasn't allowed to make the trip. I don't know how the guys in Australia felt about us coming over... but the stories I heard... I regret not making that trip to this day.
Hey Aussies
