Need help with planning potential Australia trip.

[warpus]

Hi All,

In the past I have gotten really good advice (and help! and a boat! and even beer!) with planning a trip to somewhere where I've never been before, so I'm hoping for further awesome advice from you guys (and girls)

I have been meaning to go "check out" Australia for a while now, and I figured I'd start planning something comprehensive before life catches up with me and I am not able to go anymore.

This would be a 3 week long trip (I think). I don't really know much about the place, but would also like to make a week-long side-trip to New Zealand in the process.

If people suggest to me cool stuff to see, suggestions on when to go, where to stay, what NOT to do, what not to say (), etc. that would be great and would probably help me a lot in planning the trip.

I think most flights from Toronto (where I would likely depart from.. maybe Detroit or Buffalo) fly to Sydney, so that would likely have to be my "hub" for the rest of my trip. What would make the most sense, is spending 2-3 days to check out the city, then maybe bussing it north or south to another city. Where should I go? Where is this "gold coast" and is that worth seeing? That's where all the skyscrapers are, right? Should I head north towards Brisbane (anything worth seeing there?) or south/west towards Melbourne (worth seeing that city?) Anything worth seeing near the coast north of Brisbane?

Am I approaching this right? Travel along the coast? Or is there stuff in Australia to see that isn't near the coast? Is there anything worth checking out in Adelaide and/or Canberra? Is there anything at all in western Australia, or should I just forget about it? I could fly to Perth for a couple days, if you guys thought that'd be worth it.

Tasmania has piqued my interest as well. I'm down with hiking nearby spectacular scenery - from the pictures I've seen of Tasmania, I might just have to go down there. Is it popular with tourists? Any recommendations?

As for New Zealand, there is a certain bay that's supposed to be the #1 tourist spot. Is that worth seeing? What's it called, by the way? I lost my notes I also want to go to Mount Cook national park, hike a bit, and camp by that giant mountain thing. Are these places on different islands? Any ideas for a cool week-long (could be longer if warranted) trip that would cover all the cool parts of new zealand? Where was most of lord of the rings filmed? Or was that just all over the place?

As you can see I don't know much at all about the region, so any advice would be appreciated. I have no idea when I'm gonna go - could be this year, could be next. (2012 is out, as I'm going to Poland then, for that football tournament thing)

What's the best way to travel between cities? Are there trains? Do people take buses? What's a good yet economical way to get around?

Forget my budget and suggest what you will. I will sort it all out later. Basically, I want to experience the continent, before I move onto the 3 I haven't visited yet (Africa, Asia, and Antarctica)

 

[Quackers]

You have typical Polish forehead.

 

[tycoonist]

the great barrier reef is as good as the name suggests. go dive there, its awesome. a stay of a few days in cairns would be my suggestion - lovely beaches, great diving, hot and sunny year round.

 

[warpus]

the great barrier reef is as good as the name suggests. go dive there, its awesome. a stay of a few days in cairns would be my suggestion - lovely beaches, great diving, hot and sunny year round.

The GBR is north of Brisbane, right? Would it be worth going there even if I don't dive? Is that easy to pick up anyway, diving? If I go there without any experience at all, I'd need to take some sort of a class (or two) before I went looking at the pretty coral reefs, right?

Are these cairns worth visiting, even if I'm not big on the diving? Where are they?

 

[Camikaze]

In some ways three weeks is way too long, and in some ways, it is not nearly enough. I've only got a couple of minutes at the moment, so I'll be brief (I'll write a bit more later). Spend a few days in Sydney, a few days in Melbourne, and then drive to Adelaide. Then drive to the Flinders Ranges (specifically Wilpena Pound). It is very nice, although literally in the middle of nowhere. If you want to do this, you'll almost certainly have to drive. There may be a tour coach or something between Adelaide and the Flinders Range, but driving is the obvious option. You can get a train between the others. When you're in Sydney, make sure you go to the Blue Mountains for a couple of days. Just two. See Jenolan Caves one day (you'll probably have to drive their), and then see the Three Sisters and the Giant Stairway the next day, and do a walk around the base of that.

Do you know what month of the year you'd be likely to come in, because that would have a big bearing on what you should do.

 

[warpus]

Camikaze, thanks for the tips.

I am not sure when I'd be going - this is wide open. Basically I'm trying to figure out when a good time to go would be

 

[warpus]

The highest mountain in Australia is named after a Polish guy - is that worth seeing?

How about penguins? I've been told that they can be found in the wild - is there penguin colonies that can be checked out too?

 

[Camikaze]

Well, if you go in Summer, do not go north of Brisbane, and do not go to the Flinders Ranges (or anywhere away from the coast, really). Do go to Tasmania. If you go in Winter, do go north of Brisbane, and do not go to Tasmania.

 

[Camikaze]

The highest mountain in Australia is named after a Polish guy - is that worth seeing?

Maybe. It's like a tiny little hill on top of a mountain range. It is really good to see, but it's hardly a mountain, and I only thought it was really good to see because that type of thing isn't all that common here. And staying at Thredbo is really expensive (at least in Winter). But, perhaps you could go on the way between Sydney and Melbourne, if you're here in any season other than Winter.

How about penguins? I've been told that they can be found in the wild - is there penguin colonies that can be checked out too?

Yes, in Melbourne. Phillip Island.

Or near Adelaide. Victor Harbour.

 

[Shekwan]

For the love of God don't venture inland. There be dragons and idiots there.

 

[tycoonist]

The GBR is north of Brisbane, right? Would it be worth going there even if I don't dive? Is that easy to pick up anyway, diving? If I go there without any experience at all, I'd need to take some sort of a class (or two) before I went looking at the pretty coral reefs, right?

Are these cairns worth visiting, even if I'm not big on the diving? Where are they?

Cairns is a city

even if you don't dive, you can snorkel, which is nearly as good and very simple... still definitely worth doing.

oh also, when i went, we went on this whale watching tour somewhere just north of Brisbane i think, and that was incredible. but i think it has to be the right time of year.

 

[Camikaze]

I disagree that the Queensland coast is worth it. It's a massive tourist trap. Cairns particularly is a hole. But a nice little day cruise around some of the islands would be nice (don't approach or feed the dingoes on Fraser Island), but don't waste your time there too much.

 

[otago]

Hi All,

In the past I have gotten really good advice (and help! and a boat! and even beer!) with planning a trip to somewhere where I've never been before, so I'm hoping for further awesome advice from you guys (and girls)

I have been meaning to go "check out" Australia for a while now, and I figured I'd start planning something comprehensive before life catches up with me and I am not able to go anymore.

This would be a 3 week long trip (I think). I don't really know much about the place, but would also like to make a week-long side-trip to New Zealand in the process.

If people suggest to me cool stuff to see, suggestions on when to go, where to stay, what NOT to do, what not to say (), etc. that would be great and would probably help me a lot in planning the trip.

I think most flights from Toronto (where I would likely depart from.. maybe Detroit or Buffalo) fly to Sydney, so that would likely have to be my "hub" for the rest of my trip. What would make the most sense, is spending 2-3 days to check out the city, then maybe bussing it north or south to another city. Where should I go? Where is this "gold coast" and is that worth seeing? That's where all the skyscrapers are, right? Should I head north towards Brisbane (anything worth seeing there?) or south/west towards Melbourne (worth seeing that city?) Anything worth seeing near the coast north of Brisbane?

Am I approaching this right? Travel along the coast? Or is there stuff in Australia to see that isn't near the coast? Is there anything worth checking out in Adelaide and/or Canberra? Is there anything at all in western Australia, or should I just forget about it? I could fly to Perth for a couple days, if you guys thought that'd be worth it.

Tasmania has piqued my interest as well. I'm down with hiking nearby spectacular scenery - from the pictures I've seen of Tasmania, I might just have to go down there. Is it popular with tourists? Any recommendations?

As for New Zealand, there is a certain bay that's supposed to be the #1 tourist spot. Is that worth seeing? What's it called, by the way? I lost my notes I also want to go to Mount Cook national park, hike a bit, and camp by that giant mountain thing. Are these places on different islands? Any ideas for a cool week-long (could be longer if warranted) trip that would cover all the cool parts of new zealand? Where was most of lord of the rings filmed? Or was that just all over the place?

As you can see I don't know much at all about the region, so any advice would be appreciated. I have no idea when I'm gonna go - could be this year, could be next. (2012 is out, as I'm going to Poland then, for that football tournament thing)

What's the best way to travel between cities? Are there trains? Do people take buses? What's a good yet economical way to get around?

Forget my budget and suggest what you will. I will sort it all out later. Basically, I want to experience the continent, before I move onto the 3 I haven't visited yet (Africa, Asia, and Antarctica)

Lord of the rings was filmed all over NZ, if you want scenery I suggest you spend your week in the South Island, fly into Christchurch, plenty of tramping(hiking) etc.
BE WARNED, the NZ bush can be dangerous, we have no dangerous animals but we tend to lose a few people a year from exposure, getting swept away in rivers etc.
We have a Maritime climate that can change like a flash, never go into our bush without warm clothing,food, etc etc etc.
Locator beacons can be hired and if you are going off the normal tourist tramps I would suggest you hire one.
Getting about, hiring a cheap car will cost about US $28 a day, all our camping grounds have huts and well equipped kitchens etc and plenty of back packer outfits as well
We drive on the LEFT, take a lot of care about that.

 

[warpus]

Well, if you go in Summer, do not go north of Brisbane, and do not go to the Flinders Ranges (or anywhere away from the coast, really). Do go to Tasmania. If you go in Winter, do go north of Brisbane, and do not go to Tasmania.

Hmm for some reason I'm drawn towards Tasmania, so it might have to be winter.

Have you ever been there? Is it supposed to be worth it? Is it special in any sort of way, have any landmarks, any spectacular parks etc?

 

[warpus]

Lord of the rings was filmed all over NZ, if you want scenery I suggest you spend your week in the South Island, fly into Christchurch, plenty of tramping(hiking) etc.
BE WARNED, the NZ bush can be dangerous, we have no dangerous animals but we tend to lose a few people a year from exposure, getting swept away in rivers etc.
We have a Maritime climate that can change like a flash, never go into our bush without warm clothing,food, etc etc etc.
Locator beacons can be hired and if you are going off the normal tourist tramps I would suggest you hire one.
Getting about, hiring a cheap car will cost about US $28 a day, all our camping grounds have huts and well equipped kitchens etc and plenty of back packer outfits as well
We drive on the LEFT, take a lot of care about that.

Cool.. any idea how much a Sydney/somewhere_in_NZ flight might cost? Is there a particular time of year that would be better to go during?

Any parks in particular you could recommend if I'm into spectacular scenery?

 

[warpus]

I disagree that the Queensland coast is worth it. It's a massive tourist trap. Cairns particularly is a hole. But a nice little day cruise around some of the islands would be nice (don't approach or feed the dingoes on Fraser Island), but don't waste your time there too much.

Queensland coast = gold coast? I've seen such beautiful shots of that gold coast thing.. man.. If you were to ask me before this thread what landmarks Australia has, I would have had to list the gold coast, sydney opera house, and that giant rock, and that's it.

 

[emzie]

Everything in Australia wants to kill you.

 

[Cutlass]

Everything in Australia wants to kill you.

Even the bunny rabbits?

 

[emzie]

Even the bunny rabbits?

Well, they're not native. Give them a hundred thousand years and Monty Python will look prophetic.

 

[Camikaze]

Hmm for some reason I'm drawn towards Tasmania, so it might have to be winter.

Have you ever been there? Is it supposed to be worth it? Is it special in any sort of way, have any landmarks, any spectacular parks etc?

I've never been, but it is meant to be really pretty. I don't suppose you'll mind the cold in the winter...but it would be a nice warm temperature in the summer. And if you have time, you can get around Tasmania by bike. My parents did that, and they loved it, although that in itself would be bound to take up at least a couple of weeks.

Queensland coast = gold coast? I've seen such beautiful shots of that gold coast thing.. man.. If you were to ask me before this thread what landmarks Australia has, I would have had to list the gold coast, sydney opera house, and that giant rock, and that's it.

The Gold Coast is essentially a city. It's a lot further south than the Great Barrier Reef. In fact, it's further south than Brisbane. The Sunshine Coast is a bigger actual stretch of coast just north of Brisbane, but still south of the Reef.

So yeah, the Gold Coast is pretty I guess. I'm just really, really used to beaches, and they're not particularly my thing, so I don't personally find it all that amazing. But that's really all there is to it. Beaches. Sand. Water. Further north has the reef, and little islands that are pretty fun to go to, but the Gold Coast itself is just built-up beach areas.

Oh, and do not go to the Gold Coast in November or December. Actually, don't go to any of Queensland from November to March; stinger season. You cannot swim (unless you want to die) apart from in special enclosures at specific beaches, so it's not really the best time to go. And it would be too hot, probably.

If you do start in Brisbane and come down to Sydney, though, then you might want to stop at Coffs Harbour for a day on the way. You have to go to the Big Banana.