Australian Travel

Best time to visit

Hundred of views but not a peep....

Which is the best choice? Australia or New Zealand

[quote:c371efe439="Red Tape"]Of the two, I prefer New Zealand. If you have 3-4 weeks, you can see a whole lot more of the country than you can in a similar timeframe in Australia because of its size. I like both places very much, but if I got to choose where to go back to the same places, I'd go to NewZealand. I'd also go back to Australia as there is more there I've not seen yet.[/quote:c371efe439] Do you have any good resources for information? It's hard to find decent info, you usually end up with lots of advertising..

What's the best destination in Australia?

Thanks for your help. BTW, orxan when someone says they've have been all over, it does not usually mean literally everywhere. Don't be a jerk..

Best time to visit

Hi. I know I'm jumping the gun a bit but me and my boyfriend are planning to go to Australia (Sydney and Melbourne to be precise) Ideally we want to go in November but I haven't asked my boss yet and I'm not confident she'll say yes. Anyway, the other alternatives to November would be May/June/July time but we were concerned about the weather. I know its warm in other parts of Oz at this time but what are the chances of it being nice in Syd/Mel at this time? Another idea I have was to go just after Christmas but before New Year. I know it would be busy spending New year in Sydney but would everywhere else be packed at this time of year and would the prices shoot up? The reason for the urgency is the Neighbours tour in Melbourne. We really want to do that but as its changing channel in the UK its better for us to go asap.

What's the best destination in Australia?

I've moved this to the Australia forum, as you're likely to get more answers there. Also, there was a thread asking the same things not too long ago. orxan: your comment was out of line. My favorite places in Australia so far? Tasmania and Kangaroo Island..

Which is the best choice? Australia or New Zealand

Of the two, I prefer New Zealand. If you have 3-4 weeks, you can see a whole lot more of the country than you can in a similar timeframe in Australia because of its size. I like both places very much, but if I got to choose where to go back to the same places, I'd go to NewZealand. I'd also go back to Australia as there is more there I've not seen yet..

Which is the best choice? Australia or New Zealand

Hello All, I am thinking about taking a trip to Australia or New Zealand. Which is better for a young couple to live it up a bit while enjoying the culture? I've recently started to blog a bit about my [url=http://buildmybiz.net/]Vacations and Holidays[/url]. But i have never been to Australia or New Zealand before. Thanks in advance for any help deciding..

Travellers checks and exchange rates

Hi I'm an aussie about to travel o/s for the first time and need information on the best place to sort out my $$ before I go. (BTW I'm in Sydney) Which companies / places offer the best commission on traveller's cheques? Has anyone ever used the traveller's cards offered by the commonwealth bank? What did you think? I'll be travelling in the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. What split would anyone recommend for the dough? I have 6 weeks in North America, 12 weeks in Europe, 4 weeks in the UK. Thanks for any advice you might be able to offer! Bec.

tim tam explosion..... or p-p-p-pick-up-a-penguin!

Tim Tam are my favourite biscuits, love them, but I still think the best ones are the original ones. We took some to Spain for my family and friends and they loved them too (they werent so keen on vegemite, though).

first time traveller to oz

hi guys im travelling to oz in may for 6 wks, predominantly to visit my guy in perth, and then onto adelaide for a few days to visit family. am landing in sydney and will be staying there for 3 days, so my ques are, can anyone recommend a CHEAP CHEAP hostel while there-as im booking flights from ireland is it cheaper for me to fly from sydney to adelaide and then perth or is train the cheaper option?.

tim tam explosion..... or p-p-p-pick-up-a-penguin!

Are Timtams like penguins then?.

Advice wanted about Cairns/Port Douglas Please please help!

Ok. My boyfriend and I are considering a trip to Australia. We intend to spend around 13/14 days in Australia (we are from the UK). Because the flight is so long we thought we'd break it up by spending 3 nights in Hong Kong (or somewhere like that) on the way there and 3 nights in Tokyo on the way back. Anyway, we definitely want to see Sydney and as it stands we plan to spend 5 nights there. We also want to see Melbourne (Neighbours tour!) and have planned for 4 nights there. We were considering Cairns/Port Douglas for 3/4 nights (purely for the great barrier reef) but after speaking to a travel agent we weren't 100% sure. Our travel agent said that Cairns isn't as nice as Port Douglas and we'd be better off staying there for the GBR. He told us that Port Douglas was about an hour from the airport. Bearing in mind the size of Oz (isn't it about a 3hr flight from Sydney to Cairns? correct me if i'm wrong) would it be worth spending more of our precious 3 weeks travelling up to Cairns/PD or would we be better off spending those extra days in Sydney and Melbourne? One last thing is, we were intending to go in November/December.

Summer Trip to Australia

Thanks for all your advice! The non-stop trips from Sydney-Rockhampton (and via Brisbane) is a great relief!.

Summer Trip to Australia

Australia is a big place and there is a lot of difference between Sydney and Rockhampton. If you have the time stay in Brisbane too and explore the gold coast area..

Weather September- January Anyone??

Ahh ok thats a relief then. so it sounds like i definately will just see how it goes. its just all quite daunting so im trying to plan for all possibilities!! thankyou for your help.x.

Weather September- January Anyone??

Generally the east coast is a long area to talk about. In the north you have tropical weather which then changes as you go south and as far as Melbourne it cna change quite quickly to give you 4 seasons in one day, particularly in September. From september the weather is generally nice in Australia but gets very hot in Jan. It will rain a lot in the north Cairns so going there in September might be a better proposition than Jan..

Weather September- January Anyone??

Hiya, Im thinking of travelling to Australia this September for around four months, coming back just after new year. Ive never been before and im going on my own, so its pretty scary but im really excited. Is anyone else heading over on their own from England? If anyone could tell me a little bit about the weather up and down the east coast around these months that would be brilliant. Ive been told not to really make an itinerary because I wont follow it in the end, but obviously I want to go to places when the weathers at its best! Thanks for any help. Rosie x.

Money issue

Hiya, Im new to this site too and was just about to post this exact same question. im in the same position and will also have around $5000AU after flights, so fingers crossed we'll both do alright! However, im looking at using Ozintro.com aswell when i go, because im travelling on my own. Im wondering if anyone can offer any views as to whether this is a good idea or not? Thank you Rosie.

Discover West Holidays

And returning to the question... did you pay by credit card?.

Discover West Holidays

Did you pay by credit card? If so, perhaps try contacting your credit card company....

Discover West Holidays

Anyone who is planning of trip to Western Australia and intend to make accommodations, vehicles or tour package through Discover West Holidays (DWH), please think twice. DWH is an Australian company who hyperlink is provided in almost all tourism related website. Because of this, I thought they are a reliable agent and made my vehicles booking (3 in total and paid in full) through them. When my group arrived at the airport, I was surprised to learnt from the vehicle rental company that they only have 2 vehicle bookings from DWH for me. When I contacted DWH there and then, they just replied that they have booked 3 and it is the rental company fault, that is, full stop. They not even offer help to find another vehicle for me. The fact that only 2 vehcles were provided to me instead of 3, I will expect DWH to refund me the balance, and pay the rental for 2 vehicles to the rental company.

general advice welcomed.

Port Douglas is nice but as an alternative I would highly recommend going a couple of hours south of Cairns to mission beach there is a stunning place called the Sanctuary - it has to be one of the jewels of Queensland, a stunning lodge overlooking the ocean set in a rain forest. The 'rainforest huts' are on decking in the forest with only mosquito netting around you so you can hear the sounds of the forest at night. The food is fantastic too some spectacular Thai, a real treat - only $30 a night too !! check it out here. sanctuaryretreat.com.au Oh also a fantastic place to jump out of a plane if you are feeling brave !! it will be the most incredible thing you ever do guaranteed !!! Cheers banners.

live aboard CNS (Cairns) reef tours

If you are 1st time divers I personally would not recommend doing a live a board, the diving is usually pretty intensive (3 to 4 per day) and there is a lot to learn. Also many companies require certified divers. There are lots of companies that do day trips and the ones that leave from Cairns tend to be big and crowded. I would highly recommend going from Port Douglas, stay at a back packers and do some day trips. I went with a great company called Haba dive habadive.com.au/ they are very friendly and great fun even for beginners - you can also just snorkel if you want to. Having said that if you have your hear set on a live a board then Taka dive taka.com.au/ are one of the best - its also worth holding out for what are called 'standbys' last minute deals to fill the boat $700 for 3 nights 4 days full board with all your equipment.

Summer Trip to Australia

I've not spent more than 3 weeks in Australia at a time, but think that splitting 4-6 weeks between Sydney and Rockhampton isn't going to be too difficult. As for transport, you don't have to fly to Brisbane to get to Rockhampton. Virgin Blue fly Sydney-Rockhampton non-stop. Qantas will get you there connecting through Brisbane. Tiger Airways flies to Rockhampton from Melbourne (which is also worth adding to your itinerary)..

Uluru and Ayres Rock Tours

Good you thought of that, it's a great place to visit, they have special tours and trails there. Heard a load of good ratings from a few friends that went with a campervan.

Summer Trip to Australia

Hey there, I'm a first year Uni student, and I'm new to this board but I thought you'd be one of the best port of calls to offer advice on my trip! I'm currently thinking of spending up to 1 month, or maybe 6 weeks, this summer in Australia. I won't go into the whys, but it involved a lovely Aussie girl that I met here in the UK but sadly had to leave before New Year! I've got relatives dotted in Queensland and NSW, and I thought about splitting my time between Sydney and Rockhampton, but is this advisable? Considering I'd have to get a domestic flight between Sydney and Brisbane and then get another transport to take me the odd 400 miles to Rockhampton, is it wise splitting time in Australia? Another issue that's concerning me is money, as you'd probably expect. My finances for the trip are healthy at the moment, but if I deduct my Car Insurance, my University accommodation/tuition fees (which I'm sure any UK student on here can relate to!), living costs for the rest of the year and the money for the flight, that's not gonna leave me much more than maybe $3,000 for over 1 month! I'm sure many of you have visited Oz for a similar period of time, and I was wondering how much you think is advisable to keep in store for the holiday? If you don't feel that over 1,500 is adequate enough, should I just shelve the idea of a holiday until the Christmas period (when I'm sure the temperatures will be warmer!)? One final point I've got hooked up on is the matter of a Visa.

Book your dream trip now!

Check out this: http://www.travelnow.com/hotels/searchframe.jsp?cid=218964 and locale=en_US and currencyCode=USD.

Perth...WHy?

thanks mate, ill look into the places youve said Filligen.

Perth...WHy?

Hi I've been to the east coast of Oz and the through the centre and a lot of my friends have asked if I went to Perth. Many of them enjoyed it but cant really seem to explain why? Can someone tell me what Perth has to offer and why I should take a butchers?? Thanks Filligen.

Uluru and Ayres Rock Tours

I went with Groovy Grape Tours. However, this is a back packer type of trip. You get to sleep under the stars in a swag on some nights. The trip was one of the best parts of my travel in OZ. Mike..