Travelling in Australia

[STeeLy]

So I've been thinking about going to Australia and now I will actually go...

I'll be in Sydney and Melbourne.

Does anyone have recommendations of must see places? (Including the obvious ones ) And to those travel agents roaming around CP, any decently priced hotels?

Thanks a lot CPers!

[Muta]

Bondi Beach in Sydney. Also, the Tauranga Zoo, and the famous little pie shop on the pier next to all the Navy ships just off of downtown. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see them.

Oh yes, and you also need to SEE the women in Aussieland, especially in Melbourne. Good lord, they put Canadian girls to shame!

[Alana Flames]

I took a 2 month trip through Australia a couple years ago...

My best advise in Sydney( and everywhere else) is to stay in a hostel. They're actually pretty nice and you can get private rooms for less than a hotel room still. plus you get bars usually in them and other younger people to meet and talk to.

Just make sure you book ahead for your space... my friend and I ended up having to stay a couple nights in an all illegal asian immigrant stink hole one night because it was the only thing left... they were very nice and I learn some vietamese but still I wouldn't recommend it.

There is also a Spanish restaurant in sydney's downtown. I think it's on Pitt Street??? I can't remember what it's called but if a girl could have wet dreams this would be in mine. You must eat there. Must.

Also clearly go see the opera house and the bridge...
there's some old neighbourhoods that are worth a stroll, as well as a harbour with a navy museum and an underwater world with huge sharks that you can walk underneath in a glass tunnel...

The sydney tower is fun, try going up at sunset it's pretty amazing.

Bondi beach is huge and packed... but worth a trip. Also a lot of people in australia sun bath naked... not just the hot chicks though sorry- old gross men too.

I'll let you know if I think of any more, or you can pm me if you'd like more or some pics

[icarus]

I returned to Canada a month ago after having lived in Sydney for almost a year, so I can give you lots of tips. I'm a little short of time right this moment, as one of my friends from Sydney is arriving into town this afternoon for Stampede. I can give you a nice little itinerary when I get the chance.

[STeeLy]

Thanks for all the tips.

I've actually have hotels booked.

I'll be living in a hotel in Edgecliff in Sydney while I'm at Kingsgate in Melbourne.

[FurnaceFace]

Our three week tour in Oct-Nov last year was:

Sydney--Uluru (Ayers Rock) and The Olgas - Cairns (Diving the Great Barrier reef) - Townsville - The Whitsunday Islands - Adelaide - Kangaroo Island - Sydney.

We loved everywhere we went. Obviously we did a heap of flying to see all of that, but I'd recommend any and all of it. From the little I've seen there is really very little in Oz that isn't interesting. Other things we would have done if we had months: Blue mountains, Brisbane, Melbourne, The Great Ocean Road, Barrosa valley, Perth and Fremantle, and more time in The Red Center, more diving, more beach time, and more time exploring the cities.

besides Bondi you might want to check out Manley beach.

[icarus]

Okay Steely, here are some of my suggestions for Sydney.

Beaches: Well from Edgecliff you will be close to Bondi, and so you will probably go there. It is a tourist haven and crowded. But the Bondi to Bronte walk is very nice. Coogee and a Maroubra beaches are also close. But the northern beaches are where it is at. Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, and if you have the chance check out the other beaches like Freshwater and Curl Curl.

Sydney Harbour: The harbour bridge climb is a little pricey but worthwhile and really well done. Time it so that you will be at the top at sunset. Also, take the ferry to McMahon's Point where I was living to enjoy the best view in the entire city, and from there you can walk along the harbour to Milson's Point, the bridge, and Kirribilli.

Nightlife: Well you will be near the (in)famous King's Cross, so you will have to check that out. There are good bars all over the city, but you may want to check out the areas of Surry Hills, Newtown, Balmain, and especially The Rocks. In The Rocks check out Lowenbrau, The Argyle, in the CBD visit Art House or Zeta bar, and in Darling Harbour/King Street Wharf go to Loft or Cargo bar.

Attractions: Taronga Zoo is a nice ferry ride from the city, although the rival new Sydney Wildlife World is right in Darling Harbour. The Sydney Aquarium is next door to Wildlife World and is interesting. Otherwise there isn't much else in the city really worth paying for admission for.

Further afield: The Blue Mountains are lovely, and best enjoyed if you can arrange to go on a hike. There are plenty of day tours from the city which stop at Featherdale wildlife park on the way up. I hate toursity tours but the stop at Featherdale is worth it because you can pet all of the animals like koalas and wombats, and spend as much time as you want feeding and petting kangaroos.

The areas north of Sydney are also stunning. The Hawkesbury river is beautiful although I have only just driven through it. A little bit further and you are in the Hunter Valley wine region which is serene and near to my heart. Unlike the wineries elsewhere in Australia at the Barossa and Margaret River, Hunter Valley has some 'mountains' which add to the setting. Wine tours are a lot of fun, and the wines are great.

As for Melbourne, I can't give you many tips other than check out Federation Square, the laneways for trendy shops, ride the tramway, and go check out Captain Cook's house in the park.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Melbourne > Sydney

http://www.visitmelbourne.com.au/

[STeeLy]

Well, here's an update from Sydney.

The last minute change of plans gave me some really good stuff. It turns out, my parent's old friends from sydney called a couple days before I went (by coincidence) and my parents told them I was going there... I got picked up at the airport, cancelled my sydney hotel and lived at their house. I got to go to Bondi, Blue Mountain, Opera House, harbourbridge (both sides), fishmarket, darling harbour, Chinatown, QVB and I saw the row of navy ships (too bad I didn' have time to check out the pie shops).

I'm set to leave tomorrow for Melbourne. I plan on going to Phillip Island there, but in the end, I may not have time.