So this is it...

[den]

Tomorrow I head off to Sydney, and on Friday I fly out. I might not have a chance to update while I'm O/S, but there will be updates and photos galore after December 1.

I'd like to meet up with my Pommy friends but the 10 days there will be tied up with business, a trainee, and old family friends. There will be a little touring, but only what can be done between factory sessions. I'd much prefer a longer trip, like about 4 weeks, at a better time of the year such as Spring, or early Autumn. So I'll have to see Siggy, Targaff and Tal next trip. I owe boodie and azhreia a Road Trip to Melbourne and Tasmania first.

Comments

[tatterdemalion.livejournal.com]

yes you bloody well do!!

[thalamic.livejournal.com]

Road trip to Tasmania? Interesting! I had no idea there was a land link between Down Under and Under Down Under.

Anyway, have a great trip. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. :)

[ngarewyrd.livejournal.com]

There is, yes, it's called "devil cat"

[ladyursus.livejournal.com]

I have been working out a travel itinerary for the next 2-3 years, and I really want to include Australia. Would you be willing to let me know as a person who lives there, the best places to go? Money really wouldn't be a problem. You can also email me at tracyrv@SBCglobal.net. I would appretiate some input.

[azhreia.livejournal.com]

since Den may be a little busy, I'll take it on myself to answer this one.

Australia's a big country. Like, really big.

I've lived here almost as long as Den has, and I haven't seen the half of it yet.

If you're coming to Oz, allow at least a month to do any kind of decent amount of looking around. DON'T come in January, February or March, unless you are used to high temperatures and high humidity.

Each of the capital cities are worth visiting and have their tourist must-do spots. If you feel confident to drive (on the wrong side of the road if you're from the US or canada) then you'd probably enjoy doing one of the self-drive tours, where you hire a campervan and hit the road. This is probably the best and easiest option if you have time to spare. You will see more of the country this way, and get a better feel for what Australia is really like. Bear in mind that although you probably _can_ drive from one capital city to the next nearest in a single day, there's MAMBA (miles and miles of Bugger All) between them all, and you really will be driving _all_ day. I'd probably recommend a tour that went something like this:

Arrive in Sydney. Book into hotel, spend two or three or more days getting over jetlag and seeing the in-sydney tourist things, like the Japanese Friendship Gardens, Taronga Zoo, a trip across SydHarb on the Ferry/Cat, a day looking around the Rocks, etc.

Pick up campervan and maps, and head out into central NSW. you could go to Gosford to see Old Sydney Town, then head out to Dubbo for the Western Plains Zoo. From there you can turn south, and drive down to Canberra. Plan to spend a few days here - there's plenty to see and do, including tours of the old and new parliament houses, Tidbinbilla, Questacon, etc. Lots of good places to visit.

When you're done with Canberra, hit the road and head down towards Melbourne. You can drive it in a day (Den and I usually do) or take a couple of days and stop along the way at various scenic spots, including Albury/Wodonga. If you're inclined, head off the direct roads and take the time to go to Echuca or Mildura. In tourist season there are river trips on the Murray on paddlesteamers. Always a fun event.

You might want to break your trip at somewhere like Ballarat or Bendigo and spend a day learning about some of our history. Ballarat has Sovereign Hill, a gold-rush theme park which is quite excellent. Bendigo has lots of attractions, including museums etc. When you finally hit Melbourne, you'll want to spend some time looking around the city itself, as well as doing day trips to places like Philip Island to see the penguins. We also have a world-class zoo, and an open-range zoo out at Werribee.

Having reached Melbourne, time for a decision - you can take the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide, and see the beautiful scenery along the way, including the 12 Apostles - there used to be 8, but I think there's 6 or 7 left.
Or you can take the ferry over to Tasmania (this is an overnight trip) and take your campervan with you for a leisurely tour of the Apple Isle.

Assuming you've got time, you might want to go into central australia and see Uluru (formerly Ayer's Rock). This is a couple of day's drive north/west of Adelaide. You can join a tour group, or do it yourself. Depending on how much time you have left, you can head off from there to either Perth or Darwin (driving across the desert, where you'll need to take special care because of heat etc) or head back through the upper half of NSW and up towards Brisbane.

I'd probably suggest doing Sydney-Dubbo-Canberra-Melbourne- Launceston/Hobart-Melbourne-Adelaide-Uluru-Brisbane-Sydney. That covers perhaps a third of the country - and other than Uluru, I've done most of it. If you come in our Autumn (late March-May) the weather is not too hot, though it may be wet at times, or our Spring (Sept-November/early December), the weather is milder, but it may still be wet.

[ladyursus.livejournal.com]

Wow, I am grateful for such a great set of options. I still have to figure out when, probably spring or fall of 2007. If you don't mind, I will add you to my friends list and keep in touch. And certainly save this. Or email me anytime. Again, thank you so much!!

[(Anonymous)]

Old Sydney Town has, alas, been gone for about a year or more.

But there's plenty to do here.

[reynardo.livejournal.com]

It might be too late to catch you, (I hadn't realised you were coming through here) but I hope you enjoy this lovely little city, and if you'd like to meet up for a coffee sometime, t'would be an honour.

[(Anonymous)]

Actually this is 2-3 year plan, so I wouldn't be coming until spring or fall of 2007. Can I put you on my friends list to keep in touch?