Trip to Australia...

[josh0099]

Thinking of going to Australia between November 25 - December 13th....

Flying into Sydney, have no idea what to do really just always wanted to go there.

Figure I would try and get my diving license and do a dive in the Great Barrier Reef.

If I don't do that probably want to hit New Zealand as I found a cheapish round trip ticket from Sydney to Auckland. So looking for ideas to do some stuff there as well.

 

[MixMasterTang]

You don't have to have your diving cert. to dive with some of the companies up in the GBR, you can do some beginning dives out on the Reef. If you do go up near there the Daintree rainforest is also pretty sweet. Just be aware that you can't go swimming out in the majority of the ocean in Northern Queensland that time of year because of the jellyfish.

 

[josh0099]

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
You don't have to have your diving cert. to dive with some of the companies up in the GBR, you can do some beginning dives out on the Reef. If you do go up near there the Daintree rainforest is also pretty sweet. Just be aware that you can't go swimming out in the majority of the ocean in Northern Queensland that time of year because of the jellyfish.

Eh, I wanted to do a bit more then the beginning dives....Swimming in the ocean isn't that big of a deal to me no young children etc...Thanks for the point out to the Daintree Rainforest looks like a cool spot.

 

[sohcrates]

need to find your way north of sydney to get to the reef. port douglas is beautiful. you can fly in and out of cairns.

dowtown sydney is cool but kinda touristy. a little like manhattan. definitely take some ferrys out of downtown and hit up bonzai beach and manly beach.

 

[destrekor]

walk about

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: josh0099

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
You don't have to have your diving cert. to dive with some of the companies up in the GBR, you can do some beginning dives out on the Reef. If you do go up near there the Daintree rainforest is also pretty sweet. Just be aware that you can't go swimming out in the majority of the ocean in Northern Queensland that time of year because of the jellyfish.

Eh, I wanted to do a bit more then the beginning dives....Swimming in the ocean isn't that big of a deal to me no young children etc...Thanks for the point out to the Daintree Rainforest looks like a cool spot.

Most of the boats to the GBR leave from Port Douglas, and it's very close to the Daintree rainforest as well, but the closest largest city is Cairns (so that's where you would want to fly into). My wife and I both loved Port Douglas, it was very relaxing and a very nice atmosphere, but there isn't a whole ton of things to do there, so if you want a more vibrant night life Carins would be better. The drive up from Cairns to Port Douglas and then Port Douglas to the cape of tribulation is AMAZING (but very curvy, so be careful if anyone in your party gets motion sickness). Here are some of my pics from up in Port Douglas.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

If you want to dive, you go north to Cairns, or better yet, to WA and up north, there's another huge reef in the Indian Ocean you never really hear about. Actually though you should investigate a trip north before you decide because no one really goes North in the summer because of Cyclones and the weather just gets too unbearable.

Sydney is fun, there is heaps to do here depending what you like to do.

Cairns is full of Irish and English backpackers, but is the gateway to the reef, so you might have to put up with it.

You can get a ticket from Qantas that has unlimited domestic flights, so that is worth looking into if you want to travel around a bit.

Melbourne is also very fun and classy.

Please please please when you come down here though, don't wear hiking boots everywhere, and do not wear zipper pants that turn into shorts. It will also be the start of summer so dress appropriately because it will be HOT.

There aren't many of us Aussies on this board, but the few that there are would be happy to help you plan and get some ideas.

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

If anyone asks, you never voted for W.

 

[WildHorse]

``

 

[Barfo]

Beware of the giant spiders.

 

[Farang]

ideally you'd find a couple of big titted aussie girls who both happen to have identical twins and are housesitting an oceanside mansion for the weekend while they try to cope with their nymphomania

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

If you wind up in New Zealand make an effort to get to the South Island. Auckland is absolutely nothing like the rest of New Zealand. I guess you'll like it if you're into big cities, but I'm not and I think Auckland is a shit hole. If you can't make it to the south, Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel Peninsula are absolutely beautiful that time of year. I've been to most of New Zealand, happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: Farang
ideally you'd find a couple of big titted aussie girls who both happen to have identical twins and are housesitting an oceanside mansion for the weekend while they try to cope with their nymphomania

The only problem is since Australia is the fattest country in the world they might bring you home to eat you.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
If you wind up in New Zealand make an effort to get to the South Island. Auckland is absolutely nothing like the rest of New Zealand. I guess you'll like it if you're into big cities, but I'm not and I think Auckland is a shit hole. If you can't make it to the south, Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel Peninsula are absolutely beautiful that time of year. I've been to most of New Zealand, happy to answer any questions you may have.

I liked Auckland and thought Christchurch was a shit hole. All comes down to personal preference I suppose. Oh, and only a kiwi would think Auckland is a big city

As for the OP, check out Manly beach just north of Sydney. Really nice place to chill out.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Christchurch is a shit hole. If you don't leave the cities you really don't experience New Zealand.

 

[quackerww]

dingo + baby = ????

 

[Stumps]

hey, we don't just let anybody come into our country...

unless you come by run down old wooden boats, than you'll get a free run of Australia.

hmmm let me see

Sydney = Great fun, but too many crazy Asian drivers

Melbourne = Stinky shit hole that needs to be nuked

Canberra = boring and expensive

Brisbane and Gold Coast = Awesome place if you like boobs, but way too many drunk teenagers (dudes not chicks) there.

Darwin = hmmm not going to comment on the locals, but get used to the expression " got 20 cents bro" or "can I have a piece of ya pie cuz"

Adelaide = nice and spacy but too many crazy Aussie drivers, and way too many churches

Perth = hmmm never been over that far so you'll need to ask Dug777 bout that place, I hear it's real nice though.

Hobart = only if you like brother-sister couples and missing front teeth...ya all come back now!

Try not to plan a trip around using rental cars, fuel is stupidly expensive here, especally in NSW and VIC but that's because we subsidise the rest of the lazy ass country with our higher taxes.

 

[josh0099]

Originally posted by: scott
consider flying into cairns instead of into sydney. That's just another city.

from cairns you can take narrow gauge rail up the hill to stay a couple of nights at kuranda, a pleasant spot. our room had a loft with a fireman's slide pole to come downstairs - fun.

then rail back down to cairns, rent a car, drive up to stay in port douglas, the departure point for great barrier reef. along the way stop off at mossman gorge, another pleasant spot.

also from port douglas you can drive up to daintree, boat up the river, etc.

the girl at the front desk of our port douglas motel was from near my house in California...what are the chances of that?

Eh Ticket prices will probably drive my decision to fly into Sydney....(About $500 extra to fly to your suggested city). Plus I think I want to check Sydney out for a few days...

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far, I will probably bump this thread up again sometime after I got a game plan.

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: Stumps
hey, we don't just let anybody come into our country...

unless you come by run down old wooden boats, than you'll get a free run of Australia.

hmmm let me see

Sydney = Great fun, but too many crazy Asian drivers <-- watch out for lebanese gangs roaming cronulla beating up life savers, pretty diverse town, is good to visit.

Melbourne = Stinky shit hole that needs to be nuked <-- Agreed, you might as well go to europe, they are all fags

Canberra = boring and expensive <-- The war mueseum and memorial is worth a vist the rest is lame. The aboriginals used to have a caravan set up out the front of Parliment dont know if thats still there

Brisbane and Gold Coast = Awesome place if you like boobs, but way too many drunk teenagers (dudes not chicks) there. <- Brisbane after dark is the offical fight club. If you like being in a traffic jam its a geat place to visit... keep an eye out for their new underground traffic jams that are on the way. Brisbane does have the best bogans.

Darwin = hmmm not going to comment on the locals, but get used to the expression " got 20 cents bro" or "can I have a piece of ya pie cuz" <- cant go swimming in the summer too many crocs.

Adelaide = nice and spacy but too many crazy Aussie drivers, and way too many churches <-- adelaide is the city of the hoon. Every street has a burnout mark on it. Also, they have the shark copter, they spot for great white sharks and the drinking water tastes yucky.

Perth = hmmm never been over that far so you'll need to ask Dug777 bout that place, I hear it's real nice though. <-- it is a georgous place, but watch out for the fremantle doctor it will carve you up. great if your into windsurfing.

Hobart = only if you like brother-sister couples and missing front teeth...ya all come back now! <-- American nuclear subs like to pop up next you to say hello (it happened to me)

Try not to plan a trip around using rental cars, fuel is stupidly expensive here, especally in NSW and VIC but that's because we subsidise the rest of the lazy ass country with our higher taxes<-- Queensland does have cheapest fuel..

Had to make some additions to stumps list

If you want to visit East coast of Aus then i would search maloolabah and Noosa. Also Fraser Island. my mate owns a couples get away cabin near maloolabah and right near steve irwins zoo.

If you want to go to Wa i recomend flying into perth and going to kings park and heading south to a place called eagle bay... best snorkling ever.


If you want to go to newzealandland go to queenstown. The rest of nz smells like sulfur (or is it just rotarooa?)

Feel free to ask anymore qs!

 

[KMFJD]

Perth and the Margaret River area is awesome, Tazzie was my favourite place to visit in all of Oz

 

[ViviTheMage]

sounds like Stumps hates australia...nothing good to say, haha.

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
sounds like Stumps hates australia...nothing good to say, haha.

i am sure stumps loves Aus, we have the great ability to be able to take the piss out of ourselves and laugh about it.

 

[Regs]

After 20 hrs by plane, any land mass would be beautiful.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
sounds like Stumps hates australia...nothing good to say, haha.

Of course I like my country...

But.....having never been outside of Australia, well the grass is always greener....

 

[zerocool84]

Don't let a kangaroo with a red jacket and sungalsses steal all your money.