UPDATE: Now in Australia

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Well tomorrow is the big day. I leave for Australia for 2.5 weeks. Trip is through Contiki. So far they've been very good and looking forward to a great trip to see some great locations. I'm hoping that with my Canon Rebel XT and some savvy use of internet cafes I can keep an updated log of my trip on this posting.

My trip schedule is as so:

2 nights in Travelodge Sydney Hotel starting Sept 15. Then off to Coffs Harbour for a night at the Opal Cove Resort, then to Surfer's Paradise for 2 nights. Then a day trip to Adora Downs. Then 2 days on the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Then a one night stay in Rockhampton, then 3 days at the Long Island Resort on the Whitsunday Islands and finally 3.5 days at Cairns in the Colonial Club Resort there.

As I said I'll keep ATOT updated with some updates as I go along and hopefully some pictures as well!


UPDATE 1: Well posting from a 7-11 internet cafe in downtown sydney. The phone card I bought doesnt work, I cant check into my hotel til 2pm local time(it's 10am sydney time ATM) So I'm just walking around taking in the sights and taking pics with my camera. I must seen so touristy. The flight down was horribly long. But I watched 300, Spiderman 3 and took an 8 hour nap :p

Now I'm going to head down to Circular Quay, The Rocks and the Opera House for lunch, photography and maybe a boat tour around the harbor. Will upload pictures and update as I can.
 
J

Jhill

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,187
3
0
I see your going on the Beaches and Reefs tour. That is the one I'd pick also.

drink one of those big beers for me.

oh and keep any babies away from dingos.
 
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
most of the dangerous animals found on earth live in australia
Click to expand...

Only thing I'm worried about is the box jellyfish when I scuba/snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. But a little vinegar and you are ok. And on that note I'll make sure not to swim above any stingrays
 
T

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
How much were your plane tickets? I'm planning on going their next July and Quantas showed 2.3k from Dallas to Sydney (I think) round trip.
 
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Originally posted by: txrandom
How much were your plane tickets? I'm planning on going their next July and Quantas showed 2.3k from Dallas to Sydney (I think) round trip.
Click to expand...

If I recall from my bill. Plane tickets were like 2100 dollars for Detroit to LAX then LAX to Sydney and back again. But I got a better deal because I planned the trip so far in advance. Just keep your eyes open, Qantas does deals from time to time. Also make sure you fly Qantas. They are WAAAAAAYYYYYY better than American Airlines as far as comfort and whatnot on the flight down.

Hell I can watch "300", Spiderman 3, Shrek 3, etc etc Qantas has personalized on demand video :cool:
 
xanis

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
How much did the whole thing (airfare included) cost you? I've looked at Contiki before for other trips and their prices seem decent.
 
A

AmpedSilence

Platinum Member
Oct 7, 2005
2,749
1
76
That is awesome, i was in Australia in February, was there for 18 days. It was awesome. I want to go back, but not during that time. While it was prefect weather in Sydney; the weather in Cairnes was just terrible, it rained every day. My pictures are at (www.nrshah.org/index2.htm). Check them out if you so wish.

Also, txrandom, if you want to tickets try, air brokers international. I was able to get tickets from them for BWI-LAX-SYD-LAX-BWI for $1600. Given they were on United rather than Quantas, it was still a great deal.

Have FUN!!!! :)
 
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Originally posted by: Xanis
How much did the whole thing (airfare included) cost you? I've looked at Contiki before for other trips and their prices seem decent.
Click to expand...

$3600. Thats including $145 travelers insurance from Contiki(it's decent enough insurance) plus the 20 bucks for a travel visa.

 
J

Jhill

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,187
3
0
If you don't mind answering how much do you or did you estimate the whole trip will cost? I am assuming you have to pay for most meals and entertainment and gratuities yourself. I would love to take a trip like this in the future and I am trying to estimate what the ENTIRE tip will cost per person.
 
A

AmpedSilence

Platinum Member
Oct 7, 2005
2,749
1
76
Originally posted by: Jhill
If you don't mind answering how much do you or did you estimate the whole trip will cost? I am assuming you have to pay for most meals and entertainment and gratuities yourself. I would love to take a trip like this in the future and I am trying to estimate what the ENTIRE tip will cost per person.
Click to expand...

Personally, I ended up spending $4500; it was 4 cities, 18 days, 10 flights. I did stay in hostels rather than full fledged hotels and that saved quite a bit in cost. It was a bit more fun too since i got meet all kinds of random people. Me and my brother though definitely sprulged on food, drinks, and activities, though. That probably countered anything we might have saved from staying in hostels.
 
T

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
Originally posted by: DeathBUA
Originally posted by: txrandom
How much were your plane tickets? I'm planning on going their next July and Quantas showed 2.3k from Dallas to Sydney (I think) round trip.
Click to expand...

If I recall from my bill. Plane tickets were like 2100 dollars for Detroit to LAX then LAX to Sydney and back again. But I got a better deal because I planned the trip so far in advance. Just keep your eyes open, Qantas does deals from time to time. Also make sure you fly Qantas. They are WAAAAAAYYYYYY better than American Airlines as far as comfort and whatnot on the flight down.

Hell I can watch "300", Spiderman 3, Shrek 3, etc etc Qantas has personalized on demand video :cool:
Click to expand...

I use to live in Singapore and traveled to Port Douglas, Australia once. I think I got spoiled in my childhood from flying Singapore Airlines or Quantas usually in first or business class. I wish my dad would fly overseas more, so I could use his points. :)

I'm hoping to do study abroad in Australia, but the plane tickets alone are about 1/4 of what it costs me to go to school for one semester at Texas A&M!
 
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Minor update but plane to LA will take off in about 10 hours....getting quite excited now :D
 
A

alien42

Lifer
Nov 28, 2004
12,868
3,298
136
contiki...the easy way to travel and get laid.

i went to a fuck show in amsterdam and half the theatre was filled with contiki groups.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom