Last Minute Tips

[justinn]

Good Tips, I am going from Feb 4- 27 and it is 2 of us.

Flying Qantas PE long haul and Y locally. (Exception being HBA-MEL on Virgin). I will be getting AA 30 day membership

Staying in mostly Hilton's (Diamond Member) and cant beat Hilton Perth for 38 USD (with best price guarantee and +50USD)

Main Events Below

Sydney
-Bridge
-Opera House
-Maritime Museum
-Beach (Bondi or Manly Ms. still cant decide)
-Blue Mountains Hike

Tasmania
-Hobart
-Port Arthur
-Bruny Island
-Mt. Willington

Melbourne
-Great Ocean Road
-Phillip Island
-Shrine of Remembrance

Perth
-Rottnest Island

Darwin
-Downtown
-Mindal Beach
-Litchfield Park

Ghan (Gold Service Cabin)

Alice Springs

Urulu
-Camel Tour
-Hike

Cairns
-Kurunda Rail
-Sky Rail
-Kayaking In Palm Cove
-Great Barrier Reef

Brisbane
-Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
-Mount Coot Tha (Dinner At Summit)
-Moreton Island
-Sunshine Coast

Time Built in for anything that sparks our Interest

 

[Quickstatus]

Wine tasting
Sydney: Hunter Valley
Adelaide: Barossa Valley
Perth: Margaret River

Do visit Canberra:
Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/
This is where you will sense the truly deep connection between our two great countries.

 

[justinn]

This may be invaluable. But yes, we do speak English (AKA 'Strine').

I was on a flight from Warsaw to Zurich and the attendant asked me if I spoke English, I said well i'm from the US so sorta. Working in tourism in the states and working with some Aussies overseas I have somewhat of a good start.

 

[Moindardt]

Wow. Think many people would enjoy a trip like that. You will see more than most Aussies have seen.

If you we going to Sunshine Coast then definitely check out Australian Zoo. Yep. Struggling to think of anything else to do there other than go to the beach, probably suggest Noosa. Hence why my parents moved there from the Gold Coast. They love the boredom.

 

[andye]

Its a great itinerary.
I'd vote for Manly beach-no comparing the ferry trip with the bus to Bondi

 

[Quickstatus]

Not sure if your AA Admirals Club 30 day pass will get you access to QF lounges on flights with QF moniker:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-club-access-restricted-for-admirals-club-members/

You may have to get a Qantas Club membership

 

[RooFlyer]

Its a great itinerary.
I'd vote for Manly beach-no comparing the ferry trip with the bus to Bondi

Agree. Ferry trip is great. Speaking of which, a visit to the Taronga Park zoo via the (separate) ferry from Circular Quay would be useful. The animals get some of the best 'harbour views' anywhere!

But if you do go to Bondi, take the coastal walk along to Tamarama ("Glamarama") Beach and even onwards to Bronte Beach.

Not sure if your AA Admirals Club 30 day pass will get you access to QF lounges on flights with QF moniker:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-club-access-restricted-for-admirals-club-members/

You may have to get a Qantas Club membership

... or work AFF and get guested in .

 

[Quickstatus]

Don't forget if you have time to add in the other great Australian destination.: Bali

Why ?. To see the great Australian creature : The Bogan

 

[JohnM]

Good to see that you are including PER (most Americans don't - "It's to far."

How long are you in PER for and what dates? Happy to show you around the sights if you don't have it already pre-organised and provide ideas. I'm retired, so pretty flexible, and I live only 10 minutes from the Hilton. Will you have enough time to take a trip to Margaret River?

Recommend that you take the Rottnest ferry from Barrack St Jetty (in the city and a stroll from the Hilton) for the outbound leg as you get to see a lot of PER as the boat meanders down the Swan River. On return, I'd suggest getting off at Fremantle, wander over to the fishing boat harbour for a beer at Little Creatures and a meal, then take the train back to the city.

 

[pagingjoan]

justinn:
Great - and challenging - itinerary. You have obviously done heaps of researching and planning and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

Do keep in mind that neither the Great Ocean Road, nor Phillip Island can be categorised as "Melbourne", so I do hope you have built in some time to see the city, too.
Technically, the Great Ocean Road starts around 100 km from Melbourne, and ends about 350 km away from the city.
Phillip Island is a couple of hours drive - in the opposite direction.

Lots to see and do in and around Melbourne, but appreciate that will depend on your time constraints.

 

[cory]

Definitely include the Swan Valley or Margaret River (even if you aren't a wine drinker) as day trip options from Perth! Swim with the dolphins or the Penguin Island excursions are also very popular with tourists and great value for Americans with the current exchange rate.

 

[harvyk]

Don't attempt to talk like a local. Going up to someone and saying "g'day mate" with an American accent is likely to get you eye rolls.

Are you hiring a car at any stage? If so watch out for wildlife (eg roos and wombats) as hitting one can total a car. Also keep an eye on your speedo, coppers love to fine people whom go over, down in Victoria 3km/h over is enough to get a fine. Also don't forget that it's a very big country. Outside of major city area's the distances can be deceptively big.

Follow the advice of the locals on where it's safe to swim, esp up north (so Darwin / Cairns), and when on patrolled beaches where there are the red and yellow flags.

Finally, have fun, we are a very friendly bunch.

 

[Happy Dude]

That's a great itinerary and I'd suggest that by the end of it you'll have seen more of 'straya than most Aussies.

Most definitely eat a meat pie - preferably from a bakery. Do not eat one from a service station ("servo") as that's akin to licking a petri dish in a botulism experiment.

When at Port Arthur do not discuss the events of 1996. Apparently it is acceptable to discuss (exploit) history as long its not recent. In fact, avoid this place altogether if you're an outspoken NRA member.

Out of Darwin, I'd recommend a trip to Kakadu if time permits. Ubirr Rock at sunset is fantastic. Or do a fishing charter to catch a barra.

 

[Mattg]

Good to see that you are including PER (most Americans don't - "It's to far."

How long are you in PER for and what dates? Happy to show you around the sights if you don't have it already pre-organised and provide ideas. I'm retired, so pretty flexible, and I live only 10 minutes from the Hilton. Will you have enough time to take a trip to Margaret River?

Recommend that you take the Rottnest ferry from Barrack St Jetty (in the city and a stroll from the Hilton) for the outbound leg as you get to see a lot of PER as the boat meanders down the Swan River. On return, I'd suggest getting off at Fremantle, wander over to the fishing boat harbour for a beer at Little Creatures and a meal, then take the train back to the city.

If you have the time, I can definitely vouch for a JohnM tour of Perth!

 

[RooFlyer]

,snip>
When at Port Arthur do not discuss the events of 1996. Apparently it is acceptable to discuss (exploit) history as long its not recent. <snip>.

The first bit is good advice. Re the second bit - the reason why we in Tasmania discourage discussion of "that event" Happy Dude is that if in Tasmania, there is an above average chance that you will be talking to some-one who knew one of the murdered people. Bit of a difference between that and the jailing of convicts 175+ years ago, eh?

Sorry for this justinn; think of Sandy Hook.

 

[justinn]

The first bit is good advice. Re the second bit - the reason why we in Tasmania discourage discussion of "that event" Happy Dude is that if in Tasmania, there is an above average chance that you will be talking to some-one who knew one of the murdered people. Bit of a difference between that and the jailing of convicts 175+ years ago, eh?

Sorry for this justinn; think of Sandy Hook.

I used to live in the town over from Sandy Hook, I am going to Port Arthur for the historic site.

Don't attempt to talk like a local. Going up to someone and saying "g'day mate" with an American accent is likely to get you eye rolls.

Are you hiring a car at any stage? If so watch out for wildlife (eg roos and wombats) as hitting one can total a car. Also keep an eye on your speedo, coppers love to fine people whom go over, down in Victoria 3km/h over is enough to get a fine. Also don't forget that it's a very big country. Outside of major city area's the distances can be deceptively big.

Follow the advice of the locals on where it's safe to swim, esp up north (so Darwin / Cairns), and when on patrolled beaches where there are the red and yellow flags.

Finally, have fun, we are a very friendly bunch.

I have driven on the (wrong side of the road ) before in Scotland and Ireland. I am from rural Florida so I am used to the wild life.

 

[get me outta here]

I have been to Orlando and elsewhere in Fla quite a few times for work and seeing relos. I have fond memories of the wildlife there - finding a croc in the swimming pool, or walking up to the back deck when the waters rise.

Or, getting an electric shock from the telephone in 'lightening alley'. And, isn't there one that I have not personally experienced, water coming out of the tap on fire or something, due to the coal seem gas?

. Snip .... I am from rural Florida so I am used to the wild life.

 

[vetrade]

You have Sydney well covered but definitely climb the Harbour Bridge – great views in all directions from the top.

At Port Arthur do the 3 hr Tasman Island Cruise if you have time – the coastline is unique and worth seeing. A bit further from Hobart is the Freycinet Peninsula – beautiful - plenty of photo ops on a walk to see Wineglass Bay. Both these options would be preferable to Bruny Island.

You can do so much better with your Melbourne stop – take a walk along the promenade on the south side of the Yarra River starting at Crown Casino and heading east – walk around the parks there down which lead to the Shrine of Remembrance; the art gallery is right in the middle of that too. For something unique watch (and hear) multiple flames shoot high into the air outside Crown Casino – it happens at dusk each night – good views of it on the promenade or the restaurants facing the river.

Cairns city is only average but one hour drive north (a bit further than Palm Cove) is Port Douglas. It would be criminal if you didn’t see it and have a walk along the beach. PD has wide streets, palm trees etc. and has a real “chilled” feel about it. Take one of the smaller tour boats from the marina to go snorkeling (or diving) on the Great Barrier Reef rather than the big boats out of Cairns.

 

[Foreigner]

Its a great itinerary.
I'd vote for Manly beach-no comparing the ferry trip with the bus to Bondi

I say it's the destination, not the journey. If possible go to both.

 

[stoneman]

If going up the sunny coast I'd suggest calling into Caloundra and having fishnchips from 'The Sandbar' on the beautiful Bulcock Beach.