NastyPirate Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Thanks to a suggestion by Fuzz, I will ask a question from those of you who are from Australia and NZ. My wife and I are planning to use Havanathon '14 as the long-planned excuse to tour Australia and New Zealand. We plan to stay a total of 4-5 weeks. For those of you local to these areas, what is not to be missed? We aren't tourists in the traditional sense; we are interested in seeing all facets of both countries, not just the "monuments". We like to experience a country's vibe. What defines these two countries, and what will give us the most well-rounded visit? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Bill
El Presidente Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Bill Havanathon is the last weekend in October (Brisbane) so let's start from there. From arrange to fly to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup. Brilliant week of festivities. The cup runs on the first Tuesday of November. Book your accommodation now and tickets. http://www.melbournecup.com/ It is the biggest party on the Australian calender. I will add some more when back from the warehouse over the weekend. 1
Paul3 Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Bill, an excellent topic/question. My wife and I are also starting the planning for a trip back to Australia. Havanathon first then a week or two exploring. I will be watching this thread develop and looking forward to hearing the recommendations from Rob as well as the resident OZ FOH members. Cheers
soutso Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 I'm from Sydney, typical things my wife and I do when we want to relax are as follows: 1. Do the Bondi to Bronte Beach coastal walk. Its a walk along the east coast of the country. 2. Have a drink or two at the Opera Bar, Opera House on a sunny afternoon. 3. Visit The Rocks (Millers Point) area of Sydney and have lunch at one of the pubs there. Some great meals and nice spots to choose from. As I think of more I'll post them 1
Tan1801 Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Depends on what you and your wife likes/dislikes are. As Rob has mentioned, Melbourne cup is on close to Havanathon. Here are a couple of other things you might want to get up to in Melbourne. You could go out to Yarra Valley and visit some wineries, visit Daylesford, do the great ocean road drive, Healesville Sanctuary, or just stay around the CBD and explore. If you want to explore the CBD there are a whole bunch of great cafes and eateries. You could also visit Crown casino or walk around the Botanical Gardens/Nation Gallery of Victoria/Art Center/Shrine of Remembrance area. There's probably a whole bunch of other stuff you could do in Victoria, but that's all I've got off the top of my head.
Popular Post NastyPirate Posted January 14, 2015 Author Popular Post Posted January 14, 2015 These are great! Thanks, and keep em coming. For those of you from the States, we will be leaving from Houston for this trip and have room for 14. If you don't mind flying back one-way or staying for a few weeks, I am offering rides. I'd like to make this a party!! Nothing like those of like minds flying together! Houston to Hawaii, add final fuel, Hawaii to Brisbane. Two bathrooms, plenty of spirits and a flight attendant. The bonus is that I have a cigar smoke extractor that was designed specifically for the plane. No muss, no fuss 6
NastyPirate Posted January 14, 2015 Author Posted January 14, 2015 Depends on what you and your wife likes/dislikes are. There is not a whole lot that we don't like. We are open to pretty much anything that falls under the category of "interesting" or "wow".
merc Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Let me get this straight... you have a private plane, where we can smoke cigars on board? I'd fly to the USA, just so I can hitch a ride home with you 1
madandana Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 My wife and I are intrigued. We are thinking about making the trip. Your plane sounds like more fun.if you're starting a tentative list....put us on it.
Fuzz AI Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 One thing you must do while in Sydney, have a Tiger Pie at Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo, after a late night partying. Or head down to Golden Century in Chinatown for a very late supper (open till 4am). Other places to see / things to do in Sydney: - Sydney Aquarium - Darling Harbour - Luna Park - Bike ride around Centennial Park - Hyde Park Barracks (take the ghost tour) - Enjoy a spot of high tea at Vaucluse House Tearooms - Drink bucket-loads of coffee (IMHO, the only better place to get coffee than Aus is Italy) - Taste some charcoal chicken at either Jasmin1 or El Jannah - As an alternative to the Opera Bar, go to Cockatoo Island Bar, and watch the sun set over the harbour - Wander around Paddington Markets (not to be confused with Paddy's Markets in Chinatown) - On a clear day, go up Sydney Tower (previously called Centrepoint Tower) and checkout the view of the city and harbour - Visit some of the islands in Sydney Harbour; Goat Island, Shark Island, Cockatoo Island, Pinchgut Island aka Fort Denison, etc (the absolutely useless Fort Denison, built in response to fears of a Russian invasion that never happened ... though we may need it again if our PM tries to shirt-front Putin ) - ANZAC War Memorial - Featherdale Wildlife Park or Koala Park Sanctuary - Cruise the Hawkesbury River Outside of Sydney: - Hunter Valley - The Entrance - Kiama Blowhole - Nan Tien Temple near Wollongong - Jenolan Caves - Blue Mountains - Australian Reptile Park - Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran (check for visitor dates/times as it is a research facility) 2
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 My wife and I are intrigued. We are thinking about making the trip. Your plane sounds like more fun.if you're starting a tentative list....put us on it. If anyone is interested (Stateside, Canada-eh or Central America), please PM me if you want to go on a list. Let me know if you are single or a +1. Remember that this is, at this point, tentative-but-probable, but the offer is real. I can seat 12 other people besides my wife and me. First on the list, first on the plane. PM me with contact info. What a great way to make new friends and get hammered in a different time zone before hitting Oz! Sydney looks amazing, as well. My wife is a Brit, so high tea is a must!
Jeremy Festa Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 If you are heading to Brisbang, as a base, here are some surrounding natural wonders and food spots of South East Queensland, the greatest place on Earth. Fraser Island is world heritage listed, there is an acidic lake you have to swim in to believe. You will see Dingos. You can eat, kangaroo, emu and crocodile, at Kingfishers Resort. That way you can tell everyone back home. It is a short drive north of Brisbang. On the way back down, stop off in Noosa, eat at Ricky's, Wasabi and Sails. One morning, walk from Noosa Main Beach, too Little Cove, around the headland and through the national park to Tea Trees, and Hell's Gates, finish at Alexandia Bay, strip off and swim with the nudists. Walk back and have brunch somewhere on Hastings Street. Maybe catch the Spirit House for lunch in Yandina on the way back to Brisbane. Brisbane's best kept secrets are the GoMA and QAG. The restaurant at GoMA is 'next level' and is a must visit. There are loads of local farmers markets in Brisbane, always worth a visit for breakfast and to gather local produce for lunch. For dinner one evening head to the Eat Street Markets. Friday through to Sunday evening. If you are here for Havanathon and want to visit a Brisbane staple, go to the Breakfast Creek Hotel for a steak and a beer. Let me know though. I live right near there. Its my local. In saying that, there a couple great breweries in Brisbane, if that is your thing. Newstead Brewing Company and Green Beacon are worth a visit. Go to Gerard's Bar for the cheeseburgers and sobrasado with a Negroni. Please! South of Brisbane is Springbrook National Park, which has a great waterfall. Mt Tambourine is really cool. Songbirds Restaurant at Mt Tambourine is awesome. As is Tambourine Mountain Distillery. Go there, and get the absinth and the gin. Then, steer clear of Surfers Paradise and head for the Tweed Heads region. Then Byron Bay and Broken Head are just a little further south. I dare say, you won't want to get on the plane home after South East Queensland. Enjoy Jer 2
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 Let me get this straight... you have a private plane, where we can smoke cigars on board? I'd fly to the USA, just so I can hitch a ride home with you Yes, I have a plane. Yes, we can smoke cigars on it. Why not fly to the States from Australia if there is room on the return trip and then fly home again?. 3
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 So, is the route to see the country strictly on the Coast, i.e., Brisbane, Sydney, Victoria, Perth? I know that it is a huge country, but is there anything in the center of it?
Fuzz AI Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I know that it is a huge country, but is there anything in the center of it? Yep. 3
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 Ah, the center. Certainly worth seeing....Seriously though, what is there to see beyond the city areas?
Fuzz AI Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Probably 80% of all Australian live on the coastal regions, with vast expanses of nothing of particular interest to the casual tourist inbetween population centres. Unless there is something you are specifically interested in, stick to the coast.
peterk814 Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 These are great! Thanks, and keep em coming. For those of you from the States, we will be leaving from Houston for this trip and have room for 14. If you don't mind flying back one-way or staying for a few weeks, I am offering rides. I'd like to make this a party!! Nothing like those of like minds flying together! Houston to Hawaii, add final fuel, Hawaii to Brisbane. Two bathrooms, plenty of spirits and a flight attendant. The bonus is that I have a cigar smoke extractor that was designed specifically for the plane. No muss, no fuss I would love to take u up on your offer If it is still available!
WarriorPrincess Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Can I come over to the States and catch a ride back...that way I can give you all a crash course on how to have a great time at Havanathon? It goes without a saying that for the last two I enjoyed myself the most and danced more than anyone there...ok I may have had a few too many Mojitos but it adds to the fun So I am sure Rob will let me go to be the "Hostess of Havanathon " ......that could be my new title 1
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 Absolutely! But if your +1 is Ken, ask him to wear shoes as he serves the drinks We have all seen your very capable dancing on video, and the fact that you can dance that well while successfully balancing a large Mojito is truly awe-inspiring You would have not just a seat. You would have The Throne, as befits your noble stature. And please bring the "Havanathon for Dummies" coloring books! Maybe we could all do a cigar review at 49,000 feet? I have heard from a number of folks who want to come, which is great. Might as well make a party of it. And the wife and I are already starting to map out the forum's suggestions on where to go and what to see. THIS.COULD.BE.EPIC. !! 3
WarriorPrincess Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 You got that right ....now there is one person that I will have to ask permission to go Rob.......... I will get to you
Duxnutz Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 These are great! Thanks, and keep em coming. For those of you from the States, we will be leaving from Houston for this trip and have room for 14. If you don't mind flying back one-way or staying for a few weeks, I am offering rides. I'd like to make this a party!! Nothing like those of like minds flying together! Houston to Hawaii, add final fuel, Hawaii to Brisbane. Two bathrooms, plenty of spirits and a flight attendant. The bonus is that I have a cigar smoke extractor that was designed specifically for the plane. No muss, no fuss Are you hiring? Surely everyone has a requirement for an extra (cigar loving) pilot with International experience!!! Hawaii to BNE isn't too bad a flight, there's even a few (very) scenic largish atolls a couple hrs out of Australia to have a look at and while not as good as Sydney, its a pretty arrival into the airport. Talking about a must do. Sydney is an absolutely beautiful city and just gorgeous from the air. If your in the mood for a scenic flight we have a great seaplane operator local to the area that will thrill you on a scenic trip around the Harbour. You could do it in the jet but there's romance in things that don't move very fast! Everyone I've ever flown around the Harbour has literally had drool coming out of their mouths. Your going to have an awesome time!
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 I have a feeling that Rob is not used to hearing you ask for permission. Seriously though, if you decide you want to make the trip my wife and a couple of others' wives would love a bit more estrogen on the flight.
NastyPirate Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 Are you hiring? Surely everyone has a requirement for an extra (cigar loving) pilot with International experience!!! Hawaii to BNE isn't too bad a flight, there's even a few (very) scenic largish atolls a couple hrs out of Australia to have a look at and while not as good as Sydney, its a pretty arrival into the airport. Talking about a must do. Sydney is an absolutely beautiful city and just gorgeous from the air. If your in the mood for a scenic flight we have a great seaplane operator local to the area that will thrill you on a scenic trip around the Harbour. Everyone I've ever flown around the Harbour has literally had drool coming out of their mouths. Your going to have an awesome time! A seaplane trip sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the info.
Fuzz AI Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Seeing Sydney Harbour by air is a definite must. I took a dawn scenic helicopter flight a few years ago and it was absolutely fantastic.
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