wabashcr Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Looks like you'll have just missed the AFL Grand Final, and the end of the season. When I finally get to make the trip down under, I intend to go during AFL season, so I can catch a match, hopefully at MCG. My parents lived in Melbourne for a few years before I was born, and my dad has always maintained an interest in Aussie Rules Football (as we call it in the US). Within the last few years we've started getting more live and recorded matches on tv in the US, and it's fascinating. The other sport I'd love to experience in Australia is test cricket, but I don't think you'll find that in late October, either. I'd love to spend a day (or more) at a test match. Sounds like the flight alone would be worth the investment! Cheers
1LegLance Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Well Bill I figured I would post this here for public comment vs PM... My wife & younger son and I spent 7 weeks in Australia a couple of summers ago so everything I mentioned is really bases on OUR interest We are into 4wd travel, not crazy rock crawling or axle bending antics, just seeing stuff off the tour bus track We did 4 weeks in a 4wd and 3 weeks by train. Fraser Island is amazing and worth spending a few days on. If you rent a vehicle make sure you can take it there as most 4wd rental shops won't let you. Otherwise stay at the Kingfisher as was mentioned and they will take you around the island. We say a ton of wildlife and as the largest sand island in the world with a tropical jungle and forest along with crazy lakes you will be impressed. I second the motion on Noosa, that is where another set of friends live and we had a blast there, driving on the beach, eating at local spots...great place. We went north as far at the Whitsundays which puts you in the Great Barrier Reef and a ton of little islands to play on. Beaches, snorkling, so much neat stuff. From there Melborne was great, it is a 4 season in a day place like you will read about. The Blue mountains are worth a visit and the Overland Train from Melborne to Adelaide is cool and lets to see alot easily. Lot's of neat stuff around Adelaide, as a guy I loved the National Auto museum, one of the best I have seen and has a real Aussie flair which is neat being from the USA. My wife liked Sydney, for me other than the historic old area I liked the backcountry of Australia way more. Perth I would skip mainly due to distance unless you fly yourself. I liked Western Oz so research it for yourself. I will write more as memory serves but just remember I am telling you what WE enjoyed, we need to know more about YOUR interset to offer real advice
JohnS Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 The other sport I'd love to experience in Australia is test cricket, but I don't think you'll find that in late October, either. I'd love to spend a day (or more) at a test match. Test Cricket tends to be played in December and the first week of January in Australia every year. Sometimes the matches start in November depending on which nations are playing.
OleOle Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Fuzz and perhaps others have already suggested the Jenolan Caves which is not to be missed. Caves House Hotel really could do with a refurbishment (or maybe it has, I haven't been in a few years) but on the plus side it's safe to say that it retains its 'Victorian charm' and it's right at the entrance to the caves. http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/the-caves/cave-image-gallery/ http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/accommodation/caves-house/ Whatever you end up doing, enjoy your time Down Under
Habana Mike Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Uluru's worth a flyover. Avoid the flies that way.
Bill Hayes Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Queensland - Port Douglas/Cairns – Great Barrier Reef, half day trip to Green Island. Very touristy but just has to be done. It’s touristy for a reason. Also Cape Tribulation day trip with croc cruise plus Daintree rainforest. Sydney – Bridge climb, Clovelly Beach, I get a buzz just catching a ferry, Watson’s Bay. Melbourne – Melbourne Cup as Rob mentioned is first Tuesday in November or maybe choose Derby Day which is the Saturday before or perhaps Oaks Day which is the Thursday after – they are all good days over the Spring Racing Carnival. Plenty of good restaurants in Melbourne to choose from plus bars etc. And wineries in Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. Although I am from Melbourne I feel it is not so much set up for tourists, in that there isn’t great tourist landmarks really. It provides a great lifestyle and from the inside looking out to me it seems like the kind of place that you need to stay a while to get to know and love. Maybe I’m spoilt and its vibe is just the norm for me. So others that live in other states might be best to judge whether to include Melbourne other than going to an event like the Cup. But I reckon you could skip Melbourne if you wanted to and go west to Perth/Fremantle. I wouldn’t bother with Adelaide unless you wanted wineries but Kangaroo Island is magnificent and you can dive in cages with Great White Sharks. Western Australia – I would go to Margaret River region and stay at Bunker Bay and do a trip around the wineries by hiring a driver. Leeuwin Estate for lunch is great and their Art Series Chardonnay and Cab Sav are great, although my favourite is Pierro Chardonnay. One of the better things I’ve done when in WA. Rottnest Island trip would be good too. Unless you like scuba diving and fishing I maybe wouldn’t venture up to Ningaloo reef. Although it’s one of my all time favourite spots in Australia, it is a long trip and I would definitely fly from Perth. Friends drove and after the 600th ant hill they almost went mad with boredom. Exmouth is a strange place and only one good resort there but is a perfect place to base yourself for diving/whale watching/snorkelling/fishing and swimming with the whale sharks adventures. About an hour south is Coral Bay. It has reasonable accommodation but not very fancy and there is a caravan park. Beautiful coral filled bay though and you can do boat trips from there just like Exmouth. Inland and north near Broome is The Kimberley region if you want to really go outback adventuring with 4WD tours etc. Don’t dismiss Uluru in the centre. It is all set-up for tourists. Fly in and stay in a nice resort by the big red rock and maybe do a camel ride. Very touristy but they do it very well. In November the weather is unpredictable in Melbourne but is a touch colder in Tasmania. If you wanted to include Tasmania if you include Melbourne I wouldn’t catch the ship across just fly into Hobart and go to the MONA gallery of modern art but you need to book in advance. Hobart has some great regional food. Lobster, mussels, abalone, grass fed beef, cheese etc. I think the weather most probably wouldn’t be perfect enough for a road trip up to wine glass bay in Freycinet National Park but that is on my to-do list. Anyway, hope this helps/confuses things even more. If you do decide on Melbourne then send me a message if you like and perhaps I could recommend some restaurants etc. All the best.
Fuzz AI Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Don't forget that Tasmania has some great whisky distilleries. 3
NastyPirate Posted January 16, 2015 Author Posted January 16, 2015 These are all great trip ideas, and I thank each of you for the time and information that you have added. This will be a memorable trip, for sure. I'm hoping that I meet each of you at Robathon (sorry, Havanathon). In addition to the trip itself, I now have a plane load of cigar reprobates with which to share the joy that is the Cigar Party of Australia. Consider this to be the American plague of locusts. Thanks to all. 2
fingerburner Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Down my way, there's a few nice spots to check out along the Great Ocean Road. Maybe even rent a little B&B and stay a few if you have the means.
Habana Mike Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Down my way, there's a few nice spots to check out along the Great Ocean Road. images.jpg Maybe even rent a little B&B and stay a few if you have the means. images-1.jpg Based on the mode of transport good guess he could swing that! 1
CUBANO Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Down my way, there's a few nice spots to check out along the Great Ocean Road. images.jpg Maybe even rent a little B&B and stay a few if you have the means. images-1.jpg WOW! Beautiful scenery
Nrengle Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 Just got back, if you're in Brisbane you do have to stop and see Diana and Rob. I also recommend a restaurant called Tukka. My friend knew the chef there (this was trip before), had an awesome meal done for us, kangaroo, rabbit, venison, crocodile, emu, lamb, etc. Also a trip to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast if you're at all into the beach. The Australian Zoo is nice, it's the place Steve Irwin used to run. Sydney, the Rocks area is awesome, stayed at the 4 Seasons there, right next door and close to Circular Quay for the ferries. Take the ferry to Manly, cool beach town vibe, touristy, but if you make it over to Shelly Beach it's a quiet locals type beach. It and Manly beach are two of my favorite spots to just decompress at. If you dive stop at Dive Centre Manly and have them set you up for a dive at Shelly beach, not very deep and lots of sea life to check out. The rest I didn't have much time to check out as I was there for work.
frenchkiwi Posted June 15, 2015 Posted June 15, 2015 When you come to NZ hit the Southern Alps and the North island volcanic plateau while there's still plenty of snow. If you don't mind a hike do the Milford Track a multi-day guided hike with luxury lodges to ease the pain, and go on a cruise in Fiordland/Milford Sound. Play golf in Queenstown to get the best of the views there, kawerau jetboating on the river, bungy jumping etc. Go to Rotorua for the geothermals/mudpools and Maori cultural experiences all in one. Around Lake Taupo for some easy access guided fly fishing. That's the basic tour but the possibilities are endless for outdoor activity stuff. If you stop in Wellington PM me and we can go for a cigar 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now