Australia travel tips…
September 18, 2009 11:56 AM Subscribe
I’m travelling to Australia in October. My first stop is Sydney and from there I’m going on a trip to Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Uluru with friends. After that, we head back to Sydney and I’ve got an 11 day gap with absolutely no plans.
I’ve heard great things about Melbourne/Great Ocean Road and also Cairns, and I’m not sure that I have time to fit both in, as they are in opposite directions from Sydney. Another wrinkle is that I’ll be travelling alone for the first time, so I’d like to stay in places or join activities that would facilitate meeting other people. I’m a 31 year old American female who enjoys outdoorsy activities like hiking, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling (but not scuba or surfing...I'm not a very strong swimmer) as well as gluttonous fun- brewery tours, wine tasting, and restaurants, live music, hanging out at pubs, etc. I’ve got some spending money but am on a grad student budget.
So, where should I go? And how should I get there (bus, plane, train)? If anyone could recommend specific hotels/hostels, parks, etc, that would be great. Also, I’ve come across some 3 or 4 day tours that look interesting, but it’s hard to tell if they’d be up my alley or more suitable for senior citizens. So if you have experience with tours in Australia, that would be helpful as well.
Thanks!
I’ve heard great things about Melbourne/Great Ocean Road and also Cairns, and I’m not sure that I have time to fit both in, as they are in opposite directions from Sydney. Another wrinkle is that I’ll be travelling alone for the first time, so I’d like to stay in places or join activities that would facilitate meeting other people. I’m a 31 year old American female who enjoys outdoorsy activities like hiking, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling (but not scuba or surfing...I'm not a very strong swimmer) as well as gluttonous fun- brewery tours, wine tasting, and restaurants, live music, hanging out at pubs, etc. I’ve got some spending money but am on a grad student budget.
So, where should I go? And how should I get there (bus, plane, train)? If anyone could recommend specific hotels/hostels, parks, etc, that would be great. Also, I’ve come across some 3 or 4 day tours that look interesting, but it’s hard to tell if they’d be up my alley or more suitable for senior citizens. So if you have experience with tours in Australia, that would be helpful as well.
Thanks!
I'd lean more toward Great Ocean Road, just because it was my favourite thing in Australia. I did a three day tour of Great Ocean Road and the Grampians that was great. Pretty sure it was through Bunyip Tours, but I think a few different companies use the same tours. My guide was Dean, and he was awesome - not sure if he is still doing the tours, but request him if possible.
Tours seemed to lean toward a younger backpacker crowd. If you book through a hostel, it's quite unlikely they'll put you on a senior citizen tour. There are a lot of travel places that cater to the youngish backpacking crowd as well (at 32 I was the oldest on the tour, and also travelling alone), so you shouldn't have a problem finding one (wish I could remember the name - I know Wicked Travel is a popular one, but it isn't the one I am thinking of).
If you're not doing any diving, you probably needn't bother with Cairns. There are some great rainforest areas, but diving is the main draw. The east coast has some wonderful spots and beaches (Byron Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Fraser Island, etc.) if you decide you'd rather do more of the beach thing. Don't think you'd be too disappointed, either way.
I don't think it matters too much how you get around. I flew from Sydney to Melbourne relatively cheaply. On the way back I took a bus from Melbourne to Canberra and then rented a car from Canberra to Sydney. Most backpackers seem to take the bus, but if time is of the essence, flying can be worth it.
There's also a "surfing school" that takes place over 5 days (I think), and goes up the east coast from Sydney. You stop at various beaches along the way, surf, and probably get pretty drunk if some of the stories I heard were any indication.
There are thousands of places to keep you occupied in Australia, so decide what you're leaning more toward, and just pick one - it's really easy to get around, and really easy to meet other traveller's if you're staying in hostels.
posted by backwards guitar at 1:05 PM on September 18, 2009
Tours seemed to lean toward a younger backpacker crowd. If you book through a hostel, it's quite unlikely they'll put you on a senior citizen tour. There are a lot of travel places that cater to the youngish backpacking crowd as well (at 32 I was the oldest on the tour, and also travelling alone), so you shouldn't have a problem finding one (wish I could remember the name - I know Wicked Travel is a popular one, but it isn't the one I am thinking of).
If you're not doing any diving, you probably needn't bother with Cairns. There are some great rainforest areas, but diving is the main draw. The east coast has some wonderful spots and beaches (Byron Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Fraser Island, etc.) if you decide you'd rather do more of the beach thing. Don't think you'd be too disappointed, either way.
I don't think it matters too much how you get around. I flew from Sydney to Melbourne relatively cheaply. On the way back I took a bus from Melbourne to Canberra and then rented a car from Canberra to Sydney. Most backpackers seem to take the bus, but if time is of the essence, flying can be worth it.
There's also a "surfing school" that takes place over 5 days (I think), and goes up the east coast from Sydney. You stop at various beaches along the way, surf, and probably get pretty drunk if some of the stories I heard were any indication.
There are thousands of places to keep you occupied in Australia, so decide what you're leaning more toward, and just pick one - it's really easy to get around, and really easy to meet other traveller's if you're staying in hostels.
posted by backwards guitar at 1:05 PM on September 18, 2009
Melbourne is a great city, very different from Sydney but just as Australian. If you want an urban experience it's worth visiting. I was a bit underwhelmed by the Great Ocean Road, myself, but then again I live on the California coast so am a bit spoiled.
Near Sydney to the west is the Blue Mountains, with these enormous eucalyptus (gum) forests. It's totally beautiful and very civilized. You could easily spend one whole day on a cave outing, one day on a forest hike, and have lovely dinners inbetween. It will be less social. Also near Sydney is the Hunter Valley, nice wine/tourist country.
For something entirely different fly to Tasmania. Driive west to Strahan and enjoy the isolation and crazy rain forests.
posted by Nelson at 2:18 PM on September 18, 2009
Near Sydney to the west is the Blue Mountains, with these enormous eucalyptus (gum) forests. It's totally beautiful and very civilized. You could easily spend one whole day on a cave outing, one day on a forest hike, and have lovely dinners inbetween. It will be less social. Also near Sydney is the Hunter Valley, nice wine/tourist country.
For something entirely different fly to Tasmania. Driive west to Strahan and enjoy the isolation and crazy rain forests.
posted by Nelson at 2:18 PM on September 18, 2009
Melbourne is, as Nelson says, quite different from Sydney and has lots of cultural pursuits, parks and inexpensive but tasty dining on offer.
October in southern Victoria is the end of winter/beginning of spring however so you won't be guaranteed hot weather (not that you'll be freezing but you might get rained on and it may be a bit cool for swimming at the beach).
From Melbourne, a trip along the Great Ocean Road (don't listen to Nelson, it's gorgeous), up through the Grampians to Hall's Gap (great hiking) and back would be a great way to spend a few days. When I did it I was lucky enough to have a friend with a car but I'm sure that there are tours available.
You can fly pretty cheaply between Sydney and Melbourne but if you want to see some countryside you could take the train. There's an overnight train that would save you the cost of a night in a hotel.
I've never been north of Brisbane or west of Adelaide so can't offer any advice in those directions.
While in Sydney, a great walk is through The Rocks (stopping at a few of the pubs), up to The Observatory and a schooner at the venerable Australian Hotel. At trip on the Manly ferry is also highly recommended (with a walk down the Corso and a beer at the Steyne).
I envy your trip - have fun!
posted by islander at 8:51 PM on September 18, 2009
October in southern Victoria is the end of winter/beginning of spring however so you won't be guaranteed hot weather (not that you'll be freezing but you might get rained on and it may be a bit cool for swimming at the beach).
From Melbourne, a trip along the Great Ocean Road (don't listen to Nelson, it's gorgeous), up through the Grampians to Hall's Gap (great hiking) and back would be a great way to spend a few days. When I did it I was lucky enough to have a friend with a car but I'm sure that there are tours available.
You can fly pretty cheaply between Sydney and Melbourne but if you want to see some countryside you could take the train. There's an overnight train that would save you the cost of a night in a hotel.
I've never been north of Brisbane or west of Adelaide so can't offer any advice in those directions.
While in Sydney, a great walk is through The Rocks (stopping at a few of the pubs), up to The Observatory and a schooner at the venerable Australian Hotel. At trip on the Manly ferry is also highly recommended (with a walk down the Corso and a beer at the Steyne).
I envy your trip - have fun!
posted by islander at 8:51 PM on September 18, 2009
Flights are pretty cheap in Australia. I also went from Cairns to Sydney via two or three overnight greyhounds (or australian equivalent of greyhound, sorry can't remember now).
I was in Australia not too long ago but I am having trouble with specifics.
Melbourne was great. I loved the penguins at penguin island (maybe an hour away). I also went to some beach town around there which was really fun.
11 days tho. I feel like you could definately fly up to Cairns for a few nights and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. I am sure you'd meet a lot of people there.
I met a ton of people going on trips to Frasier Island and a Whitsunday overnight sailing trip.
I would definitely also stop at Byron Bay which was really fun and relaxed town, and super easy to meet people.
I was going to go with this company:
http://www.ozexperience.com/
But the crowd was a little too young for me even though I was 22 at the time - a lot were still in college or just graduated. So we did a lot of the same things but just took greyhound, skipped the boring stuff and took way less time and was way cheaper!
posted by ChloeMills at 6:40 PM on September 19, 2009
I was in Australia not too long ago but I am having trouble with specifics.
Melbourne was great. I loved the penguins at penguin island (maybe an hour away). I also went to some beach town around there which was really fun.
11 days tho. I feel like you could definately fly up to Cairns for a few nights and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. I am sure you'd meet a lot of people there.
I met a ton of people going on trips to Frasier Island and a Whitsunday overnight sailing trip.
I would definitely also stop at Byron Bay which was really fun and relaxed town, and super easy to meet people.
I was going to go with this company:
http://www.ozexperience.com/
But the crowd was a little too young for me even though I was 22 at the time - a lot were still in college or just graduated. So we did a lot of the same things but just took greyhound, skipped the boring stuff and took way less time and was way cheaper!
posted by ChloeMills at 6:40 PM on September 19, 2009
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*which is itself nice due to the scenery and good view of the Opera House.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 12:19 PM on September 18, 2009