Australia itinerary help (not city/region specific)
Nov 20, 2016, 12:02 am
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
It is often beach weather in November even tho summer doesn't start until 1st December. The obligatory ferry ride to Manly is a must and a walk along the beach. There are lots of market stalls there whrre you can buy Aussie nick nacks and souvenirs. Lots of pubs and cafes so have a traditional Aussie pub lunch or fish n chips on the beach.
In Oct and Nov there are often fireworks at Darling Harbour. Keep an eye out. Darlingharbour.com
In Oct and Nov there are often fireworks at Darling Harbour. Keep an eye out. Darlingharbour.com
Nov 20, 2016, 9:48 am
#242
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
So far for Barrier Reef I have come up with 3 day trips
Boat trip snorkeling reef
Train and Sky Ride to Karunda
Tour to Daintree and Mossaman Gorge
Anything else people recommend?
Are there different tours that go to different parts of the reef that are worth taking?
Boat trip snorkeling reef
Train and Sky Ride to Karunda
Tour to Daintree and Mossaman Gorge
Anything else people recommend?
Are there different tours that go to different parts of the reef that are worth taking?
Nov 21, 2016, 10:20 am
#243
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
We spent 5 day out on the reef, 2 days up by cooktown in the upper end of the rainfoest, the two days near Mossman by the lower end of the daintree. We had 4x4 and toured through daintree, cape tribultion, bloomfield track, etc.
We asked about the train and skyride, suspecting it would be a very toursity outing. Told it was petty 'disney-ish' and skipped it. Aftere being so remote and just hiking extensively on our own, we didnt want to ruin it with oppressive crowds, queues, man made waterfalls, etc.
We asked about the train and skyride, suspecting it would be a very toursity outing. Told it was petty 'disney-ish' and skipped it. Aftere being so remote and just hiking extensively on our own, we didnt want to ruin it with oppressive crowds, queues, man made waterfalls, etc.
Nov 23, 2016, 12:56 am
#244
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 920
We asked about the train and skyride, suspecting it would be a very toursity outing. Told it was petty 'disney-ish' and skipped it. Aftere being so remote and just hiking extensively on our own, we didnt want to ruin it with oppressive crowds, queues, man made waterfalls, etc.
Nov 23, 2016, 8:25 pm
#245
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
I was wondering what weather in Cairns and Sydney would be mid-late September?
Was checking tonight and found availability for Business Award flights on Delta for 110,000 miles and American for 80,000 miles, for multiple dates in September 2017.
Looking at leaving on Sept 14, which gives me arriving into Cairns on Sept 16 then 5 nights there then flying to Sydney for 7 nights and returning Sept 28.
Was checking tonight and found availability for Business Award flights on Delta for 110,000 miles and American for 80,000 miles, for multiple dates in September 2017.
Looking at leaving on Sept 14, which gives me arriving into Cairns on Sept 16 then 5 nights there then flying to Sydney for 7 nights and returning Sept 28.
Nov 23, 2016, 8:57 pm
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,993
Just book the flights. They could be gone tomorrow, or even gone now.
Weather here in wikipedia
September is good weather.
Mid summer (Jan) in CNS and to a lesser extent in SYD can be humid & hot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairns
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney
Weather here in wikipedia
September is good weather.
Mid summer (Jan) in CNS and to a lesser extent in SYD can be humid & hot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairns
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney
Nov 29, 2016, 5:13 am
#247
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 284
CPRich, just finished up our tour with Paul about an hour ago. Absolutely fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation!!
If you're arriving early morning, as I did, go take the I'm Free Tour at 10:30a. It will force you to avoid sleeping, getting on Oz time, and will give a very good orientation to the city. It ends down by the Opera House/Bridge, and goes through the Rocks district, so it gets you where you want to be with some good background/history. It's "free" up front, with a "pay what you think it's worth" pitch. It was a valuable 3-hour investment to us.
Walk Coogee to Bondi, not Bondi to Coogee. Bondi is the highlight, and there are more places to rest/snack/eat/etc. when you're done.
I don't recognize most of the items on Dec. 6. Is this along the GOR, or are you bypassing for an inland route? I'd recommend the drive, and it can take a full day. We were in Geelong by 10:30 and only got to Apollo Bay by sundown. You'll have several extra hours of sunlight, but you might want to stretch the trip along the southern coast to an extra day.
Your Dec. 7 day is exactly the same as ours. 12 Apostles by about 8:30, a few coastal stops ending at the Grotto, then return to Melbourne. We were in our hotel by 2:30, so you have extra time that day.
And as you appear to be a fellow F1 fan, you and Paul will have plenty to talk about. Just don't bore the rest of the family....
Walk Coogee to Bondi, not Bondi to Coogee. Bondi is the highlight, and there are more places to rest/snack/eat/etc. when you're done.
I don't recognize most of the items on Dec. 6. Is this along the GOR, or are you bypassing for an inland route? I'd recommend the drive, and it can take a full day. We were in Geelong by 10:30 and only got to Apollo Bay by sundown. You'll have several extra hours of sunlight, but you might want to stretch the trip along the southern coast to an extra day.
Your Dec. 7 day is exactly the same as ours. 12 Apostles by about 8:30, a few coastal stops ending at the Grotto, then return to Melbourne. We were in our hotel by 2:30, so you have extra time that day.
And as you appear to be a fellow F1 fan, you and Paul will have plenty to talk about. Just don't bore the rest of the family....
Nov 30, 2016, 3:14 pm
#248
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 17
We spent about 18 night in AUS last June. It broke down to 7 days in Sydney, 4 in MEL, 3 on GOR and balance in Hobart. I was very happy with choices, lots to see, did not feel rushed or have the feeling we were constantly packing and unpacking. It is a big place, you can't see all of it, don't try.
Of the 7 days in SYD, we did take a day trip by train to the Blue Mountains. While it was a fun day, that day was cold (maybe 5-7 C / 40-45 F, with howling, I mean HOWLING wind). It was beautiful and nice to see, so if I was in the area during warmer months I would be inclined to spend a couple of nights up there. There seemed to be a lot of trials and sights to fill the time.
Of the 7 days in SYD, we did take a day trip by train to the Blue Mountains. While it was a fun day, that day was cold (maybe 5-7 C / 40-45 F, with howling, I mean HOWLING wind). It was beautiful and nice to see, so if I was in the area during warmer months I would be inclined to spend a couple of nights up there. There seemed to be a lot of trials and sights to fill the time.
Nov 30, 2016, 3:27 pm
#249
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
I was in Oz this late September/early October. Weather was very nice except for brief rain on one or two days. It's early spring, so bring a medium jacket along.
While in the SYD area, I recommend a day or two in the Blue Mountains. I really enjoyed the sights in Katoomba, and while it sounds sappy, "Scenic World" there was fun, with various ways to get down to the valley and nice walks/hikes through the woods. The drive to/from SYD is easy and scenic.
http://www.scenicworld.com.au/
I stayed at a very nice little tourist level motel, can let you know the name if you want something inexpensive but comfortable.
Have fun! It's a great place to visit.
While in the SYD area, I recommend a day or two in the Blue Mountains. I really enjoyed the sights in Katoomba, and while it sounds sappy, "Scenic World" there was fun, with various ways to get down to the valley and nice walks/hikes through the woods. The drive to/from SYD is easy and scenic.
http://www.scenicworld.com.au/
I stayed at a very nice little tourist level motel, can let you know the name if you want something inexpensive but comfortable.
Have fun! It's a great place to visit.
Dec 3, 2016, 4:07 pm
#250
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Accor, Tap, Marriott, Executive Club, Smiles
Posts: 16
It doesnt have.
After establishing contact via e-mail with the customer service of both airports I was informed that both Sydney and Pert airport doesnt have hair salon inside any of its terminals, nationally and internationally.
Dec 3, 2016, 5:35 pm
#251
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Thank you for following up, it will be helpful to the next search.
Dec 11, 2016, 10:47 pm
#252
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Thanks for the suggestions all! We do plan on renting a car, so that will make access much easier. Is it worth taking a leisurely drive to Melbourne from Sydney (maybe stopping at beach towns along the way), and then taking a one-way flight back? Or is it kind of a bland drive? Perhaps that time would be better spent in the cities?
Also are there any "unusual sites" along the way that may be worth checking out? We love things that are out-of-the-norm.
Also are there any "unusual sites" along the way that may be worth checking out? We love things that are out-of-the-norm.
We did SYD > Kangaroo Valley (not a beach town) > Mallacoota > Lakes Entrance > Philip Island > Melbourne.
One way fee on the car wasn't much (Hertz)
Dec 13, 2016, 5:53 pm
#253
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 108
6 Days along the east coast of AUS
Hey All,
I've done a bit of searching and researching and am somewhat torn as to how to best spend our 6 days along the coast.
There's a desire to go to Cairns and then visit Arlie and the Whitstunday area, but I'm not sure if my time allows for both.
Likely our Cairns time will be something along the lines of:
Trip out to the reef, trip to the Karunda sky rail, trip to the rain forest.
A quick flight to PPP where we can spend some time exploring Hamilton, Whitehaven beach and the inlet.
Is budgetting 3 days for each too little? or am I able to maybe do 4-2 or something along those lines.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
I've done a bit of searching and researching and am somewhat torn as to how to best spend our 6 days along the coast.
There's a desire to go to Cairns and then visit Arlie and the Whitstunday area, but I'm not sure if my time allows for both.
Likely our Cairns time will be something along the lines of:
Trip out to the reef, trip to the Karunda sky rail, trip to the rain forest.
A quick flight to PPP where we can spend some time exploring Hamilton, Whitehaven beach and the inlet.
Is budgetting 3 days for each too little? or am I able to maybe do 4-2 or something along those lines.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Dec 15, 2016, 2:09 am
#255
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 108
To answer your questions:
1. We'll be arriving mid February and leaving mid March.
2. I'm open to any and all activities, I think the things we have on our list to see are things like GBR, Whitehaven, Karunda. But past that we're not dead set on anything. None of us are certified divers, but we'd be open to doing a discovery dive as well
3. Our entry and exit points are Sydney. We have friends there so we'll arrive and spend a few days with them. Then fly to Ayers rock for a few days. Then to Melbourne for a few, pop over to Tasmania for a few, up to Carins for a few, then to Arlie/Whitsundays before returning to Sydney for our trip home.
Most of the other schedule is pretty well planned. By the time we arrive in Cairns, we'll have 6 ish days before we need to be back in Sydney to catch our flight home.
Hope that helps with your questions.