Originally Posted by cathaana
Well then since what I say is RUBBISH, I would suggest that if you have the time and want to see the countryside, get a car and drive yourself. Just stop wherever you feel like it.
Problem with that is that you don't get to see a lot of the countryside, particularly if you take the Hume, since it is now mostly dual carriageway bypassing major towns and so on.
Also, you can't stop off at a pub for a few cleansing ales - the Highway Patrol are LETHAL along there.
Originally Posted by cathaana
I personally don't think driving SYD-MEL is worth the time.
Depends which way you go. A leisurely meander down the South Coast, through Kiama, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Eden and so on is DEFINITELY worth the trip. As is going through Canberra and then down the Snowy Mountains Highway, through Cooma, Bombala to Orbost, and then picking up the Princes Highway through to Melbourne. A side trip into the Snowy Mountains (FANTASTIC in summer) would be a great option.
Originally Posted by cheap pacific fares
There are SYD-MEL fares on the Virgin website right now for AUS$79 which includes tax. With the exchange rate at 1 Aus$ = US$0.78, this equates to US$62.00. I'd rather sit in a plane for an hour than a bus for 15, and the cost is basically the same. I suppose it depends on whether you want to see some countryside and small towns while you are in Australia, or whether you are happy to see the big cities.
One thing to remember here though is that ALL of the major airlines have their cheap flights. One day Vermin might be cheapest, the next day it is Qantas, the next day it is DeathStar. It is important to shop around.
Dave