Australia itinerary help (not city/region specific)
Jun 30, 2016, 1:12 pm
#121
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 286
We've eliminated the mornington peninsular. All the stuff there was basically 'if we have time this might be interesting' sort of stuff.
I reworked the schedule but will need a car for one night in Melbourne to get to Moonlit Sanctuary for the PM tour. Their website has a whole 'how to get here' section and it doesn't seem any option is practical but driving.
Here's the updated schedule based on suggestions you guys have shared. Dec 6 is still a long 6 hour drive but it's doable. Dec 7 has a lot of stuff, but I think some will be quick and we can push some to Dec 8 before we return to Melbourne that night.
Thanks for everybody's help. I think we're getting close!
I reworked the schedule but will need a car for one night in Melbourne to get to Moonlit Sanctuary for the PM tour. Their website has a whole 'how to get here' section and it doesn't seem any option is practical but driving.
Here's the updated schedule based on suggestions you guys have shared. Dec 6 is still a long 6 hour drive but it's doable. Dec 7 has a lot of stuff, but I think some will be quick and we can push some to Dec 8 before we return to Melbourne that night.
Thanks for everybody's help. I think we're getting close!
Code:
Nov 26 - Arrive SYD - stay at Quay West Suites * Drop bags at hotel * Recommended to do this tour at 1030am to help get bearings. Ends by the hotel: http://www.imfree.com.au/sydney/ Starts: Town Hall Square. George St between Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral. * Opera house * Harbor Bridge * Rocks for Dinner * Possibly Sydney Observatory Nov 27 * Coastal walk, beaches * Nov 28 * Botanical Gardens * Shopping at Queen Victoria * Sydney Tower Nov 29 * EcoTours to Blue Mountains - 11am pickup Nov 30 - RENT CAR FROM SYD * Drive to Featherdale Wildlife Park (toward Blue Mtns) * Stay at Alpaca farm B&B about 90 minutes from airport Dec 1 * Drop off Rental car, fly to Melbourne * Star Wheel Melbourne * The Grid (Car racing sim) * Stay at ?????? Dec 2 * Federation Square * Moving Image * Sky Deck * Check for local events * Dinner with local friends Dec 3 * (could rent car today and go from beach to moonlit sanctuary) * Day trip to Brighton Beach (bath houses) Dec 4 * Pick up rental car * Moonlit Sanctuary * Back to Melbourne (4th night free - something to think about if we want to combine beach/sanctuary and move up rest of schedule by 1 day) Dec 5 * Phillip Island - Chocolate factory * Rhyll Trout fishing/lunch on Phillip Island * Nobbies * See penguins in PM * Stay at ???????? on Phillip Island Dec 6 * Leave Phillip Island * 6 hour drive via GOR to Lavers Hill/Melba Gully for Glow Worms * Stay ??????? in this area Dec 7 * Otway Fly Treetop Adventures * Drive 1 hour to Port Campbell via GOR * Twelve Apostles * Gibson steps * Loch Ard Gorge * Grotto * Stay in Port Campbell - Sea Glimpse Farm Dec 8 * Anything leftover from Dec 7 * Drive back to Melbourne - 3 hours * Drop off rental car tonight * (Possibly fly to SYD and stay near airport) Dec 9 * Fly from MEL to SYD * 1130am flight from SYD back to US via United
Last edited by robr; Jun 30, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Jun 30, 2016, 4:07 pm
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Jun 30, 2016, 6:11 pm
#123
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 347
Cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to stumble upon this thread. Our family of four (with daughters 15 and 13 at time of travel) will be heading to Australia and New Zealand in June 2017 for three weeks. I have no plans for OZ other than I want to dive the GBR, hang out in Sydney, and check out other uniquely Australian people, places, animals, and activities (including lots of wine tasting). As for NZ, I want to see Milford Sound, walk on a glacier or two, and relax in thermal pools.
All of your information has been fantastic, so thank you. OP, please be sure to let us know what you end up doing and provide guidance for those who will follow (me!)..
All of your information has been fantastic, so thank you. OP, please be sure to let us know what you end up doing and provide guidance for those who will follow (me!)..
Jun 30, 2016, 6:12 pm
#124
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 286
What would you recommend in the Mornington Peninsular? The items my wife had didn't seem all that exciting upon second glance which is why we decided to skip it. The hot springs looked really cool but then we read up on their kid policy and that killed that idea.
If we combine Brighton beach with the moonlit sanctuary, we pick up an entire free day then can shift PI up a day. I don't want the 8th to be too nuts since we may either fly back that night to SYD or if not, we have to be at the airport the next morning by 430am for a 6am flight.
If we combine Brighton beach with the moonlit sanctuary, we pick up an entire free day then can shift PI up a day. I don't want the 8th to be too nuts since we may either fly back that night to SYD or if not, we have to be at the airport the next morning by 430am for a 6am flight.
Jul 1, 2016, 2:22 am
#125
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 923
Cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to stumble upon this thread. Our family of four (with daughters 15 and 13 at time of travel) will be heading to Australia and New Zealand in June 2017 for three weeks. I have no plans for OZ other than I want to dive the GBR, hang out in Sydney, and check out other uniquely Australian people, places, animals, and activities (including lots of wine tasting). As for NZ, I want to see Milford Sound, walk on a glacier or two, and relax in thermal pools.
All of your information has been fantastic, so thank you. OP, please be sure to let us know what you end up doing and provide guidance for those who will follow (me!)..
All of your information has been fantastic, so thank you. OP, please be sure to let us know what you end up doing and provide guidance for those who will follow (me!)..
Provide your arriving and departing cities and dates and we can provide more advice.
Jul 1, 2016, 11:18 am
#127
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 286
Please start a new thread or this will get really confusing for me. Thanks
Jul 1, 2016, 3:06 pm
#128
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
I may be biased about the gold coast- only there once on business- but it seems like a gaudy south florida scene. Friends in Australia once said. "Oh is just terrible- you MUST go an see it though"
I struck me as a convenient place for the masses to consume 'beach fun' on a scale not seen elsewhere in Australia.
But thats me. Again, a very limited view from quite far away.
I struck me as a convenient place for the masses to consume 'beach fun' on a scale not seen elsewhere in Australia.
But thats me. Again, a very limited view from quite far away.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:38 pm
#129
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Posts: 15,504
Jul 3, 2016, 11:30 pm
#130
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Only 2 things are noteworthy, wine tasting and horseback riding. Possible to do both at once (wine tasting tours on horseback are offered). Otherwise it is pretty country, but not special (it is like Napa but Yarra Valley is more developed and has better wines plus closer to Melb). The ferry across is somewhat interesting if you want a circle tour.
Jul 5, 2016, 6:00 pm
#131
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ATL/SLC
Posts: 3,540
Looking for a quiet beach town somewhere outside of Sydney or Melbourne.
Hi all,
We have a two-week trip booked for Australia, November 2-16. We're in our mid-30s and this will be our first time to Australia for both of us.
We intend on just seeing two cities (Sydney and probably either Melbourne or Brisbane) to not rush our itinerary.
That said, the other half would like to spend 2-3 days at a small quiet beach town. We're not looking for diving, snorkeling or water sports - just a place that is preferably not overrun by tourists with some good sand to lay on. I figure there have got to be some that are just a couple hour drive outside a major metro - any suggestions?
We have a two-week trip booked for Australia, November 2-16. We're in our mid-30s and this will be our first time to Australia for both of us.
We intend on just seeing two cities (Sydney and probably either Melbourne or Brisbane) to not rush our itinerary.
That said, the other half would like to spend 2-3 days at a small quiet beach town. We're not looking for diving, snorkeling or water sports - just a place that is preferably not overrun by tourists with some good sand to lay on. I figure there have got to be some that are just a couple hour drive outside a major metro - any suggestions?
Jul 5, 2016, 6:38 pm
#132
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Join Date: Feb 2005
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Posts: 15,504
Hyams Beach south of Sydney would be my pick.
Also, if I had my choice I would visit Melbourne over Brisbane any day of the week. Brisbane is probably a nice place to live, but most of what south east Queensland offers is north or south of Brisbane.
Also, if I had my choice I would visit Melbourne over Brisbane any day of the week. Brisbane is probably a nice place to live, but most of what south east Queensland offers is north or south of Brisbane.
Jul 5, 2016, 8:39 pm
#134
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Jul 5, 2016, 9:21 pm
#135
Join Date: May 2006
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