- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
planning a trip to Australia
Posted on 8/17/18 at 9:56 am
Posted on 8/17/18 at 9:56 am
my wife’s 50th is next year and I owe her a big celebration (she threw big parties for me for my 40th and 50th and I haven’t done shite for her)
she has e-friends in Byron bay so I was looking at Brisbane to fly into and then take it from there for two weeks or so. Flights seem halfway reasonable 1200 or so each
I know nothing about AU other than they speak English
anyone got experience in that area as far as a good itinerary?
I’d rent a vehicle and we like to road trip
time of year doesn’t matter, we could go any month
she has e-friends in Byron bay so I was looking at Brisbane to fly into and then take it from there for two weeks or so. Flights seem halfway reasonable 1200 or so each
I know nothing about AU other than they speak English
anyone got experience in that area as far as a good itinerary?
I’d rent a vehicle and we like to road trip
time of year doesn’t matter, we could go any month
This post was edited on 8/17/18 at 9:57 am
7
Posted on 8/17/18 at 11:14 pm to cgrand
I lived over in Sydney the first half of this year, but never did make it to Brisbane. Let me know if you need recommendations for Sydney or places near the Great Barrier Reef
Posted on 8/18/18 at 10:15 am to cgrand
My recommendation: don't try to see it all.
It's very, very tempting, since it feels like a once in a lifetime trip, to try to see as much of the country as possible. That would be like someone doing something similar in the US and trying to see LA, New York, Chicago, and a bunch of national parks on one trip.
So, that being said, my main Australian experience is in North Queensland from Townsville up to the Daintree. My wife's family is from Townsville/Cairns area, so we went and spent a month there before we got married.
Yes, we spent in a month in just that area, and we were perfectly happy staying mainly in North Queensland. Lots to see/do there, as it's kind of known as an ecotourist/adventure tourism area, with Cairns being a jumping off point. Can go up into the Daintree rainforest.
The highlight of our trip was hiking the Thorsborne trail on Hinchinbrook Island. Not sure about now, but at the time, they only let around 20 people at a time on the trail and you had to apply well in advance to get a permit (similar to the Grand Canyon). We spent three nights on the island, hiking the 20 mile trail. The trail takes you up into the mountains/rainforest with waterfalls and such, then down onto the beach for camping each night.
Although her relatives all thought that we, being stupid yanks, were going to die trying to camp in Australia, either by croc, stinging nettle, brown snake, or taipain I'm not sure, but they were pretty convinced that we were too ignorant to survive backpacking in Australia. Clearly we survived, and it still ranks as one of the peak experiences of my life.
Aussies are cool AF, so try to get to know some folks and spend time with them. Their outlook on life, possessions, and such is really great. We had the good fortune of having lots of connections with her relatives, so the majority of our trip was spent either camping or hanging out/couch surfing with locals.
It's very, very tempting, since it feels like a once in a lifetime trip, to try to see as much of the country as possible. That would be like someone doing something similar in the US and trying to see LA, New York, Chicago, and a bunch of national parks on one trip.
So, that being said, my main Australian experience is in North Queensland from Townsville up to the Daintree. My wife's family is from Townsville/Cairns area, so we went and spent a month there before we got married.
Yes, we spent in a month in just that area, and we were perfectly happy staying mainly in North Queensland. Lots to see/do there, as it's kind of known as an ecotourist/adventure tourism area, with Cairns being a jumping off point. Can go up into the Daintree rainforest.
The highlight of our trip was hiking the Thorsborne trail on Hinchinbrook Island. Not sure about now, but at the time, they only let around 20 people at a time on the trail and you had to apply well in advance to get a permit (similar to the Grand Canyon). We spent three nights on the island, hiking the 20 mile trail. The trail takes you up into the mountains/rainforest with waterfalls and such, then down onto the beach for camping each night.
Although her relatives all thought that we, being stupid yanks, were going to die trying to camp in Australia, either by croc, stinging nettle, brown snake, or taipain I'm not sure, but they were pretty convinced that we were too ignorant to survive backpacking in Australia. Clearly we survived, and it still ranks as one of the peak experiences of my life.
Aussies are cool AF, so try to get to know some folks and spend time with them. Their outlook on life, possessions, and such is really great. We had the good fortune of having lots of connections with her relatives, so the majority of our trip was spent either camping or hanging out/couch surfing with locals.
This post was edited on 8/18/18 at 10:17 am
Posted on 8/20/18 at 3:51 pm to cgrand
If you make it to Brisbane be sure to find your way to Lone Pine koala and kangaroo sanctuary. For the 2.5 months I was there in 97 (mostly partying) it's still the most memorable thing I did in Australia.
Posted on 8/21/18 at 9:14 pm to cgrand
2019 is the last year anyone will ever be allowed to climb Ayers Rock. I’m planning on going for that alone.
This post was edited on 8/22/18 at 7:42 pm
Posted on 8/22/18 at 6:42 pm to cgrand
Hunter valley, best part is they don't charge for sampling. I usually bought a bottle at each place tho
Posted on 8/23/18 at 10:37 am to cgrand
I went last year. Had a great time.
Uluru - This place is expensive to get to, but one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. If you like nature and hiking, go here. It's amazing. Middle of nowhere. Giant monolith that has no business being there. Sacred to the natives.
Melbourne - Very fun city. Just walk around. Get lost. Go tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground. See an AFL game if you have time.
Cains - Snorkeling in the reef is awesome. The Esplanade is cool. Watching 200 people do water aerobics was interesting.
Sydney - Honestly somewhat underwhelming. Bondi Beach was cool. The harbor was cool.
Blue Mountains - Worth the day trip. Go to the wildlife park and see animals.
Uluru - This place is expensive to get to, but one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. If you like nature and hiking, go here. It's amazing. Middle of nowhere. Giant monolith that has no business being there. Sacred to the natives.
Melbourne - Very fun city. Just walk around. Get lost. Go tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground. See an AFL game if you have time.
Cains - Snorkeling in the reef is awesome. The Esplanade is cool. Watching 200 people do water aerobics was interesting.
Sydney - Honestly somewhat underwhelming. Bondi Beach was cool. The harbor was cool.
Blue Mountains - Worth the day trip. Go to the wildlife park and see animals.
Posted on 8/23/18 at 3:04 pm to cgrand
quote:
there for two weeks or so.
australia is a really far to go for two weeks. Just remember it will take 20+ hours to get to sydney, and that is if everything is perfect. Its probably closer to 30 hours. So you are taking 2.5 days off your two weeks. Add in jet lag, and I wouldn't touch that trip.
I have gone to AU for work, and it was 10 days. The trip was horrific due to the time in flight and time change.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News