Dave

My wife and I just got back from two weeks in Australia - a week at the Ritz Carlton in Sydney and a week on Hayman Island on the Great Barrier Reef. <BR> <BR>Feel free to ask any and all questions. We had a wondeful time.

Kittie

Dave, <BR> <BR>Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! <BR> <BR>I am booking my Sept-Oct 2000 trip to Australia. Hayman Island is one of the islands that I am interested in. <BR>We will be at 10:30pm in Cairns. I imagine that we would have to wait until the next morning if we want to get to Hayman Island. Where did you pick up the boat to get there? Where did you stay? Did you take a Great Barrior Reef tour? <BR>About Sydney... <BR>We have our B&B booked in the Lane Cove area which is just north of the Parramatta River. We plan on taking the subway. Any opinion on this? <BR>Also, we heard that the Hard Rock Cafe in Sydney burned down...any info? <BR> <BR>Thanks for any info/advise you can give me. Any email or posting here will be apprecaited <BR> <BR>Thanks again! <BR>Kittie

John Schang

Hi Dave: <BR>My wife and I are going to Australia on November 6 for 10 days then 10 days in NZ. We'll be in Sydney and Cairns during this time. I searched the 'net for restaurants and found hundreds. Where, in your opinion, did you find some good restaurants? We love good food. Any recommendations? <BR> Thanks, John

Patrick Ashton

Three years ago spent much time in the area. We took a four day "sports cruise" about 60 people through the barrier reef and stayed before and after the cruise in Cairns at the Radison. It is right on the point where all the boats go from -- can carry luggage right to the boats. Place is really great despite being above a big shopping and entertainment mall. Wonderful rooms with private balconies to the harbor. If you want more info, i can look it up. Don't miss if you have time the train trip from Cairns up to Karanda and return by the cable car and bus.

Mary Ann

Dave <BR>4 of us are trying to plan a trip to oz and nz in November 2000. The reef is very confusing, I'm used to going to Europe with self tours using Rick Steves and Michelin and cannot find comparable guides here. What is best to see the reef, snorkeling and the rainforest - Staying in Cairn or proximity and taking a day trip or staying on the islands. The prices for the islands seem somewhat high, expecially lizard and orpheus. How was Hayman and what would you recommend? Thanks for any help, you can also just email me if need be, per above.

Dave

Kittie, John, Mary Ann - <BR> <BR>Sorry for the delay in responding to your questions. I will try to them collectively here, but also please feel free to email me with further questions. <BR> <BR>Hayman Island: <BR>We flew from Sydney to Hamilton Island. The Hayman resort sends an impressive yacht to pick you up for the beautiful ride to Hayman. Champagne flows as soon as you are aboard. The first class service does not end there - they cater to your every desire on Hayman - it is a wonderful, luxurious resort, with attentive service, friendly staff, great food, great dive staff...... I could go on all day. We have traveled many places, and Hayman is perhaps the finest resort we have encountered. Expensive? remember - the US dollar is strong vs. the AUS$. <BR> <BR>DO NOT MISS a reef tour. Snorkel, scuba, or glass bottom boat - you absolutely must see the reef. Also, take a sunset sail on Hayman catamaran - great fun - lots of champagne and laughs. <BR> <BR>Best way to experience the area (Mary Ann): <BR>We only had a 5 days for the great barrier reef area, and were interested in a relaxing, luxury resort. We met folks who split their reef visit between Hayman and another, more rustic island like Lizard. I think the Fodors Australia book has good ideas for visits. Hayman would not likely be on Rick Steves tour - it is higher end than that - but far from stuffy. <BR> <BR>Kittie - I'm not familiar with the Lane Cove area of Sydney - and am not familiar with the subway system. As for the Hard Rock Cafe - Sydney has far too many outstanding restaurants to even consider an American chain restaurant. <BR> <BR>Lastly - great Sydney restaurants: Darcys in Paddington (Italian) bills in Darlinghurst (breakfast) and Le Kiosk on Shelly beach in Manly (australian) were favorites that we will return to on our next visit. <BR> <BR>Have fun everyone!!!! <BR> <BR>Dave <BR>

Peg

Mary Ann, the best guide to Oz is Lonely Planet's travel survival kit to Australia. Peg.

Jen

Dave: <BR> <BR>Booked a week at the Ritz Carlton in Sydney for May - any thoughts about your stay there? Thanks.

merriem

Read my post on the Ritz Carlton Double Bay....hopefully the one is town is better. I would recommend the Park Hyatt. Great location and perfect service. Have a great trip!

Stuart

Kittie, <BR>You don't catch a boat from Cairns to Hayman. That would be like catching a boat from Seattle to the Catalinas...it's a long way. Cairns is north Queensland, Hayman is central Queensland. Find the Whitsunday islands on a map and you'll see the problem. You can fly to nearby Hamilton Island then boat to Hayman, or boast from the mainland across from Hamilton/Hayman. <BR>But....it is a beutiful place. <BR>Also, I have to agree, don't bother with the Hard Rock (or Macdonalds). Try the Rockpool in the Rocks area of Sydney...or lots of others. Your $US will make them seem cheap! (which means inexpensive in Oz - not mean and nasty). <BR> <BR>Have a great time.

Pam

Dave - would love to hear more about Hayman Island at GBR - activities, accommodations, etc. Thanks <BR>

marie

Dear Dave, <BR>Thanks for the great info--plannig to finally get to aus this june after 10 + years as wexpats in singpore/bangkok--so we have been to some beautiful beaches (bali) and resorts (four season) can't decide if we should go to sydney + a few days in hunter valley or go to melbourne + ??? am also in the restaurant biz so food spots are high on the list as well--looking for luxe <BR>thanks again