We will be visiting Australia from the UK for the first time between mid December 06 and mid January 07. We have some things that we really want to do and would like to book those and leave flexibility for the remainder of the trip.

Views on our thoughts so far would be much appreciated.

Dec 15 Fly into Sydney
Dec 16 Sightseeing (but we will return at the end of the trip)
Dec 17 Fly to Cairns
Dec 18 - 21 Join Spirit of Freedom Liveaboard for 3 night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef dive trip
Dec 21 Return to Cairns
Dec 22 - 26 Peppers Bloomfield - rainforest, sailing etc
Dec 27 Fly to Ayres Rock (stay at the Lost Camel) and hire a car to explore a little (recognising that it will be hot and that there will be flies)
Dec 29 Fly to Melbourne

Here we have about 9 days to fill before getting back to Sydney on January 8th to explore the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and enjoy the city before flying out on 13th January.

A few options for the 9 uncertain days at the moment all involving combinations of some of GOR, Taz, Adelaide, Kangeroo Island, Grampians etc.

So we would love to hear your views on outline of the trip. Any preferences for the 9 days we are struggling with (particularly as New Year falls in this time). We could be in Melbourne at the latter stages of the Ashes test (which we were trying to avoid) and we could be in Hobart when the Sydney - Hobart racers get in - is this good or bad?

Any words of wisdom or encouragement much appreciated. Thanks

Annelli

you have a little bit of rainforest there so you don;t need to feel compelled to go to tasmania (that sounds like a stupid thing to say) but still I think, given the season, that tasmania would be wonderful experience for you and I ahve never been there with the race but I bet it would be great

NYE on the yarra is a cracker BTW

MLB is worth a couple of days at least. So you could do that and trip over to Tassie for a week. I've never been in Hobart for the end of the Syd-Hob race but I guess it could be no way as exciting as seeing the start from Sydney,

I think Kangaroo Is is overrated. And the GOR is only so-so.

But sometimes the journey is the thing. So if you like a bit of a mix to your travels, may I suggest the Wayward Bus. They will take you from MLB to ADL, and you don't have to drive yourself. And they have local knowledge and can lay on stuff/take you to places that you wouldn't do yourself. And it's fun!!

Something for you to check out, as it might not appeal at all.
Just google wayward bus.

All the best.

Actually I think the end of the Sydney-Hobart is more exciting than the beginning. At least you know who won.

Agree with fuzzy re Kangaroo Island and GOR and if I were you Annelli would be looking at Tassie for those 9 days. The rainforest there is nothing like the tropical rainforest of the far north, and I think you've made great choices with both Spirit of Freedom and Bloomfield Wilderness Resort. Don't listen to those who will break their necks to tell you than Dec/Jan isn't a good time for FNQ, reef conditions in the far north should be ideal and Bloomfield is close enough to coast to catch sea breezes. Its a magnificent, isolated spot and can only envy you.

You want to avoid the Ashes Test?

Why?

Premonition of impending doom????

Margo - maybe Annelli doesn't like cricket. Has probably never been properly introduced to the game. For which an epithet must be found. You know, rugby (union) is "the game they play in heaven" (not sure why, though I like it well enough). Football is the "World Game" (obviously).

I think cricket should be called "the supreme game". All team sports are war in another guise. But cricket is the only one where mind matters as much as brawn.

And bring on the Ashes. I wouldn't miss the chance to be at the Boxing Day Test - were it possible to get a ticket at short notice, which it won't!

Would you care to take a bet on England winning the series?

Thanks for all the great advice. We are still considering our options - there are so many things to choose from.

Regarding the Ashes - we aren't really into cricket - shocking I know. However, our choice to stay away (avoiding the crowds) should not be seen as an indication that England will lose - but the boys will have to win without our support in person ! We can go to see the Cricket in the UK and want to concentrate on the unique and special Aussie wonders !!!!!

We send our best wishes to those impacted by the cyclone. This has raised a concern though..... We usually make a point of avoiding areas in huricane and cyclone seasons and it would seem that the cyclone season runs from November. So there may be a risk of something like this occurring in Dec when we are planning to be there (and have booked to be there!) We will probably leave the arrangements as they are - nothing is without risk these days.

Thanks again. Any other gems gratefully received.

Annelli

Me and Margo love Cricket, its just she is a bad loser, isn't that right Margo !!


lol

Muck

Annelli

Halls Gap in Victoria is a must see. Stay a couple of nights at the Youth Hostel.

Beautiful scenery.

Eek

We thought about Halls Gap but were put off by the fire - still a must see?

A

Annelli - highly unlikely for cyclone in December in northern Queensland, these days they seem to come, if they come at all, late Feb-April. As Larry just did. The earlier summer months here are usually ideal for reef, with calm seas and great underwater visibility.

It will be hot, but who cares when you're in the water and you've picked a great liveaboard with Spirit of Freedom. You should get a sea breeze at Bloomfield Lodge to help cool things down.

We stayed at Bloomfield Lodge last May and it was wonderful - great accommodation and fabulous meals. The pool was shaded by the open air dining area so was very cool. Very refreshing on a hot day!
If you enjoy walking there is a new track along the GOR from Apollo Bay which you can do in short stages eg 1/2 day or in long trek of eight days. You see coastline that those driving don't get to see. There are campsites along the way or an enterprising company that will take your bags and book you into B&B's.
I haven't been to Hobart at New Year but Melbourne is fun with fireworks along the river and performances by different bands in various places around the city. Good restaurants to celebrate New Year as well.

Annelli

It's my understanding that, with those tiny little grounds in England, it's almost impossible to get tickets for the cricket; for any decent match, that is.

At least here you should be able to get tickets. I live in Sydney - so the New Year test it is - a great part of what we do in summer. Out at the SCG roasting (or spend big money and sit in one of the stands - and watch the Poms taking a beating! What could be better!

Mucky: Pbbbffffrtttthhhh!

The only question in my mind is why anyone would want to pay good money to watch cricket. I can watch the dandelions grow in my backyard for nothing.

Hi Annelli

Halls gap is a must see!

Eek=)

Once we are back from Peppers on Dec 26th we are wondering whether to fly straight out to red centre or stick around for a day or two to see Atherton Tablelands. This would mean losing time in the south. Any views given the mix of things we are considering so far. If yes should we hire a car (greater flexibility) or use the public transport options (better views?).

Halls Gap certainly still on the list of possibilities - thanks Eek.

Cheers

Annelli

Oh Neil, It is a glorious game, I can think of nothing better than sitting in the sundrenched Sophia Gardens and watching cricket, it is good fun and the banter is great.
You should go with Margo and watch Aussies lose the new years tests.

Or get the mower out and cut down those dandylions.

Muck

"Game", Mucky? I thought it was some kind of religious observance. Actually I did once attend a game, or service, or whatever it was, but only for the free food and drink in a corporate box. Even so I decided that on balance the cost was too high. I must admit though that it marginally beat the basketball game I went to - that was about as exciting as watching lawn bowls.

Well Neil your not wrong, it is a kind of religious observance.
Sadly it's not your denomination.
Each to their own Isay.
Anyway if you should find yourself in Cardiff on a dry matchday in the summer (odds are increasing) pay a visit to Glamorgans ground and see what happens to the poor guy struggling to get back to his seat with 4 pints of beer tinkering on the edge of the 'holder' with the one pint of guinness being supported by his chest and spilling all down his shirt. Face getting redder and a huge round of applause when he either drops it or gets to his seat. Worth every penny. The crickets good too...lol


;-)

Muck