Hi, I have been reading the forums for a few days now, both Europe and Australia, and have just registered and having posted a reply am now ready to ask for advice. We, four 30somethings and a 12yo, are spending August in AustraliaBR>2 night stopover in Singapore<BR>6 nights Sydney<BR>2 nights Canberra<BR>1 night Snowy Mountains<BR>7 nights Melbourne (partner grew up there)<BR>1 night Great Ocean Road<BR>4 nights Adelaide<BR>3 nights Uluru<BR>1 night Sydney, and then straight home<BR>I wasnt asking for advice on the itinery so much as specific points like:- Can you drive through Snowy Mountains in August and if so which would be best resort to try and stay in? We would like to spend an afternoon skiing, do you think this would be feasible? I think, from what I've read on here that Kangaroo Island sounds good, is it feasible to drive there and back in a day and if so whats the best tips for that day? We are driving from Sydney through to Adelaide, will the GOR be wet. cold and windy as I read on here somewhere that it would be in July? My main question though is about Uluru, we are flying there, is it best to hire a hire and do the sights ourselves or just join tours? Is it best to book tours before we get there or just pick them when we arrive?<BR>Hope this isnt too many questions, any advice on the itinery or any of the above is very much appreciated.<BR><BR>Tim

Tim,<BR><BR>Like I told another poster about KI, there are day trips from Adelaide to KI. It makes for a very long day, but no big deal. Sea Link, I think, bused you to the ferry on the mainland and then the tour bus was waiting for you on KI. Also could fly over and have the tour pick you up at the airport. Don't try to tour KI on your own. You will miss too much!<BR><BR>In Uluru, we just took small tours with Discovery Eco-tours. We loved the small group &amp; the tour guides were way more informative then if we hired on our own! I booked before, but that's just me. Being on a tight schedule I wanted to make sure I got what I wanted ahead of time. <BR><BR>The best advice I can give is to hire tour guides in KI &amp; Uluru. It really does make the expierence so much better and you will learn so much more.<BR><BR>Amy

Hi Tim and welcome to the boards.<BR><BR>For Uluru you should be able to book on tours easily when you get there, but definitely book ahead accommodation. I think the tours are worthwhile for the amount of information you will get.<BR><BR>I am not sure about the Snowy Mountains or Kangaroo Island. The Great Ocean Road might be wet and windy, but shouldn't be bitterly cold. Be prepared for temperatures below freezing overnight at Uluru though, although the days will most likely be mild.<BR><BR>

Depending on your planned route, you should be able to drive through the Snowy Mountains in August, but you may need chains. You need to check out planned routes. An afternoon's skiing is feasible. Perhaps stay at Jindabine and go to one of the resorts by the Ski-tube. I don't have suggestions about resports - depends on the conditions at the time.<BR><BR>The Great Ocean Road will very likely be cold and windy - we are talking about winter, and possibly wet. If you want to go somewhere, you shouldn't let the weather dictate to you. The GOR is spectacular, and wilder weather may make it more so.<BR><BR>I second the KI tour idea.

Thanks for your advice, we're going to take all of it and do the long day tour on Kangaroo Island, sort out the skiing and do the Discovery Eco Tours at Uluru<BR><BR>Thanks again, Tim

re Snowy Mountains : you can drive TO the Snowy from Canberra in August which is peak ski time because it's the best time for snow but you must carry chains which you can hire from Service stations ( gas stations ) for about A$25 but the better option would be to drive from Jindabine to the Ski-Tube and that takes you directly to Perisher-Blue ski resort. You can hire skis, snowboards and clothes right there at the train station and ski for the afternoon - I think an afternoon ticket starts at 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. May cost A$50-60. You can't drive THROUGH the Snowy Mountains because in August the Alpine Way is always closed, so you would have to drive back to the Hume highway to get to Melbourne. I think it takes about 3-4 hours to drive ( can't remember but it's a lot more than 2) from Canberra to Snowy. Perisher and Thredbo are about 1/2 hour from Jindabine and Ski-Tube about 15 mins out of Jindabine on the Thredbo road. Both resorts are good, but Perisherblue is the biggest. Try perisherblue.com.au for real info. If you are driving a 4WD you don't need chains.<BR>The GOR seems always to be wet, cold and windy - we did it in Oct and it was, but spectacular! Look for the house on an enormously tall concrete pier!!

Amanda<BR><BR>Thanks for the advice. Nowhere have I read that I coudn't get through the Snowies! and I've read lots now. have decided to change our itinery and take a night off Melbourne and add a night in the Snowies....as we're driving from Canberra to Melbourne I thought that 2 nights in Falls Creek looked good...closer to Melbourne and it seems quite pretty and good skiing. I'll check out the Perisherblue site tho and will definately be looking out for that house on the GOR. Thanks very much, and if you have more advice on Falls Creek as opposed to other places I'd be grateful.<BR><BR>Tim

Falls Creek is a great place to ski and stay. It is really the only place in Australia with true ski in, ski out accommodation, although Thredbo has some if it's a good season, and they have shuttle buses to take you around Thredbo to your lodge. Most lodges in Perisher would have a snow cat that would pick you up about 4 pm or you can trudge to them. The longest ski runs are at Perisherblue and Thredbo, and the runs are generally short at Falls Creek, but it is a pretty place to stay, with quite a variety of terrain. It can get foggy (whiteout) however.<BR>Try http://www.fallscreek.com.au/buzz/ for accom and other info. There are plenty of lodges, hotels, motels and units, however it is peak season so I would book somewhere as soon as possible to get the place you want.<BR>You will still have to hire chains if you wish to drive into the resort - even if you have a 4WD! We did last year. There is a car park at the town called Mt Beauty at the bottom of the mountain and buses that go regularly up and down the mountain that most people would use. Or you can hire chains at the gas station there. Again you can hire skis, clothes etc just near the car park in Falls Creek, or in Mt Beauty. Falls is about a 5 to 5 and 1/2 hour easy drive to Melbourne, and it and Mt Hotham nearby have the best snow in Victoria. Have never been to Hotham, sorry. My son says don't go to the mountain closest to Melb - too low so less snow and very crowded - I think it's Mt Buller. There are plenty of B&amp;B's on the GOR - you just go to the information place in the town before about 4pm and they should have a few for you, or try www.visitvictoria.com. We stayed in a great place out of Apollo Bay ( next village ) that had views of seals sunning on a rocky island. <BR>Have a great holiday!