Hi! My fren and I would be making a trip to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in early July.Wondering if we need to pack some especially warm clothings as we are not sure of the winters in these states. We intend to spend two days in Melbourne and would like to see the sights along Great Ocean Road, wonder if there is any day tours offered for this as most probably we wouldn't rent a car as neither of us are good drivers. We were also considering either a rail or bus journey to Sydney and from there to Brisbane as both of us are on a tight budget and couldn't afford an air transfer. Wonder if anybody could advise us on which mode would offer us the cheapest rate or the best ways to catch the beautiful sights along the way. We would also like to make at least one of this journey by rail, wonder if anybody could advise us on the choice.
Thanks a lot!

Can't offer you much about the rest of Aus, but Melbourne can be very cold and windy in July. Definitely need jacket that can deal with around 10 celcius as a top temperature for the day! Sydney is usually much milder; and Brisbane even more so.
As for travelling between cities (esp Melb to Sydney) try the local travel agents. Sometimes there are extroadinary deals offered, especially in Winter, for air travel. The interstate rail sometimes offers two-for-one deals which might help.

Bugsy, If you are from Singapore, you definitely will need lots of warm clothes when you come to OZ as it is mid winter, but don't let that put you off. The best way to travel between the cities is by bus the fares are about $50AUD or $60AUD. You can make the bookings when you get to Melb. The trip between Melb and Syd is about 12 to 14hours by bus. There is a lot of backpacker accom and i am sure that they will have details of where you can get day trips etc. Try the site www.travel.com.au and go to the link for backpackers. Also buy the Lonely Planet book on Australia, it will pay for itself with all the tips. regards Peg.

Although it rarely dips below freezing in Melbourne, my winter coat does me more good in Minnesota than in Melbourne. That is because of the cold rain. The weather in Melbourne in July is much like Seattle in winter.

There is (or was, 20 years ago) a train that runs from Melbourne to Sydney over night, so you can ride the train without wasting any real touring time. If seeing the sights from the train is your plan, I don't know what that schedule is. But the trains, I believe, are state run, so you could probably even check a schedule from the net.

If you're not good drivers, don't even think about trying it in Australia. They drive on the left side of the road, like the British.

Greetings and Gidday Bugsy

New South Wales Countrylink rail has a pass called East Coast Explorer with a Melbourne to Gold Coast/Brisbane option for $152 pp. You can purchase this before you arrive, or when you get here on presentation of your passport.

I suggest you consider stopping in the Wollumbin World Heritage Region.

Covering from Byron Bay to the Gold Coast, it has FIVE world heritage listed national parks, great rainforests full of unique flora and fauna
and traditional aussie farming communities just a short drive from the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast.

For more info on the region check out http://www.bigvolcano.com.au.

Cheers and Hooroo for now
Jo-Ann Palmer
Big Volcano Visitor Guide - Your Natural Holiday Destination
http://www.bigvolcano.com.au
Ecotourism Resource Centre - A Lycos Top 5%25 in the World Site
http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/ercentre/ercpage.htm

Hi, Air fares to Sydney from Melb can be quite cheap often see fares for less than $200 AUD return. The australian Youth hostel has a lot of day trips etc and good eals for bus and train travel at times
YHA Melb ph 61 3 96707991 fax 61 3 96709840
Not sure if ther is is an international youth hostel in singapore but if there is they would be worth a visit
Have a good trip

PS there is a free sight seeing tram that goes around the city of Melboure its called the "city circle tram"

Bugsy <BR> <BR>Bring plently of warm gear. Today in Sydney is 11, super windy and wet as well. brisbane is mild in winter, but watch the nights. They get colder than Sydney!