I know hiring private guides through tour companies is way too expensive. Can anyone recommend an independent guide who provides a car for the day to visit the Blue Mountains and the Barossa wine country. Many guides who work for tours like to take private clients on their own at a very reasonable rate. We did this in Capetown last year.

You would be making an error to equate the labour market and tourism economics of autralia with the situation in south africa.

Interesting that the poster assumes they are the same.

Interesting that the poster feels the need of a private guide.

There are plenty of tours to both locations, caton, offering everything from cheap and cheerful to lux.

Why the negativity to the poster? Not all people want to go on blooming bus tours.
Many tourists come to Australia and hire a private tour guide. I have a brother and brother-in-law who earn a fabulous living being tour guides for overseas travellers.

Well if they have mega bucks to spend then that's fine. Your brother and brother in law could do quite nicely out of it, I guess.

I guess some of us were just trying to point out that Australia is not S Africa. And are sort of concerned (well not really) that the OP expects the private tour to come with at least three other people to lay the tables at their picnic spot.

Caton mentioned no such thing. I feel really sorry that people come to this site to ask perfectly valid questions and get dumped on by others jumping to conclusions about the tourist's expectations and supposed wealth.

Individual tour guiding is big business here and a wonderful way to learn about the country. For Caton and anyone else interested, just go to the tourist information offices at any big city and ask about it.

I recently spent a day in the Blue Mountains with Carol Probets. Not only is she a lovely person but her knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology and history is extrodinary. Carol Probets
E-mail Address(es):
[email protected]
Personal Information:
Address:
PO Box 330
> Katoomba NSW 2780
> Blue Mountains
Phone: 02) 4782 1831
Mobile: 0400821862
Web Page: http://www.bmbirding.com.au

Thank you Saltuarius and Jango for your interest and concern about people using this site to post hostile judgements about those of us who are clearly seeking answers to reasonable travel questions. I was genuinely perplexed by the prejudiced assumption that two postees expressed. This has always been a safe site to exchange travel experiences. Your replies have restored my faith in our forum.

And, thank you Saltuarius for Carol Probets name. She is just what you said about her: Reasonable and knowledgeable. I also contacted Stevew's recommendation Joseph Heyes and responded to my inquiry promptly.

This is a great site! thanx Caton

Caton, regarding a private tour of the Barossa, friends of ours used this company a while ago and were very happy:

http://www.barossatours.com.au/welcome.html

Also, if you like old cars there is this as well:

http://www.barossadaimlertours.com.au/

I hope you enjoy your time in The Barossa.

Greetings Caton

Glad to hear you contacted Joseph Heyes. It really was like taking a tour with a family member. We plan on taking a 3rd tour with him again this fall.

Cheers

Steve and Andrea