Hi Everyone-
So I LOVE LOVE LOVE Australia. I've been 5 times in 7.5 years from NYC. I did a tour from Carins to Sydney (with a stopover in Fiji) in July 01, then toured NZ/Syd/Melbourne in July 03, did a house swap in Sydney (along with 6 days in Moorea) in July 04 and 05, and went to Sydney/Tasmania in March 08. I have a chance to do the house swap in Sydney again in 2010. I have my own business so I'm somewhat flexible but really the best months would be May or November. My swapper wants to do May. I don't mind colder weather and would prefer to NOT be there during summer anyway. I have to see about airfare/FF miles before I commit.

My hesitation is this: if I go I'd go for 3 weeks or so. I have some friends in Sydney but they will be working. I went to Tassie with one of them and I may be able to bribe him to go with me somewhere else. However, as much as I love Syd I feel like I've been there/done that, esp. since I lived there for a month at a time. I may have a friend here who is interested but usually ALL my friends want to go and then they peter out at the thought of flying 25 hours and paying $$ for the flight! (sarcasm on purpose).

I've toyed with the idea of flying north and going to a health spa for a few days (I am a big exercise nut) or going on a tour of the NW. Can anyone recommend a good destination spa and/or tour company of the NW or maybe the Great Ocean Road for a adventurous gal in her late 30s? I don't want to sleep in the woods (I'm terrified of sna***) but I don't need a 5 star tour. Is the NW really that worth it to fly all that way to see? I ask because I've also been to Argentina 4 times, the last time I spent 9 days in the NW section and was bored out of my mind. I know, I know-it's lovely and peaceful but so not my thing. I have never been to Arizona or most of the US SW because it doesn't interest me unless I can ski. I don't scuba or snorkel (I have been to the GBR) and would actually love to see Whitehaven Beach since I missed it on my first visit.

I'm doing some research but I'd love advice from the experts. I read something about Pat Woolford's B&B - is there stuff to do up there?
THANK YOU! I appreciate your insights.

No, if you need to ask then don't come.

However if you do visit Pat I am sure she can find enough exciting things to keep you busy for three months let alone the things you find yourself.

Hi Skiergirl,

It's your Hugh Jackman arch nemesis here. Why don't you think about Brisbane for a few days - I would love a gtg with you. We live very close to North Stradbroke Island - which is a very popular tourist destination, famous for it's beautiful beaches and whale watching etc. Moreton Island is nearby as well and the Gold Coast is just down the road.

Let us know what interests you and what you like to do.

In the meantime, I'll give Hugh a ring and tell him you're coming and we'll organise an afternoon tea.

Saltuarius-what's up with the snotty response? Did I not say that I LOVED Australia? Jeez...

Stormbird-I'd love to have a gtg! BTW Hugh is just living about 3 miles away from me here in NYC and on Broadway at the moment so how about I ring him and arrange our visit?? hee hee. I've never heard of North Stradbroke Island-I'll check it out! Thanks!

PS It's nothing personal about Australia, but I have this chance to swap again but I also have other places I want to visit (like South Africa, Croatia) but my fear is this may be the last time I get to swap so why not take advantage of it while trying to find new things to do in Australia.

Hi Skiergirl,

Brisbane is quite a good base as we have the Gold Coast to the south of us and the Sunshine Coast to the north. I'm just not too sure how else you would like to occupy your time. We definitely do not have any snow! The weather in May here in Brisbane should still be delightfully warm. Both coasts have many spas - Hugh even owns one down the Gold Coast - I could get some info on that for you if you like.

Just give me some more info on interests and what you like to see/do and I'll do some research for you.

Just south of the Gold Coast is Northern NSW which has some very beautiful spots to visit but not sure if beautiful spots to visit are your thing.

North Queensland would be also beautiful that time of year - so much to see up there. Have a think and get back and we must definitely work on a gtg.

Stormbird-you're the best! I just spoke to my friend in Sydney and he will go with me for a week or so somewhere. I'm thinking a few thoughts...Great Ocean Road drive, fly up to Whitsundays/Whitehaven Beach, or Broome!

Yes, beautiful spots are my thing. I loved Noosa, Byron Bay, Whitsundays when I was there. I'd want to go somewhere where we could relax, hit the beach, but also have things to do so we're not too bored. We went to Tasmania last year which was perfect. I haven't done the research you suggested yet but I will!

skiergirl, sorry if you thought it snotty but I thought your question very funny. If you needed to ask total strangers whether you should visit a country you know and love I worry for you.

I hope you have a great time and as I said Pat will have more than enough ideas to keep you busy in that part of the country for much longer than you can afford to stay. Your visa will run out and you'll have to leave. You can however come back, for a seventh time!

Skiergirl

Try the northwest.

Broome and that area have heaps to see and do.

And, of course, there's a bucketload still to see in Sydney. I've lived here all my life (so far) and still haven't seen all of it!

C'mon back!

"skiergirl, sorry if you thought it snotty but I thought your question very funny. If you needed to ask total strangers whether you should visit a country you know and love I worry for you."

I'm sorry, but isn't this a website where people are allowed to ask each other questions about travel whether it's in your own country or not??? Would you say this about me if I were to ask someone who also lives in the United States what they think about places I have or have not visited in my own country? I mean, I live in NYC so you would worry if I asked questions about things in NYC? That's ridiculous and yes, you pissed me off.

"Pat will have more than enough ideas to keep you busy in that part of the country for much longer than you can afford to stay. Your visa will run out and you'll have to leave. You can however come back, for a seventh time!"

Again, this statement is ridiculous. Are you saying that I cannot afford it financially (I'm sorry do you know me? I think not) or that time-wise I only have 3 months on a visa? When my visa runs out I could just hop on over to NZ for a quick trip and then come back to Oz for another 3 months.

If you have nothing nice or helpful to say please go away and leave my thread alone.

Oh and Margo, thank you for the warm welcome return!

I know there is much to still do and see in Sydney, and it's my favorite place in the world. Trust me, I know I have years more worth of exploring to do here in NYC. Neither will ever get boring, but I like to try new things too.

Skiergirl, Please have a look at the title of your thread. It sets the tone of the whole thing. Of course you should come if that is what you like but you wanted what? Our blessing? Perhaps we have been divided by that common language and its idiomatic use. (see par below as well. Does 'afford' automatically mean money where you live?)

Yes, I did mean you could leave and come back; you'll notice no mention of financial impediments in my post. I also meant as you correctly interpreted that there is a lot to do.

To answer the OP's question.
Yes
No
Depends.

Saltuarius, when you've dug yourself into a hole it's never good policy to keep digging. Give it a rest.

Saltuarius-listen to Neil. He knows more than you do.
The title of my OP was should I return again?As in, can anyone give me suggestions about what else to do? And what do you do? Tell me that you worry that I had to ask that question. So as I said, leave my thread and go about your own business or better yet offer some suggestions.

Otherwise listen to Neil and go elsewhere.