Itinerary Questions
 

Hi there,
I've had a quick look through the forum and am really impressed with all the advice you offer. I'll be visiting Australia in July / Aug for 5 weeks (family of 6 inc 2 kids 7 &9 and grandma and grandad. We have got 3 nights in Sydney (Corus hotel - any comments?) and want to do the Blue Mountains and main city sights.
Up to Cairns for a week (Garden Apartments Trinity Beach - any comments?)and want to do Kuranda, Reef and possibly daintree...
Then we are driving down to Brisbane, taking about 2 weeks. We have provisionally booked some Big 4 cabins in holiday parks (again any comments??) Must sees on our list are Magnetic Island, Fraser Island, Eugnella, Noosa, Whisunday cruise including Whitehaven Beach and Tin Can Bay / Rainbow beach to see wild dolphins.
From Brisbane we fly back to Sydney for 3 last nights (Harbourside Apartments - am hoping they are good, any comments). This time we plan to do the Spit - Manly walk.
I'd be grateful for any comments, especially with good ideas for keeping costs down on any of these legs as it's going to cost a lot when it's for 6 of us!
One dream of my youngest child is to hold a koala, where might be the best place to do this? Any comments about the weather we could expect? Would like to take the kids to a zoo / croc park but I'm snake phobic so would prefer one where they don't wander around with big snakes unnannounced! (like in Australia Zoo??)
Also how safe will it be to leave belongings in the car while we go off to the beach / for walks etc??
I'd be really grateful for any answers to these questions or any other tips or advice.
Cheers!

Hello
I cannot answer your questions on accommodation because I have not heard of the Corus Hotel nor the Garden Apts but I feel that perhaps you have got a few "must sees" which are not really "Must sees" in comparison with other places you have missed out on.
Not "possibly" Daintree ( its a must do ) Magnetic Island ( would be last on my list but Hinchinbrook would be top of my list) and I think you can get cabins there too but you could explore that possibility ) Eungella - yes, Fraser Island ( not so much in winter or Noosa and certainly not Tin Can Bay area either . I am not sure about dolphins there actually - better at Tangalooma off Brisbane. If you are wanting to see something different in Australia I would go inland from Mackay to Emerald where you, the kids and Grandies could fossic for saphires and other precious stones ( this area supplies about 75% of the world's saphires) continuing down to Carnarvon Gorge where you can see many animals and some ancient history and geology its an Oasis and a lovely National Park. Down further through Injune to Roma ( Australia's answer to the Wild west US towns) then through to Toowoomba and perhaps nipping through up to the Bunya Mountains National Park ( well before you get to Toowoomba) thense on to Brisbane. Before you book too much accommodation perhaps you could leave some places and check out some of the Pubs as they can have some fantastic accommodation at really great prices. I remember staying at The Prince of Wales or Duke of Wales in Prosepine and it was fantastic. The old Grace's Hotel in Injune ( now I think called the Injune Hotel) is a fantastic old outback pub and our party of 7 when last there had the run of the accommodation area upstairs and kids had the run of the lounge area downstairs - you also usually get great homestyle meals at pubs too so don't put that off your list of accommodation. Remember that you will be in Australia in the winter and those ocean areas south in Queensland it will not be beach/ swimming weather. To cut costs - don't eat at normal restaurants all the time when there are fantastic "other" places to eat i.e. Bowls Clubs, Golf Clubs, RSL clubs, Pubs and then the local cafes which make McDonald Hamburgers look like something you would feed to the dog.

thanks for this! What do you suggest about booking accommodation in advance, do you think we will need to bearing in mind it's winter and low season(?) or would we find plenty as we went along? I love the sound of the pubs but don't want to risk not having a bed for the night! I'll look into Hinchinbrook Island over Magnetic. Thanks for the comments so far

Hi again
As long as there are no school holidays around that time you will be OK but that time of year is one of the higher seasons for the GBR area. I have no small children so I don't keep up with the school holidays and then there is NZ to take into account of as well so someone who is in the know hopefully will join in and help us out here.
You would need to book accommodation on say Hinchinbrook because it only accepts a small number of people at a time and because of this amongst other issues it has won the Eco tourism award for the last two years. Perhaps also the Whitsundays however I would think that you would want to book into one of the Club Crocodile resorts as they cater well for children. The rest of the time I think you would be fine. Always ask the person with whom you are staying where they think is a good place to stay on your next night as they would be the best people to tell you.

You will find that the Corus hotel is fairly well-placed at the back of Wynyard Station (just near the Menzies, LizF), and it seems that it offers quite good value for money. It doesn't, however, offer much of a view, so if you are allowed to choose your room, ask for an east-facing room, where at least you will see a park and an old church. North is just straight into the wall of the building next door.

A trip to the Mountains is a good idea, but at that time of year you should choose your day very carefully. Don't go all that way just to find that you can't see a thing because of the heavy fog that sometimes hangs around Katoomba all day. You should do this trip -- and anything else you are doing in New South Wales -- very economically if you go by train, as you pay for only one child (even of you have a dozen), and you may also find that your seniors will be able to get discount rates also (ask about this first, however, as there would be nothing more embarrassing than to have your day spoiled by one of our ticket inspectors who challenged the validity of your overseas seniors entitlement card). If you do the Mountains by train, a good move might be to ring the station master at Katoomba Station BEFORE you board the train at Sydney Terminal and ask him for an assessment of the weather there at that moment. Don't count on it being clear in Katoomba just because it's a fine day in Sydney.

Cuddling a koala may not be as easy as you would like it to be. There's a bit of a controversy about the legality of this nowadays, and the animal protectionists are doing a lot of screaming about how we selfish humans assume that because the poor beasts aren't kicking and screaming in terror that this means they're having just as good a time as we are (koalas are very placid animals, but, apparently, this doesn't mean they're not stressed). For sure, you WON'T be able to cuddle a koala at Taronga Zoo or the Koala Park in Sydney. Featherdale (near Blacktown, on the way to the Blue Mountains) is, it seems, a bit more relaxed about this (not, however, as relaxed as their koalas!), but it is apparently still a hit-and-miss affair... sometimes they'll say "no way", other times they'll let you cuddle to your heart's content. I think it depends on the size and manner of the group requesting the cuddle -- obviously, two hundred excitable tourists streaming from four buses, cameras at the ready, all clamouring for a go at one poor koala is not likely to receive a warm reception from the keeper. So, if you try for Featherdale, go EARLY (leave Sydney on the fast 8:07 train for the Blue Mountains, change at Blacktown and get a taxi for the last two kilometres)so that you are there at 9 a.m. when the place opens up (well before any of the tourist buses), and then approach the keepers soon after you get in... maybe you'll be lucky. If not, there are plenty of wallabies in the patting-zoo which will at least provide a consolation prize!

dizzy b - you will be able to cuddle a koala near where you'll be staying a Trinity Beach, Cairns. Just go to Wild World, a couple of kms north on the Captain Cook Hwy. They have plenty of koalas there and they rotate them pretty well to minimise stress. Apparently a koala is allowed to "work" a certain amount of days per month. While you're there have a look at the little red Nepalese pandas, they're gorgeous and much more active than the koalas. There's also a "Croc" show which would appeal to the kids. You could easily fit Wild World in with trip to Kuranda, Trek North is a local company who'll pick you up at your accommodation, take you to Wild World for a couple of hours, then take you to Skyrail, pick you up from Kuranda train in Cairns and take you back to Trinity. Or just go to Wild World separately if you have the time.

As Liz suggests licensed clubs/pubs offer the best value for meals. Quality is usually cafeteria level but some have really good food. Still for a family is what many Australian families do. The social rules that apply in restaurants do not apply so you can split meals between two etc etc.

Drinks are also very cheap in clubs. I nearly fell over recent when I went to a club first time in ages and asked for a glass of house chardonney and was charged $1.80.Whoo hoo ! I had another! Actually wasn't a bad splash either but then I dropped $20 into one armed bandits so the drinks ended up costing me $23.60...grrrrrrr

Anyways into Sydney I have posted before on another thread, I am staying at the Wynyard Hotel in a few weeks. This is close by the Corus Hotel and they serve $6 dinners. Just basic food like schnitzel and veg but great value. Also Soup Plus has good value meals but not sure if they allow children as it is a music venue later on. They are also close by Corus.

The fish markets in Sydney can be good value eating out as well. Except to get there on the light rail can add up with 6 pax.

I stayed in some cabin parks in Tasmania, also part of big 4. If similair they are pretty good and ideal for families as they have kitchens so you can prepare some meals saving some $$.

Also many picnic areas have grills so you stop and throw some steak or fish and have with salad.

It may be worth buying an esky to keep foods cool.

Great sounding trip. I have envy!

Great stuff, thanks for all your comments. Especially the koala info, I am also concerned for their welfare but like the sound of the way they're treated at Wild World.
Thanks for the Blue Mountain info too, we were thinking about going on train, will it be easy enough to get around and see plenty independently when we get there compared to say an organised tour? Is it walkable or are there buses that do 'guided tours' of the area?
Thanks for the tips on the Corus, does anyone know anything about the Harbourside apts, they are close to Luna Park across the Bridge I think? Which way is best do you think for the Spit Manly walk? ferry there and walk back to Sydney or walk there and ferry back?
Thanks and keep it coming!

Hello,
hey I thought your original itinerary was great - can I come!

Don't know anything about Harbourside Apts but if they are close to Luna Park then they are just north of the bridge and staying there will give you a slightly different experience from staying at the Corus in the CBD first time around. A canny piece of planning if you ask me. You will be close to Milson's Point Station for quick access to the city - but you will also be able to walk across the Harbour Bridge (recommended). You could also take a ferry from the Kirribilli wharf which on a calm day is an amazing place. There is (was?) also a cafe there for brekkie.

Re Spit to Manly. I think I would take the bus to Spit Bridge, do the walk and take the ferry back to the city. You'd then need to get back northside - another ferry. This way you do the bush part of the walk first and the flat bit in the built up approaches to Manly when you are tired.

Don't take it for granted that the weather around Cairns will be balmy and warm in July/August. I guess in varies from year to year but I was there last year early July and it was quite chilly as soon as the sun went down - and downright windy out at the reef.

Have an amazing time.
Oh - and another vote for staying in traditional pubs if you get the chance.

thanks for the tips, I was hoping for warm weather further north, but will be packing a range of layers as I'm guessing it could be cold in Sydney? Any ideas on safety as far as leaving belongings in the car while we go off for walks etc ? We will be taking big hold alls rather than cases but they'll have to be left in the car as we travel down the coast if we want to go off to the beach or for a walk? The pubs sound good, what kind of price range are we looking at?
All advice is much appreciated!

Put anything of value into the boot (trunk) don't leave valuables in view in the front of the car i.e. wallets, money, cameras, etc etc. Other than that you should be fine.

I'd classify Sydney in winter as cool rather than cold, but Sydneysiders are notorious weather-wimps and might not agree. You won't need too many layers, anyway.

Dizzyb,
Harbourside apartments have been around for sometime and are very popular with people from rural areas coming to the city - they have always had a very good reputation, so I think you should be happy there.
Great location in North Sydney and close to Luna Park as other posters have said.

Forgot to say that I disagree with Neil's comments about the weather - I come from a very cold area close to Canberra but still find it can be very cold in the city - the wind just whistles round the corners and although it may not be freezing - is certainly not pleasant!

I didn't read through all the posts but if your child would like to "hold" a koala the only place I know of for this is Kuranda -- Take the train or the skyrail up to the town (its VERY small) and the zoo up there Kuranda Gardens Zoo I believe is the formal name ( also VERY small ) allows you to hold koalas and have your picture taken with them. It was a highlight of my trip!

Dawn

Yes, you can hold a koala in Koala Gardens in Kuranda, I mentioned Wild World because its close to your accommodation in Trinity, has far more space for its animals, and a wide variety of animals other than koalas.

dizzy, Wild World does keep snakes, some are huge, but they're kept well under lock and key. You can easily avoid them by shunning its reptile house. Seems as if humans are more danger to snakes there than vice versa, recently a valuable and rare snake was stolen by someone who broke the lock on cage while staff was at lunch.

prue, what I meant was that a Sydney winter can be "cold" by the standards of most Australians but not by comparison with the winters most of our North American and European visitors experience. A German friend maintains that even Canberra doesn't have a "real" winter, so it's all relative. And of course Sydney doesn't have just one climate but a bunch of microclimates.

It's also worth pointing out that in winter the Blue Mountains above Wentworth Falls can experience snowfalls, so I guess even I would have to concede that it can be cold there :).

Thanks for all your tips. We definitely like the sound of a trip to the Blue Mountains and the train ride sounds like a good plan. When we get to Katoomba will it be relativley easy to see the best bits? We like walking and the scenic railway sounds like something we would all like a ride on! Are there tour buses that you can hop on and off to see the main sights in the area? Thanks for the tips on Wild World I can cope if I know I can avoid a certain area containing snakes! Can anyone tell me more about the Trinity Beach area? Is it a good beach for kids? We also would like to visit the Whitsundays as we have a stop planned in Mackay and one in Airlie Beach, where is best to visit from there. I'd love to see Whitehaven beach as it looks stunning. Any comments. You've been great so far!

hi dizzy, for kids of yours' ages, Trinity Beach is ideal. Its safe and you won't be there in stinger season. Its basically a residential beach with most tourist accommodation on the beachfront (Esplanade), or a little behind. The best restaurant is Atlantis, l'Unico is popular even if the staff seem a little bizarre, and there's Swiss, French, Thai, as well as a couple of cafes with pizza, hamburgers, fish & chips etc. also free beachfront BBQ's for cooking your own. There's a lovely view from the pub on the hill at southern end of Trinity Beach. If you have a car a great place for lunch is nearby Yorkey's Knob Yacht Club (visitors welcome) lunch is on a deck over water and kids can feed the fish which hang around looking for a free feed.

Hi, dizzyb, we did hold a koala in Wild World and it was a real highlight of our trip to Oz. The rest of the place was great, too, and we even enjoyed the snake house (though you won't). We thought we wouldn't enjoy the crocs because we had seen them in the wild, but each one of the big guys has a personal history (like being responsible for eating 30 head of cattle in a (I think) 6 month period). The kids would probably like to hear these stories. We really enjoyed the place, even after Taronga in Sydney.
Sally in Seattle
p.s. we went in July 2004 and the weather in Sydney was cool and sunny (with long winter light--hard to get used to after flying from North American summer), Blue Mountains were sunny and pleasant in the day and freezing at night. Later on in July it snowed in the Blue Mountains area, but we were lucky. It is worth it (we think) to go on to Jenolan Caves. A fantastic area and cool caves. Cairns and PD were great, weather-wise, but trade winds made the seas quite choppy, so we went on the Quicksilver to their pontoon for snorkeling. Great, and no sick-making waves there at all.