We are planning our first trip to Australia November 22-December 6, 2004. We are planning to self-drive and am trying to decide what I want to concentrate on in these two weeks. After much thought, I think I want to do the Southern portion of Australia (Melborne, Victoria, Adelaide areas).

We are nature people, so I am not very interested in cities even though they have much to offer. One of the things I would like to do is Wilson's Promatory and Kangaroo Island.

Can someone give me some advice on Wilson's Promatory. We have looked into a 3 day backpacking tour, but am unsure if that would take too much time. Could we get some tours that would be right at Wilson's Promatory.

Also, would it be wise taking our car to Kangaroo Island or should we let someone else take us about.

One of the most important things is other than Sydney, would we have problems finding places to stay, if we did not prebook.

Thank you so much for any information you might give me.

Carole

CaroleFro - Seeing you are both nature people, have you thought about visiting Tasmania?. This tiny Australian State probably has some of the best "wilderness" areas in the world, and wildlife as well.
Seeing you going to rent a car or campervan?, why not fly into Sydney (do the usual harbour cruises, etc) then rent a vehicle, drive down the Princes Highway (coastal) to Melbourne, enroute visit Jervis Bay & Green Patch in the Jervis Bay National Park...afternoon you will see lots of native birdlife..also they will land on your head looking for food). Also visit Hyams Beach (white sand and a great cafe for breakfast whilst watching the water & birdlife), then down through Narooma & Montague Island (where you can see the seals and sometimes the penguins), then onto Merimbula, and Eden and its lovely bay (sometimes whales are sighted inside the bay), then down past the border and into Victoria, with its beautiful coastal rainforests, and onto Wilsons Promontory. Later drive across to near Sorrento on Port Phillip BAy, and take your car across on the ferry to Queenscliff (bypassing Melbourne), then onto the Great Ocean Road, to Warnambool & Port Fairy (side detour to Mt.Eccles & Lava Tubes), then Mt.Gambier, then the coastal towns of Robe & Kingston, then up to Murray Bridge and down to Victor Harbour, and later across to Kangaroo Island.

Thank you so much for your information. I would love to do Tasmania, but I just didn't think we would have enough time.

Do you think we would need to prebook our lodgings during the later part of February doing the itinerary you suggested?

Thank you.
Carole

Carole in your original posting, you state the dates of your planned trip from 22 November through to 6 December, then on your last reply, you mention February. Which is the correct period of time for your planned trip.
You probably wouldn't have enough time for Tasmania. I would recommend at least the minimum of 7 days in Tassie.
If your trip is from 22 November to 6 December, then you travelling "just before the Christmas School Holidays" start, and shouldn't have any problems. As for February....there are no school holiday nor public holidays, and shouldn't have many problems.
On the route I suggested, there are plenty of Hotels, Motels, and Caravan Parks (with villas & cabins). Caravan PArk in Australia, are generally in "great locations" overlooking or immediately adjacent to beaches, etc.
Nothing like waking in the morning, and hearing the sound of the waves.

My mistake, I meant to say November and first part of Dec. Sometimes, I start typing too fast and do not reread the message before I send it.

Thank you again. I do believe we will just rent a car and take our chances on finding a motel. We will book only for our stay in Syndey.

Carole

Hello Carole,

We are nature people also & just got back from Australia. We spent four nights in Kangaroo Island & it was one of the highlights of our trip. As for transportation, we prebooked a car (we called Budget in the States & even received a AAA discount) The car was waiting for us on the island. You could also rent a car in Adelaide & take it over on the ferry but I think that this would be the more expensive option. You could certainly hire someone to guide you; however, a car gives you much more flexibility and the locals or even the visitor center could tell you the spots to see.

We satyed at 2 places, the first was Seafront in Penneshaw & the second was a lighthouse cabin in the Flinders Chase park. You will definitely experince nature there, there were lots of kangaroos & wallabies right in the back yard! The amazing thing was that they didn't run away and just continued to eat sometimes even hopping closer. The place is spectacular & you would be visiting a a great time. We also saw koalas at KI Caravan Park. It's free to get in and take a look around.

Another great place is Paul's Place north of Pardna on KI. Paul reminded me of the Pied Piper, all the animals followed him around. We had a chance to bottle feed & hand feed kanagroos and hold a koala. It was a spectacular experience.

Have a wonderful time. Excuse all the typos, just got back last night soI'm a little tired.

Thank you so much for the information. We will already have a rental car as we are picking it up at the airport in Sydney.
I will check into the places you suggested. Did you prebook them or did you wait until you were on the island??
Thanks, again.
Carole

Carole, you shouldn't have much trouble finding accommodation, if you are freelancing.
No doubt you will stay a few days in Sydney, sightseeing, if so, call into a NRMA Office (NSW's Motoring Association)...check your Hotel telephone book for the nearest office in the city) & purchase a Touring Accommodation Guide for each State you visit, including NSW. (not a great cost, and the guide books list all accommodation, from caravan park villas, motels, hotels, B&B's, down to self contained apartments).
Lastly, you should try to book the first nights accommodation along the Sth Coast highway, just to get yourself started, then just freelance from thereon. Its so much fun. You can ring in advance, or just rock into town & check out the accommodation, and if you have any trouble, always, try the "local" Tourist Office, they are very helpful with finding accommodation. Freelancing can be so much fun, because you don't have prebooked accommodation, and you go, where you find accommodation eventually, and sometimes those places can be real "gems", off the beaten track.