This is a great forum...I used it a lot when I planned a Europe trip last year...and now I'm planning a trip down under. <BR> <BR>Here's the deal...I'm going by myself (my friends are too poor to afford it). I am 28 years old (therefore probably past the backpacking/stay up all night/love to get plastered age) and would like SOME degree of "niceness" in this trip (I work hard for my money, and want to spend it!)...but I would like to meet people near my age as well...and most of the places I'm interested in seem to cater to people older, and more coupled, than I am. <BR> <BR>I am looking to go to Sydney and stay at a nice, convenient B&B. Then to the Barrier reef...I was looking at Hayman, but it seems a honeymoon location...I don't want to be surrounded by moony looking couples. Then to Melbourne (I know nothing about Melbourne), then home. Looking to spend about $4000 total (not including airfare) Please...any specific suggestions on how I can go to OZ by myself and have a good time? Yes, I know Ozzies are friendly...but I could use a little help on where to meet people. Not that I don't like my own company...but three weeks of it alone may kill me. I don't want to do a tour, as then I'm stuck. Help!

Hi Kristian! <BR>Best bet I reckon is to stay at backpackers hotels. The charges are reasonable. The facilities range from medium to top of the range. And there are always plenty of people there to have fun with, or to chat about what to see and where to go with. You don't have to join in with the leerier crowds if you don't want to. <BR>The Whitsunday islands are wonderful, and though advertising sells many of them as honeymooners paradise, they mostly cater to all ages. Why don't you try an island hop and see a few of them? Your travel agent can hook you up with this. You won't regret the Whitsunday islands one bit. They're a dreamy paradise on earth, with a full and heavy tropical moon sitting just over the ocean at night. With an island hop, you can spend one night on each of about seven islands, and get a taste of them all. Melbourne has had a revamp in recent years. I was born there. It's a great place for shopping and eating out. There are plenty of nightclubs. The casino is popular. It's a great centre to start from for touring wonderful scenic areas outside Melbourne, like the Mornington Peninsula and wineries, or Hanging Rock, or the Dandenong Ranges, or the Great Ocean Road. If you go to the Dandenong Ranges, check our William Rickett's Sanctuary. It's a wonderful monument to a unique artist, who has created a garden inclusive of aboriginal and spiritual sculptures "growing" out of trees. Why don't you alternate between B&B's and backpackers? Get the best of both worlds. I always get lost in Sydney. The lifestyle there is pretty frenetic. But the hang out is Bondi Beach, or the gardens near the Opera House. Try a ferry ride on the Harbour while you're there. It's great.

<BR>With appologies to Fodors, I would strongly recommend Frommer's "Australia from $50 a day" book. <BR> <BR>We used it throughout Queensland, NSW, Victoria & Tasmania last year & it never lead us astray. It has quite a range -- from backpackers hostels to the "worth a splurge" suggestions.

Thanks to you both for the suggestions. Have either one of you/anyone heard of a place called Sydney Bed & Breakfast in The Rocks? It was mentioned in an USA Today article...I was decided between that and the Russell, which has gotten mixed reviews on this message board.

<BR>I have never heard of the Sydney B&B. <BR> <BR>My wife & I had a great experience at the Russell, although admittedly that was 3 years ago. <BR> <BR>Great location, nice people, and fairly inexpensive, but no elevator so pack lighlty & be prepared to schlep. The rooms aren't huge. I would call them European size.

Kristian, <BR> <BR>You'll have a great time, don't worry! <BR> <BR>For Sydney accomodation try: <BR>http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/Sydney/Weekends_Away/ <BR> <BR>http://www.visitnsw.com.au/0500/0503/0503.asp <BR> <BR>For a variety of options look at: <BR>http://www.travel.fairfax.com.au/52weekends/index.html <BR> <BR>For Queensland have a browse through here: <BR>http://www.queensland-holidays.com.au/pfm/index.htm <BR> <BR>And lastly, Melbourne: <BR>http://www.visitvictoria.com.au/ <BR> <BR>Oh, and for general interest & background info. try: <BR>http://www.walkabout.fairfax.com.au/ <BR> <BR>I've lived in both Melbourne & Sydney. Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks Steve and Rhonda...I may take you up on your offer to answer questions as they come up. For now, the plan is to go on a lot of one day tours and bring some books to read during down time. I figure I won't get bored because I love to people watch...I don't know how amusing the Aussies will be, but I know tourists are always a hoot to watch. They stand there, confused with their maps, and are usually badly dressed... I would imagine there are lots of burned lobster faces from hanging out on the beaches and the reef...and there's people muttering, "well they don't do it like THIS back home..." <BR> <BR>Oh wait...I guess I may BE one of those people. Hmmm... <BR> <BR>If anyone has suggestions on how I can fit in, let me know...I hear that in Oz you're supposed to put the beer CAN in the styrofoam cup, not pour the beer in it...in which case I would make a fool out of myself......What kinds of mistakes to tourists make in Australia?

<BR>Well -- one thing is the pronunciation of Australian city names: <BR> <BR>Cairns -- Cans <BR> <BR>Melbourne -- Mel-bun (with the emph. on the Mel) <BR> <BR>Canberra -- Can-bruh (Emph on Can) <BR> <BR>Brisbane -- Briz-bun (emph on Briz) <BR> <BR>Also, I wouldn't recommend most North Americans try to mimic the Aussie accent, especially if asked to at a pub. Unless you have a real gift for voices, you'll end up slaughtering it! <BR> <BR>You are going to have a great time. I lived in Australia for 5 years & last year brought 10 of my American friends over there for New Years eve. We had a blast! <BR> <BR>Did you ever decide on a GBR island. Hamilton is nice, relatively cheap, convenient, and not just homeymooners.

You don't have to worry about me trying to speak with the accent...I barely can pronounce words with an American accent sometimes (I have a tendency to butcher words...never mind that English is my first language...must be the accent I hear from my parents that influences me...) <BR> <BR>I finally decided to go to Port Douglas. Seemed like a good base to do a variety of things. From there I'll go to Melbourne, then Sydney. At this point, I could have a trip planned to boonieland and be happy just to get away from the rat race here in Los Angeles. I only have to wait until November...argh.....

Kristian - <BR> <BR>Well, I'm in the same boat as you -- looking to travel alone at the end of August/September. I don't want the typical tour eiher and am planning to spend a few days doing whatever in Sydney, then taking off to the interior for the following tour...very reasonable and sounds like you get a good amount of sights in and have the chance to be with people of our age (I'm 30). <BR>http://www.saharatours.com.au/3-day.htm <BR> <BR>From there, I'm flying out to Cairns for another mini adventure-ish tour: <BR>http://away.com/xnet/one-product.tcl?product_id=105626 <BR> <BR>Maybe this helps, maybe not, but I thought I'd at least throw it out there! <BR> <BR>Have a great time! <BR> <BR>John

John: <BR> <BR>Your suggestions did seem rather groovy...I was thinking about doing some adventure type tour...but then I thought if something happened to me, I wouldn't have a friend that could transport my carcass home... <BR> <BR>I hear a lot of people our age travel to Australia alone. I guess if you're going to go solo, Australia is the place to do it. I've been told it's easy to meet people, and the Ozzies get an automatic extra 2 points on the attractiveness scale just for the accent alone. I just have this worthless American accent, so I guess I'll have to turn on the charm...

Kristian, <BR>save yourself some travelling time and plan to go from PD to Sydney then Melbourne, there are direct flights from Melb. to LA. <BR>Maggie

Thanks Maggie...but I didn't have much choice since I used frequent flyer miles. But since the trip is free, I can't complain...

yeah, its easy to go by your self, stay in backpacker hostels, you always meet neat people to talk to or travel with.<BR>get the LONELY PLANET guide book , i dont leave home without one.<BR>28yrs is young, i,m still back packing at 45 there,s no age limit to that. they do have single or double rooms even these days , i have to admit i,m past dorming it <BR>all the best lorrie