I am vacationing, with a tour group, over the Christmas / New Year weeks. Spending 3 nights in Melbourne, 3 nights in Cairns and 4 nights on Sydney. Most of the touring will be with the group, but with the free time I would like to explore the sites and shopping on my own. I have lived in the middle of New York City for the past 27 years so I am no stranger to being by myself. Is this a problem in these Australian cities? What can I expect?<BR><BR>I am so excited about this upcoming trip...a long time dream come true.

Hi Amy.....If you can survive and enjoy NYC you surely will do well in Australia. I'm a fellow American who has gone to Aus. by myself and had a wonderful time. You will too!

You'll probably have a totally awesome time!!!<BR>I hope Mina sees this post cause she toured all over Australia last year as a single and her posts were great. She can give you a lot of insights.

In the text search box type mina and click find. You'll see all of Mina's interesting posts.

Hello Amy!<BR><BR>Well, as Patti said, I did go to Australia for three weeks by myself (thanks Patti and Linda, by the way for the compliments!). I spent a week each in Port Douglas, Melbourne and Sydney. I can help you based on my experiences, but I'm certainly no expert! (It would be like me saying I know New York based on a walk down 5th avenue) but I'd love to help.<BR><BR>There are also lot of Australians who post here who may be able to help.<BR><BR>You mentioned shopping as one of the things you'd like to do, so let's start there....<BR>

MELBOURNE SHOPPING<BR><BR>THE place to shop is Melbourne. In Sydney, I saw nothing like the stores I saw in Melbourne. Do you like upscale stores? Trendy? Bohemian? Antiques?<BR><BR>I shopped in City Centre (where I stayed) and it was OK. There are many "arcades" to explore, such as the Royal Arcade and Block Arcade. There is also the Bourke Street Mall...a pedestrian mall with lots of shops. Most of the stores seem to be between Bourke Street and Collins Street.<BR><BR>In the City Centre, I found the stores to be not too exciting. One lady recommended I go to Chapel Street in South Yarra. If you're staying in City Centre, you can take the number 8 tram (I believe it says "Toorak" on it). Ask anyone which stop is near Chapel Street, they will help you.) I grabbed the tram from Swanston Street. I believe there are a few other trams that will take you to the same place.<BR><BR>Chapel Street is filled with boutiques which are on the pricey side. But you can easily spend a half day there! There's an interesting store there called Dino Designs (or something like that...I remember there was something dinosaurish in the name) where you can find interesting jewelry made with resin (pricey stuff though!) Lots of shoe stores and clothing stores where a piece can cost be $200. (There are some more reasonably priced stores too) But if you're from the U.S., it's like a half off sale because of the exchange rate.<BR><BR>Other places recommended to visit (although I never got there) were Richmond for some bargain shopping and Fitzroy, which is supposed to be pretty bohemian.<BR><BR>I believe there are even shopping tours you can take! Ask your hotel if you're interested in this. (Although I would never PAY someone to take me shopping...I'm pretty good on my own!)<BR>

SYDNEY SHOPPING<BR><BR>I stayed in the Rocks Area, so I did explore the following places with regards to shopping<BR><BR>Pitt Street Mall- Outside the rocks going down on George Street you can run into the Pitt Street mall. Typical mall shopping in my opinion. <BR><BR>The Rocks Market- Saturday and Sundays I think. It's on George Street. Crafts, jewelry, etc. Touristy though. I hung out at night and just drank a beer at a pub on the street and people watched. They have live music too.<BR><BR>Balmain - I really liked Balmain because it's not as touristy. Supposedly, they have a market too, but I didn't go. Take the ferry that goes to Darling Harbour from the Circular Quay and get off on Darling Street (NOT to be confused with Darling Harbour). When you get off at Darling Street, it's a nice 15-20 minute walk up Darling Street. (there are some hills though!). You'll end up in a cute, funkyish part of town with some shops, antique stores, and cafes. <BR><BR>That's it for now (I have work I have to get back to) I will post more on other things later, but if you read this before I post, let me know what kinds of things you're interested in. Australia, after all is much more than shopping! I'm 29 (was 28 when I went) and if you're older, you may have more class and maturity, and may not like my taste in anything. <BR><BR>But check into the recommended activities like Bridgeclimb, etc. You can search for info on the climb here.<BR><BR>Oh, one more thing...you'll see opal shops everywhere. Don't think opals are all the light, white variety (which I think are kind of boring). They are very interesting, and my favorite piece of jewelry I bought was a "boulder" opal ring set in a funky silver setting. The ring looks like the great barrier reef from the air. If you're interested in Opals, let me know. I'll give you some tidbits I learned in Australia.<BR><BR>I'm jealous...you will have a blast.<BR>

Mina--<BR>I too am off to Australia for 3wks by myself, in just 2 days!! (Syd-6 days, Adelaide-4 days, Darwin-4 days and Pt. Douglas-a week) Can't wait! <BR><BR>Can you recommend any opal shops? I too like funky jewelery? I've read a bunch of your past posts and have already cut and pasted a great deal of info to take w/me. If there's anything you can think of, please post--any off the beaten path stuff?! I'll be sure to add my 2 cents in when I get back at the end of the month! Thanks!<BR>Debbie

Debbie, whoo hoo! Must you all make me ill with envy?<BR><BR>My advice is to stay away from any shop that says "opal shop" Of course, if you're looking for a quality opal, you want to go to an opal store, but many of the touristy cheaper ones are horrible (imagine your typical light oval opal in a gaudy gold setting).<BR><BR>I found Ashley's Opals on Collins Street pricey, but had some interesting stuff...but you're not going to Melbourne, so I won't go on, unless anyone is interesting in Opal Shopping in Melbourne.<BR><BR>Sydneysiders may be able to tell you the best places to shop for opals in Sydney. I am not a bargain hunter...if I see something I like, I buy it. That being said, there were some interesting "artsy" shops on George Street where I bought a ring and necklace. This is in the Rocks area of Sydney, so you'll probably pay through the nose if you like something. <BR><BR>I can't remember the names to be honest with you. But if you are facing out to the harbour/bridge on George Street, it is on the right side, towards the end of the street. One store has a neat display of vases, plates, and has a display case of jewelry. <BR><BR>The other one is indoors in a shopping building (open late on the nights of the Rocks Market, when I went). This store has lots of jewelry, much of it "funky". My ring cost $225 AUD, to give you an idea of prices. <BR><BR>I will go home and see if I can find my bill, to get names of these places. I looked all over Melbourne and Sydney to buy opals for my mother and other loved ones. The neatest/different stuff I saw were in those two shops. Of course, merchandise is always changing!<BR><BR>Also, be warned that in most tourist opal shops, they will have neat looking opals that are called "doublets" and sometimes "triplets". These, while pretty, are not a good deal if you want something to keep for a long time. <BR><BR>They basically take a slice of opal and layer it over a "background". The more layers, the less the value (so a triplet is the least valueable). These can also change appearance over time. <BR><BR>Doublets and Triplets should not be put in water (washing hands, etc), as the adhesive that holds it all together can fall apart. However, if you don't want to spend that much, you will find lots of pretty colors with these types of stones. Black opals are the most costly, and there are many doublets that will look like a black opal because of the background.<BR><BR>Solid opals are more expensive, and there's an entire hierarchy of what's the most rare and special. I personally thought boulders were interesting (where the back of the opal is really a rock). I liked the irregular shapes. Also, it doesn't have to be perfect to be interesting...mine is dark blue, with green and turquoise "fire". It has some kind of sediment on the top, which makes it look hazy. It reminded me of my first look down on the reef, through the clouds from the sky. I wear it almost every day to remind me of Oz!

As for any other suggestions...<BR><BR>Do you like Thai food? I really liked Sailor Thai on George Street in the Rocks area. The tables are set up in long rows...looks kind of like picnic/communal eating. It might be easier to strike up conversation with someone since you'll be alone.<BR><BR>If you do go there, the Som Dam salad(spelling?) was very interesting. I love thai food, but had never had anything like it before.<BR><BR>As for off the beaten path stuff...I pretty much stayed on the beaten path, as there's a lot of tourist stuff to do! Maybe River Rafting? I did it with Raging Thunder Adventures, based out of Cairns. It's a really long day if you go to the Tully River. There's another River closer to Port Douglas, but the name escapes me. Ask about water levels this time of year. And if you do decide to go, take a jacket!! I almost froze my yellow ass off in the refrigerator of a bus on the three hour drive back. Caught bronchitis!!<BR><BR>If you like messages, go to Natural Therapies in Port Douglas and ask for Annie. I recommended another single fodorite to go there, and she thanked me! Annie uses her fingers to massage the entire time(instead of elbows, which I hate!). They also have a neat Vichy shower thingie there, and Annie gives a good body scrub. I paid $195 AUD for three hours of spa heaven. That's $100 US...an unbelievable bargain, even after the good tip I left.<BR><BR>Some cute boys I met rented scooters and zipped around Port Douglas, and said they had fun. I was on a rainforest tour that day (with David Armbrust) so I didn't experience that firsthand.<BR><BR>I've talked too much today! Let me know if there's anything else any of us can help with...

oops, that was "massages" not "messages"...<BR><BR>But if you like "messages" I'll leave one for you at the desk of the spa. ;-)

Mina--<BR>You're the best; thanks so much for all the help! I will be sure to check out that Thai restaurant and the shops on George St. and am already looking forward to my massage from Annie! Pt. D. will be the last part of my adventure so will definately need a little TLC--and at those prices, I'm going all out!<BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR>Debbie

My pleasure Debbie. <BR><BR>I hope Annie is still there! Enjoy your trip, and post your thoughts when you return, so we can live vicariously through you...

Amy - I, too, am planning a trip to Australia from Nov 20-Dec 4. But, I am now going solo since friends have backed out. Can you e-mail me directly with the tour group you selected? My plans, which originally included New Zealand, now just include the hot spots of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. I don't want to deal with too many airport hassles!

A lot of people outside of Australia and New Zealand ask me this question about travelling on your own down under. I always tell them treat it the same way as you would at home, be sensible, no hitch hiking, be cautious of empty downtown areas, you know the thing. I travel in Australia on my own a lot and have never had any problems, you won't either. Enjoy the experience, it's a great country.