Kittie

Hello, <BR> <BR>We are just getting started with our Australian trip for 2000. <BR>We will be in Sydney for about 1 week for the Olympics (we are staying with friends) and have 3 other weeks to plan things to do. <BR>Among the things we would like to see are Surfer's Paradise, Melbourne, and Ayer's Rock. We are thinking about Perth, Darwin and Adelaide. <BR>What I would like to know is if it would be a better use of our time to take the trains or fly rather than rent a car to drive (my boyfriend has driven on the left side of the road before with no problems)from the east coast to the west coast or to Alice Springs. I have read that the Australian domestic airlines offer tickets to tourists where they can fly 4 or 5 segments with a certain time frame for a set price. Although this may be a great use of our time, we would like to travel some areas where the "normal" tourist doesn't go. Is there anything to see or experience in the "Bush" between Ayer's Rock or Darwin and the west coast? Does anybody know if the trains offer the same type of thing? <BR>I would appreciate any opinions. <BR>Thank you. <BR>Kittie

Richard Krause

Kittie, <BR> <BR>My wife and I were in Austalia this past September. We spent three weeks there. Our "game plan" was to fly to the major areas of interest and then rent a car to see the area. Worked out very well. <BR> <BR>Remember, Australia is about the size of the U.S. so in three weeks just driving around won't enable you to see much of Australia. <BR> <BR>If you would like more details, send an E-mail. <BR> <BR>Dick

Laine

Have been 6 times. Just got back . I have visited all the central and east coast cities. Fly. Drive between Ayers and Alice. Very little between Perth and east. P.S. You won't want to come back <BR>

Rick

I havent been to Aust. yet, but my wife and I are going in Nov. 99. I have monitoring this forum and have received some great advice. We are going to Sydney and Pt. Douglaas for approx. 2 weeks. I have heard that Pt. Douglas is great because it is the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests, lots to do. This area is however pretty touristy I believe. By the way we live in St Pete, Fl.

Kerry

Don't even think about driving from the east coast to the west coast. Do you know how far that is? <BR>With only 3 weeks I'd concentrate on the east coast and leave Perth, Adelaide and Darwin for another time. See if it is possible for you to fly into Melbourne and out from Cairns. If you want to do some driving I'd suggest you start in Melbourne - see the city and then drive around the Victorian countryside - Ballarat, Bengido, Swan Hill - all nice spots - you could also include Canberra and then arrive in Sydney - stay with your friends for the Olympics and then fly to Surfers Paradise - hire a car there and see the surrounding area - Lamington National Park, the Hinterland, Brisbane, Noosa (a personal favourite). Then fly to Cairns - hire a car and see the Great Barrier Reef, Rainforest, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge and fly out from Cairns. I don't know if is possible for you - it depends on your airline but if so it would save a lot of time backtracking and return airfares to Sydney. Three weeks isn't a lot of time and you would be better spending the time seeing the sights you want rather than the road that gets you there. <BR>Enjoy your trip and book early. It isn't only Sydney that will be crowded during the Games. I imagine everybody else will also be trying to see a bit of the country while they are here. <BR>

Denise

Hi Kittie, <BR> <BR>The above poster, is quite correct. You couldn't do your holiday justice by driving across Australia, and what a waste of time, after you leave Adelaide until Perth, well, mostly nothing. I suggest you fly between spots. Say, Sydney to Melbourne, turn around and drive back to Sydney for the games, fly to Cairns and Port Douglas and the reef see Mission Beach area, drive back to Townsville (great drive for scenery and waterfalls, beaches etc. etc.) Fly to Brisbane, drive to the Gold Coast if you must (Surfers P is just one part of the coast and not the best - the hinterland is wonderful) and if time allows drive down the coast road to Sydney. Northern New South Wales is great for scenery and beaches/hinterland. As an alternative from Brisbane to Sydney, doing the inland route would be worth while. I don't know that 3 weeks is enough to see Alice Springs and Ayer's Rock. You could leave out something to fly to Ayer's Rock. Where are you from. Email me if you would like some help here. <BR>All of the above would take your 3 weeks up easy. We spend two weeks in Cairns area when holidaying there. to drive Melbourne to Brisbane by the short route, non stop (crazy) would take 20 hours. Sydney to Brisbane is about 900 km. Sydney to Brisbane 1hr plane, Sydney to Melbourne same, Brisbane to Cairns 2 hours, Melbourne to Brisbane 2 hours flying. Melbourne - Cairns Brisbane is nearly half way. Denise <BR> <BR>

Michael Neville

FLY FLY FLY. If your from the US or Europe you should note that most Australian roads, especially away from the Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane axis are one lane in each direction, not three lane interstates. Fly between major points of interest and hire cars to do trips of say 300 km max. Have fun.

Hans

The previous posting is right--fly, fly, fly. It sounds silly, but three weeks is not a long time to expore this wonderful country and so you should savea as much time as possible by flying. We flew two years ago Sydmey-Brisbane-Cairns-Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart and then to N.Z. We used Ansett and it was wonderful--never late, our luggage was alkways waiting for us and very friendly. Flying is much cheaper because you can by airpassess here in the States before you go. Surfer's Paradise is o.k., but very touristy, there are better palces in Queensland to go to spend time on the beach. One suggestion is if you do go to Adelaide, make sure you leave at least one day to explore Kangaroo Island. The island is about a 30 min. flight off shore and is spectacular. It has incredibly diverese ecosystems and you can see all of Australia's wildlife up close in their natural habitats! It was one of the highlights of our trip. Tasmania is also very special and i can highly recommend it. If you have specific questions, feel free to write. Have a great trip!

Keith

Kittie, <BR> I was in OZ last year for 4 months traveling solo independently. I agree with the earlier posts, 2 weeks outside of Sydney is very tight, so limit your stops. I enjoyed the interior and West Coast more than the East, but the travel times are horrible. <BR> You need to fly the distances, but if you know your route, check fares while still in US as there is no competition among airlines in OZ so domestic fares are high ( except the jumper flight from Melbourne to Taz, which is cheaper locally) <BR> Taz is great, a lot like New Zealand. <BR> I'd not waste my precious time in Surfer's Paradise if I were you. <BR> If you go to Kangaroo Island, see if you can get on "Danial's Tour". He is unique, and I'm sure it will be more memorable than the canned tours. (it is overnight as the island is a little to large to do in one day. Also, platypaus in wild are active only at dawn) <BR> The best thing about Ayre's Rock (Ulura) was the 10 day 4WD camping safari I took to get there from Adelaide. Rock itself not worth the time it will taketo get there. <BR> Near the Rock, I thought Kings Canyon was more impressive. Kakadu Park tour (3 or 4 days near Darwin) is worthwhile. <BR> I spent 2 weeks in the Kimberlies <BR>(the area between Darwin and Broome in the NW. It is a lot of mountains and gorges. (Bungle Bungles are really fascinating but difficult to get to). Did not do or hear much about the desert south of there (although I did hear a trip along the "Canning Stock Route" would be memorable) <BR> Did the Fraser Is. trip. It's worth it. <BR> If up northeast, stay in Port Douglas and do your diving vs staying in Cairns. <BR> If I just had 2 weeks and assuming you are there around the Olympics, I'd be tempted to avoid the other tourists, and fly to Perth (very beautiful). Spend a day on Rottnest Is, a few days with a rental car checking out the wineries, Pinnacle Desert, Kari Forests, and other sightrs in the SW. Then fly north up the coast to Exmouth to dive the Ningaloo Reef (heaps more fish and undamaged coral than the Great Barrier Reef, they just do not advertise it due to it's remoteness). Then spend a day or two in Karijini Park and finally end up in Broome (get into "Broome Time") You would still get to see reefs and gorges and colored rocks, but in addition, get to meet a people not as affected by tourism as the East. <BR> Drop me a note if you have any Qs. <BR> Keith

Kittie

Thank you all for the great advice! This is why I love this web site! <BR> <BR>Kittie