Travelling to Australia

[seafish]

Aussie Gal, corniglia and Jane110 - again...thanks for all the info. With your help - we have decided to do a land tour in April/May 2006. Jane110 - I agree about visiting Oz by cruiseship - but, it is a great way to see a lot of NZ & AUS and a fun way to travel from Sydney to Auckland or - the reverse. The itinerary provides lots of ship activities, neat ports & excursions gives a good taste of these fantastic countries. But - really not the way to see Big Oz. Aussie Gal - understand about the stingers - thanks. Does this mean that no lycra suits are needed when doing a GBReef trip?

 

So - we are considering the following itinerary for April/May 2006. We can do this independently or through a tour company - which might be the better option considering that all travel itinerary/arrangements and issues that might arise during the trip would be handled by the tour company. The escorted tour does cost more but may be worth it in the long run.

-Melbourne 3 nights -Alice Springs 2 nights

-Kangaroo Island 1 night -Darwin 2 night

-Adelaide 1 night -Kakadu 1 night

-Ayers Rock 1 night -Cairns 3 nights

-Kings Canyon 1 night -Syndey 3 nights

 

What do you think? Too much - too little time at any one location? "Any" recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks - SeaFish

[boards]

It has been decided, we are planning to booking the Statedam for Oct. 27, 2006, Auckland to Sydney. We are having the TA plan a post-cruise stay in Sydney. We must to see are the koalas, kangaroo's and also would like to find out about the Aborigine culture and any presentations that may be available, so we have some planning to do.

[Jane110]

Seafish,

 

If it's possible, add another night onto Adelaide. If you're into wine, I'd recommend spending one day in the Barossa. Adelaide also has a wonderful zoo, though going to KI will give you a lot of animal visits. However, the Adelaide zoo has a wonderful area of exotic birds.

 

In Melbourne, make sure to take a day trip to Phillips Island to see the fairy penguins.

 

On KI, take a night "tour" (about one hour after dark) to see the fairy penguins there, which are different than the ones on Phillips Island. Will you fly or take the ferry? We took the ferry there from Adelaide and then took a flight back to Adelaide - this gave us a full night in Adelaide so we could go and have a fabulous dinner there. The ferry would have brought us in too late for dinner.

 

When you fly to Cairns, will you stay there or drive north to the Port Douglas or Daintree area?

 

Jane

[corniglia]

Seafish, I am not sure about only one night in Kakadu. as I said in an earlier posting there are a lot of different things to see and do there but they are quite widespread and there is a fair bit of driving between each. We had 5 days there and didn't get to see half of it. (not saying you should do 5 days but I wonder what you can achieve in less than one). If you had little leeway for change I would do one night in Darwin and add the other to Kakadu. Just my opinion. Also, does your short time at Ayers Rock allow for a visit to the Olgas (the Valley of the Winds walk is spectacular) Sue

[seafish]

Jane110 - understand on the extra night Adelaide - good advice. We do have the Barossa Valley Wineries on our itinerary. Yes - agree..we'll add in Phillips Island. For KI we are flying over and have a full day 4WD Wildlife Tour with Flinders Chase NP, Admirals Arch & Seal Bay - but, I'll look into the penquins thing there too. Although we would like to stay in the Port Douglas area - at present we are planning to stay at Cairns - Cairns International or Sofitel Reef Casino Hotel.

corniglia - understand about the time you mention for Kadadu. Actually the way we have it now... we fly 1200noon Alice Springs to Darwin for an overnight Saville Park Suites...drive to Kadadu NP for Nourlangie Rock/Rock Art/Yellow Water Billabong Cruise...overnight at Crocodile Holiday Inn...spend the next full day at Kadadu with Guluyambi Cruise/Ubirr Guided Walk/Bowali Visitor Center - then return to Darwin PM for another overnight before the next day AM flight to Cairns. BTW - Yes, for Ayers Rock we will visit Kata Tjuta(The Olgas)...do the sun-set wine thing...do the sun-rise Uluru...and - Base Rock Tour...Uluru-Kata Tjuta Culture Center - then drive to Kings Caynon. We are allowing 3 weeks for this trip - but, certainly can be flexible. Hopefully we are sort of on the right track with our itinerary and all of your terrific help. Again - any input is most welcome. Thank you - SeaFish

[corniglia]

Seafish, you are certainly going to be busy but I see from your point of view that you don't come to this part of the world very often and want to see as much as possible- and you are seeing all the right things so you are on the right track. If you want to stay in Port Douglas it is only less than an hour up the road from Cairns by car and it puts you closer to Mossman, and perhaps a trip to Cape Tribulation. Its very hard planning from afar isn't it_ I would just keep one thing in mind that distances here are quite large and you don't want to spend all your time getting from A to B. good luck!! Sue

[seafish]

corniglia - Yea...we sort of load in alot of activities but, we're used to it. We really love to see & do new things. That's why we like "port intensive" cruises but - unlike others...find sea days less desireable. You're absolutely right about the travel distances/time between AUS locations. Hopefully we've calculated the correct distances and used an air schedule for most travel. Again - we are flexible enough to make adjustments should we run into scheduling problems, flight cancellations, etc. About planning from afar - it's not too hard to find and plan accommodations, transport, activities, dining, etc. The real trick is making all the right choices for the best trip possible. That's where helpful folks like you come in - you really make all the difference between a good & a great trip. Thanks to you, Aussie Gal, Jane110 and others for all for the great information. Your help is greatly appreciated. If help is every needed with travel to areas of Hawaiian Island, Tahiti Islands, Caribbean, Canada and US & Alaska - just contact me I'd love to help. SeaFish

[Jane110]

SeaFish,

 

My pleasure to help!

 

sounds like you've got things *very* well planned.

 

For the trip to Phillips Island for the Fairy Penguins, you can easily arrange this as a day tour through your hotel. They'll pick you up, give you a bit of a city tour of Melbourne, then you'll drive towards Phillip Island stopping for visits at Koala and Kangaroo reserves.

 

You'll sit on bleachers on the beach, (wear a windbreaker and take a blanket from your hotel) and watch the penguins come out from the sea after dark. After that, you'll walk along the boardwalks and watch the penguins running to the nests underneath you, to feed their yelping chicks.

 

You won't get back to your hotel til about midnight.

 

On Kangeroo Island, it's not a formal tour. After dinner, you'll meet a tour guide, be given a 10 minute lecture and then you'll quietly walk along the rocks with a special red light that allows you to see the penguins nesting, but doesn't disturb them.

 

Jane

[Aussie Gal]

Jane,

 

I worked for many years in Toorak, just off Toorak Road so know the Tilba Hotel well. When we spend a weekend in the city we like to be in the centre and our favourite hotel has always been the Sheraton Towers at Southgate which is a small hotel right on the river.

 

It has now changed hands and is called Langhams. We have decided we have spent enough time in our city being Tourists as we only live 20kms (14miles away) and are going away to country Victoria instead.

 

We have just come back from the best ever. Three nights at Villa Gusto in Bright which is about three and a half hours north east of Melbourne in the Buckland valley. It was heaven. Perfect weather, wonderful accommodation - only holds 9 couples - great chef who has cooked at Mo Mo's, Lakehouse and a few other great restaurants in Melbourne as well as a perfect host. Villa Gusto is five star plus accommodation and isn't cheap but well worth it. If you ever want to visit country Australia this is the place. It is a little piece of Tuscany in the Australian bush.

 

Jennie

[Jane110]

>>>>>It is a little piece of Tuscany in the Australian bush.<<<<<

 

Jennie,

 

Okay, you've got my attention! :) Villa Gusto sounds terrific!

 

A few questions though:

 

Would we have to drive there from Melbourne or could we fly? Besides staying in a fabulous place, is there enough to see and do in the area to keep busy? We not big adventurer's, however, going to a pretty place and just sitting and looking at the countryside is fine for a night, but if we have to spend 3.5 hours to get there, we'd probably want to stay for 2 or 3 nights.

Does the place have a website that you would know?

 

Thanks,

Jane

[Aussie Gal]

Jane,

 

You would need a car up there as there aren't really any aerodromes. There are some beautiful drives with wonderful views. I will give you the website and you can decide though I wasn't really meaning to tempt you, just to explain what a great place it was.

 

http://www.villagusto.com.au/

 

http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayObject.cfm/objectid.000C8D36-53B1-1EFE-8B9080C476A90000/vvt.vhtml

 

http://www.beautifulaccommodation.com/villagusto.html

 

By the way we were at the Godfather lunch on Easter Sunday and it was brilliant.

 

Jennie

[Jane110]

Jennie,

 

Villa Gusto looks absolutely fabulous! We may have to check it out.

 

Thanks!

Jane

[Danii]

Id have to disagree with you a little there starfish.

 

McLaren Vale is a much better place to visit in terms of wine appreciating.

It is a little closer to the city, which will be good if you are planning a short trip. It is also surrounded by some very nice, historic towns (willunga), real old-fashioned country towns (Myponga) within minutes from the beautiful beaches (Aldinga, Port Willunga Sellicks, Silversands, Myponga) and within close reach of the hills (Strathalbyn, Clarendon)

 

Take it from someone who lives in the area!! Id definately spend the day in McLaren Vale and take the time to have a look around.

Oh and the blessed cheese cafe was voted best coffee in the southern area!

[Aussie Gal]

Seafish,

 

I am going to add some extra advice for what it is worth. Here in Melbourne we have the third best zoo in the world where the animals are able to roam as they do in their natural habitat. It is set amongst gardens and is a lovely place to visit.

 

Also within 40 minutes of Melbourne we have the Yarra Valley which is famous for cool climate wines and was where vines were first planted. There are loads of wineries and it is a very popular place to visit. Also close by is our Healsville Sanctuary where all the Australian wildlife is looked after. It is a great place to visit to see Koalas, Wombats, Platypus, Kangaroos etc. Also within an hour of Melbourne we have the Mornington Penisula where there are again loads of wineries.

 

Phillip Island as Jane mentioned is a worthwhile trip. Because you are coming in April/May your bus will leave Melbourne around 3.30pm and arrive at the Island around 5.30-6pm. The penguins come out of the water at dusk which will be around that time. It is a fascinating experience and very well run. You cannot take flash photos and they are quite strict about your movements down there. Jane is correct in that you need to be rugged up as it can get quite cold and windy as you are facing south - Antarctica is only a few thousand miles away!!!

 

When you decide the dates of your visit here let me know and may be I can be of help in planning your time in our city or give you tips about the various hotels. If you would like to email me, you can get me on jennielynton@yahoo.com.au

 

It sounds a wonderful trip. I must admit I would rather stay at Port Douglas than in Cairns if I had the option. In fact we are going up there for a two week break on the 16th April. It is a wonderful part of Australia and there is a lot to see beside the Reef. Daintree is a great area as well as the Mossman Gorge.

 

Jennie

[seafish]

Aussie Gal - Thanks for the info & offer ofadditional help. Very much apreaciated. Thank you - SeaFish

[Jane110]

Jennie,

 

Where in the Daintree do you stay? We always stay at Silky Oaks and though we love it, we're open to suggestions for other places.

 

THanks,

Jane

[Aussie Gal]

Hi Jane,

 

We always stay in Port Douglas and usually go up to the Daintree on our own for the day. My sister and sister in law have both stayed up there. My sister was at Silky Oaks like you and I am not sure where my sister in law stayed.

 

Here is an interesting website which has a few places that are recommended.

 

http://www.daintreevillage.asn.au/accommodation.html

 

Daintree Eco Lodge does sound rather nice.

 

Jennie

[Jane110]

Jennie,

 

Great site. Thanks!

 

Jane

[Aussie Gal]

Hi Jane,

 

Just wanted to let you know we spent yesterday up at Cape Tribulation and also at the Mosman Gorge. A wonderful day with great weather. We hired a car and took our time. We have been so lucky since arriving at Port Douglas on Saturday weather wise. This is "God's Own Country".

 

Jennie

[boards]

It looks like we will be booking a tour Oct 2006 thru Trafalgar for 15 days and maybe some extra post tour. We looked at the cruises with Hal and felt we would not see and experience enough of Australia. My wife is pretty happy about it now.

[corniglia]

That sounds like a great idea- you will get to see so much more and Trafalgar have a very good reputation . Sue