Australia anything and everything!!!

norangeduck

I thought I would start this thread - I couldn't see one on Oz.

But Im travelling to Oz in april for a month sydney to cairns, and just wanted some advice on anything and everything!!! - anyone whose been, and done the bruce bus hopper?

Any tips on best budget places to stay on the way?

Info on surfing?

doing the great barrier reef?

Im just really interested in anything anyone has to say really!!

also one dilema im facing should i take suitcase or a backpack (or a backpack on wheels?!!)

Thanks in advance!!!

Incapuppy

norangeduck wrote: »

I thought I would start this thread - I couldn't see one on Oz.

I take it that you haven't noticed the 'search' facility?

Not that starting a new thread isn't allowed - of course it is, but in the meantime if you do a forum search it will bring up plenty of useful information.

For much more info you may wish to look at the Trip Advisor or Lonely Planet forums too.

norangeduck

well actually I did manage to notice the search facility, and No I didnt find what I was after, or much at all really.

Yes I have checked out trip advisor and lonely planet, thanks, but was just hoping some MSE'S could help me out too!

jeffy22

I spent a years backpacking outthere 2 years ago.. everyone said take a ruckack,, but I wished i tokk something with wheels.. uless yourgonna be trekkin across the outback wheel are fine.. no better than fine.. the best option!!

barrier reef...
stay in airlie beach and get one of the boats.. abou 50 different trips run a day.. you book em from hostels/hotels whilst your out there for best deals..

surfing... east coast anywhere... or great ocean rd.... try bondi, newcastle, agnes water, coolengatta/snapper rocks, and all along the great ocean rd

pm me for any questions.... im a surfer and had the best year of my life!

chuckley

go use a search engine and go on oz travel sites.

ljbnotts

Also did Oz a while back! You will have a fab time!

I would recommend a trip to the Whitsundays! They are stunning! And there are lots of different trips to suit all budgets.

We used the greyhound bus to get around - cheap and cheerful and there always buses running, (I think we bought a ticket from Cairns to Sydney with unlimited stops) will be cheaper than the 'oz experience'. Not sure about Bruce bus hopper?!

We painted didgerdoo's in Rainbow beach (which is touristy but fun! - expensive to send back to the UK though!) which is a really small chilled out town although i think they have good surfing! A good guide book will be a good addition, We used the lonely planet but the rough guide is good to.

We stayed in hostels all over the place and was dead easy to book and make friends when your there.

Great barrier reef was lovely I'm a diver and we did a live aboard dive trip for 2 nights which was well worth it although lots of snorkeling to be had to! (in some places, mind the jellyfish/sharks/currents etc etc!)

I think for surfing the beaches near Sydney - bondi etc are good for surfing but I'm not a surfer so can't really be 100% sure!

Byron Bay is lovely and really chilled out. And Fraser island is another good place. (4 x 4 driving around sand dunes 3 days 2 nights)

I took a backpack and was fine with that! But I've just invested in a backpack with wheels! So i shall see how that goes on my next trip!

Try not to get sucked in to Sydney! Lots of people end up spending all their time there and not seeing the rest of Oz! Yha hostels are always clean but in the lonely planet they explain the more 'fun' places to stay! Cheapest way will be in dorm rooms! Has good points (easier to meet people, cheap) and bad points (people waking you up at 4 in th morning, snoring!)

I would recommend taking a nice towel ( i really hated having to use a travel microfiber towel!) a long padlock so you can easily store your stuff in a locker in your room, and an alarm clock!

Also when I was there i went to an Internet shop called global gossip and got on of their cards. Thats what i used to call home and it was less than 0.5p to the UK a minute so could chat for ages. Also used their Internet shops. You get points when you top up your card or use Internet, and then can redeem them for free Internet.

Hope that helps!

LJB.

dawsinho

You will have a great time! have done this twice myself, both times used greyhound coach service, cheap, easy and reliable.

Surfing! take your pick, I would opt for Noosa.

other key points...

Whitsundays sailing tour do it!

Fraser island, great fun! go camping, the stars are amazing.

Diving.. I've dived up and down the coast and the best reef I've seen was off port Douglas just above cairns, again your spoilt for choice thought!

also if you fancy it skydiving in Cairns is defo worthwhile the views are stunning!

I would recommend looking into visiting Sydney, Gold coast, Brisbane, Airlie beach, Magnetic island (off Townsville), Cairns and port Douglas.

have a great time!
Phil

olias

definately stay 3 or 4 days in Sydney. For surfing I'd try Manly as well as Bondi, it's a bit classier and less seedy. If I remember rightly, Oxford Street is the cheap place to eat - loads of cheap but good restaurants. Hyde Park, The Botanical Gardens, Circular Quay. Also you MUST go to Taronga Zoo. It has the best views of Sydney Harbour and the bird show they do is stunning and if you are into wildlife it will bring a tear to your eye.

Byron Bay - excellent for surfing and well chilled out, if a bit touristy.

Fraser Island (at Hervey Bay) 4x4 camping trip

Airlie Beach - Whitsundays boat trip (ususlly 3 day) - but if you want peace and to avoid the backpackers pi55ed up partying, then pay extra to go on a smaller yacht with <12 people on

Magnetic Island (off Townsville) try Horseshoe Bay side

Cairns - Syrail over the rainforest, Karunda village and the scenic railway

If you either can't be bothered or are nervous about sorting out your own trips and accommodation, go to somewhere like Wanderers on Kent in Sydney and they will pre book as much of the accommodation and trips as you want and can give really good advice.

Also consider hiring a camper for some of your trip - if you shop aroung they can be inceredibly cheap (cheaper than hostels) and are great fun - I did a circular trip from Cairns around the Atherton Tablelands

On the subject of surfing - it may sound obvious, but remember ther is no surf once you get a few hours past Brisbane as the Barrier Reef blocks it.

A month from Sydney to Cairns should be plenty to see all the above, just make sure you do your bus travelling overnight (it saves on accommodation and also stops the travelling eating into your holiday!)#

Most places these days have websites, so get yourself a Lonely Planet guide and look them all up.

One final thing - be picky with your accommodation, there are some really grotty backpackers hostels (I was violently ill for two days after staying in one!) - but if you search around you can find superb, modern, clean, well positioned ones for the same price!

You don't say how old you are or whether you are travelling alone?

If you are younger and are alone or like partying, definately go on the Oz experience type bus. If you are older (say 30+) or really prefer your own company, then definately just stick with the Greyhound buses.

Olias

jonnybgoode_2

Port Douglas in far north Queensland is amazing, best access to the reef and you have the daintree rainforest too. I lived there for 3 months and fell in love! DO NOT go in rainy season though it is tropical and the humidity will kill you! You also can't go in the water due to box jelly fish (killer) but in the peak season the sea is amazing.

I have been pretty much everywhere you would want to go in oz and love it.

norangeduck

hey everyone thanks for ur replys, it all sounds good and interesting - Im 23 and am travelling with a friend of mine - I was planning to do the oz experience, my friend has already booked hers, so I guess its that!

Thanks for all the tips - though Im not very good with spiders - any tips for them?!! lol - I was planning fraser Island too, again worried about the wildlife that may try and eat/bite/sting me!!

I think Iv decided to go for a backpack on wheels!

I cant wait to surf, and to see barrier reef!!! really excited now!!!