Another Australia Thread!

Smurf71

AussieLass wrote: »

Be aware that the Sunny Coast is full of schoolies too. Most accommodation will be booked 12 months in advance and anything that is going will be very expensive and swamped with hormonal, drunken teenagers. Any place with a beach I'd avoid that week.

Gulp!:eek:

Hopefully we will find someway of avoiding them during the trip.

If theres anywhere you think we should go whilst in Brisbane/the Sunshine Coast etc, please post any tips or advice.

Smurf71

Just got this advice from a work colleague whose Sister lives in Brisbane.

Brisbane is generally not a problem for Schoolies Week....the kids tend to head to the Gold Coast ( south of Brisbane ) and the Sunshine Coast ( north of Brisbane ). Would recommend steering away from Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Mooloolaba for that week, but other Tourist attractions are generally OK. The councils have activities organised primarily on the beach in both of those places with concerts etc...the kids usually wander the streets, hang out at the beach or at their apartments and get a little drunk and disorderly!! Generally just one big party! Queensland schools have the first week and then the Gold Coast is usually hit the week after by kids coming up from New South Wales, as their school year is different dates to ours. Looking at a 2 week period in November, I think the last 2 weeks from memory. ( or maybe the middle 2 ??)

AussieLass

I'd head up here Not far away and less crowded. Great spot and it's a lot cooler up there that time of the year. Head on down when the crowds go.

Smurf71

AussieLass wrote: »

I'd head up here Not far away and less crowded. Great spot and it's a lot cooler up there that time of the year. Head on down when the crowds go.

Yeah-heard Lamington was fantastic. Definitely on our itinerary when we get there!!

Many thanks!

Smurf71

Booked the hotel in Brisbane for the first couple of nights of our stay. Starting to get excited now!!! Have Sydney sorted for accom, only need to look at Melbourne accomodation now.

Bennifred

Smurf71 wrote: »

Booked the hotel in Brisbane for the first couple of nights of our stay. Starting to get excited now!!! Have Sydney sorted for accom, only need to look at Melbourne accomodation now.

Oooh - where did you decide on? We'll be looking for accommodation in Brisbane and Sydney next summer......... counting down already, lol!

Smurf71

Bennifred wrote: »

Oooh - where did you decide on? We'll be looking for accommodation in Brisbane and Sydney next summer......... counting down already, lol!

We booked the Portal Hotel in Brisbane via eBookers. Two nights was £118 for a 4 star hotel. http://www.portalhotel.com.au/

Regarding Sydney, we booked the Altamount Hotel. http://www.altamont.com.au/ We paid a bit more for it as we are staying over the Xmas and New Year period.

Cant wait! Still have loads to book, particularly in Melbourne and the rest of the South Island in NZ.

SkipE

Is anyone planning on going to any of the theme parks on the Gold Coast? We are trying to cost them up some are pretty pricey. We did Wet'n'Wild last time and it wasnt that great.

AussieLass

I've been to Dreamworld many times and have always enjoyed it. I liked it more than Seaworld. If you go to this site you can sometimes find vouchers for discounts to the theme parks, as well as other deals.

totalsolutions

Hi, Just returned from a 4 week holiday based with my son in Melbourne, Docklands apartment Victoria Point, very swish. I travelled business class by Qantas airlines. Hired a car for the first week. Budget rentals. Tours/flights/hotels booked by Flight Centre and coaches run by AAT Kings. I have taken some 4 thousand photos, so if you want to see the places I have been to I can upload to a photo site for you.

Flights get the Business class if you can afford it. 23.5 hrs in a cramped seat is not fun I would imagine.

Re driving the procedure at lights, turning left/right is different to the UK and some advice or waiting a day before you jump into the hot seat to how its done there. Attention to the hook right hand turns.

There is plenty to see and do.
Melbourne has the free City Tram (Red, no. 35). Every 10-12 min from 10.00am to 6pm and 9pm on Thursday - Sunday.

Sydney very pretty city lots to see and do, walk the Harbour Bridge, dinner at the Opera House.
Can recommend the The Grace Hotel on York Street. Sydney airport to city centre is by train (platform 6) and about 20 mins about $14
Very friendly people in Oz