Another Australia Thread!

spottydog

Smurf71 wrote: »

Many thanks for this!

I've seen an offer for a cruise on the Harbour in NewYears Eve that would have a fantastic view of the firework display, as well as include a meal and drinks. My better half is sorely tempted to go for that!!

There are lots of cruises on the harbour on NYE, they have a big procession with lots of the boats especially dressed up to the theme (last year was nautical so there were fish on lots of the lights). If you are looking at a boat I would check their position for the fireworks, the lead boat in the procession (which I think also gets the best firework view) sells out years in advance.

Also with the boats check you will have a guaranteed window seat. I've never been on one of the cruise boats so can't help anymore on that I'm afraid.

Smurf71

spottydog wrote: »

Also with the boats check you will have a guaranteed window seat.

Am just going to check that out now!

Many thanks for your help!:beer:

Smurf71

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/royal_botanic_gardens/Whats_on/new_years_eve_2009/lawn_with_the_view

Just a quick update. Found this on the Tripadvisers forum and sounds a great way to spend NYE in Sydney.

Have accom now booked in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. Only thing left to do is sort out car hire for Sunshine Coast, and the drive from Sydney to Melbourne.

We're gonna drive Melbourne to Sydney along the Princes Highway over 4 days. If anybody has any suggestions of places that we must visit on that route, please feel free to post here.

Am grateful for all the advice posted so far-many thanks!!

isplumm

richardw wrote: »

Don't forget Hanging Rock near Melbourne. Mirandaaah!

http://www.find-dvd.co.uk/dvd/Picnic-At-Hanging-Rock/1082595.htm

Funnily enough we just climbed that (well actually walked up it) - took about 30 minutes .... quite steep ... but I would also recommend that you drive up to the top of Mt Macedon .... follow the signs for the Cross ... on a good day you can see Melbourne .... Mt Macedon is north of Sunbury, near Woodend ... (both are close to each other - Hanging Rock costs $10 to get into).

As to the Great Ocean Road, well we drove it .... much better than taking a tour ... you can stop where you want to ...

I would also recommend Penguin Island .... BUT make sure you book in advance, as they were turning people away when we were there a few years back. You would need to book a hotel or similar, as the penguins return from the ocean at dusk.

Mark

isplumm

Smurf71 wrote: »

That website you posted is brilliant. Not only can we see all the tours that are on offer near Sydney, but theres a mini-site there about New Years Eve 2009 (We'll be there!!:T)

Many thanks for the advice

Hi,

If you are Sydney for New Year Eve .... then look at doing something called the Picnic in the Park .... you get a picnic & get to sit just above the Opera House - in a small park .... fabulous views of the fireworks & bridge .... I think it was about $150 pp in 2007 .... the good thing is that it doesn't open until 19:00, which means you can spend your day sightseeing .... whereas if you want to nab a free space next to the Opera House, you might have to be there by midday ... when you only have 3/4 days like we did ... well that is a lot of time to waste.

If no-one else has mentioned it - do the bridge climb .... that & fireworks was the highlight of trip!!

Mark

isplumm

Hi,

I noticed that you haven't mentioned Ayers Rock .... well if possible I would try & fit it in .... with a bit of careful planning you MIGHT be able to get away with 1 night there .... fly in there morning .... see rock sunset .... there is the sounds of silence dinner which we did ... excellent .... do the sunrise ... then fly out afternoon .... try to fly directly into Ayers Rock, not Alice Springs as it is 6 hours by coach.

We had 2 nights there & fitted in a helicopter ride, which was amazing ... but like I said don't stay too long ... as it is expensive & apart from the rock there is little to do ...

Mark

isplumm

Hi,

Have you planned a schedule for NZ yet .... we have just returned, so I can offer some advice ....??

Mark

colinw

You have a great itinerary. Try to see Lake Matheson on the South Island which is just past Fox Glacier. This is a picture we took when we were lucky enough to get great weather



You can not beat driving in the South Island. Quiet roads and great scenery. The glaciers are well worth seeing and the Hass pass is great scenery. Queenstown is stunning as is Wanaka. Never been in Summer mind. We went in the Autumn down there which was nice with the leaves.

If you have enough time in the Brisbane area and Noosa area you should try and get out to fraser island. This is a picture I took of the beach up there. It is a stunning island.



In Sydney try to get out to Watsons Bay on the ferry. There is great views of the City from the nearby Gap park. Also great fish and Chips at Doyles near the beach out there. As someone has already said do the bridge climb. Expensive but well worth it for the great views.
I would think with that much time in Sydney you would get out to see the Blue Mountains. If I think of anything else I will post later. Have a great time.

Smurf71

Guys-this is great advice and tips-thank you for posting!!

Isplumm-we were originally gonna do Ayers Rock, but our itinerary (and finances) prohibited it for this trip. Hope to possibly do it in the next trip though!

The Picnic in the park that you mention is the link that I posted earlier on today-sounds great and exactly what we are looking to do. Think the tickets go on sale on the 12th October so will keep an eye for that. Would be a fantastic experience.

Regarding our visit to the South Island, we are doing Christchurch, Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau, Wanaka, Franz Josef and Arthurs Pass all over a period of 13 days. I know its nowhere near enough time to properly explore the place, and I'm completely omitting the North Island (for this trip anyway!) but hopefully it gives us a good taste of the Country.Please feel free to post your comments or feedback on this thread, along with any advice-all greatly appreciated.

Colin-thanks for your kind comments on the itinerary-took days of research and lonely planet books and websites to come up with it!! Yeah-Lake Matheson is a definite visit, was recommended to me to try and get there first thing in the morning. That pic you took is a beauty-would be great to get something similar when we are there.

And as for Fraser Island, thats a definite visit for us on the Sunshine Coast!! Just looks fantastic. So does the Blue Mountains-another definite. Watsons Bay and Doyles have also been recommended so must check them out as well.

Thanks for all the advice and comments so far guys-been really helpful and great!!

isplumm

Smurf71 wrote: »

Guys-this is great advice and tips-thank you for posting!!

The Picnic in the park that you mention is the link that I posted earlier on today-sounds great and exactly what we are looking to do. Think the tickets go on sale on the 12th October so will keep an eye for that. Would be a fantastic experience. I would book fairly soon after that as it gets sold out quickly.

Regarding our visit to the South Island, we are doing Christchurch, Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau, Wanaka, Franz Josef and Arthurs Pass all over a period of 13 days. I know its nowhere near enough time to properly explore the place, and I'm completely omitting the North Island (for this trip anyway!) but hopefully it gives us a good taste of the Country.Please feel free to post your comments or feedback on this thread, along with any advice-all greatly appreciated.

We came back from NZ only last week ... we had an amazing trip ... this is our schedule ...

NI
Auckland 2 nights, then drive to Rotorua - went to Glowworm caves on way,
Rotoura 2 nights, then fly to Wellington
Wellington 2 nights,

SI
Ferry to Picton, train to Kaikoura - heli whale watching (amazing) - if you can get there - then go for it .... check that there will be whales around at that time of year.
Kaikoura 1 night, train to Christchurch, - the train is the TransCoastal.
Christchurch 1 night,
TransApline train to Greymouth .... worth doing for scenery (this goes through Arthurs Pass) - but only do 1 way ...
Car hire from Greymouth ...
3 nights Franz Josef ... did a heli-hike .... highlight of trip do if can get further up glacier than walking .... did Lake Matherson / helicopter ride around Mt Cook, Fox Glacier ...
4 nights Queenstown - TSS Earnshaw boat trip & sheep farm, Milford Sound - must do - can either drive or take tour (I assume you will do from Te Anau?) ... highlight for us ... takes about 4 hours by coach from Queenstown or about 3.5 to drive yourself (like we did)
2 nights Christchurch ... drop car at airport .... no one way drop off charge as hiring for over 7 days.

I would suggest doing the TransApline as that is amazing .... but don't do both ways ... as it is 4.5 hours each way ....

I believe that you can miss the NI ... the scenery is amazing on the SI ....

Hope this helps?

Mark