Australia

cve721

THANKYOU all very very much! Awesome advice....my head is spinning!
I am taking it all in and trying to work out whats next!
Unfortunately our first two weeks fall within the Oz schools holidays, so we have found that lots of places have hiked there prices or are full. But we have booked to stay in a few 'chalets' (mobile Haven type caravans) which are reasonably priced.
We reach the theme parks on the Monday after the Oz kids go back to school ;0) so hopefully it wont be too busy!!!
Keep the advice coming it is much appreciated!!!
Ps I have bought every lonely planet/ rough guide and map available!!! Imformation overload but i want personal recommendations from fellow MSE's
Pps It took me a while to work out how to access this thread again....wish me luck finding it again once i log off!
Rehgards
Cathy
xx

dolphinstwins

Thanks Saff

Will have a scoozy at the tips for 'Shep'

As for Cairns - we're actually staying in the Daintree & not Cairns (unfortunately probably won't make it to Kuranda, which whilst it's supposed to be amazing it's become more touristy than my mother would like! - Hippie wannabe - lol.

I've found a fair few things whilst staying in the Daintree which will no doubt keep me and the family amused and my pocket empty

all thoughts and tips on anything is allways welcome however & I appreciate what you've offered so far - will definately give the sites you've linked a view.

Cheers

PS - Cve721 - sorry for hijacking your thread - wasn't intentional I promise :beer:

shockingmoment

Are you flying in / out of Sydney? If so, ignore this bit....

How about flying in to Cairns and working your way south to Brisbane then Sydney?

We did it this way - may get you into Oz a bit sooner?
Flight from Cairns to Brisbane, then on to Sydney.
Gold Coast is a bit special. Noosa is nice too.

Disappointed with Australia zoo though.

We stayed in Palm Cove, renting houses and an apartment in Sydney. Better value than hotels and more convenient with children - washing machines particularly handy!

And yes - poor exchange rate means it is so expensive!
But - you'll have a hoot so sod the expense and have a great time!

pilates39

We had a brilliant day at Australia Zoo but was most disappointed with Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Stayed in Surfers in an apartment 4 times and never found it too noisy - loved the beach walk to Broadbeach stopping off at the Kawara Surf Club for lunch then across the way to Pacific Fair to look round the shops.
If you want to use the internet whilst you are in Surfers take your laptop to Broadbeach shopping centre where you can use it for free.
If you like markets - Carara on Saturday and Sunday until about 3pm - special buses run every hour from Surfers and the fare is only $1 return. Depending on the time of year evening markets on Surfers sea front (mostly craft items) and the same one at Broadbeach on certain Sunday mornings - tourist office has leaflets.