Going to Australia

[ShyGuy68]

As some of you know, I'll be in Sydney in a couple of weeks time, and I've been thinking about something. I know I'm out late, but I can always come back and check this thread later

What shouldn't I miss when I visit Australia?

And what should I miss when I visit?

 

[VelvetDarkness]

I've never been so I have no idea but I hope you have a wicked time. They'll see you and your cane a mile off, lucky devils.

 

[ShyGuy68]

I've never been so I have no idea but I hope you have a wicked time. They'll see you and your cane a mile off, lucky devils.

I won't have my cane with me, it's not that I plan to play with anybody while I'm there ... darn it!

 

[FurryFury]

I've always wanted to go to Australia. Have a fab time! Sadly, I have no tips for you.

 

[Netzach]

I have no tips but mountains of jealousy. Really, it's HIGH on my list, eclipsing most of Europe these days.

 

[Badger82]

im an aussie

<---- im an aussie

how long are your going to be staying and how much fun or relaxing do you want to do

unfortunately im in adelaide so sydney is a long away from me

 

[ShyGuy68]

<---- im an aussie

how long are your going to be staying and how much fun or relaxing do you want to do

unfortunately im in adelaide so sydney is a long away from me

I'll be in Sydney for a week, and then I have 2 nights at Uluru, before I fly back to Brisbane and spend 5 days driving down the coast to Sydney.

I'm up for as much fun and relaxing as I can get! To bad you aren't close by though

 

[Badger82]

ok dokie give me the night to find web sites on the must see places and stuff and ill post them here for ya, 1 week isent going to be very long but ill see if i can find enough to keep you well and truely happy.

 

[ShyGuy68]

ok dokie give me the night to find web sites on the must see places and stuff and ill post them here for ya, 1 week isent going to be very long but ill see if i can find enough to keep you well and truely happy.

Thank you I already have a couple of things I want to do there, and I'm also just going to enjoy life while I'm there

 

[Badger82]

Noooo

Nooo been called into work ill have to quickly post what ive found already

http://www.todi-media.com/sydneytour2.php a full day there
http://www.todi-media.com/sydneytour3.php another day
http://www.sydney.com.au/activities.htm a good way see for your self on what's offer


should note that the markets are always good for the peasent type of experiance and dont forget the zoo if you cant find an australian wildlife sanctary.

anyway gota go pager already going off

Badger

 

[_kiana_]

I have to agree to go to the zoo in Sydney. It's called Taronga Zoo and you can catch a ferry to it from Circular Quay (a major transport hub, where ferry, train, and buses all mix). Oh, and if you like zoos, make sure you leave a whole day for this one. You'll want it.

If you've had enough of "the city" while IN Sydney, go spend a few hours at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Or you can catch a bus to Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches around Sydney. (I would suggest some sort of bus trip around the edges of Sydney anyway, as the views are stunning.)

Geez...There is so much to do. We were only there for 5 days, and even with someone who lived there for years as a guide we didn't get it all done. I'd love to live there someday. The vibe the city has is just something I haven't ever felt in a city before, not even NYC.

 

[sexycaz22]

I am extermely jealous! Any chance you could squeeze me into your suitcase, ShyGuy?

 

[catalina_francisco]

Hope you have lots of fun!! I would recommend trying lots of the typical Aussie foods like meat pies, chiko rolls, lamingtons, fish and chips (different from the UK variety), steak burger/sandwich (from a take away shop, not a chain like McDonalds), seafood, Tim Tams and I am sure I will think of more when I wake up. I wouldn't recommend missing anything as then you end up with a scripted and likely tourist exclusive experience more so than experiencing the real Oz.

Lucky you going to Uluru. Would be great if you could visit the other side of the rock, but would be a culture shock and highly unlikely. For me, I would prefer seeing it from the other side than the tourist side, but that is my politics taking over again. Also, though it is possible to climb the rock (not as easy as it looks and some have died from doing it), I would not do so out of respect for the indigenous owners and their culture. Also I would try and take photos at different times of day as the colours of the rock change, and if you have any powers, pray for rain on one of the days as it then looks black. It is an amazing place. Oh also, if they happen to have a bush food tour (someone showing you what is edible in the wild and giving the opportunity to try some of it) you could fit in while out there, you might find it fascinating.

Oh, also make sure you have sunnies (sunglasses) as some Europeans, and Americans too come to think of it, find the light too much when they first arrive in Australia. F spent 2 days with his eyes streaming and that was winter!! Pick up some personal bug repellant as soon as you can...Rid is good and comes in cream, spray on and roller packs...buy plenty!! Aeroguard is another one though I prefer Rid myself. Wear sunblock (30+ is good, but at least 20+), even when it is cloudy...that can be the worst for UV rays, and don't forget to put it on your ears and the back of your neck. Buy a hat and wear it when out in the sun! Look out for poisonous snakes and spiders....basically, if you don't know what it is, don't touch it or get it pissed off. Check the toilet seat before sitting when in areas like national parks etc., where some can have other residents. Have fun basically.

Catalina

 

[ShyGuy68]

I am extermely jealous! Any chance you could squeeze me into your suitcase, ShyGuy?

If only!

 

[ShyGuy68]

Hope you have lots of fun!! I would recommend trying lots of the typical Aussie foods like meat pies, chiko rolls, lamingtons, fish and chips (different from the UK variety), steak burger/sandwich (from a take away shop, not a chain like McDonalds), seafood, Tim Tams and I am sure I will think of more when I wake up. I wouldn't recommend missing anything as then you end up with a scripted and likely tourist exclusive experience more so than experiencing the real Oz.

Lucky you going to Uluru. Would be great if you could visit the other side of the rock, but would be a culture shock and highly unlikely. For me, I would prefer seeing it from the other side than the tourist side, but that is my politics taking over again. Also, though it is possible to climb the rock (not as easy as it looks and some have died from doing it), I would not do so out of respect for the indigenous owners and their culture. Also I would try and take photos at different times of day as the colours of the rock change, and if you have any powers, pray for rain on one of the days as it then looks black. It is an amazing place. Oh also, if they happen to have a bush food tour (someone showing you what is edible in the wild and giving the opportunity to try some of it) you could fit in while out there, you might find it fascinating.

Oh, also make sure you have sunnies (sunglasses) as some Europeans, and Americans too come to think of it, find the light too much when they first arrive in Australia. F spent 2 days with his eyes streaming and that was winter!! Pick up some personal bug repellant as soon as you can...Rid is good and comes in cream, spray on and roller packs...buy plenty!! Aeroguard is another one though I prefer Rid myself. Wear sunblock (30+ is good, but at least 20+), even when it is cloudy...that can be the worst for UV rays, and don't forget to put it on your ears and the back of your neck. Buy a hat and wear it when out in the sun! Look out for poisonous snakes and spiders....basically, if you don't know what it is, don't touch it or get it pissed off. Check the toilet seat before sitting when in areas like national parks etc., where some can have other residents. Have fun basically.

Catalina

Thank you so much for your advice, Rebecca have been kind enough to give me some pointeres as well, but it's always nice to have more options.

About Uluru

I've booked this tour there. And after having read about how Uluru is sacred for the Aboriginals, I've decided that I won't climb it. At the most I'll just stand on the edge of it.

I went out and bought a tripod today, so I hopefully will be able to get some night shots from different places on my trip.

I will without doubt have my shades with me, and a hat and sunblock, since I'll be in Malaysia for 2 weeks before arriving in Australia. So I'm all set up with that

 

[catalina_francisco]

Thank you so much for your advice, Rebecca have been kind enough to give me some pointeres as well, but it's always nice to have more options.

About Uluru

I've booked this tour there. And after having read about how Uluru is sacred for the Aboriginals, I've decided that I won't climb it. At the most I'll just stand on the edge of it.

I went out and bought a tripod today, so I hopefully will be able to get some night shots from different places on my trip.

I will without doubt have my shades with me, and a hat and sunblock, since I'll be in Malaysia for 2 weeks before arriving in Australia. So I'm all set up with that

You're welcome. Sounds like a good tour and I am not surprised you had made the decision not to climb the rock after learning about it's significance to the traditional owners. Unfortunately so many tourists just see it as another place to conquer...rather ironic...or think getting to see the view from the top is worth overlooking spiritual respect. Central Australia has so many beautiful places to see...the tripod will come in handy, and I can't wait to see the pics you come back with.

Catalina

 

[sexycaz22]

If only!

And why ever not??? I am a small girl as you have seen when we met in London!

 

[starrkers]

You must visit an Aussie beach - preferably Bondi (the lifeguards are used to tourists there). If you're driving the coast road from Brisbane to Sydney, check out Byron Bay - it's Australia's most eastern point and home to the "alternative lifestyle" crowd. Lots of funky shops etc. The surf can be pretty damn good there too.

If you get the chance try and hook up with one of the tours that climbs the Harbour Bridge - it's a helluva trek but an awesome view at the top.

Damn, lived here all my life and I can never think of anything when people ask!

 

[ShyGuy68]

And why ever not??? I am a small girl as you have seen when we met in London!

Yeah you are, but unfortunately I can only bring 20 kg's with me in the suitcase

 

[sexycaz22]

Yeah you are, but unfortunately I can only bring 20 kg's with me in the suitcase

Oh....can't you have a second suitcase, purely just for me?

Wait....you are going to Malaysisa before then right? OK then... I will let you off.

 

[ShyGuy68]

Oh....can't you have a second suitcase, purely just for me?

Wait....you are going to Malaysisa before then right? OK then... I will let you off.

Yes I'll be gone for 29 days!

And no, I'm only allowed totally 20 kg's of luggage on my trip!

Wouldn't you like to go to malaysia?

 

[chauderlos]

Ok, it's been a while since my visit there… more than a decade.... but here are a few tips nevertheless.

The best memories we have from there were the people I've met. Open, friendly, cheerful, really.

As Kiana said, don't miss the beaches while in Sydney. They are only a bus ride away.

In Uluru, try to avoid the "tourist place" when package tour tourists wait for the sunset in their air-conditioned busses. The constant noise of diesel engines and their noisy chat kind of breaks the magic. I was stunned by the powerful paintings in the caves around the rock- the "lightning man" is still vivid in my memory. If you've got time, try to visit King's canyon. For someone like me living all year long in a crowded city, a day in the wild where no sign of human activities is to be seen or heard is refreshing.

Your trip won't allow you to travel up to the Northern territory? Kakadu national park is a heaven for nature lovers – we were lucky enough to have a guide for our own (it was during the rain season), and I swear I've met the real Crocodile Dundee. This guy took us at night in the forest, walking in the water up to mid-tights and catching snakes and crocodiles (OK, small ones, but their teeth were sharp enough) with his bare hands. Amazing.

Oh, and don't forget to bring back those "beer-coolers", neoprene like sheaths to put your beer can inside and keep it cold. Might be useful to keep your Carlsberg at good temperature when you're back home :grin:

Have great time.


(As for climbing Ayers Rock, I must confess I did it. Didn't know it had a sacred significance at the time. Should I have known it, I wouldn't have.)

 

[bholderman]

Gallivanting?

I thought it was a walkabout? Or am I just too CrododileDundee-ed?

 

[catalina_francisco]

Oh, and don't forget to bring back those "beer-coolers", neoprene like sheaths to put your beer can inside and keep it cold.

LOL, on my recent trip home, I bought one of those as well as a bottle cooler which is basically the same only larger..what for? both were just the right size to work as lens cases for my extra lens'. My newer lens comes with a lovely velour case, but based on prior experience I didn't think that was thick enough to protect the delicacy of good equipment so the bottle cooler adds that wanted layer of padding. Work wonderfully and remind me of home constantly....like I need something to remind me!!

Catalina

 

[sexycaz22]

ShyGuy, I love your new av!