Australia/Oceania: Australia

SaraEMiller
Dallas

What I want to do at this place

Gave up Sydney on my list and added Australia, as I have decided to include more of Australia in my trip in November. My trip planning is finally coming together. I have decided to visit Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns.

Sydney
-seeing Australian Ballet at Opera House
-seeing Sydney Symphony at Opera House
-day trip to the Blue Mountains
-day trip to the Hunter Valley
-Sydney Aquarium
-Harbour Bridge Pylon
-The Rocks Market
... more sight seeing!

Brisbane
-Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
-day trip to Australia/Steve Irwin Zoo

Cairns
-Day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef
-Day trip to rainforest
-Butterfly preserve?

I have my hotels and flights lined up, so it’s just filling in the blanks and booking the tours. I am looking forward to it… if I could just wrap my mind around the 14 hour flight!

Taking any and all suggestions from seasoned travelers and locals.

Comments:

thepie
Albuquerque

Travel agencies

That is awesome that you have your trip figured out and customized. I have tried a few travel agencies but they just did not get what I was trying to accomplish with my trip. I am at a point where I am going to make my own arrangements. Any suggestions on where to start?

SaraEMiller
Dallas

The first thing I did was buy the Frommer’s guide to Australia and read it cover to cover. This allowed me to start making a list of things I was very interested in, somewhat interested in, and not interested in.

Once I decided where I was interested in going, I signed up for bestflights[dot]com[dot]au email alerts, so I found cheaper flights within Australia.

I’m using Sydney Wilderness Tours for the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley tours. They were recommended to me by a friend who recently returned from Australia.

I have a connection for Marriott, so I’m using them for most of my hotels, though I did use Priceline[dot]com to name my own price for part of my stay in Sydney. Biddingfortravel[dot]com was useful in determing how much to bid and the hotels that were being offered.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll see if I can help you more. But, definitely get a book and start listing what you are interested in doing.

thepie
Albuquerque

great insight

Thanks about the tips on flights, hotels, and tours.

There is an Australian sight called making tracks that I found some ideas on tours.

I actually just purchased a travel guide from “Discovery Channel” (lots of pictures)and I am begining to research destinations.

I have a time frame open from October 26 thru November to take my vacation. I Hope that I am not strarting too late.

I made a list a year ago of what I wanted to see:
Maybe the architecture of Sydney.
Maybe I just want to see a kangaroo in the wild.
Maybe I just want to sit on the beach and experience the waves.
Maybe to take in a new culture, the food, the drinks, the music, and the arts.
Maybe just to learn how to throw a boomarang!
Thought about catching a blues concert in Melborne (I contacted a Blues woman and she gave me some info on blues festivals) and have to research the taste of Australian beers.
Maybe to taste the wine in the wine country.
Maybe I can find time to go fishing.
Maybe to see the natural beauty of the land.

Your places seem interesting and a little more specific than mine. I guess my next step is to identify the exact places I want to see and exact dates.

This is exciting!!!
thanks
david


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