Author Topic: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice  (Read 9338 times)

mike3725

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Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« on: November 01, 2014, 07:24:29 PM »
Hi Fellow Mustachians -

It has been my wife's life dream to visit Australia so we've decided to make that a reality sometime in the next couple of years.  It's a bit overwhelming to think about trying to plan a trip this large ...especially being (beginner) Mustachians.  It looks like there are some Australians on this forum, and I imagine there are others here who have traveled there that have some great input.  I'm wondering if anyone can give some suggestions on where/how to begin this planning process or provide other suggestions such as best resource(s) to do research during planning, when to go, where to stay, what to see, best way to get there, best way to get around, etc...

Thanks in advance!!!
« Last Edit: November 01, 2014, 07:32:24 PM by mike3725 »

marty998

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2014, 09:43:19 PM »
It looks like there are some Australians on this forum

Sometimes it's only us!

I can predict 2 things -

1) This will be the best trip you ever take
2) This will be the most expensive trip you ever take

Save hard and be prepared to empty your wallet. Best way to cut down on accom. costs is to either stay at a YHA or stay away from the capital cities for as much as your can.

Some ideas (in no particular order)

- Blue Mountains
- Phillip Island
- Cairns / GB Reef
- Kakadu
- Alice to Darwin (I really want to do that one)
- Barossa Valley
- Great Ocean Road
- The MCG
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
- Kalgoorlie Super Pit tour (for those who like to dig holes in the ground and play with big toys)
- Summernats (for your garden variety bogan revhead)
- Tamworth (if you're into country music)

And the usual touristy things in Sydney:

- Manly Ferry
- Taronga Zoo
- Bondi Beach

johnny847

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2014, 09:49:31 PM »
I'm an American but I visited Sydney this summer. I would definitely recommend the Sydney Harbour bridge climb. Go at night - it's cheaper, and I think it's far more interesting to see the city skyline lit up at night, than it is to see the city during the day. I know it's expensive at 185 AUD or so, but believe me, it's well worth it. The Taronga Zoo is also pretty cool. Botanical gardens and the government house are free and pretty interesting. Darling Harbour at night is pretty cool too, plenty of street performers.

I don't have much about the rest of Australia, as I had to come back stateside to take a test (grad student).

On the financial side of things (this applies for any foreign travel)

1) Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees before you go, if you don't already have one.
2) Open a bank account with Charles Schwab, because they reimburse ATM fees worldwide (as long as you actually use a bank's ATM, and not those weird free standing ATMs) and they have no foreign exchange fees for debit card transactions or ATM withdrawals.

LonerMatt

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2014, 12:25:21 AM »
Avoid over-planning.

Meet as many of us as you can: we know what's worth knowing.

kaetana

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2014, 01:16:42 AM »
Australia is huge! Do you know how long you'll have, or do you have an interest in visiting anything in particular? Are you outdoorsy, or do you like city life? That might help us narrow things down a bit.

thesilv3r

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2014, 02:11:28 AM »
What are you interested in? GBR is great (was up there recently, we stayed in port douglas instead of cairns), as is Central Australia for a short sightseeing trip. Other things to tack on to the list to check out if you have the time: Tasmania, Monkey Mia/Denham in WA, the Sunshine Coast in QLD. I'm from rural Victoria so can't really make good specific recommendations on places to stay, etc, but I have seen most of this great land. Oh... If you end up in NT make sure you go to Lychfield national park, it's easy to prioritise kakadu, but Lychfield is fantastic.

Would you make a side trip to New Zealand? While in this part of the world it's well worth your while.

deborah

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2014, 02:13:44 AM »
Australia is as big as the contiguous US (ie. not including Alaska and Hawaii). It is hotter than you probably have experienced, flatter (the continent has some of the oldest land on earth) and drier. Melbourne to Sydney is not a morning's car trip - although it CAN be done in a day (if you really push it). So, you will probably only see one small part of Australia. I recently spent over a month seeing south east corner of SA including the Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges. Which small part are you interested in seeing at the moment? I'd guess the reef and the rock (and a few kangaroos, and maybe a koala or two). But only seeing tropical Queensland and Ularu in the Northern Territory misses an awful lot of Australia.

We have the oldest continuous society on earth (the Aboriginals came to Australia 40,000 or so years ago - some archeologists are finding dates around 60,000 - there is a world heritage area at Lake Mungo where the world's oldest known human burial and cremation occurred, and where the oldest set of human footprints have been uncovered). There is also the earliest known depiction of a human on the Burrup Peninsula. There are stromatolites in the Shark Bay world heritage area. There are forests of enormous Mountain Ash (the largest tree ever recorded was a Mountain Ash that was cut down over a century ago to find out how big it was) in the Victorian High country. The dinosaur stampede at Riversleigh (another world heritage area) in Queensland. There are coral reefs along the west coast as well as the east coast - I'll never forget visiting Ningaloo and seeing the sunset glowing through the coral (must have been low tide because the coral must have been a metre out of the water) from the beach. The Flinders Ranges in South Australia, and the Tasmanian Wilderness Area. Everyone I know raves about Cape Le Grande National Park. There are numerous cliff/gorge areas - Blue Mountains, Bungle Bungles (I think they have another name now), Grampians (also renamed), Warrenbungles (although when I went there recently there had been fires), Canarvon Gorge, The Olgas, Hamersley Gorge... again, these are all over the place.

If you like cute furry animals, koalas live more in the south east than anywhere. If you are on the roads for any length of time, away from the cities and the coast, you will see more kangaroos than you care to (they are mobile pogo sticks, and jump at cars at sunset) - and you will probably see a few emus. Fairy penguins can be seen at Phillip Island in Victoria (there are colonies elsewhere). Platypus are difficult to spot, although I have seen them on the inland rivers and coastal rivers in Eastern Australia - Healesville Sanctuary outside Melbourne is probably the best place to see them. Possums are often visible in cities.

There are winery areas in WA (Margaret River), SA (Barrossa Valley, Clare Valley...), Victoria (Yarra Valley, Rutherglen...), NSW (Hunter valley, ACT regional wineries...).

The Great Ocean Road is fantastic, and there is a road over the ocean near Wollongong. The South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway in Gippsland/south coast NSW is nice - both roads are awful further west - and wandering that area can include Wilsons Prom National Park and Grand Ridge Road including a visit to Tarra-Bulga National Park.

Staying in National Parks can be quite cheap (although Wilsons Prom is expensive).

Melbourne has arguably the cheapest and most amazing food scene - Brunswick, Footscray and Richmond are good places for a variety of cheap restaurants - as many migrants settled there. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra was voted Australia's top tourist attraction last year (yes - the rock and the reef both missed out on top spot). Sydney has the harbour, but you just have to see how beautiful Perth and the Swan River are from Kings Park, and Adelaide and Brisbane are also worth visiting. I haven't been to Darwin.

Outside the capital cities, towns get small very quickly - particularly in the west. WA takes up a bit less than half of Australia, and if you drive more than an hour and a half from Perth, the largest town in all that area is just under 30,000. The east coast has bigger towns, but there are only 25 million people in Australia, and we are about the same size as the contiguous US. This means that everything that is not local is very expensive - fuel, food..., secondary roads get poor, there aren't many services available, and every town is a long distance from the next one.

agent_clone

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2014, 02:37:53 AM »
Also, for what time of year, what temperatures would you like/are you used to?
I would suggest avoiding coming in January as the long school holidays (6 weeks) are over that period of time and accomodation is pricier then as a lot of families go on holiday.  I would also suggest if you want to go to Queensland in June/July I would check what the various southern states have as school holiday periods (2 weeks) and avoid there then too.

A suggestion for a time of year for the more southern areas (e.g. Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide), would be the second half of March, or April is probably a good time (maybe trying to avoid easter as a lot of people take holidays then too), the temperature is generally pleasant, and in a lot of places it starts cooling down around the 25th of April in preparation for winter.  Though I'm not sure on how warm or cold the ocean water is then if your of that inclination.  I would suggest all of March but... I do remember that heatwave when I was living in Adelaide of 15 consecutive days above 35C (95F) in 2008...  Though I think that is an exception rather than the rule.

Ultimately it would come down to what you want to do, and where you want to go as to time of year suggestions.  Although avoiding the summer of December - February for most parts of Australia is probably a good idea unless you like taking the hot temperature (and potentially fire) lottery or really like warm, humid temperatures for the northern coastal areas.

Jules13

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2014, 08:08:35 AM »
I am American.  My hubby is Australian.  We travel to Sunshine Coast/Brisbane in QLD often.  Best way to save, since you are saving for a couple of years, is to get a Citibank American Airlines credit card and start collecting miles/points in order to get your airline tickets on American/Qantas.  It takes 75,000 miles for one return ticket.  It's not that hard to accumulate when you get the bonus miles of 30k or 40k at the onset of getting the card.  It's not that hard to find award tickets if you are able to be a little flexible with your dates.  We had a hard time booking this year in March, but we are confined to school spring break period.  I looked in Feb and there were all sorts of dates available.  Our summer is a hard time to get award tickets too.  I don't like going then anyway since it's winter there.

Choose the region you want to visit and decide the time of year, based on the type of weather you want.  For example, we like going in late Feb or March because it's the end of summer, but in QLD it's still nice, though not too hot (which is important since many homes don't have central air so it can get miserable in summer if you aren't used to it).  But, it's also still warm enough to have some beach days for the kids.  Also, that's not school holiday time so no competing for accommodation when traveling around. 

Australia is a huge country, like the US.  If you wanted to go to multiple states, you will need to fly.  It would depend on how much time you have, that would determine how much you can see, obviously. 

If you are looking Sydney area, here is a Pinterest board that I created for a friend of mine that was going a few years ago.  Her husband was playing at a music festival so they only had a week.  She said it was really helpful.  http://www.pinterest.com/julievj13/sydney-australia/

As for accommodation, Tripadvisor is also a great resource and there is plenty of VBRO listings in Australia.  If you choose hostels, I will just tell you that they will be full of mostly British and Irish backpackers who are basically drinking their way through Australia and not seeing all that much.  I traveled Australia via hostels.  It was fun, but I was a lot younger then.  It would drive me crazy now.  Granted, I don't know you and this might appeal to you. :) 

There are loads of "caravan parks" around and some offer cabins.  Though, you'd have to check about providing your own linens, though some might have it available to rent. 

We are going to Sunshine Coast in March and I've been collecting ideas of things to do with our kids that we haven't done yet.  This is what I have so far.  http://www.pinterest.com/julievj13/australia-2015/

This was a board I created on Brisbane a while back.  http://www.pinterest.com/julievj13/brisbane/

Good luck.  Australia is awesome.  Hard to narrow it down, but no reason you can't go more than once! :)


NinetyFour

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2014, 08:45:42 AM »
Following.

mike3725

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2014, 09:36:40 AM »
Thank you all very much for your input!  Like I said, we're in the beginning stages of thinking of all this....I can see I have a lot of research to do.

We like the recommendation of not over-planning.  We want to be as flexible as we can in our plan to be able to spend more time somewhere if we're really enjoying it...while at the same time having enough of a plan to make sure we don't kick ourselves for missing out on something while we're there.

Some more details that we know right now:
1) How long will we be there? If we still have our current jobs, I'd guess between 2-3 weeks.
2) Climate we're use to:  We live in the midwest of the U.S. so are use to all of the seasons, generally winter temps around 20-40F and summer temps around 80-95F.
3) Times of the year we could travel:  Mid-Dec through Jan or Mid-May through Early-Aug.
4) Types of things we like: We'd enjoy a blend of outdoorsy with some history and city life.  We're not really the camping types.  But at the same time, when a "city is a city" we just assume stay away from the things that we could see back in the U.S.  For example, we don't care to see many museums...unless of course, it is a MUST SEE because you can't see anything remotely close in the U.S.  We're still just scratching the surface on what is available to see(thanks to all the things you guys listed!)...but as of right now we know we want to see/do the GBR, zip-lining, Koalas, Kangaroos, and Rainforest..I'm sure that list will grow as we learn more!

Some follow-up questions for you guys:
1) I'm very interested in the idea of being able to carry everything we need in a couple of backpacks. (my wife still needs to be convinced that this is an easier way to travel)  Does anyone have experience traveling this way in Austalia and have any pointers?
2) Is it best to plan on renting a car or getting some sort of bus/train pass?  (thinking mustachian here)
3) Lodging:  YHA looks interesting (though I did just read Jules13's response and that worries me as we're in our mid-upper 30's)...any other ideas that won't break the bank since we know we won't be spending much time in the hotel room and also want to be somewhat flexible?
4) Excluding flights, can you guys throw out rough ranges of what you think a budget for a vacation like this would be?  (I understand that this could change drastically depending on what we end up doing...I just don't know if we're talking having to save $3-6,000 USD or $20-30,000 USD)
5) Seeing as we're just starting to plan...are there any travel books or websites you guys would recommend?  (keeping mustachianism in mind)

You guys are great - thank you for your input!!

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deborah

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2014, 05:34:37 PM »
Some more details that we know right now:
1) How long will we be there? If we still have our current jobs, I'd guess between 2-3 weeks. I'd stay in one area then
2) Climate we're use to:  We live in the midwest of the U.S. so are use to all of the seasons, generally winter temps around 20-40F and summer temps around 80-95F. Don't visit at the height of summer
3) Times of the year we could travel:  Mid-Dec through Jan or Mid-May through Early-Aug. As someone else said, the long school holidays are Mid-Dec through Jan - you don't want to go to the coast at that time. Mid-May to early Aug sounds good - although the blue rinse brigade will be in the tropics in droves
4) Types of things we like: We'd enjoy a blend of outdoorsy with some history and city life.  We're not really the camping types.  But at the same time, when a "city is a city" we just assume stay away from the things that we could see back in the U.S.  For example, we don't care to see many museums...unless of course, it is a MUST SEE because you can't see anything remotely close in the U.S.  We're still just scratching the surface on what is available to see(thanks to all the things you guys listed!)...but as of right now we know we want to see/do the GBR, zip-lining, Koalas, Kangaroos, and Rainforest..I'm sure that list will grow as we learn more!
Sounds like you want to go to the North Queensland coast - maybe centre yourself in Cairns, and have trips to the reef, and into the Atherton Tableland, and up to the Daintree - perhaps even to the top of Cape York and Thursday Island. Mid May to August is the dry season (you are in the tropics there, so the seasons are wet or dry) - so no cyclones, and almost no rain (although cyclones have been known to hit as late as May). In that area there is plenty of transport to tourist destinations, so you should be able to use transport rather than hire a car. This would give you the option of going on some tours that are 4wd as well as sailing and going on the railway to the Atherton Tableland. I haven't visited the area for far too many years, and it's no longer the sleepy town I visited. There is plenty of rainforest in the area, but your choices are to be rained on in the wet season, or to not see it at its absolute best in the dry season.

Jules13

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2014, 06:06:35 PM »
1) I'm very interested in the idea of being able to carry everything we need in a couple of backpacks. (my wife still needs to be convinced that this is an easier way to travel)  Does anyone have experience traveling this way in Austalia and have any pointers?  One thing to be mindful of when packing is that if you are going to visit restaurants/bars, many have dress codes.  More for men than women, but make sure you pack a collared shirt, pants and nice shoes.  Even in my sleepy suburb of Brisbane, my husband was turned away once from an RSL (retired serviceman's league) pub (not remotely fancy) because he had shorts on and nice sandals.    Women can get away with sandals though.  But, don't except to wear flip flops in anywhere, unless it's daytime on the beach. 
2) Is it best to plan on renting a car or getting some sort of bus/train pass?  (thinking mustachian here)  Hmmm, depends on where you are going.  Best to determine that first. 
3) Lodging:  YHA looks interesting (though I did just read Jules13's response and that worries me as we're in our mid-upper 30's)...any other ideas that won't break the bank since we know we won't be spending much time in the hotel room and also want to be somewhat flexible?  If you are going to hostel it, I would just read reviews of the hostels.  You might be able to determine if it's a "party" hostel or one that the Oz Experience tour bus stops at, etc.  Independent hostels are a lot more common (and more fun) than YHAs.  I don't actually recall staying in many YHA hostels.  Seems like they were always more expensive and/or out of the way.  Would definitely look into airbnb or vbro though.  Last time we traveled and did hostels, we were in our mid 30s and I hated it.  Everything just felt dirty to me.  I stayed in hostels tons in my 20s and didn't mind so much.  But, after you aren't used to it anymore...well, it just depends on your tolerance level I suppose.   Personally, I'd rather camp or pay more for comfort and privacy.  Maybe I'm just old. :)
4) Excluding flights, can you guys throw out rough ranges of what you think a budget for a vacation like this would be?  (I understand that this could change drastically depending on what we end up doing...I just don't know if we're talking having to save $3-6,000 USD or $20-30,000 USD)  Here is a good article on spending...http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/the-cost-of-traveling-oz/
5) Seeing as we're just starting to plan...are there any travel books or websites you guys would recommend?  (keeping mustachianism in mind)  I like Lonely Planet for books.  And I like reading reviews on Trip Advisor.  And Pinterest has a wealth of boards/information on it for travel. 

As for the times of year you can travel.  Is there a reason you can only go during those dates?  Is one of you a teacher or something? Dec/Jan is the most expensive to travel there because it's 1) Christmas and 2) summer.  It's super hot, particularly up north.  If you are not used to heat...well, it's hot and humid and not everything is air conditioned.  Just keep that in mind.  As for traveling during our summer, well, flight prices will be up then too, because of that fact.  And, it's winter.  Though, considering you are from the midwest, you will probably consider it really mild in terms of winter and might prefer that.  Though, it wouldn't be beach weather unless you are up North, like around Cairns where Deborah suggested.  Though, Cairns is super touristy because of all the reef tours, since it's so close.  It just depends on what you want to do and what you are looking for.  Australia is very diverse and all the regions are so different.  I traveled for several months and still have tons of things I didn't see/do, but definitely had favorites. 

I would also recommend 3 weeks if you can swing it.  Time goes fast.  Obviously, I love Australia.  You will have a wonderful time and have plenty of time to plan/investigate!  :)

mozar

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2014, 06:34:14 PM »
You can do it with a small frame backpack. I did NZ and Australia for two months, and I actually found my three portion backpacks too big. I was in Australia in March and it was hella hot. For hostels you can book a two person room. You just have to share the bathroom. And yes everyone will be drunk. Australia and Ireland were the drunkest places I have ever visited.

There are nights where museums are open (usually thursday) and do special activities which is nice, and you will meet people your age. I took the ferry out to see some of the island beaches which wasn't that interesting. Oh, Sydney has a free walking tour! And great gelato.

Because I'm a nerd, I got up at 5am to do the tour of the fishmarket which was a highlight. It is the second busiest outside of Tokyo I heard.

mike3725

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #15 on: November 02, 2014, 07:37:20 PM »
As for the times of year you can travel.  Is there a reason you can only go during those dates?  Is one of you a teacher or something?

Yep - you guessed it. :)

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #16 on: November 02, 2014, 09:58:52 PM »
Like everyone said, if you're going to the northern half of Australia, best to go in the dry season (May-November IIRC). The wet season will be humid and there's a high risk of cyclones.

As for the southern (more temperate) area, summer can get pretty hot, and there's a high risk of bushfires in the rural areas on the hotter days. Either side of summer is nicer (I quite like the weather in March).

As another note, most states have school holidays in late June-early July. Given that it's winter down in the southern states then, you'd see families heading up north to escape the cooler weather.

bigchrisb

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2014, 10:03:46 PM »
If looking to cut costs, consider couchsurfing?  I'd probably be OK with taking in a couple of MMMs for a couple of days (but I'm in Canberra, which while lovely to live, isn't that much of a destination city). 

LonerMatt

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #18 on: November 02, 2014, 11:32:03 PM »
I think any time of year is fine in the Southern States, the worst that will happen is that you'll sweat, or hit the beach. Or, in winter, you'll have to wear a jumper.

The North is only finicky because of cyclones and fucking jellyfish, etc, so check that.

Otherwise, I stand by not over-planning - have a few destinations you want and just take it easy. I'm sure a few of us won't mind putting you up for a few days if you ask nicely. Hell, one or two might even cook for you.

Jules13

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #19 on: November 03, 2014, 10:13:46 AM »
Quote
And yes everyone will be drunk. Australia and Ireland were the drunkest places I have ever visited.

Ha.  This made me laugh.  True...except for Scotland.  Scotland wins for me in terms of drunk people, primarily because it's full of Scots and Aussies. 


mike3725

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #20 on: November 05, 2014, 07:15:28 PM »
Thank you all for the great information!!!!  Maybe I'll post again when we figure things out and ask nicely if any Australian MMM's would be willing to offer couchsurfing for a night or 2. :)  Thanks again!

dodojojo

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #21 on: November 05, 2014, 08:03:41 PM »
Don't go during Christmas...I just paid over $2,500 for airfare.  But it was that or wait until next June which is when I anticipate work allowing to go off for a bit.  My gran is elderly and I didn't want to have any regrets so I'm going as soon as my work schedule permits.

The last time I went was in 2009 and I somehow lucked into a freak ticket for less than $900.  Purely through luck of checking online at the right time.  So once you're sure you're going, keep checking the sites for something special to pop up.  My $2,500 fare was over $3,000 about 10 hours later.

I've been to OZ about 5-6 times but haven't really done too much sightseeing.  I just go and hang out with my family in Sydney.  The Sydney Harbor Bridge is worth the fee.  The Sydney Opera House is great to visit but the interior isn't all that interesting and the hall itself isn't great in terms of acoustic.  The opera company isn't particularly good either (well at least not in 2009) so skip buying a ticket for a show.  I'm pedestrian opera fan and am not an expert but the production I saw was mediocre.

Shropskr

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #22 on: November 05, 2014, 10:46:35 PM »
We went back in 2001 for our honeymoon.  The aquarium in Sydney is awesome. 

Don't fotget the little fairy penguins.  Smallest penguins in the world. Melbourne?

And Great Barrier Reef.
We actually got our scuba certificates just for this and I'm not sorry.

Great memories. 
Will go back someday.

marty998

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #23 on: November 06, 2014, 12:27:13 AM »
We went back in 2001 for our honeymoon.  The aquarium in Sydney is awesome. 

Don't fotget the little fairy penguins.  Smallest penguins in the world. Melbourne?

And Great Barrier Reef.
We actually got our scuba certificates just for this and I'm not sorry.

Great memories. 
Will go back someday.

Penguins are at Phillip Island, just outside Melbourne. Few years back there was a story of a very young kid from Sydney who popped a penguin into his backpack. He made it all the way home and took the little bird out to play with in the bath!

Please don't put one in your luggage, it won't survive the 14 hour flight back to the states :)

deborah

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #24 on: November 08, 2014, 03:25:35 PM »
Canberra is evidently the hot spot for viewing kangaroos http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/kangaroorelated-road-crashes-on-rise-20141108-11hoed.html

It is a common joke amongst Aussies that overseas visitors expect to find kangaroos in people's back yards. I have had a kangaroo in my middle-of-surburbia back yard in Canberra, as well as grazing on the nature strip a few times.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 03:29:03 PM by deborah »

Cincy Stache

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #25 on: November 08, 2014, 06:35:02 PM »
Two words...  BYRON BAY (the most wonderful happy awesome place in the world)

I spent 3 months at The Arts Factory Lodge experiencing this oasis of town.
(Sure, I was 25 but I didn't drink to get drunk). $1900 flight from Cincinnati but so worth it.

Climb Mt Warning, one of the best treks I've done; and be the first on the continent to see sunrise!

Scubadive and snorkel with Sundive at Julian Rocks

Check out the bay with GoSea Kayak tours

Swim in the tea tree lakes and bike the many paths.


Upon retirement for me, I'd love to spend as much time in Byron as I can.
2-3 weeks? Prolly can "do" more in other regions, but for pure "chill" it's the place to be!

« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 06:37:20 PM by Cincy Stache »

agent_clone

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #26 on: November 08, 2014, 06:40:05 PM »
It is a common joke amongst Aussies that overseas visitors expect to find kangaroos in people's back yards. I have had a kangaroo in my middle-of-surburbia back yard in Canberra, as well as grazing on the nature strip a few times.
Yeah, I remember the Kangaroos grunting in the front yard at night at my parents place particularly when it was dry in summer...  They left evidence behind as well...
The previous place I lived just over the border from Canberra I could see them sitting under the trees in the I'm not sure what you call them grassy bits between houses in Jerrabomberra.
I would still say that to see them in Canberra during the day in general you probably need to go for a bit of a walk in the bush (there could be other spots I don't know about to see them as well).  Then again, you could go visit the War Memorial and take a walk up Mount Ainslie.  Plus at the top, you get a nice view of Canberra.

Andy_in_Aus

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #27 on: November 08, 2014, 10:52:21 PM »
I used to have a resident koala that lived in the gum trees of my yard. He used to just look at me as he transited between trees while I mowed the lawn.

Cute - check
Adorable - check

Until mating season... and the awful noise they make at 2, 3, 4 and if it was a really good night, 5am, something akin to a cross between a donkey and a pig squealing.

After that, I never thought he was that cute!

happy

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #28 on: November 09, 2014, 03:18:23 AM »
It is a common joke amongst Aussies that overseas visitors expect to find kangaroos in people's back yards. I have had a kangaroo in my middle-of-surburbia back yard in Canberra, as well as grazing on the nature strip a few times.
Yeah, I remember the Kangaroos grunting in the front yard at night at my parents place particularly when it was dry in summer...  They left evidence behind as well...
The previous place I lived just over the border from Canberra I could see them sitting under the trees in the I'm not sure what you call them grassy bits between houses in Jerrabomberra.
I would still say that to see them in Canberra during the day in general you probably need to go for a bit of a walk in the bush (there could be other spots I don't know about to see them as well).  Then again, you could go visit the War Memorial and take a walk up Mount Ainslie.  Plus at the top, you get a nice view of Canberra.
Tidbinbilla was my go-to place to produce roos for visitors when I lived in Canberra.
Now I just look out my window: forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/wallaby-is-eating-my-veges(/msg36816/#msg36816

Astatine

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Re: Mustachian Vacation To Australia - Need Advice
« Reply #29 on: November 09, 2014, 04:49:09 AM »
Two words...  BYRON BAY (the most wonderful happy awesome place in the world)

I spent 3 months at The Arts Factory Lodge experiencing this oasis of town.
(Sure, I was 25 but I didn't drink to get drunk). $1900 flight from Cincinnati but so worth it.

Climb Mt Warning, one of the best treks I've done; and be the first on the continent to see sunrise!

Scubadive and snorkel with Sundive at Julian Rocks

Check out the bay with GoSea Kayak tours

Swim in the tea tree lakes and bike the many paths.


Upon retirement for me, I'd love to spend as much time in Byron as I can.
2-3 weeks? Prolly can "do" more in other regions, but for pure "chill" it's the place to be!

I think this is an example of different strokes for different folks. I had to go to Byron Bay a couple of years ago for a wedding. Probably my least favourite place that I've visited here. So utterly touristy and soulless (kind of felt like the town had been loved to death).

My favourite places to visit are:
NSW south coast - anywhere between Newcastle down to Kiama. Gorgeous beaches and scenery.
Great Ocean Road
Snowy Mountains (Thredbo and Perisher) in summer
Sydney Harbour
Blue Mountains
Small country towns - fun to explore the various quirks
Southern Highlands and Kangaroo Valley