Australia

[earthJoker]

Inspired by the other country trip threads.

I have 4 weeks in Australia, flying in and out to/from Sydney. Melbourne is already booked, on the 23rd and 24th January I will sit in the Rod Laver arena

I still need some spots for things to do. I thought about red core (Kings Canyon, Uluru), and somewhere in Queensland, but where?

[Timbuk2]

Lucky fukker.

Been wanting to go for a long time.

Both Oz and NZ are way up on my list, but it will be another year, more likely two, before I'll make it out there.

That'll leave me with just one more continent to visit.

[earthJoker]

It is quite funny that the two continents I have never been two (apart from Antarctica) are my neighbor continents Asia and Africa. Why I have to say I have been on islands on the shelf of both of them, but never on the mainland.

[RandBlade]

Grew up living in Melbourne. The most impressive thing I ever saw though it'd depend if its happening at the time of year you visit is the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island outside Melbourne, Vic.

As for Queensland, you can't go wrong with the Great Barrier Reef. SCUBA diving (or snorkelling for anyone afraid) there should be on everybodies bucket list.

[earthJoker]

I know Melbourne quite well I "lived" there for 5 weeks when I was in the language school in a guest family.

Edit: Any particular place in the Great Barrier Reef you may suggest?

[Dreadnaught]

Inspired by the other country trip threads.

I have 4 weeks in Australia, flying in and out to/from Sydney. Melbourne is already booked, on the 23rd and 24th January I will sit in the Rod Laver arena

I still need some spots for things to do. I thought about red core (Kings Canyon, Uluru), and somewhere in Queensland, but where?

If you haven't been skydiving, Australia is a good place for it. One of the cheaper places. I did it on a day with great weather, the view was gorgeous and the staff was super professional and fast.

[earthJoker]

Well I think that is easier done here. With insurance and everything already done. And you have to know, that we have a huge "adventure" sport community in Switzerland.


But maybe a airplane tour in a small plane would be something great.

[Dreadnaught]

I know, but I'm told it's cheaper there 'cuz business insurance and cheap fuel.

Also, unless you've done it before, I think you should rent a car to experience backwards driving.

[earthJoker]

I did driving on the wrong side (wrong is the opposite of 'right' right?) already. Although I will go for automatic again, I don't think changing gears with the left hand is something I will get used to fast.

[Timbuk2]

Heh, just like changing gears with my right hand for me, when I rent on the continent. Eugh.

Takes only a few kilometres each time to get used to it though.

And no, the Australians have it right, right.

[Dreadnaught]

@earthjoker- Try renting manual -- changing gears with your left hand makes the drive that much more fun! The hard part is adjusting to driving on the right side of the road. You may want to try putting a post-it on the window with an arrow pointing left (just to remind yourself to keep to the left).

[earthJoker]

I never ended up on the wrong side of the road actually. I think as you sit int he right side of your car, you automatically align yourself on the center of the road, and therefore the car will end up on the left side.

Keeping in the center of the lane on large motorways was a bit of a problem first. And the indicators and sweepers reversed was the funniest of all. Sweeping my windshield at the crossroads on a sunny day, just perfect.