Travel Info – Australia/new Zealand

[klassicguy1]

#952

Hi everyone! We are planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand early next year…probably mid February departure. We have heard that is the best time to go. Some of the places we are thinking of going are the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, Sydney (of course), Adelaide and then to New Zealand for a tour of wine country in the Wellington area. For my solidperfume friends who live there as well as those of you who have already traveled, can you give us your thoughts about places to go and things to see? Thanks!!! Topbev

Member

June 3, 2006 at 5:17 pm

Post count: 77

#22844

QUOTE(klassicguy1 @ Jun 3 2006, 06:04 AM)

Hi everyone!  We are planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand early next year…probably mid February departure.  We have heard that is the best time to go.  Some of the places we are thinking of going are the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, Sydney (of course), Adelaide and then to New Zealand for a tour of wine country in the Wellington area.  For my solidperfume friends who live there as well as those of you who have already traveled, can you give us your thoughts about places to go and things to see?  Thanks!!! <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[snapback]21893[/snapback]

I loved our visit to Australia — whatever time you have there will not be enough. Things that I enjoyed and highly recommend:
While in Sydney take the Sydney Bridge Climb http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
Sydney harbor cruise
A tour and an event at the Opera House
Daintree Rain Forest
Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley and the Australia Zoo (The Crocodile Hunter's zoo)
Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef – very highly recommend Lizard Island <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ />

Just mentioning that you are going has my memories of that trip come back to life — have a wonderful time. Sydney has great shopping and restaurants
Oh gosh! I just remembered how fun it was to take a gondola cruise through the canals of Gold Coast near Brisbane.

I guess I've rattled on enough — have a great time. The Australians were wonderful to us and we've never been made to feel to more welcome anywhere as we were there. <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

[Topbev]

#22844

QUOTE(klassicguy1 @ Jun 3 2006, 06:04 AM)

Hi everyone!  We are planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand early next year…probably mid February departure.  We have heard that is the best time to go.  Some of the places we are thinking of going are the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, Sydney (of course), Adelaide and then to New Zealand for a tour of wine country in the Wellington area.  For my solidperfume friends who live there as well as those of you who have already traveled, can you give us your thoughts about places to go and things to see?  Thanks!!! <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[snapback]21893[/snapback]

I loved our visit to Australia — whatever time you have there will not be enough. Things that I enjoyed and highly recommend:
While in Sydney take the Sydney Bridge Climb http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
Sydney harbor cruise
A tour and an event at the Opera House
Daintree Rain Forest
Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley and the Australia Zoo (The Crocodile Hunter's zoo)
Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef – very highly recommend Lizard Island <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ />

Just mentioning that you are going has my memories of that trip come back to life — have a wonderful time. Sydney has great shopping and restaurants
Oh gosh! I just remembered how fun it was to take a gondola cruise through the canals of Gold Coast near Brisbane.

I guess I've rattled on enough — have a great time. The Australians were wonderful to us and we've never been made to feel to more welcome anywhere as we were there. <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

[Petals]

#22845

My next door neighbour (friend) has just come back from a 3 month trip.
Am sure she would have some tips for you. There was a special wine
which she mentioned. Cloudy Bay???

Lucky you! <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[Ar]

#22846

When I went to Australia my favorite places were Lamington NP,Tasmania and Kangaroo Island.

Tasmania is wild with quaint towns,unbelievable scenery and animals. Cradle Mountain NP has a lodge where you are provided fruit to feed the brushtailed possums and cute littile wallabies. I saw a quoll and heard a Tassie devil growling at night. I took a spectacular flight through the mountains and kissed the ground when we landed!

I stayed in a b&b on Kangaroo Island (fly out of Adelaide) and hired a private guide,whose name I'll share if interested. KI has something for everyone. Drive around and see the koalas in the trees. At night the fairy penguins come up from the sea and into people's yards. It is a spectacular place and not touristy.

Lamington has a great lodge with cabins where they serve 7 meals a day: early bkfst, bkfst, morning snack. lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, evening snack. We're talking good stuff like moreton bay bugs and baked alaska. There are wonderful trails, bird observation deck and a nearby elevated rainforest walk.

I could go on and on…

[Aussie Girl]

#22847

Hi Woody, How nice to think you are coming to Aust/New Zealand – you will love it. The Great Barrier Reef is fantastic & a must see – particularly if you dive or snorkle. There a a lot of fantastic islands but Hamilton is really touristy & for families & kids. Check out Hayman, Lizard & Bedarra – good food & wine, excellent accommodation. more sophisticated & international. Whilst in Sydney – lots of really good restaurants & great sights to see – take a trip to the Hunter Valley (Topbev also suggested that). It is a huge wine growing area of warmer climate wines with some good restaurants. I have very close friends (both who have been in the wine & tourist industries) who have just moved there I'm sure they would delight in showing you around. Why are you not coming to Melbourne? We have fantastic restaurants, wonderful colder climate vineyards – if you enjoy Pinot Noir & Sav. Blanc & Victoria has more of the fastest wine growing areas in Australia & I could take you to a few. Adelaide is extremely hot in February but New Zealand is a few degrees cooler than Aust. We were there in January but only the South Island which is quite beautiful with the most amazing scenery. The N.Z. wines are wonderful but even the best restaurant food I found in a bit of a time warp (A bit 80'S). I have mainly mentioned the food & wine side of things as I am a restaurateur but I am happy to help with info. in other directions as I also travel a lot.

How long a trip do you plan? As mentioned there is a lot to do & see. Have fun.

Karen

[Don and Margaret]

#22848

We're available for adoption Woody. <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

This trip sounds like tremendous fun. We want to go too. <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[klassicguy1]

#22849

Thanks everyone! Receiving some great info already!

Woody

[Sandra]

#22850

<img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ /> Hello jet-setter!

Nice to hear you are coming 'down under'. Wow – so much to do, so little time . . .

I have to warn you to come prepared for the heat at that time of year. Sunscreen, hats and drink loads of water.

Yep – the Great Barrier Reef should be a definite stop! Make sure you are able to spend at least 3 days there so you can dive (because you can't fly and dive on the same day)

I live in Sydney, so can recommend loads of things to see, do and go. How long do you intend staying?

Will you be here for Mardi Gras? (Feb – March) That's a blast. Lots of exciting events on.

Yes, the Harbour Bridge Climb is a must, as is the Opera House. (I think they are obvious choices). Let me know when you are coming – I can book them for you as at it gets quite busy if you leave it 'til you get here. We had friends from Ireland that came in summer and because they hadn't planned, ended up having to do the climb at 5am because they couldn't get in any other time!

There are the Blue Mountains/Jenolan Caves to visit (that would be a day trip)

Locally in Sydney, there is Bondi Beach (and any other beach for that matter – there is a great coastal walk from Coogee – Bondi if you like walking – it's pretty fabulous), The Rocks area and the Markets, Darling Harbour, King St Wharf, Oxford St, Paddington, a ferry ride to Manly, Botanical Gardens, Cenntenial Park, Glebe, Newtown, Kings Cross, Wolloomooloo, Chinatown . . . these are pretty much within the city area, so easily enjoyed. Loads of clubs and music around . . . .

For food – Sydney has an incredible choice and array of fine dining and fresh everything! I could list you plenty!! I hope you like seafood – you MUST have some when you're here!

Anyway, hopefully you're itinary isn't too packed and we might have time to meet up at some stage! Where are you staying? Are you touring with a company or doing it all yourselves?

<img src='style_emoticons//cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ />

[Carolyn]

#22851

QUOTE(Jacqueline @ Jun 4 2006, 09:03 AM)

My next door neighbour (friend) has just come back from a 3 month trip.
Am sure she would have some tips for you.    There was a special wine
which she mentioned.      Cloudy Bay???

Lucky you! <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[snapback]21900[/snapback]

Ahhh, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc – last week I bought hubby three for our wedding anniversary. Beautiful and comes from New Zealand Marlborough area. Claimed by many as the best white in the world! Costs around $33AUD which is about $28US.

Adelaide (my place) is a launch pad to Kangaroo Island where you will see most Australian wildlife in 1 hit, plus beautiful and rugged coastal scenery. February is a perfect time to visit and it will be Hot Hot Hot!

You can get a direct flight to New Zealand, so maybe start in QLD (Great Barrier Reef) down to Sydney, Adelaide then KI, then off to NZ.

You will enjoy!

[Author]

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