travelling in & through australia

[stimutant]

what to do in aus when youre a european 26-year.old and have some sare time?

-post every thought, idea, whatever

 

[Klue]

OK... I have been right over WA in a 4x4, and I'm working my way now around the east coast in one.

WA is very beautiful, but its beauty lies in its stark isolation and desolation.

My recommendations, in order, are:

1) Exmouth/Coral Bay - the best place I have seen in Australia, bar none: http://images.google.com/images?clie...N&hl=en&tab=wi

2) Shark Bay/Monkey Mia - the place to go for awesome fishing/dolphins/shark/etc. Home to a massive world heritage area

3) Kalbarri - the town is set in the nicest location that I have seen

4) The S/W corner of the state - lots of wine, waves and fun.

I would recommend going there if you are the outdoors type who likes the idea of a beach all to yourself and can be self sufficient. There is really nothing that I have seen yet over east that is as rugged or remote by a long shot (I used to travel/camp in the north of the state with my own fuel, water, CB and satellite beacon). A lot of people die over there in the remote areas by not being prepared, and I have seen some horrible car accidents in remote areas.... try to get a vehicle with a bullbar and don't swerve if something is on the road. You have to travel a long way over there to see things, but it is worth the trip.

For the touristy stuff, you should really try to do the following:
*see the Great Barrier Reef
*go to Kakadu and/or see Uluru
*shop and go to bars in Melbourne (Melbournians, help me out here...what else?)
*visit the Daintree
*visit some of the wine country e.g. Coonawarra SA, Clare Valley SA, Margaret River WA etc.

Sydney-specific:
*spend a day mosying around Sydney Harbour on the ferries (make sure it's sunny!)
*possibly visit Taronga Zoo (spend a day there to get the most out of it)
*go to some of the beautiful northern beaches.
DON'T go to Bondi or possibly even Manly, they are way too crowded and hence quite dirty. Head for Palm Beach or Avalon.

That should give you a good start!

2 Posts from long standing members saved from the prune (the thread I copied them isn't that worthy...)

 

[Doppel]

If you're coming to Melbourne you should hire a car and drive along the Great Ocean road and stay a few nights at any any number of destinations along the way (i.e Lorne, Apollo Bay).

You should also go to Wilsons Prom - grab a back pack, a tent and trek to Sealers Cove for a beautiful secluded display of nature.

You may also want to go the the Yarra Valley wineries.

And of course, hang out in Melbourne, go some bars and have a great time shopping.

 

[sir pacman]

Dont neglect the west coast!

Worked as a tour guide doing trips from perth to broome over there a few years ago and talking to passengers most wished they had more time on the west coast.

Have to add Karrajini national park to that first post about WA. Its an oasis in a harsh but beautiful landscape.

Yes everything is a long way in WA but well worth it!

 

[stimutant]

thank you!

im gonna take my bike with me - is there anything i sghould know regarding street rules and so on?

 

[eggman]

^ Many of the capital cities aren't all that bike friendly so be cautious and stay on the defensive. Country roads etc no problem and I'm 99% confident that it is still illegal to cycle on freeways, not sure about the motorways though.

 

[SoWhat!]

There hasn't been one comment from a Sydneysider saying they are the best city, i am shocked!

So i'll take this opportunity to say avoid Sydney, it really is over rated.

Unless of course you have a fascination with bridges, because thats all i took out of the place, the fact that someone with autism developed the road network over there leaves you in no mood to experience a view of some water on a gridlocked bridge. You'd be better off heading straight to the airport and getting the first flight out of there.

And i await the rebuttals

 

[SoWhat!]

what to do in aus when youre a european 26-year.old and have some sare time?

-post every thought, idea, whatever

Well we live on an island nearly the size of China and have 22 million people, one of the most low density countries in the world. Head to the far north if you want to see what Australian wilderness is all about, its where our country truly shines.

Cities are good, but being european i can't imagine you have experienced vast expanses of wilderness like we do here. If your not into nature and just wanna party, then you can't beat a trip down the eastern seaboard.