Australia

[Tanzanite]

There are so many things to see and do it will be hard for you to decide what you should do this time or what to leave for another.
If you will be up at the Gold Coast then make the time to see The Outback Spectacular it is meant to be really good.
If you are going to be spending time in Sydney and can afford it I would recommend climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, its an easy climb, we had a few seniors do it when I went up. We had clear skies and it was a beautiful sunset over the Blue Mountains, then a breathtaking view of the city at night. It was really worth the money.

Remember there will be a range in temperatures when you are in Qld, NT and WA compared to Victoria. I think no matter what you end up doing you will have a wonderful time.

I would like to do the Sydney bridge but will it be scary if a little afraid of heights.Its something not to miss kids can do it.Also a harbor cruise.

 

[Tashinwdw]

I would like to do the Sydney bridge but will it be scary if a little afraid of heights.Its something not to miss kids can do it.Also a harbor cruise.

We had some people in our group that hated heights and the staff were so good about it, they let them know that they could stop at any time. One guy had a little freak out but ended up being ok. It is strange because when you are climbing you can see the view but you feel so secure the whole time. They were all so excited that they did it in the end and we were all amazed that they did.

 

[paprika]

Sydney is absolutely beautiful year round. You can stay almost anywhere in the city and be a short walk from the harbour, as well as cockle bay wharf which is stunning at night and has amazing restaurants, an IMAX, and great places for cocktails etc. It's also very close to chinatown, which houses our biggest market (Paddy's Market) and walk into the CBD.

Sydney is also home to Bondi, Coogee, Terragal and Cronulla beaches - all a bit busy but not so much in June and still beautiful and great for beach culture when the weather gets cold.

I grew up in canberra and there are lots of museums, art galleries etc and a great cafe/food culture. It is our country's man-made capital and if australian history interests you I would definitely spend a couple of days there.

I live in Sydney and, as I said, grew up in canberra and have spent some time in Melbourne too, so if you have any questions please feel free to pick my brain!

 

[Tanzanite]

We had some people in our group that hated heights and the staff were so good about it, they let them know that they could stop at any time. One guy had a little freak out but ended up being ok. It is strange because when you are climbing you can see the view but you feel so secure the whole time. They were all so excited that they did it in the end and we were all amazed that they did.

We will definatly do the bridge it looks amazing to come all the way there and not would be a crime.Have to ask my sister is mad for Pleasure State lingerie where is a good place to buy they are very expensive here if you can find them.

 

[Tanzanite]

Sydney is absolutely beautiful year round. You can stay almost anywhere in the city and be a short walk from the harbour, as well as cockle bay wharf which is stunning at night and has amazing restaurants, an IMAX, and great places for cocktails etc. It's also very close to chinatown, which houses our biggest market (Paddy's Market) and walk into the CBD.

Sydney is also home to Bondi, Coogee, Terragal and Cronulla beaches - all a bit busy but not so much in June and still beautiful and great for beach culture when the weather gets cold.

I grew up in canberra and there are lots of museums, art galleries etc and a great cafe/food culture. It is our country's man-made capital and if australian history interests you I would definitely spend a couple of days there.

I live in Sydney and, as I said, grew up in canberra and have spent some time in Melbourne too, so if you have any questions please feel free to pick my brain!

I have to sit down figure how many days in each city.Are there any areas of these cities we should not stay in looking at hotels are there bad areas to avoidI Kings Cross bad or good? in Sydney looked at hotel that area . Mercure chain .Would love any recommendations .?

 

[Tanzanite]

I just looked at the Langham Hotel it looks beautiful says its in a nice area.

 

[zanzibar138]

I have to sit down figure how many days in each city.Are there any areas of these cities we should not stay in looking at hotels are there bad areas to avoidI Kings Cross bad or good? in Sydney looked at hotel that area . Mercure chain .Would love any recommendations .?

A friend of mine stayed in Kings Cross and didn't like it. I don't think she felt unsafe, she just didn't like the atmosphere there.

As for Melbourne, we've stayed in many different areas of the city and never had any problems. Southbank, China Town, Richmond and Carlton have all been very good to us. I believe the area around King Street and Southern Cross train station can get a little seedy at night.

In Perth, I would avoid Northbridge.

Having said that, in Australia our cities don't seem to have as hardcore neighbourhoods as you get in the US. I think you'd be unlucky to have any problems no matter where you stayed, as long as you were sensible and stuck together, avoid quiet/dark streets late at night etc. Some areas are just have a more 'groups of potentially rowdy and unruly drunk people having a night out on the town' vibe than others.

 

[zanzibar138]

I would also look at TripAdvisor for reviews on hotels. You can't always rely on the hotel to be honest about the area (although I would say you'd be fine with a Langham), and sometimes you can get a feel for the area from peoples' comments.

For example, I was looking at hotels in Long Beach for our upcoming trip. The first couple I looked at (and I was starting with the cheapest) had FANTASTIC reviews of the hotel grounds and rooms. But basically said, if you stay here, don't leave the hotel unless you're in a locked car with all the windows up So I kept looking until I found one where people had felt comfortable going to nearby restaurants etc.

That's also what I was talking about before. I don't think there are really any areas in Australia where I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around by myself during the day.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have to sit down figure how many days in each city.Are there any areas of these cities we should not stay in looking at hotels are there bad areas to avoidI Kings Cross bad or good? in Sydney looked at hotel that area . Mercure chain .Would love any recommendations .?

What's your rough budget per night? Accommodation in Australia can be quite pricey.

And are you travelling as a party of 4 or a party of 5?

The Mercure, Mantra, Medina and Oaks chains pretty much offer apartment accommodations.

The Langham is a great hotel in Melbourne.

 

[Tanzanite]

What's your rough budget per night? Accommodation in Australia can be quite pricey.

And are you travelling as a party of 4 or a party of 5?

The Mercure, Mantra, Medina and Oaks chains pretty much offer apartment accommodations.

The Langham is a great hotel in Melbourne.

There are 5 of us willing to pay up to $400 a night.We are doing budget in some places but not Australia.

 

[zanzibar138]

There are 5 of us willing to pay up to $400 a night.We are doing budget in some places but not Australia.

For that amount you should be able to get a decent place in a nice area. I would look at somewhere near the harbour in Sydney as it will be closer to a lot of tourist attractions, plus there's the Circular Quay station a short walk away to get to other places.

Apartment style hotels are pretty common in Australia, and would definitely be worth looking at with 5 of you.

 

[PrincessInOz]

There are 5 of us willing to pay up to $400 a night.We are doing budget in some places but not Australia.

You're probably looking at 2-rooms if you're after hotel accommodation. Some of the apartment hotels will sleep 5.

 

[amandaEd]

We recently stayed at Punthill Apartment hotels in Brisbane and it was quite good.

 

[Tanzanite]

We recently stayed at Punthill Apartment hotels in Brisbane and it was quite good.

Thank you will check that one out.

 

[Tanzanite]

You're probably looking at 2-rooms if you're after hotel accommodation. Some of the apartment hotels will sleep 5.

Yes we usually get 2 rooms. I am looking at the Frazer Suite they look really nice lovely views.

 

[ssour]

Chiming in to say I'd avoid Kings Cross in Sydney, especially with a family. I'd be looking for somewhere near the Harbour. The casino has some nice apartments (Astral Residences) but I think they're more that $400 a night. Although if you're booking early enough you might get something cheaper through an online site?

 

[carlnlisa]

If you are looking at staying in apartment style accommodations I can recommend in Brisbane Oaks apartments are very good and the Oaks on Charlotte St puts you right in the city. I went on a big family (14 of us) vacation to Melbourne last year and we stayed at a apartment complex called Docklands Private Collections, beautiful area with water views and there is a tram stop just across the road that makes getting around on public transport a breeze. On the Gold Coast you will find many holiday apartment rentals, we have stayed in The Towers of Chevron Renaissance and it was lovely and right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. I have never stayed here but friends of mine have rave reviews about the Meriton World Tower apartments in Sydney.

 

[Tanzanite]

Thank you everyone I am going to sit down decide how many days we need in each city. .Did anyone know the brand Pleasure State is it a luxury brand in Australia as its expensive here but beautiful lingerie.

 

[Tanzanite]

If you are looking at staying in apartment style accommodations I can recommend in Brisbane Oaks apartments are very good and the Oaks on Charlotte St puts you right in the city. I went on a big family (14 of us) vacation to Melbourne last year and we stayed at a apartment complex called Docklands Private Collections, beautiful area with water views and there is a tram stop just across the road that makes getting around on public transport a breeze. On the Gold Coast you will find many holiday apartment rentals, we have stayed in The Towers of Chevron Renaissance and it was lovely and right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. I have never stayed here but friends of mine have rave reviews about the Meriton World Tower apartments in Sydney.

looked at the Docklands apartments they look really nice 3 bedroom would be great .Will look at other ones get it all together than we can make our plans . I saw the Meriton I t looks like we will have lots to choose from. That must have been a wonderful vacation with your family what did you do in Melbourne?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thank you everyone I am going to sit down decide how many days we need in each city. .Did anyone know the brand Pleasure State is it a luxury brand in Australia as its expensive here but beautiful lingerie.

The grass is always greener.....



I love Victora Secrets; which currently do not have any ....er....."physical assets"......in Australia. But they are finally going to open a shop in Melbourne.