"Help the Yankee DISer" Part II-visit Australia/DL-the PTR(8/19 -TR Link Post#263!)

[Aussie Wendy]

and while we're almost on Monty Python did Ripping Yarns ever make it to the States? Python-esque style by Michael Palin-some of the episodes are priceless but if you haven't seen it dropping some quotes will be meaningless!

 

[WickedDreamer]

Cant wait to read more about your trip planning!!! I live in Sydney, and just got back from our first holiday to Disney World. I wish you all the best with your holiday!! and can't wait to read more of your planning and adventures!!!!

 

[skier_pete]

Hi again. I think your schedule is more doable now. If you stay the night at Eungella (recomended) allow time for the drive back down the mountain and into Mackay to the airport-around 80km. In Eungella we have always stayed at Broken River http://www.brokenrivermr.com.au/accommodation.html in their cabins but there is also accommodation at the Eungella Chalet which has cabins as well as motel rooms. I like Broken River as its only a short walk straight to the river for platypus and forest walks.Both average $125-$150/night. See also this website http://www.eungella.com.au/Facilities.html.

Seems like there is a common theme amongst Disboarders?? I mean honestly the drive south of Sarina to Rocky past Shoalwater is almost as torturous as being forced to listen to Vogon poetry. NB Movie vs original BBC TV series? preferences? ).(I confess though I love Dirk Gently even more

That's is my though - might require a fairly early departure on Monday - say 7 AM, for our 10 AM flight, but think it would be more fun to stay at Eungella for the night than drive back to Mackay. I will check out the facilities.

Ugh...Vogon Poetry...my 3rd least favorite.

and while we're almost on Monty Python did Ripping Yarns ever make it to the States? Python-esque style by Michael Palin-some of the episodes are priceless but if you haven't seen it dropping some quotes will be meaningless!

While I have heard of Ripping Yarns, I have never seen it, nor remember any of my friends having mentioned seeing it, so I'm guessing it was not readily available, at least back then. I was into Fawlty Towers, which was one of Cleese's post-Python gigs. Really I liked any of their post-Python stuff, Gilliam's movies (through about 12 Monkeys anyways) and Palin's travelogs.

I also liked the first Dirk Gentley book, though not the 2nd one so much. I also pretty much *hated* the recent Hitchhikers sequel by Eion Colfer. It felt like exactly what it was - fanservice where the writer is just trying to give the fans what they want, but isn't really able to capture the true spirit of the original except in very, very, short spurts. It's not unlike if I tried to write a Hitchhiker's book.

Cant wait to read more about your trip planning!!! I live in Sydney, and just got back from our first holiday to Disney World. I wish you all the best with your holiday!! and can't wait to read more of your planning and adventures!!!!

Thanks for joining in!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Were we separated at birth? Disney, Douglas Adams and Looney Tunes...you know my yotuhful Pop Culture sweet spots. Suppose you like Monty Python as well! (Adams and Python do go hand-in-hand.)

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition on the Dis.


But I'm convinced that Michael Palin and I were switched at birth (obvious difference aside)....he's leading MY life!

 

[Kylie90210]

Good luck with your trip! It's a shame you're not spending more time in Brisbane, it's the best city in Australia in my opinion If you need any info on Brisbane, feel free to ask!

 

[skier_pete]

Yahoo! A Jetstar Air Fare sale from Melbourne to Cairns today! (Yesterday? Tomorrow? this time difference thing has me all screwy.)

I was able to pick up the last flight of the trip I needed to buy. This solidifies what I want to call the "backbone" of the trip: where we are going to be when.

So, here's what we look like
Airline Southwest
Depart Arrival
City BUF SNA
Date 21-Jul 21-Jul
Time 2:55 PM 7:45 PM

Airline Delta Airlines
Depart Arrival
City LAX SYD
Date 24-Jul 26-Jul
Time 10:50 PM 6:55 AM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City SYD MEL
Date 30-Jul 30-Jul
Time 3:40 PM 5:10 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MEL CAIRNS
Date 6-Aug 6-Aug
Time 11:35 am 3:00 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MACKAY BRIS
Date 13-Aug 13-Aug
Time 3:40 PM 5:25 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City BRIS SYD
Date 15-Aug 15-Aug
Time 8:25 PM 10:00 PM

Airline Delta Airlines
Depart Arrival
City SYD LAX
Date 16-Aug 16-Aug
Time 9:50 AM 6:45 AM

Airline Southwest
Depart Arrival
City LAX BUF
Date 18-Aug 18-Aug
Time 11:55 AM 9:00 PM

EIGHT FLIGHTS*, EIGHT DIFFERENT AIRPORTS*, 29 DAYS, 20,000+ MILES!

*Actually the flight to Califronia makes 2 stops, and the one back makes 1, even though we don't change planes, so it could be taken as 11 flights (take-offs and landings), and 11 different airports, depending on your point of view.

Either way I suspect at the end I will never want to visit an airport ever again. Cost of flights = $4,800 US (Appoximately - don't have full exchange rate). Including value of the free flights (one Delta RT and all 3 SWA RT), $7,600 worth of airfare. To give you an idea what that is to us, our normal annual vacation budget is about $8,000, which we can usually stretch to 3 week long trips a year. So, yeah, we're wayyy over the norm on this one!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yahoo! A Jetstar Air Fare sale from Melbourne to Cairns today! (Yesterday? Tomorrow? this time difference thing has me all screwy.)
Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City SYD MEL
Date 30-Jul 30-Jul
Time 3:40 PM 5:10 PM
Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MEL CAIRNS
Date 30-Jul 30-Jul
Time 11:35 am 3:00 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MACKAY BRIS
Date 30-Jul 30-Jul
Time 3:40 PM 5:25 PM

Including value of the free flights (one Delta RT and all 3 SWA RT), $7,600 worth of airfare. To give you an idea what that is to us, our normal annual vacation budget is about $8,000, which we can usually stretch to 3 week long trips a year. So, yeah, we're wayyy over the norm on this one!

YAY for the Jetstar sale and for you jumping in quick.

Far be it for me to question..........and I'm sure you know best....but I do have to wonder about the logic of going from Syd to Mel to Cairns to Mackay and then Brisbane in the same day and on flights with the connections that you have listed?




Welcome to my holiday budget line item just for airfares!

 

[skier_pete]

YAY for the Jetstar sale and for you jumping in quick.

Far be it for me to question..........and I'm sure you know best....but I do have to wonder about the logic of going from Syd to Mel to Cairns to Mackay and then Brisbane in the same day and on flights with the connections that you have listed?




Welcome to my holiday budget line item just for airfares!

Oops - Darn cut and paste! Corrected in original text as well as here.
Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City SYD MEL
Date 30-Jul 30-Jul
Time 3:40 PM 5:10 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MEL CAIRNS
Date 6-AugTime 11:35 am 3:00 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MACKAY BRIS
Date 13-AugTime 3:40 PM 5:25 PM

I've been watching their site everyday. $219 seemed really high to me compared to their other prices, especially considering it is off-season, so I figured I would wait. A $90 drop was pretty exciting.

If we had to spend $1000+ per person to fly places we would never go anywhere. When we went to Hawaii in 1999 that was about $1100 per ticket, but again 1 Frequent Flyer. Other than that, I don't think I've ever paid more than $500 RT for a ticket, but again we haven't been outside the US in a long, long time.

I really not complaining, that $4,800 is really not bad considering all the flying we are doing. Just feel at times very "out of my league" with this trip. I am a bit nervous about traveling so far for so long. I've never been on a trip long than 12 days as an adult. (3 weeks once as a kid.) The money is coming out of savings for exactly what it was put there for.

I ended up with the Monday flight out of Melbourne to give us three FULL days in Cairns. I have two days where we have stuff planned, and I just feel we need to put in a day off somewhere.

Anyways, thanks for catching my mistake. I'm sure it won't be the last.

 

[battymum]

Its a shame you didnt make this trip a year or so ago - your $ would have gone a lot further.

We are all excited about a strong $A - it doesnt fare so well for people travelling here.

 

[battymum]

Out of interest - what did you pay for your LA-SYD legs?

 

[cola]

Looking solid

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oops - Darn cut and paste! Corrected in original text as well as here.
Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City SYD MEL
Date 30-Jul 30-Jul
Time 3:40 PM 5:10 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MEL CAIRNS
Date 6-AugTime 11:35 am 3:00 PM

Airline Jet Star
Depart Arrival
City MACKAY BRIS
Date 13-AugTime 3:40 PM 5:25 PM

I've been watching their site everyday. $219 seemed really high to me compared to their other prices, especially considering it is off-season, so I figured I would wait. A $90 drop was pretty exciting.

If we had to spend $1000+ per person to fly places we would never go anywhere. When we went to Hawaii in 1999 that was about $1100 per ticket, but again 1 Frequent Flyer. Other than that, I don't think I've ever paid more than $500 RT for a ticket, but again we haven't been outside the US in a long, long time.

I really not complaining, that $4,800 is really not bad considering all the flying we are doing. Just feel at times very "out of my league" with this trip. I am a bit nervous about traveling so far for so long. I've never been on a trip long than 12 days as an adult. (3 weeks once as a kid.) The money is coming out of savings for exactly what it was put there for.

I ended up with the Monday flight out of Melbourne to give us three FULL days in Cairns. I have two days where we have stuff planned, and I just feel we need to put in a day off somewhere.

Anyways, thanks for catching my mistake. I'm sure it won't be the last.

That's a different game.


I only noticed because I was wanting to check your Melbourne dates. I'll keep them in mind and keep my calendar free that week, just in case.

 

[austraveler]

Congratulations on getting your flights sorted out. Welcome to our world of flight costs. Although internal flights can be cheap, anywhere international is at at least $1000 per person.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Looks good and time to do what you want-you have to have a big ticket trip every now and then! and as Austraveler said-yeh we kind of budget big bucks if we're heading overseas in any direction. Hope the trip is all you want it to be-pressure is on a bit Aussies-but I haven't seen an unhappy visitor yet.:

 

[skier_pete]

Congratulations on getting your flights sorted out. Welcome to our world of flight costs. Although internal flights can be cheap, anywhere international is at at least $1000 per person.

Yup, I know it! Not that it's any different if we want to leave the country here.

Looks good and time to do what you want-you have to have a big ticket trip every now and then! and as Austraveler said-yeh we kind of budget big bucks if we're heading overseas in any direction. Hope the trip is all you want it to be-pressure is on a bit Aussies-but I haven't seen an unhappy visitor yet.:

Really though, I have to say the costs (so far) haven't been as bad as I thought they would. The hotels I've had to book have all been $150-$200 AUS and rental cars seem to be running $35-40 AUS per day, which is pretty comparable to the US.

A few additional details booked.

8/6-8/10: 4 nights at the Novotel Oasis in Cairns. Lucked into a fantastic deal at $142 US per night.http://www.novotelcairnsresort.com.au/
8/10-8/12: 2 nights in Airlie Beach, still struggling with what to do here, most decent places seem to be $200+. There a place called Boathaven Spa Resort I can get for $168 US per night, but reviews are mixed. It really would be only for two nights and the day in between we will be spending on a boat, so I am not sure it would be a problem, so I am leaning towards this. Suggestions/comments?8/12-8/13: 1 night at Broken River Mountain resort in Eungella @ $170 AUS for the night. As recommended by AussieWendy.
8/13 - 8/15: Haven't figured this out yet.
8/15 - 8/16 @ Sydney Airport, TA booked at Ibis Hotel for $180 for the night. Seems a lot for a nights sleep. Anyone got any better ideas. Coming in at 10 PM, and flight leaves 10 AM next day, so want to be a shuttle ride from the airport.
8/16-8/18 - Staying @ Mariott LAX - actually paying for 3 nights so when we get in at 6 AM we can check in and get some sleep. Still just about $100 a night, so I can't complain. Figure we'll take a shuttle to the hotel, and then go back for the rental car later and save a day of car rental.

So, all flights and car rentals are booked, only 4 nights of hotel not yet accounted for. Plan to wrap those up soon.

And today marks the 4 month mark until we leave.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Pete - Congrats on hitting the 4 month countdown mark.

I can't help on any recommendations for hotels. You seem to have it pretty well covered. About the only thing I could maybe recommend is for you to keep an eye on wotif.com; if you aren't already doing so.

Although there seems to only be the one hotel in NYC in the US, the Novotel is a fairly well regarded chain around the world. I've done a staycation in the Melbourne City Novotel, as well as the one in St Kilda..plus also stayed at the Sydney Novotel. They have been comfortable and clean, and I haven't been able to fault the check-in service. So, you've probably done really well booking them in Cairns.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Because its weekdays there are some good deals going. Try wotif.com, Sunshine Coast Montville as search and have a look. I had a quick look now inbetween cooking dinner and range of places from $100 upwards-some good value for self contained cottages. Watch out for base costs in main list but when go in its plus extras for more than 2 adults/children - sometimes makes one place dearer than others. I think you would like staying in this area.

Of the options listed I know of Montville Country Cabins-I have heard them recom.by friends (may be a year or 2 back). Ck reviews as you have been doing! Apple Tree Cottage looked sweet as did Montville Attic. Clouds of Montville has been there quite a while. Motel rooms typical but prob OK. Don't know about their cottages. Montville Mountain Inn is in the heart of town at the top of shopping precinct (google map to get an idea), nice pub-like beer garden where I have had lunch, whole area is quiet in the evening though so not raucous. No idea about quality of accom but prob OK.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Sorry this is for your "missing dates"

 

[Aussie Wendy]

If you want to stay near the airport for your last night before flying out of Brisbane this web site lists most of the airport hotels that I know of (nice grouped list).
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Travel-g255068-c119760/Brisbane:Australia:Airport.Hotels.html
The Novotel is the newest-right on the edge of the airport precinct near the DFO (direct factory outlets-not that good) and a Woolies shoppping centre etc. Some of the others are very basic motels but they are generally OK for an overnight (my parents have stayed at ones like Formula 1 over the years) but they can be busy being on main roads. I notice there are some newer ones that look quite good like the Kingsford Smith Motel. I haven't read any reviews.

 

[skier_pete]

Pete - Congrats on hitting the 4 month countdown mark.

I can't help on any recommendations for hotels. You seem to have it pretty well covered. About the only thing I could maybe recommend is for you to keep an eye on wotif.com; if you aren't already doing so.

Although there seems to only be the one hotel in NYC in the US, the Novotel is a fairly well regarded chain around the world. I've done a staycation in the Melbourne City Novotel, as well as the one in St Kilda..plus also stayed at the Sydney Novotel. They have been comfortable and clean, and I haven't been able to fault the check-in service. So, you've probably done really well booking them in Cairns.

I tend to rely to a reasonable degree on Tripadvisor reviews. I don't expect 100% scores anywhere, every place has bad experiences, but look to see that the bad experience is not the norm.

I haven't heard of wotif.com but will look into it.

Because its weekdays there are some good deals going. Try wotif.com, Sunshine Coast Montville as search and have a look. I had a quick look now inbetween cooking dinner and range of places from $100 upwards-some good value for self contained cottages. Watch out for base costs in main list but when go in its plus extras for more than 2 adults/children - sometimes makes one place dearer than others. I think you would like staying in this area.

Of the options listed I know of Montville Country Cabins-I have heard them recom.by friends (may be a year or 2 back). Ck reviews as you have been doing! Apple Tree Cottage looked sweet as did Montville Attic. Clouds of Montville has been there quite a while. Motel rooms typical but prob OK. Don't know about their cottages. Montville Mountain Inn is in the heart of town at the top of shopping precinct (google map to get an idea), nice pub-like beer garden where I have had lunch, whole area is quiet in the evening though so not raucous. No idea about quality of accom but prob OK.

So, you are recommending the Montville area as a good location for those two nights? I took a quick look at a couple of these places, and it does seem nice. Relatively close (25 minutes) to where Australia Zoo is, which would be ideal, and in some nice area of the hinterlands.

If you want to stay near the airport for your last night before flying out of Brisbane this web site lists most of the airport hotels that I know of (nice grouped list).
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Travel-g255068-c119760/Brisbane:Australia:Airport.Hotels.html
The Novotel is the newest-right on the edge of the airport precinct near the DFO (direct factory outlets-not that good) and a Woolies shoppping centre etc. Some of the others are very basic motels but they are generally OK for an overnight (my parents have stayed at ones like Formula 1 over the years) but they can be busy being on main roads. I notice there are some newer ones that look quite good like the Kingsford Smith Motel. I haven't read any reviews.

We shouldn't need a hotel in Brisbane. We'll stay with the hotel we book above on the 15th. We may drive back down into the city early enough to do a little bit of sightseeing in the afternoon, but will be flying out that evening.