Our Adventure Down Under has begun!! *Pics added*

[Cousin Orville]

Sounds like you had a great time in the Blue Mountains. I've stuggled with whether to go out there as well. We'll be in Sydney for 3 pre days.

Did you arrange any of these trips through Park Hyatt's concierge or on your own?

 

[sayhello]

Wow! What a great time, and you're still doing pre-days!

Oh, and dingos are just wild dogs.

Sayhello

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Sounds like you had a great time in the Blue Mountains. I've stuggled with whether to go out there as well. We'll be in Sydney for 3 pre days.

Did you arrange any of these trips through Park Hyatt's concierge or on your own?

We booked the Blue Mountain tour through the concierge. The rest I planned out on my own. We have relied heavily on the concierge for ferry times and directions. Jonathan and Mark (at the hotel) are both fantastic.

It's a tough call whether to head to the Blue Mountains or not. The scenery is spectacular -- they call it Australia's Grand Canyon, but much greener. There is so much to see and do in Sydney; it's really a matter of personal preference. Good time management is essential to seeing as much of the city as possible! Having said that I'm glad that we went as we needed to rest our feet from all the walking we've been doing and it was a relaxing day. Plus we happened to have the best weather they've had in weeks (just luck as I set this day aside for the tour months ago!).

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Out last day in Sydney....surfing lesson for dd and maybe a whale watching tour this afternoon before we head to the airport....

 

[tgeorge]

Hope it isn't too chilly for the surfing lessons! Safe travels to Cairns. Everything sounds absolutely amazing so far.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Hope it isn't too chilly for the surfing lessons! Safe travels to Cairns. Everything sounds absolutely amazing so far.

It was cool but the sun was shining. Manly Surf School provided a full body wet suit so it wasn't too bad.

 

[sayhello]

It was cool but the sun was shining. Manly Surf School provided a full body wet suit so it wasn't too bad.

Manly Surf School???

Sayhello

 

[gcoolie]

Following along. We are thinking about this for next July. The weather is already worrying me.


Thanks for taking the time to share your trip!!

 

[pixiepirate]

Following along (but not too closely, I don't want to know too much before my trip in October). I appreciate your recommendation of the Maritime Museum in Sydney. I am considering this for our free afternoon.

 

[tgeorge]

Pixiepirate...will you be on the adult exclusive trip? If so, I'd love to know your thoughts. When we go we will do the adult exclusive.

 

[paddles]

I am avidly following this thread and looking forward to the next installment!

We're making a trip to Australia and New Zealand for 3 weeks in December, and while we're not doing an ABD (I wanted to...but just couldn't swing the time/cost once we added in NZ), I am using the ABD itinerary as my framework for the trip in Sydney, Ayers Rock and Cairns, so I'm interested to hear which outings, hotels, etc. you've enjoyed.

Hope you're having a fabulous trip!!

 

[OKW Lover]

For anyone thinking of doing this trip or who has already booked it, pack warm clothes and waterproof jackets.

Dd and I both have light down jackets which we have been using every day as well as cashmere socks. Sweaters and long sleeve shirts are also must haves as well as gloves and hats. I'm hoping it's warmer and sunnier when we come back to Sydney with ABD, but I'm prepared if it's not.

Interesting about the climate. Of course it being winter down-under has an impact on the adventure. We were in Sydney in April 2014 (not on ABD) and found the temperatures to be really comfortable. We had no rain during our 3 night stay in Sydney.

I'm eagerly following along with your trip report. I'd love to do this trip. If only we could get to Sydney without spending ~20 hours on a plane....

 

[Woodview]

To Paddles,

How do hope to travel to Ayers Rock ?

Just check the distance to travel .... And what requirements you might need .( Driving NOT recommended ).

 

[paddles]

How do hope to travel to Ayers Rock ?

We'll be flying all the legs in Australia and New Zealand...distances are quite huge otherwise! We got pretty good deals on flights by booking multiple legs within AUS and NZ.

 

[tgeorge]

Paddles...sounds amazing! If you're going to spend that much time on a plane doing both AUS and NZ makes sense. I've heard amazing things about NZ. You'll have a great trip. December would be a great time to go, but I'm definitely a girl who enjoys warm weather. I'd like to do the ABD adult exclusive someday, but it is in October and I'm not sure if the weather would be all that agreeable. Cairns and Sydney would probably be okay, but Tasmania would probably much cooler. That may be a trip well I don't do the adult exclusive

 

[pixiepirate]

Pixiepirate...will you be on the adult exclusive trip? If so, I'd love to know your thoughts. When we go we will do the adult exclusive.

Yes, we will be doing the adult exclusive. Did the adult exclusive BSM tour last October and enjoyed it immensely. Looking forward to this one. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[paddles]

We'll be traveling with 3 kids on our trip (our 2 kids and nephew).

We're big "Lord of the Rings" fans, so we'll be doing some of that touring in NZ, along with cultural sites and enjoying the landscape. We're then heading to Melbourne for a couple of days, Ayers Rock for 1 1/2 days, Cairns for 4 days and then finally Sydney for 4 days.

the most exciting part is that we'll be in Sydney for NYE. And I purchased tickets to "La Boheme" at the Sydney Opera House for NYE and also got tickets to their midnight party (where you have amazing views of the Harbour Bridge/fireworks)!! It should be a trip of a lifetime.

 

[tgeorge]

That sounds amazing paddles. My graduate professor is from Melbourne and I've heard so much about it that I just knew I had to get there someday. When we do the ABD, we'll spend a couple days post your in Melbourne before flying home.

NYE definitely gets crazy,but it would also be awesome to say you rung in the new year there. I'd go in a heartbeat, unfortunately, DH hates crowds so that won't ever be an option. I'm sure it will be spectacular.

 

[paddles]

tgeorge - I'm with you. ANZ has been on my bucket list for years!

and don't get me wrong...if money/time were no object, I'd be doing the ABD in addition to the other stops along the way. You'll have a fabulous time!

 

[tgeorge]

tgeorge - I'm with you. ANZ has been on my bucket list for years!

and don't get me wrong...if money/time were no object, I'd be doing the ABD in addition to the other stops along the way. You'll have a fabulous time!

So true....if only money were no object....