Post-Stay Australia?

[DisneyWishes14]

Hi everyone! I am researching a 2020 Australia ABD and was wondering if anyone has done a post-stay at the final ABD resort, the Sheraton Grand Mirage, on this tour? I feel like we may need so downtime after the tour and the resort looks beautiful. Any thoughts or experience is much appreciated!

 

[Woodview]

Which City ?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Which City ?

It's the Sheraton Grand Mirage, Gold Coast. Thanks!

 

[Grifdog22]

We did a post day in Brisbane, with the ABD transfer dropping us at an airport hotel where we were picked up about 30 minutes later for a full day of humpback whale watching. It was spectacular and great fun, with many many sightings, breaches, and the boat also has audio from the water when they are singing. June/July is migration season with calves, and they are intense. That night we visited the area and then took the hotel shuttle over to the airport. It was a nice way to end a fabulous trip.

If you are more adventurous, we took an OYO day and went tandem skydiving on the Gold Coast beach from the Gold Coast airport. They provide pickup and return to the hotel. There are some pictures, etc. in our trip report on this already posted in trip reports.

Australia is a great destination. Enjoy!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We did a post day in Brisbane, with the ABD transfer dropping us at an airport hotel where we were picked up about 30 minutes later for a full day of humpback whale watching. It was spectacular and great fun, with many many sightings, breaches, and the boat also has audio from the water when they are singing. June/July is migration season with calves, and they are intense. That night we visited the area and then took the hotel shuttle over to the airport. It was a nice way to end a fabulous trip.

If you are more adventurous, we took an OYO day and went tandem skydiving on the Gold Coast beach from the Gold Coast airport. They provide pickup and return to the hotel. There are some pictures, etc. in our trip report on this already posted in trip reports.

Australia is a great destination. Enjoy!

Oh wow!! We are hoping to go in March, so whale watching probably isn't possible, but the area does look so nice and it looks like there is a wildlife sanctuary close by plus the beach! I read your trip report - it's fabulous and SO helpful! Thank you!!!

 

[melissaao]

Hi everyone! I am researching a 2020 Australia ABD and was wondering if anyone has done a post-stay at the final ABD resort, the Sheraton Grand Mirage, on this tour? I feel like we may need so downtime after the tour and the resort looks beautiful. Any thoughts or experience is much appreciated!

YES!!! I did this tour in June and we regretted so much not extending a couple days after the tour ended. The resort is beautiful and there are so many hikes and fun things to do around Gold Coast. Tons of waterfalls, beautiful beaches. Definitely extend.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

YES!!! I did this tour in June and we regretted so much not extending a couple days after the tour ended. The resort is beautiful and there are so many hikes and fun things to do around Gold Coast. Tons of waterfalls, beautiful beaches. Definitely extend.

Thank you so much for the advice!

 

[acndis]

I would not recommend another day at the Sheraton Mirage. It is beautiful but very pricey and large. It is like a resort in Florida, not a lot of character. If you can, I would try to get to Byron Bay and stay an extra night in that area. It has a gorgeous beach (will that work in March?), where the ABD itinerary used to do Kayaking (highly recommend OYO). The town of Byron has cool, quirky shops and neat restaurants. It was amazing!

Another option would be to fly to New Zealand for a few days. We did that on our pre days. We were only there for 2.5 days but LOVED it. Can't wait to get back.

We loved the Australia trip and the Gold Coast was our favorite part. Byron Bay is one of my all time favorite places ever!

 

[pixiepirate]

When I did this trip in 2015 ABD was still traveling to Tasmania. We flew from Hobart and spent 3 post days in Melbourne. Great city. We did an architecture tour, a chocolate tour, a day tour to Phillip Island to see the penguins and had dinner on the Colonial Tramcar. We wanted to do the Puffing Billy train to the Blue Mountains but could not make it work with out schedule.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would not recommend another day at the Sheraton Mirage. It is beautiful but very pricey and large. It is like a resort in Florida, not a lot of character. If you can, I would try to get to Byron Bay and stay an extra night in that area. It has a gorgeous beach (will that work in March?), where the ABD itinerary used to do Kayaking (highly recommend OYO). The town of Byron has cool, quirky shops and neat restaurants. It was amazing!

Another option would be to fly to New Zealand for a few days. We did that on our pre days. We were only there for 2.5 days but LOVED it. Can't wait to get back.

We loved the Australia trip and the Gold Coast was our favorite part. Byron Bay is one of my all time favorite places ever!

When I did this trip in 2015 ABD was still traveling to Tasmania. We flew from Hobart and spent 3 post days in Melbourne. Great city. We did an architecture tour, a chocolate tour, a day tour to Phillip Island to see the penguins and had dinner on the Colonial Tramcar. We wanted to do the Puffing Billy train to the Blue Mountains but could not make it work with out schedule.

Wow - thank you both for the suggestions! I am going to look into all of these. I really appreciate everyone taking their time to give me their feedback!

 

[acndis]

Wow - thank you both for the suggestions! I am going to look into all of these. I really appreciate everyone taking their time to give me their feedback!

My report of our time in New Zealand is in my Hawaii trip rep (link in siggy). It was so much fun!

 

[DCPhotoGal]

I would not recommend another day at the Sheraton Mirage. It is beautiful but very pricey and large. It is like a resort in Florida, not a lot of character. If you can, I would try to get to Byron Bay and stay an extra night in that area. It has a gorgeous beach (will that work in March?), where the ABD itinerary used to do Kayaking (highly recommend OYO). The town of Byron has cool, quirky shops and neat restaurants. It was amazing!

Another option would be to fly to New Zealand for a few days. We did that on our pre days. We were only there for 2.5 days but LOVED it. Can't wait to get back.

We loved the Australia trip and the Gold Coast was our favorite part. Byron Bay is one of my all time favorite places ever!

I agree with the assessment of the hotel. We actually spent Christmas there. It's big and not a ton of personality. Here's my blog post from that part of the trip if you want to see some photos of the area:
http://travel.veralana.com/2017/12/23/australia-gold-coast/

 

[TravelJunkieHubby]

We did the trip in summer 2017... echo the comments on the hotel being large without much character, it’s almost too quiet. The pool is big but outdated - my kids and I were the only ones there.

I believe they’ve eliminated Byron Bay from the itinerary... it’s a nice place but not sure if the drive is worth it. We did a couple of prenights in Sydney and enjoyed doing the Bridge climb as well as seeing a children’s performance at the Opera House. As far as post nights - if we had more time I would have picked New Zealand, but this was a pretty long trip for us already and we were ready to get back.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'm now researching to see if we can make a few nights in New Zealand a possibility!

 

[pdsgator]

Hello! We will be on the March Trip and flying out of Brisbane. We have 2 extra days but wanted to try something different. Thought we should go towards Brisane area or at least on the way. Any thoughts our suggestions between Sheraton and Brisbane?

 

[KEK1]

IMO , Brisbane is a pretty underwhelming city (much like Perth). I would go up to Cairns.. absolutely amazing, rainforest on the beach.