Travel to Australia?

[redbirdgrad]

Anybody travel to Australia lately? I'm making plans and looking at getting my passport and this electronic visa Australia uses. Just wondering if anybody recently had the same experience - give some advice. Thanks.

 

[chris1gill]

Hi Redbird,

We went two years ago & we leave Monday morning for a month in Australia via five days in Honolulu... Ask away any questions you have. As for the Visa, it takes about 15 minutes online, you need your passport to get it though.... you can follow this link: https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETA

It's called the Australian Electronic Travel Authority...

We've been to several cities, but this trip I think we are going to 8, 5 of which are new to us this time....

Any questions, ask quick cause we're leaving soon LOL

 

[Sandy V.]

Well, I don't know if going Down Under this time last year qualifies as "recent", but I traveled to Australia and New Zealand for Christmas 2004 and New Year's 2005. We had a wonderful time, and I want to go back!!

It was very simple. We flew on Quantas out of Los Angeles. The flight leaves at approximately 10:30 in the evening. Immediately, they try and acclimate you to "Australia time". Dinner is served about an hour or so into the flight. There is a movie to watch, and then it's lights out. You are awakened about 3 hours before landing for breakfast and an orientation film about Australia, particularly Sydney (where we landed).

The total flight time is about 14-16 hours. We were in coach and I was a little worried about how comfortable it would be. But it actually wasn't bad at all.

Make sure that you bring an eye mask, something to support your neck, and earplugs or noise reducing headphones. All help maximize your rest. Also bring lip balm and eye drops because the cabin air is very dry.

Going through customs was a breeze. Just don't bring any food from the U.S. with you - that's what got folks in trouble!!

We were tired when we arrived at about 9:00 a.m. in Sydney, but we made it on adreneline for the rest of the day. We took showers at about 1:30 that afternoon; and that helped to perk us up some to make it through the rest of the day.

I would go back in a heartbeat. The Australian people are some of the warmest humans on the planet. I love their spirit; we need more of it here in the U.S.

Ask away if you have any further questions. I envy you.

 

[redbirdgrad]

Well luckily I'm going with 2 BIL's - one who is Australian, and he will lead us - and I know his family over there. I'm just curious as to what are the "must sees" or "must eats", we will probably hit alot of the mainstream stuff plus local stuff. We will be in Sydney, but may fly down to Melbourne. The flight will be from Chicago to LA then to Sydney (thanks for the tips) - I'm not driving while over there. We will be gone for two weeks - It will be odd not to be with the wife and kids at Disney but I'm looking forward to this one.

 

[Sandy V.]

As far as "must eats", Doyle's for seafood is very popular.

Must sees include the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge (provided you're not scared of heights!!), the Botanical Gardens, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, The Rocks, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour. I don't know if it's a must see, but we took an evening harbour cruise, and we really enjoyed it.

If you do go to Melbourne and you have time, the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles are really neat to see. We didn't go to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade, but we knew people that did, and they really enjoyed it.

 

[chris1gill]

I agree on Doyle's, it's great We'll be there the day after Christmas My friend lives over in Watson's Bay, so it's near her house... Big thumbs up for Doyles...

We went to many restaurants over at Darling Harbour (that area has really grown) & Bondi.... just plan to spend plenty of time eating... lunch routinely lasted more than two hours.

I agree with what's been mentioned already, the Taronga Zoo, the Harbour bridge climb if you are so inclined, or just a cruise... Sydney is very much a walking city... if you won't be going out to the Bush, I'd recommend going to Featherdale Wildlife, it's close to the city.... Don't forget the blue mountains, but I don't recommend it if you are going in their summer... It really is quite hot once you get inland during their summer. Don't forget a tour of the Opera House.... We haven't hit Melbourne before, but we are this trip & the Great Ocean Road is planned for three of our days... see the twelve apostles while they are still up, just three or four months ago, the largest apostle fell.... it gave me a boost in the backside to put the GOR on our itinerary...

Are you going to Queensland? Cairns or Port Douglas (Cape Tribulation)? If you dive at all, that's where you'll want to go for some time as well.... If you don't want to go so far North, spend some time in the Brisbane area.. You can feed the wild dolphins that congregate nightly at Moreton Island, it's pretty amazing to be honest... then you can always visit Noosa, just north of Brisbane.... it was wonderful to see koala's for the first time in their natural habitat...

This time we are dedicating an additional 3 days for Kangaroo Island where the koala's will be plentiful & driving at night is not recommended (the animals all dart in front of you apparently)....

Oh, it just occurred to me, there is a Sydney City pass that includes most all of the tourist spots in the city... you pay for a certain number of days, Melbourne has the same thing as a matter of fact...