Vacation planning for Pete in Australia

[teskak]

Pete is the undisputed expert for planning a DCL vacation or WDW, but he knows nuthin about Australia. So c'mon Aussies, what will Pete need to pack / plan / know about Australia for when he visits us.

I will start off:

Flights - it is about 14 hours from LAX to any of the Australian cities, and Qantas is not too accommodating, they though are excellent at giving 'attitude'. I have not heard about Qantas allowing you to book an additional seat and have it refunded if the flight is not full. Instead as a larger chap, look at the prices for premium economy with slightly more leg room.

With noting much to do on the flight but eat & drink crappy coffee - get the sleeping pills as there is no power for laptops in economy.

Language - learn a bit of strine mate. There are differences between Australian & American - we have prawns, shrimp are only for Americans.

Fleas & ticks - if you plan on riding a camel or walking through the bush near Ayers Rock, watch out for uninvited passengers.

Football - it is a religion and the finals are in September so most Aussies go slightly nuts and the media is full of it

Any more advice Aussies???

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I don't have anything to add, but just wanted to say - this is a great idea!!! I wish there was a place on the boards like this to get advice from your "friends" when you are planning a trip to someplace else. Cause I have to be honest here, I don't trust anyone else to help me plan my vacation but y'all.

Good luck with your planning Pete!

 

[teskak]

Forgot to add:

Vegemite is an essential for breakfast on toast
The national dessert is neither cake or pie, but pavlova
Try some kanga bangers - Australia must be the only country where you can eat thier national emblem

 

[teskak]

Our beer ads


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PCuh6eZeQ&feature=channel


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pU2Zu0hzZo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl9exJKo_uc&feature=channel

 

[becpee]

I have some


Australians do not drink Fosters beer contrary to popular belief

Tipping is a nice thing to do, but not expected, if the service is abominable, don't bother with a tip

Train services in Melbourne are atrocious

Airlines based in Australia are not very flexible because they don't have much competition, check out Virgin Blue as well as Qantas

TV is about 1 year behind the US LOL

Our chocolate is good, we don't put nuts in nearly every type of chocolate bar we have

Don't stay in the suburbs, there is nothing to do there.

Tullamarine airport in Melbourne is not in the city, it's about 1/2 an hour drive away

G'day means hello, G'day mate is hello friend LOL

Some of our pronounciations will be difficult to understand, bewdy (as in new with a B) is short for beautiful LOL

Any questions you have feel free to ask, happy to help if I can

Where abouts are you heading exactly?

 

[teskak]

When in north Queensland, absolutely stay out of the damned lakes, rivers, waterways.

Aussie crocs make alligators look like a stuffed toy. Earlier this year a 6 metre croc (about 20 feet) took a little boy who was standing in less than 12 inches of water.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,25378898-29277,00.html

 

[disneykid4ever]

We went to Sydney and Canberra a couple years ago and this is what we took away from the experience:

Sydney is awesome! Definitely go to Darling Harbour, ride the ferry, visit Taronga Zoo, and have baramundi (fish) and chips. The Rocks were also cool and the outdoor market up there had some great stuff. Go to Paddy's in Darling Harbour (indoor flea market/swap meet). We went in February and the weather was GORGEOUS! The people were so nice too! Ooh, and the Harbour Jet boat ride was so fun (I got out of the boat with a couple of bruises on my legs and was completely soaked but it was worth it)!!!!! The Blue Mountains were beautiful and we got to pet a joey (baby kanga) and koalas.

Canberra was hot and dry, but we did get to pet cheetahs for 15 minutes at the zoo there!! I have the pictures to prove it.

Oh and sunglasses are called "sunnies" and mosquitos are called "mossies".

I would go back to Sydney at the earliest opportunity and would LOVE to see more of Australia; heck, if it wasn't so expensive to live in Sydney, I would totally move there!

 

[teskak]

Do the Sydney bridge climb, i have heard the views are magnificent. You are strapped onto safety lines so there is no chance of falling, just the fashion crime of wearing a grey jumpsuit so you do not distract the drivers on the road underneath you.

And it is not too strenuous either!!! Indeed the Sydney bridge climb was used as a challenge in The Biggest Loser

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Forgot to add:

Vegemite is an essential for breakfast on toast
The national dessert is neither cake or pie, but pavlova
Try some kanga bangers - Australia must be the only country where you can eat thier national emblem

I agree that Vegemite is the only option for toast.
You've got to try a piece of Pav. Its amazing. Very sweet.
Not sure about eating kangaroo though. I prefer to see them hopping. And no, you don't see them hopping down the main street.
I might get a bit of opposition with this one - but Melbourne is the best place for dining and shopping.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Also, if you come down South at that time of the year...it will be cold. Melbourne will definitely be footy mad at that time of the year.

 

[WebmasterPete]

Here's our schedule as of right now;

We fly into Cairns and spend a couple of days trying to get over jet lag before the Adventures by Disney trip begins. The ABD portion of our trip is 10 days - we spend a few days in Cairns, doing the Great Barrier Reef as well as some stuff in the rainforest (where I'm all but certain I'll be attacked by any number of reptiles and insects). I'm convinced that the reason Australia only has 20 million people is because the other 80 million were killed by spiders, snakes and crocodiles.

Then we fly out to Uluru (or, the rock formerly known as Ayers) where we get to, well, look at the big rock (I'm seriously considering brining a full on drag outfit a la "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" - if you haven't seen it, you need to - just not with the kids). We'll get to do stargazing and an 'outback barbecue' where I'm fairly certain we'll eat a kangaroo and perhaps one of the other tourists. We also get to visit an Aboriginal camp where they put on some kind of show. I'm guessing it's not 'A Chorus Line'.

From there we head to CIVILIZATION in Sydney for a few days - do some boating around Sydney harbor, visit a zoo and a sheep ranch - this is the part of the trip where I get to put on a big, floppy "say something" hat and go shopping. The ABD tour ends in Sydney, but since I'm putting up with snorkeling, hiking, insects, reptiles and "the REAL outback" for 8 of the 10 days, we've added another 7 in Sydney. I told Walter that if he gets a week of "all wildlife all the time" then I get a week of SERIOUS shopping, spas and room service. Still haven't decided on a hotel in Sydney yet, but I'm leaning towards the Hyatt (which comes highly recommended)

I haven't yet planned out exactly what I'm going to do with that 7 days in Sydney yet, but trust me I'm working on it

To say that Walter and I are excited about this would be the understatement of the year. We keep looking at each other saying "OMG we're going to Australia". I'm actually having difficulty sleeping as every time I lay down for bed I start thinking about this trip and have to run to my computer to look up something else.

I'm reading three books on Australia right now, have watched two documentaries and have rented "Pricsilla" via Netflix on demand twice (it's one of my all time favorite films).

Yeah, we're pumped for this trip!

Pete

 

[drakethib]

Here's our schedule as of right now;

We fly into Cairns and spend a couple of days trying to get over jet lag before the Adventures by Disney trip begins. The ABD portion of our trip is 10 days - we spend a few days in Cairns, doing the Great Barrier Reef as well as some stuff in the rainforest (where I'm all but certain I'll be attacked by any number of reptiles and insects). I'm convinced that the reason Australia only has 20 million people is because the other 80 million were killed by spiders, snakes and crocodiles.

Then we fly out to Uluru (or, the rock formerly known as Ayers) where we get to, well, look at the big rock (I'm seriously considering brining a full on drag outfit a la "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" - if you haven't seen it, you need to - just not with the kids). We'll get to do stargazing and an 'outback barbecue' where I'm fairly certain we'll eat a kangaroo and perhaps one of the other tourists. We also get to visit an Aboriginal camp where they put on some kind of show. I'm guessing it's not 'A Chorus Line'.

From there we head to CIVILIZATION in Sydney for a few days - do some boating around Sydney harbor, visit a zoo and a sheep ranch - this is the part of the trip where I get to put on a big, floppy "say something" hat and go shopping. The ABD tour ends in Sydney, but since I'm putting up with snorkeling, hiking, insects, reptiles and "the REAL outback" for 8 of the 10 days, we've added another 7 in Sydney. I told Walter that if he gets a week of "all wildlife all the time" then I get a week of SERIOUS shopping, spas and room service. Still haven't decided on a hotel in Sydney yet, but I'm leaning towards the Hyatt (which comes highly recommended)

I haven't yet planned out exactly what I'm going to do with that 7 days in Sydney yet, but trust me I'm working on it

To say that Walter and I are excited about this would be the understatement of the year. We keep looking at each other saying "OMG we're going to Australia". I'm actually having difficulty sleeping as every time I lay down for bed I start thinking about this trip and have to run to my computer to look up something else.

I'm reading three books on Australia right now, have watched two documentaries and have rented "Pricsilla" via Netflix on demand twice (it's one of my all time favorite films).

Yeah, we're pumped for this trip!

Pete

I noticed you did not mention going to see a Wiggles show?

http://www.thewiggles.com.au/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB4MNu6W9sg

 

[BriarRosie]

From there we head to CIVILIZATION in Sydney for a few days - do some boating around Sydney harbor, visit a zoo and a sheep ranch - this is the part of the trip where I get to put on a big, floppy "say something" hat and go shopping. The ABD tour ends in Sydney, but since I'm putting up with snorkeling, hiking, insects, reptiles and "the REAL outback" for 8 of the 10 days, we've added another 7 in Sydney. I told Walter that if he gets a week of "all wildlife all the time" then I get a week of SERIOUS shopping, spas and room service. Still haven't decided on a hotel in Sydney yet, but I'm leaning towards the Hyatt (which comes highly recommended)

After reading this, I think Corey needs a new challenge to insert you and Walter into this:

I hear Walter shouting "Fresh air!" and you shouting "Times Square!".

 

[clairenutter]

Hey Pete

I just thought I would give you some info just incase you are interested. I went to Oz a number of years ago and spent sometime in Cairns and Port Douglas and surrounding area (also went to Melbourne, Alice Springs/Ayers rock and Sydney and blue mountains). In my opinion Port Douglas is lovely and if I had the choice I would stay in that area. As for seeing the rainforest I will add a link to an attraction in Cairns that will let you see the rainforest fantastically!! Its a scenic train journey and then a sky rail!!

http://www.skyrail.com.au/ My advice get the train up and the sky rail down (that way when you want to leave your not hanging around) we got stuck waiting ages for a train to get back down!

Hope this was of some help to you. Have a totally fantastic trip.

Claire

 

[aussiedaisy]

Hey Pete and Walter,
Soooo cool you are coming over here to Oz!!! You'll have a great time! Pity you aren't coming over to Melbourne (Victoria) where I live, the beaches are amazing down here on the Mornington Peninsula!
You'll enjoy Alice Springs, it's such an interesting place so different from anywhere else in the world! Just be warned that every bit of clothing you own will turn red from the red dirt up there....we went years ago and I'm still finding red dirt in my socks

As others have said, you have to try vegemite mmmm YUM!!! and also Tim Tams.

 

[teskak]

I'm from WA so I really cannot comment on whether Melbourne is better than Sydney for shopping & food .... but both are better than WA.

But anyway, I have told spouse I want to come over for a "shopping trip", since he does not listen to the Disunplugged, but does support my Disney addiction, I am not sure how he would understand me flying over to meet a chain smoking, rant loving Disney broadcaster.

But too bad, I will fly over for any Dis meet & shopping anyway.

Since it will be finals season - should the Aussies take Pete & Walter to the football?

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Hey Pete and Walter,
Soooo cool you are coming over here to Oz!!! You'll have a great time! Pity you aren't coming over to Melbourne (Victoria) where I live, the beaches are amazing down here on the Mornington Peninsula!
You'll enjoy Alice Springs, it's such an interesting place so different from anywhere else in the world! Just be warned that every bit of clothing you own will turn red from the red dirt up there....we went years ago and I'm still finding red dirt in my socks

As others have said, you have to try vegemite mmmm YUM!!! and also Tim Tams.

AussieDaisy...what town are you in. I'm on the Mornington Peninsula aswell. What a 'Small World'.

 

[teskak]

What about the Tim Tam Suck?

 

[PrincessBelle39]

What about the Tim Tam Suck?

That is the best. I love my Tim Tams.

 

[aussiedaisy]

Hi Princessbelle39!! I am in Mount Martha, where are you? Its nice to know that there is another Disney fan nearby Isn't it a small world!!! It's funny you know because there is a house nearby that I walk past regularly who has an obvious Mickey Head on their letter box....I always wonder if they are a disser....maybe its you???