posted December 08, 2006 11:22 AM         

The Great Ocean Road near Melbourne. Well, someone from Australia might be able to help ya!

posted December 08, 2006 11:30 AM         

surf!!

posted December 08, 2006 02:13 PM         

If you're taking a vacation and have limited time remember Aussie is a HUGE country, so thinking you might surf the morning in Sydney then drive to Perth (3000 Km's or so away) for a hamburger, well it aint gonna happen.....

Ok, so, in the Gold coast (Queensland) area, theres indy car racing, The Australia Zoo in Beerwah (Steve Irwins crocodile park) in that area are the Glasshouse mountains, very interesting if you're into hiking stuff, and of course the miles and miles and miles of pristine beaches (which have crocs, puffer fish and stone fish) so be very careful. I don't recommend Brisbane for shopping.

In the middle of Au is a HUGE rock called Uluru it was once called Ayers rock, hmmmm...Alice Springs (near where the rock is) is damn damn hot in the summer, temps get upwards of 35 degrees celcius and hotter above 40s all over AU in the summer.

The Great Ocean road mentioned above is a fabulous drive, incredible in fact. Melbourne (where it starts or finishes) has F1 race, the Melbourne Cup (horse race which stops a nation second Tues in November) the Australian Open (Tennis Grand slam title) and absoloutely GREAT coffee no matter where you buy it, it's best from the dingiest darkest looking cafes, usually when you enter there are Latino looking gentlemen playing cards or dominoes or something at a table, Melbourne also has fab shopping.

Adelaide, ahhhh Adelaide, a church on every corner and a "knock" shop next door, plus the 'deros' in the main city park who are p!ssed all day long, hmmm....though Adelaide (South Australia) is the driest capital city in the driest state in the driest continent, and has Vineyards EVERYWHERE, free tastings etc, good for a laugh with a group and take a SOBER driver it is possible to lose your car if not, heheh, TRUST me;-)......

Also Adelaide still has one tram train which goes to Glenelg beach.

Sydney has the 'rocks' (where the ferries are) Taronga Zoo, the Opera house and miles and miles of shopping.

Surfing is a huge pastime, any beach activity is popular due to the excessive heat. Have fun in Au, I'm stopping now, or I'd go on and on and on, like an everyready battery, LOL!

posted December 12, 2006 09:49 PM         

MUSTS:
* Sydney
* Cairns, Daintree Rainforest and Port Douglas and the Green Way in general is a must. Make sure you go down to Innisfail as well, typical FNQ town but interesting art deco architecture. However it is the wet season at the moment and it is very humid. Tourists often come in June-Sept.
* Tasmania - Hobart is one of my favourite cities
* Sunshine Coast - where golden beaches meets highlands.
* Bendigo, Vic
* If you have time, drive from Cooktown Qld to Adelaide, SA - voted by Lonely Planet as the best road trip in the world. Australia is fantastic to drive around as long as you stick to the coast.
* Kakadu, NT

Australia is massive. You CANNOT walk to places in general. For example, a flight from Syd to Melbourne is 1 hour. It is about 3.5-4.5 hour flight from Melbourne to Perth. Flights aren't cheap compared to overseas due to taxes.

TOP END ISSUES
Do not go to the "outback" unless on a tour - do not traverse the top end of Qld/NT or the centre due to many tourists dying of thirst. The top end - Qld/NT is going through the wet season as well - cyclones and flooding possible.

Do NOT go near crocodiles or bother them if you see them, that includes swimming in the water. Go to Innisfail Croc Farm if you want to see the contained. Just stay away from creatures when you see them.

Do NOT swim in the water in the wet season - there are stingers that can kill you. Beware of mosquitos and be careful of getting ulcers.