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Published: January 29th 2011
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The Pink View Australia - epic, like the movie? For me, no.
The joy of our visit to this gigantic country was not the country itself but the opportunity to catch up with friends and family. After nearly 5 months on the road, it has been an absolute delight to see familiar faces, some of which we haven't seen for quite some time.
Australia, itself, left me feeling rather underwhelmed. I think that this was in no small part due to the unbelievable expense of doing anything here. We were lucky enough to be given a bed every night for which we are immeasurably grateful but, even that, did little to stem the daily haemorrhage of cash. My tip top advice for anyone visiting Oz in the near future is save, save, save!
I do not feel that we have seen enough of the country for me to be able to honestly sum it up, in fact, in just under three weeks we saw only three places - unusual for us. I am afraid that the word that pops into my head when I think of Australia, the place, is 'bland' - other than the obvious highlights of Sydney. I feel rather guilty for saying that, particularly because we both have Australian friends but there it is. Should we ever visit again, I shall resolve to go armed with fistfuls of cash and for long enough to actually do the country justice.
The Blue View EXPENSIVE!
That is the first thing that springs to mind when I come to write this.
Now it could have been a whole lot worse for us if we didn’t have friends and family here.
I had visited this place ten years ago when the exchange rate was considerably more favourable and inflation hadn’t hiked prices up either, returning I feel that the days when this HUGE continent sized country was the mecca for backpackers are passed. Whilst many Brits may still think of this place as THE destination for their gap year etc, the lure of Asia with its ever increasing facilities and favourable prices must mean this places days are numbered. Especially if the reliable hot Aussie summer does what it did with us and fails to arrive for 2 of our 3 weeks here.
We did experience some amazing stuff despite this, the legendary Steve Irwin’s zoo, and the Brisbane floods (its not every day you get to be part of history), and obviously Sydney harbour complete with bridge and opera house.
However for me Australia is going to be remembered very differently to any other part of this big trip, as everywhere else we have forged our own path, here we have treated it like a 3 week vacation, visiting people in the process.
Sydney, and Manly in particular I will remember, in part from my previous time there a decade ago, and re-visiting some old haunts, but also as it was here that the sun came out and we really could make the most of our time in this country. Also as the public transport network in Sydney is excellent and good value allowing an element of freedom which we crave anywhere we go. Without some transport in a country this big, where popping to the next town can take longer than getting from Plymouth to Bristol, and the cities and towns sprawl, you really are limited.
So if you are reading this and considering it for a short break, go ahead, however if you are looking for the backpacking destination of the 90’s, where money goes a long way on cheap beer and digs, and its easy to buy a cheap wreck of a car and sell it at the end of your trip - I’d think again, or at least do a bit more research. Get it right and this place can be great, but get it wrong and you’ll be flat broke and won’t have seen anything in the process!
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Helen
non-member comment
ta for the advice!
I'm currently planning a round the world trip and contrary to all RTW flights I do not want to go to Australia - mainly due to costs and wanting to spend my time in other more interesting countries. This post makes me feel sure that this is the right decision! I am planning to visit New Zealand though so will be interested to hear what you have to say about that! Helen