HI,
I'm planning to go to Australia (6 months) and New Zealand (1 month) the end of the year.
I allready know i have to go dive in the great barrier reef, drive along the great ocean road and visit the opera house,...
But does anybody have tips about things to see or do, events or places to go, that are NOT in the travelbooks?
Katinka
Reply to this I recently returned from an overseas trip and would have certainly appreciated a local's advice lol.
Where are you from?
I live on the Gold Coast (Which is in Queensland, Australia) and can give you 100 tips/recommendations on things you just have to do! The Gold Coast has 4 theme parks and has access to beautiful beaches and amazing rain forests. It totally depends on what your "thing" is. That is, what you enjoy doing.
Anyway, if you would like to know more, just ask!
Reply to this My favourite smaller, less commercial places in Australia are:
The South Coast of NSW. There's a small town called Gerringong where the mountains meet the sea. You pretty much have the beaches to yourself during the week.
Gerringong website
From there you can go inland to Kangaroo Valley. Another beautiful spot with awesome views.
Kagaroo Valley website
Lakes Entrance, Victoria. The winery cruises are great. They take you on a boat along a river and you get off taste testing at a few different wineries and have lunch.
You can also hire out house boats to stay on. The fishing here is excellent.
Lakes Entrance website
Lennox Head. This is just down from Byron Bay but is alot less busy and has a great relaxed vibe. Great surfing spot too.
Lennox Head website
Mildura. Country Victoria. Great place. Nice people. Awesome wineries. It's a fair way out from anywhere though, but if you're in that part of oz it's worth a visit IMO.
Mildura website
Reply to this Hi Craig,
where did your trip go to?
I'm from Belgium, so i'm gonna visit a country that's 252 times the sice of my homeland, so any help planning is welcome.
Themeparks are not really my thing, but i love to read the other 96 tips you have for me lol.
What places are recommendable (is this an english word or did i just made that up myself?) on the Gold Coast, i have Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay on my list, but i'm wondering if those places aren't spoiled by mass tourism?
Any nice places on the hinterland of the gold coast?
What else to ask... are there any music festivals or other festivities that are worth to visit.
I read about strange Australian events like having a regatta in a dry river in Alice Springs, and a boatrace with boats made of beercans in Darwin, unfortunately both events are in the winter, but those are the things I like to see cause those things are only possible in Australia lol.
Thanks allready!
Reply to this Hi Mark,
Big thanks for telling me your favorite places, exept from Kangaroo Valley i initial didn't think of visiting, but hearing i can have an private beach made me change my mind 😊. My first idea was to travel from Canberra to Melbourne inland, but i think i will follow the coast visiting Gerringong and Lakes Entrance. I see the Greyhoundbusses don't go their, does that mean i have to rent a car, sit on where the passengerseat supose to be, drive at the wrong side of the road and hope i don't crash, or is their some other public transportation i don't know about?
Thanks for the tip about Lennox Head. About surfing, i'm wondering, the surfing aussies are such a cliché, is it really necessary to spend lots of money for lessons or is it possible to find nice aussies who teach for free 😊.
One more question, maybe a strange one, is it common for girl to do topless sunbathing topless on beaches? Can't seem to find any information on it.
Thanks again!
Reply to this Driving on the wrong side of the road will keep you alert on those long distance drives. That's a bonus.
I don't think a Greyhound bus is a very good way to see Australia. These are more of a cheap way for people to travel from city to city. They're very cramped - by the time you reach your end destination your arse will take 3 days to wake up and you could almost fly to Europe in the time they take to get between major cities.
And while the major cities are worth a visit, I think if you're out here for 6 months you will probably want to see and experience the real Australia. Places with a soul.
I've seen alot of backpackers using
these to get around. You could grab another backpacker and halve the cost. You always see them traveling in pairs and I'm pretty sure they don't all come out together.
I'm sure if you asked nicely enough some surfie on the beach would be more than happy to give you some tips. I guess that depends on what they get in return. Now, don't get dirty I mean....Belgian chocolate/beer.
oh and It's mandatory for all women, especially hot backpackers to go topless on our beaches. This is strictly enforced. 😱
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