I leave friday for 2 weeks in Australia- I'm excited beyond words!

[Beaverhausen]

I have never been out of the US let alone halfway across the world!

I'm going with my boyfriend. We are spending a week in Sydney with friends, then 3 days in and around Uluru and 3 in the north including a trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

We have a lot of day tours and stuff planned, but any tips would be appreciated.

God, I'm so excited!

:bounce:

[CottonBear]

1. Drinks lots of H2O on the plane to avoid dehydration and jet lag.

Don't sit in a window or middle seat. Get an aisle seat if at all possible. You'll want to stretch your legs and go to the loo and you can't easily climb over one or two or three other sleeping people to do those things. Try to sleep so you'll be rested when you get there!

Have fun and remember that a sense a humor is always helpful!

Keep a journal (an easy way is to write on the back of postcards which you can later put in a photo album. It's like killing two birds with one stone! You get a postcard collection with dated travel journal entries on the backs!)

Don't take pictures of huge things (buildings, landscapes...) that you can get a postcard picture of. Take (up close) pictures of people and friends, odd and unusual things and places and really cool things and places that you'll see!

Have fun!

Pack your bags then take out some clothes (you can buy stuff there!) and other things and take more money! Take (or buy while there) a folding, zippered tote bag (that can be checked) to put your purchases in!

Take a long, large cotton scarf that can be a sarong, a wrap or a scarf!

Take a dressy-casual travel dress (for going out to eat, etc.) that won't wrinkle. If sleeveless, bring a light cardie to wear over it.

Bring comfy shoes.

Bring a wide brimmed hat (some are crushable or fold up or wear it on the plane) and sunglasses and sunscreen!

[Beaverhausen]

3. Great tips. I am really worried about that loooooong flight

my legs get so cramped on a coast to coast flight here...I'm always up bugging the FAs in the back just cause I don't want to sit. But I need to sleep on this flight as we land at 7 AM sunday and have the whole day to explore Sydney.

[CottonBear]

6. You're going to have a great time! Post pics for us when you get back!

I've never been to Australia but I traveled with a lot of Australians in Europe. They were all really nice people and lots of fun!

My university had an exchange program with a university in Melbourne and I had an Australian professor one quarter. We took oral exams like they do in Australia. It was very interesting!

Have fun! :hi:

[seemunkee]

2. Sounds great

Have fun and post lots of pictures when you get back.

[Parche]

4. Brisbane

Be sure to go to Brisbane, lots of History,

I think all of the Australians are in Hawaii right now, I have never seen so many Japanese
and Australian people in Hawaii before...........:hi:


Have fun.........United, Qantas, Hawaiian, or Air New Zealand?

[Beaverhausen]

5. Qantas - and we are only in Brisbane for 4 hours

there is just too much to see in Oz to be able to do all we wanted in 2 weeks. Our flight back to Los Angeles leaves from there, and we have a 4 hour layover( we leave Cairns at 5:30 am!) so I'm wondering if maybe we can store our luggage and get out of the airport at least for a tiny bit of sightseeing in Brisbane, but I kind of doubt it.

[riderinthestorm]

7. I lived on Bondi Beach for a year

Busloads of Japanese tourists have snapped my topless self all shiny on the beach... aww fond memories!

I second the suggestion up top, don't bother trying to get the perfect pic of the Opera House for example - just grab a postcard and wander The Rocks instead (trust me - you'll understand that comment when you get there!). Be sure to take in a dinner up on the spire. My favorite place in the world is Noosa Heads which is on the way up to the Great Barrier Reef (are you driving or flying up north?). I have heard that Noosa is pretty overdone now with skyscrapers but waaaayyy back then, it was a bit of a hippie hang-out :hippie:

I wasn't that keen on Brisbane/Surfer's Paradise. It reminded me too much of say Miami. That's just me though - a beach bum at heart.

I loved the Barrier Reef although I would recommend that you try to get on a tour that shows the good and the bad (the destruction that is occurring with global warming and pollution). And everyone comes away from Ayer's Rock with a life changing experience - it is beyond amazing, you can "feel" the power (even without drugs which I will admit were helpful but even when I wasn't stoned it was powerful, I swear!)