Australia - travel tips!

[elspeth]

I'm probably off on my travels to Australia next year, a friend of mine has just moved to Cairns and is insisting I go to see her. Naturally it would be rude to refuse!

So... no point going all that way just for a few days, so I'm going to go for as long as my boss will let me skive off work for and do as much travelling as I can.

Anybody live/have travelled in Australia? What should I aim to do - or avoid - while I'm there?

Also I was wondering about stopovers en route. I've been told that both Singapore and Hong Kong are well worth a visit, depending on how the flights work out. What to do in either of those places when you've only a day or two to do it?

[healdie]

should I aim to do - or avoid - while I'm there?

well i would avoid all the things that will kill you i.e snakes, spiders, sharks, crocodiles and jellyfish
and i have heard that some of the birds over there are vicious too

and if all this doesn't get you they are now entering their spring season so it will be about a million degrees

so enjoy yourself 

[elspeth]

I know, the local wildlife does make me a bit nervous!

I'm not going till next summer, got to save up first - and the weather should be marginally cooler.

[hyrst]

LOL!  tsk tsk!    Do people really believe those things about my little country?  Well, it hardly need be said - don't swim with crocodiles or blue bottle jelly fish!  And watch out for our ferocious bears!!! 

Can't write much now, there is a lot I could say if I knew exactly what information you were after.  Australia is a big place with enormous diversity in climate, wildlife, sites and sorts of things to see, it would be pointless to say it all straight off.  Happy to answer any questions, though.  (I know there are a few here from Western Australia, too - which is like a different part of the world from the eastern states.)

[Petter]

Alice Springs seems fun. I think not 

[morningstar]

You'll probably have to be more specific, there's too much information to ask a general question about ALL of Australia

[lostinidlewonder]

If wildlife makes you nervous then you should keep away from Australia Cairns is a beautiful place, although the humidity there in the summer is horrible. In fact QLD in the summer is a stinker for a West Australian like myself. We are so much more used to the dry burning summer sun that burns you in 2 minutes. We have some of the most venomous animals in the world here too, don't go swimming without stockings all over you hehe, the sea wasps (box jelly fish) can kill you in a few minutes if they sting you. Australian warm waters are pretty dangerous. Inland is no better. You can die of dehydration if your vehicle gets stranded in the middle of the desert. Pretty much every year this happens actually.

If you are in Cairns go visit Townsville, try to take the train down (or fly) the coast to Brisbane. Stay in the city for a few days, visit Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo! Crikey! The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are nice to visit too

[hyrst]

Gosh, you make it sound incredible that any of us survive here at all! 

[pianochick93]

And watch out for our ferocious bears!!! 

yeah, those drop bears can be pretty scary...

Anyway, elspeth, I'm not too sure about Cairns, coming from the other side of Australia, but it's usually pretty humid up there, and hot even in winter.
When you say next summer, what months are you thinking of? I'm not sure where you're from so I don't know if you're talking about our summer, your summer, etc.

If it happens to be our summer, bring shorts and singlets, thongs (the footwear kind ), a hat, sunnies, and watch out for snakes - in summer they move faster. It will be hot. Very very hot.

Don't let all of this put you off...Australia really is an easy place to live in. I very rarely encounter dangerous species. Enjoy yourself.

[mikey6]

Just remember that kangaroo's run rampant through the streets and our backyard is the outback. There is no basic civilisation but we all say 'g'day mate' and 'put anotehr shrimp on the Barby' (although we call 'em prawns)

[morningstar]

Gosh, you make it sound incredible that any of us survive here at all! 

Well we're still alive aren't we? And sane and all that (for the moment )

[hyrst]

Well we're still alive aren't we? And sane and all that (for the moment )

Are you still sane!!!?  My kids have been telling me for ages that I'm insane - so I guess it's too late for me!  At least I'm still alive.  I survived the latest drop bear attack.  How are you coping with the kangaroo infestation? 

[morningstar]

Are you still sane!!!?  My kids have been telling me for ages that I'm insane - so I guess it's too late for me!  At least I'm still alive.  I survived the latest drop bear attack.  How are you coping with the kangaroo infestation? 

Fairly well, my Mauser 6.2 still  gets regular use. Mum reckons we drive her insane as well.

[lostinidlewonder]

Gosh, you make it sound incredible that any of us survive here at all! 

It is amazing we all survive here isn't  it I guess the poisonous animals are not as dangerous as the droughts our poor country faces. Those water restrictions have robbed a lot from Brisbane city I thought in my last visit. All the beautiful water fountains are now either no longer in use or now a garden bed. And did you hear about that old fella who got killed by someone by accident because they had an argument over washing a car with a hose?

I survived the latest drop bear attack.  How are you coping with the kangaroo infestation? 

Lol those drop bears are dangerous The last one that fell on me was stapled to the other drop bear, so I got a double whammy! Actually we as Australians should be eating more Roo's, their numbers are just crazy and it seems such a waste of meat, to burn their bodies. Every time I eat kangaroo I always hear the quote , "Awww skiiiiiippppp." from Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. How funny was Fast Forwards spoofs on them lol

[pianochick93]

Kangaroo is delicious!

[morningstar]

Kangaroo is delicious!

'Tis. Bush tucker!

[tds]

n crocodile pie isn't too bad, yeah?

[concerto_love]

n crocodile pie isn't too bad, yeah?

 

[morningstar]

 

It's not bad at all.

[somnifer]

My only tip is that "Brisbane" is pronounced "Bris-bun" and Melbourne is "Mel-bun". It's infuriating how many people mispronounce them.

Or you can call them "Brizzy" and "Tardland" respectively and be loved by all the locals in Cairns.

[pianochick93]

My only tip is that "Brisbane" is pronounced "Bris-bun" and Melbourne is "Mel-bun". It's infuriating how many people mispronounce them.

On mispronounciation, we have Wirrabarra and Thebarton. SO many people say wirra-barra rather than wirrabra, and lots of people say the barton rather than theb-ar-ton

[tds]

n i cant seem to pronounce anangu pitjantjatjara yankunytjatjara.

blame me!

[concerto_love]

anangu pitjantjatjara yankunytjatjara.

I remember a folk song that similar to this, hmmm....

[pianochick93]

yeah, sort of reminds me of 'Court of King Caractucus' sung at full speed.

[zp3929]

I survived the latest drop bear attack.  How are you coping with the kangaroo infestation? 

beat one in a boxing match the other day

Zac

[concerto_love]

hmm....  Crocodile pie, reminds me of Jakarta's traditional crocodile bread...