Nathalie

I am travelling to Australia for a month and need some advice on nice/clean/central places to stay in Sydney (and prices). I have heard youth hostels are a good option for those on a budget and are also a great way to meet people also taking time out to travel.

As its my first time to Australia I would be grateful for any tips, great places to see, other places to visit arund the country and best ways to travel etc.

Keith Willshaw

"Nathalie" wrote in message
news:450565.1035231201@britishexpats-
.com...
    > I am travelling to Australia for a month and need some advice on
    > nice/clean/central places to stay in Sydney (and prices). I have heard
    > youth hostels are a good option for those on a budget and are also a
    > great way to meet people also taking time out to travel.
    > As its my first time to Australia I would be grateful for any tips,
    > great places to see, other places to visit arund the country and best
    > ways to travel etc.

When are you going ?

It makes quite a bit of difference.

Keith

Raffi Balmanoukian

in article [email protected], Nathalie at
[email protected] wrote on 10/21/02 5:13 PM:

    > I am travelling to Australia for a month and need some advice on
    > nice/clean/central places to stay in Sydney (and prices). I have heard
    > youth hostels are a good option for those on a budget and are also a
    > great way to meet people also taking time out to travel.
    > As its my first time to Australia I would be grateful for any tips,
    > great places to see, other places to visit arund the country and best
    > ways to travel etc.
    >
    > --


1. Yes, hostels are usually good value; check out yha.com.au
2. Places: get out of Sydney and see some of the bush - when and where
depends on when you're going and what your interests are.
3. Don't try to see too much - a month is a starter only in Australia - if
you try to see everything, you will see nothing.

Jim

Hi Nathalie. As Raffi says, its a BIG country. So much depends on your
interests (whatever they are we've probably got it covered.
What are your must sees and do's ? Exploring the Canning Stock Route and
exploring Sydney in a month, for example, is unrealistic for most people,
whilst a short time in Sydney, Surfers and Cairns is achievable.
Have a great time.

Cheers
Jim
http://www.jimshire.aussiewide.com
Free training courses at
http://www.systemx.biz/inde-
x.lasso?num=1031116709
Nathalie wrote in message
news:450565.1035231201@britishexpats-
.com...
    > I am travelling to Australia for a month and need some advice on
    > nice/clean/central places to stay in Sydney (and prices). I have heard
    > youth hostels are a good option for those on a budget and are also a
    > great way to meet people also taking time out to travel.
    > As its my first time to Australia I would be grateful for any tips,
    > great places to see, other places to visit arund the country and best
    > ways to travel etc.
    >
    > --

Nathalie

Nathalie

Thank you for your replies to date. My flight is booked for November 20th and I am returning to England for Christmas. I would ideally like to spend two/two and a half weeks in Sydney and maybe go to the barrier reef/whitsunday islands. Are they worth seeing? Can all this be done in 4 weeks? Or can anyone recommend any better places/cities to visit around Australia?

Raffi Balmanoukian

in article [email protected], Jim at [email protected]
wrote on 10/22/02 3:21 AM:

    > Hi Nathalie. As Raffi says, its a BIG country. So much depends on your
    > interests (whatever they are we've probably got it covered.
    > What are your must sees and do's ? Exploring the Canning Stock Route and
    > exploring Sydney in a month, for example, is unrealistic for most people,
    > whilst a short time in Sydney, Surfers and Cairns is achievable.
    > Have a great time.

I dunno, Jim, here's a summary from ABC (there is also a piece in The Age)
as posted by Red Centre Mike on his Yahoo forum. Lesson's obvious:

Read the ABC's yesterday Story below.
I guess the interview won't be available on the net before tomorrow.
Mike

"Stranded German tourist airlifted to safety

A 36-year-old German tourist has been found stranded on the remote
Canning Stock Route in Western Australia's Pilbara where he had been
bogged on a salt lake for three days.

Police say Kim Hardt had purchased a map of the route in Germany and
set off from Wiluna, about 700 kilometres north-east of Perth, on his
way to Darwin.

His hire car became bogged on Lake Disappointment in 50 degree heat,
where he was found by a group of tourists with only one litre of
water, 10 litres of beer and a packet of biscuits

Newman police Senior Sergeant Steve Gosney says the man has been
airlifted from the area by a helicopter sent from the Balfour Downs
Cattle Station, about 100 kilometres east of Newman.

"The gentleman concerned was extremely lucky because when he was
actually found he was sipping on salt water, so he'd used his all his
fresh water up," Senior Sergeant Gosney said.

"He was very lucky to be found. He'd been stranded out there for three
days." "

http://abc.net.au/wa/news/me-
twa-21oct2002-13.htm
------------------------------
I guess this will turn out to be a pretty expensive ( 3 days he
apparently allowed for it )trip for him, considering the airlift and
then the recovery of the car.
He apparently had seen a program about the Canning Stock Route on
German TV!!!!!!
He thought he could do the trip in 3 days ?????????????
I wonder if he told the Rental Company what he planned to do.

Mike.

amykelly

[QUOTE][SIZE=1]Originally posted by Nathalie:
I am travelling to Australia for a month



hello i am also travelling to austrailia but on a holiday visa for 3-6 months....
I was wondering if you could tell me how to get a working holiday maker's visa?????

any help wud b appreciated - loads!!

thanx! :scared:

Keith Willshaw

"Nathalie" wrote in message
news:451407.1035287434@britishexpats-
.com...
    > Originally posted by Nathalie:
    > >
    > Thank you for your replies to date. My flight is booked for November
    > 20th and I am returning to England for Christmas. I would ideally like
    > to spend two/two and a half weeks in Sydney and maybe go to the barrier
    > reef/whitsunday islands. Are they worth seeing? Can all this be done
    > in 4 weeks? Or can anyone recommend any better places/cities to visit
    > around Australia?
    > --

I really wouldnt advise spending more than a few days in Sydney.
Its a nice enough city and all but once you've seen the Opera House
and Harbor and done all the other tourist things you may as well
be in any other city.

At the very least take a trip up to Alice Springs and Ayers rock
and to the barrier reef

As a suggestion I'd say spend under a week in Sydney ,
head to Cairns or The Whitsundays for a few days

DONT MISS THE BARRIER REEF

Take a flight to Alice Springs for a few days and
visit Ayers rock, the Desert museum and the
Mcdonnels

Either catch the train or fly to Adelaide and drive the Great
Ocean Road to Melbourne and then head back to Sydney

Keith

Jim

Raffi I often wonder the same thing myself. I'd argue that the rental
companies have a duty of care towards their hirers which extends to at least
putting an epirb in the glovebox and showing how to change a tyre. I know
that I'd hate to think of a customer of mine stranded because they hadn't
been properly briefed.
Cheers
Jim
http://www.jimshire.aussiewide.com
Free training courses at
http://www.systemx.biz/inde-
x.lasso?num=1031116709
Raffi Balmanoukian wrote
in message
news:B9DA-
CC4A.DDA3%[email protected] atico.ca...
    > in article [email protected], Jim at
[email protected]
    > wrote on 10/22/02 3:21 AM:
    > > Hi Nathalie. As Raffi says, its a BIG country. So much depends on your
    > > interests (whatever they are we've probably got it covered.
    > > What are your must sees and do's ? Exploring the Canning Stock Route and
    > > exploring Sydney in a month, for example, is unrealistic for most
people,
    > > whilst a short time in Sydney, Surfers and Cairns is achievable.
    > > Have a great time.
    > >
    > I dunno, Jim, here's a summary from ABC (there is also a piece in The Age)
    > as posted by Red Centre Mike on his Yahoo forum. Lesson's obvious:
    > Read the ABC's yesterday Story below.
    > I guess the interview won't be available on the net before tomorrow.
    > Mike
    > "Stranded German tourist airlifted to safety
    > A 36-year-old German tourist has been found stranded on the remote
    > Canning Stock Route in Western Australia's Pilbara where he had been
    > bogged on a salt lake for three days.
    > Police say Kim Hardt had purchased a map of the route in Germany and
    > set off from Wiluna, about 700 kilometres north-east of Perth, on his
    > way to Darwin.
    > His hire car became bogged on Lake Disappointment in 50 degree heat,
    > where he was found by a group of tourists with only one litre of
    > water, 10 litres of beer and a packet of biscuits
    > Newman police Senior Sergeant Steve Gosney says the man has been
    > airlifted from the area by a helicopter sent from the Balfour Downs
    > Cattle Station, about 100 kilometres east of Newman.
    > "The gentleman concerned was extremely lucky because when he was
    > actually found he was sipping on salt water, so he'd used his all his
    > fresh water up," Senior Sergeant Gosney said.
    > "He was very lucky to be found. He'd been stranded out there for three
    > days." "
    > http://abc.net.au/wa/news/-
    > metwa-21oct2002-13.htm
    > ------------------------------
    > I guess this will turn out to be a pretty expensive ( 3 days he
    > apparently allowed for it )trip for him, considering the airlift and
    > then the recovery of the car.
    > He apparently had seen a program about the Canning Stock Route on
    > German TV!!!!!!
    > He thought he could do the trip in 3 days ?????????????
    > I wonder if he told the Rental Company what he planned to do.
    > Mike.

Andrew Roberts

The only hire company I know that offers a four wheel drive course as an
optional extra is Britz. They are alos offering a few tag along tours from
different points as well
"Jim" wrote in message
news:[email protected]
u...
    > Raffi I often wonder the same thing myself. I'd argue that the rental
    > companies have a duty of care towards their hirers which extends to at
least
    > putting an epirb in the glovebox and showing how to change a tyre. I know
    > that I'd hate to think of a customer of mine stranded because they hadn't
    > been properly briefed.
    > Cheers
    > Jim
    > http://www.jimshire.aussiewide.com
    > Free training courses at
    > http://www.systemx.biz/in-
    > dex.lasso?num=1031116709
    > Raffi Balmanoukian
wrote
    > in message
    > news:B9-
    > DACC4A.DDA3%[email protected] mpatico.ca    ...
    > > in article [email protected], Jim at
    > [email protected]
    > > wrote on 10/22/02 3:21 AM:
    > >
    > > > Hi Nathalie. As Raffi says, its a BIG country. So much depends on your
    > > > interests (whatever they are we've probably got it covered.
    > > > What are your must sees and do's ? Exploring the Canning Stock Route
and
    > > > exploring Sydney in a month, for example, is unrealistic for most
    > people,
    > > > whilst a short time in Sydney, Surfers and Cairns is achievable.
    > > > Have a great time.
    > > >
    > >
    > > I dunno, Jim, here's a summary from ABC (there is also a piece in The
Age)
    > > as posted by Red Centre Mike on his Yahoo forum. Lesson's obvious:
    > >
    > > Read the ABC's yesterday Story below.
    > > I guess the interview won't be available on the net before tomorrow.
    > > Mike
    > >
    > > "Stranded German tourist airlifted to safety
    > >
    > > A 36-year-old German tourist has been found stranded on the remote
    > > Canning Stock Route in Western Australia's Pilbara where he had been
    > > bogged on a salt lake for three days.
    > >
    > > Police say Kim Hardt had purchased a map of the route in Germany and
    > > set off from Wiluna, about 700 kilometres north-east of Perth, on his
    > > way to Darwin.
    > >
    > > His hire car became bogged on Lake Disappointment in 50 degree heat,
    > > where he was found by a group of tourists with only one litre of
    > > water, 10 litres of beer and a packet of biscuits
    > >
    > > Newman police Senior Sergeant Steve Gosney says the man has been
    > > airlifted from the area by a helicopter sent from the Balfour Downs
    > > Cattle Station, about 100 kilometres east of Newman.
    > >
    > > "The gentleman concerned was extremely lucky because when he was
    > > actually found he was sipping on salt water, so he'd used his all his
    > > fresh water up," Senior Sergeant Gosney said.
    > >
    > > "He was very lucky to be found. He'd been stranded out there for three
    > > days." "
    > >
    > > http://abc.net.au/wa/new-
    > > s/metwa-21oct2002-13.htm
    > > ------------------------------
    > > I guess this will turn out to be a pretty expensive ( 3 days he
    > > apparently allowed for it )trip for him, considering the airlift and
    > > then the recovery of the car.
    > > He apparently had seen a program about the Canning Stock Route on
    > > German TV!!!!!!
    > > He thought he could do the trip in 3 days ?????????????
    > > I wonder if he told the Rental Company what he planned to do.
    > >
    > > Mike.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >

Daniel Bowen

"Jim" wrote in message
news:[email protected]
u...
    > Raffi I often wonder the same thing myself. I'd argue that the rental
    > companies have a duty of care towards their hirers which extends to at
least
    > putting an epirb in the glovebox and showing how to change a tyre. I know
    > that I'd hate to think of a customer of mine stranded because they hadn't
    > been properly briefed.
    > Cheers

I thought of this thread yesterday when I read about a German tourist whose
car broke down out in the wilderness. He'd seen a TV documentary about and set out
with ONE LITRE of water (when it was advised to take 100)
and some beer. Thankfully locals found him.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
dbowen at custard dot net dot au

Nathalie

Thanks Keith, I have had lot of people saying I must see these places in particular so I think I will now start planning my route! I was going to stay in hostels and try to meet up with people also doing the same tours.
Can anyone tell me if the hostels are safe, especially as a girl travelling alone?

Raffi Balmanoukian

in article [email protected], Daniel Bowen at
[email protected] wrote on 10/23/02 7:34 AM:

    > "Jim" wrote in message
    > [url="news:[email protected]"]news:[email protected][-
    > /url]...
    >> Raffi I often wonder the same thing myself. I'd argue that the rental
    >> companies have a duty of care towards their hirers which extends to at
    > least
    >> putting an epirb in the glovebox and showing how to change a tyre. I know
    >> that I'd hate to think of a customer of mine stranded because they hadn't
    >> been properly briefed.
    >> Cheers
    > I thought of this thread yesterday when I read about a German tourist whose
    > car broke down out in the wilderness. He'd seen a TV documentary about track> and
    > set out with ONE LITRE of water (when it was advised to take 100)
    > and some beer. Thankfully locals found him.
    > Daniel
    > --
    > Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
    > dbowen at custard dot net dot au


It was the Canning, in 50 degree heat, and he was drinking the salt water
out of Lake Disappointment. Only slightly worse than dipping into the 10
litres of beer he had with him (a diuretic).

As for changing a tyre, I learned this the hard way - I thought I had
checked just about everything, but it turned out that some gorilla had done
the last rotation and put on the lock nut with an air gun. Result: flat
tyre and stripped lock nut. A big thumbs-up to Ray Ferguson who knew to
remove it by filing a groove in it and then knocking it loose with a hammer
and cold chisel. Ain't a day goes by you don't learn something in the bush:
hopefully with no, or only minor, consequences.

Raffi Balmanoukian

    > Thanks Keith, I have had lot of people saying I must see these places
    > in particular so I think I will now start planning my route! I was
    > going to stay in hostels and try to meet up with people also doing the
    > same tours.
    > Can anyone tell me if the hostels are safe, especially as a girl
    > travelling alone?


Nothing is ever, ever 100% (including your own living room) but I've never
heard of a single incident anywhere in Australia, aside from the Childers
fire - and that had nothing to do with gender! Use your kop and you'll be
right.