Bill

I am planning a trip to new Zealand and Australia in 2006 and have
commenced detail planning prior to booking the Airline tickets.
I am from Toronto Canada and am looking forward to my first trip down
south. Period of travel for the part of the trip in question - Early
March. We will have a rental car.

My questions (the first of may) are

My wife and I will be traveling (leasurly, sigthseeing pace) from Syndney
to Melbourne along the coastal highway. (I have gathered from previous
posts that this is the most interesting route between the two cities)

1. How many days should we allow
2. Where should we stop for the night(s) - (1, two or more nights?)
3. What are the better places to stay
4. What are the 'should' see/do things along the route

Thank you in advance for any assistance

Www.Poms.Co.Uk

"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] 42...
    >I am planning a trip to new Zealand and Australia in 2006 and have
    > commenced detail planning prior to booking the Airline tickets.
    > I am from Toronto Canada and am looking forward to my first trip down
    > south. Period of travel for the part of the trip in question - Early
    > March. We will have a rental car.
    > My questions (the first of may) are
    > My wife and I will be traveling (leasurly, sigthseeing pace) from Syndney
    > to Melbourne along the coastal highway. (I have gathered from previous
    > posts that this is the most interesting route between the two cities)
    > 1. How many days should we allow
    > 2. Where should we stop for the night(s) - (1, two or more nights?)
    > 3. What are the better places to stay
    > 4. What are the 'should' see/do things along the route
    > Thank you in advance for any assistance




2 Days or 3 Days you need.





http://www.poms.co.uk/austsraliansimcard.htm

http://www.poms.co.uk/australianphotos.htm

Dave Proctor

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 08:26:44 -0500, Bill <[email protected]> wrote:

    >My wife and I will be traveling (leasurly, sigthseeing pace) from Syndney
    >to Melbourne along the coastal highway. (I have gathered from previous
    >posts that this is the most interesting route between the two cities)
    >1. How many days should we allow

I would allow around four nights. The NSW South Coast is full of
interesting places to visit, and you really do want to take your time
exploring it. Making a few short hops also allows you more time to
explore the fantastic places en route without having to worry about
rushing on to get to your next hotel.

    >2. Where should we stop for the night(s) - (1, two or more nights?)

I would advise the following stops on a SYD-MEL driving trip. Some of
them are well and truely off the beaten track, but then if you want to
experience true Australia, then go for it.

1. Sussex Inlet/ Huskisson/ Sanctuary Point.

All of them off the highway, small hamlets, nice places to visit.

2. Batemans Bay.

Quite a lovely small country town, some great clubs, lost of
sight-seeing available in close proximity.

3. Eden.

Right on the border between NSW and Victoria, has a lot of history,
particularly WRT fishing and whaling.

4. Lakes Entrance.

Some great places to see in close proximity to LE, and if travelling
in summer some great swimming as well.

Dave

=====

NSW Rural Fire Service - become a volunteer today.

http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/

Julie

Hi Bill,

There are some wonderful places to stop along the way.

There are a lot a "scenic drives" or "tourist routes". Make sure you leave
the highway and travel along as many of these as you have the time to do.
These will take you right to the coast and through many of the smaller
towns.

The Victorian school holidays in 2006 are from 10th March to 27th March.
NSW are later - they start on 13th April.

See http://www.dest.gov.au/schools/dates.htm

I would check when Easter is - that will determine whether or not you should
book your accommodation in advance.

Merimbula, Bateman's Bay, Lakes Entrance would all be good spots to stay.
Plenty of accommodation in all these towns.

Julie

"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] 42...
    >I am planning a trip to new Zealand and Australia in 2006 and have
    > commenced detail planning prior to booking the Airline tickets.
    > I am from Toronto Canada and am looking forward to my first trip down
    > south. Period of travel for the part of the trip in question - Early
    > March. We will have a rental car.
    > My questions (the first of may) are
    > My wife and I will be traveling (leasurly, sigthseeing pace) from Syndney
    > to Melbourne along the coastal highway. (I have gathered from previous
    > posts that this is the most interesting route between the two cities)
    > 1. How many days should we allow
    > 2. Where should we stop for the night(s) - (1, two or more nights?)
    > 3. What are the better places to stay
    > 4. What are the 'should' see/do things along the route
    > Thank you in advance for any assistance

Ken Pisichko

Do not forget a side-trip to Wilson's Promontory....

Dave Proctor wrote:
... lots of good information.

Alan

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 08:26:44 -0500, Bill <[email protected]> wrote:

    >I am planning a trip to new Zealand and Australia in 2006 and have
    >commenced detail planning prior to booking the Airline tickets.
    >I am from Toronto Canada and am looking forward to my first trip down
    >south. Period of travel for the part of the trip in question - Early
    >March. We will have a rental car.
    >My questions (the first of may) are
    >My wife and I will be traveling (leasurly, sigthseeing pace) from Syndney
    >to Melbourne along the coastal highway. (I have gathered from previous
    >posts that this is the most interesting route between the two cities)
    >1. How many days should we allow
    >2. Where should we stop for the night(s) - (1, two or more nights?)
    >3. What are the better places to stay
    >4. What are the 'should' see/do things along the route
    >Thank you in advance for any assistance

Hi Bill

I have done that trip many times, both ways, ranging from one day to
three weeks. How long have you got? If you want to be leisurely, a
minimum of four nights. That lets you check out some of the towns that
are off-highway, like Jervis bay, Tuross, Tathra and Mallacoota.

Allow for the fact that for most of the section between Kiama and Lakes
Entrance it is not a freeway but single lane each way with sections
allowing passing. So it's not a trip to do in a hurry. Gradually, new
sections of two-lanes-each-way are being added, but it's still mostly
one each way.

The others have given good advice. On where to stay, I wouldn't book
unless it's Easter. When you get to Sydney go to an NRMA office and buy
an Accommodation Guide, which will list all the motels and hotels
en-route, with facilities and pricing. Then just stop when and where you
feel like it. If you are looking low-budget, get the Tourist Park guide
as well. Also get their detailed maps. Take your local Automobile
Association membership with you because there may be reciprocal
arrangements for discounts or free maps. I received free AAA maps and
guides in the US based on my NRMA membership.

You may be able to get something in advance - check out
http://www.nrma.com.au/.

Almost any of those coastal towns and villages are worth staying at;
just get off the main highway occasionally. In addition to the towns
mentioned by others include a look at Central Tilba (it's become a
little touristy, but still very interesting) and also Bega, particularly
the cheese factory there.

In the same district, take the coastal road, not the highway, from
Bermagui to Tathra.

As a broad guide only, I'd stop overnight around Kiama (a reasonably
short first day, allowing time to get through traffic in Sydney and
Wollongong and get used to the other side of the road), Tathra,
Mallacoota and Lakes Entrance.

And a possible alternative you may not have considered: Spend the first
night in Canberra, then go back to the coast via either Braidwood to
Bateman's Bay, or via Cooma to Bega.


Cheers, Alan
--

Alan

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 17:04:21 -0500, Ken Pisichko <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Do not forget a side-trip to Wilson's Promontory....
    >Dave Proctor wrote:
    >... lots of good information.

A great spot, but a bit more than a side-trip. Add a day if you do.
An alternative is to go to the Tarra Bulga National Park about 25 km
south of Traralgon, for a magic walk in a temperate rainforest.
Incredible, tall Mountain Ash. Then you could either return back to the
highway at Morwell or continue on to Wilsons Promontory or Phillip
Island.


Cheers, Alan
--

Bill

Thanks Dave, Alan and Julie for you input - this has really helped me
solidify the planning around this segement of my trip

I will allow 5 nights between Sydney and Melbourne

I guess I should give little perspective to thsi trip - I have allocated
100 days travel and tour time to visit New Zealand (45 days) and Australia
(50 days)and travel (5). The first 45 days of the trip are to New Zealand,

The Australia part is:

The next 12 are to Tasmania, the rest NSW, Victoria. I don't think I'll get
to Adelaide but we will adjust these schedules based on your input to the
various questions I will post over the next few months. The last 15 days
are spent with friends in Port Macquarie and a fly in to Red rock country
and resting up in Sydney for the flight home. This leaves approximately 23
days to explore NSW and Victoria.

So here is how I see the utilazation of those 23 days

a. 5 days along the coast to Melbourne
b. 3 days in Melbourne area
c, ?? Days along the Great Cost Road
d, ?? days in the Grampians
e, ?? days to find my way to Port Macquarie.

So the next questions are:

a. Are three days in the Melbourne are to much, to little or just right
b. How should I allocate the rest of the time
c. Am I missing somthing significant that i should factor in
d. What is the most interesting way to get to Port Macquarie from The
Grampians

As before I'm appreciative of your input

PS don't you folk sleep.

Thanks
Bill

Alan

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:51:08 -0500, Bill <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Thanks Dave, Alan and Julie for you input - this has really helped me
    >solidify the planning around this segement of my trip
    >I will allow 5 nights between Sydney and Melbourne
    >I guess I should give little perspective to thsi trip - I have allocated
    >100 days travel and tour time to visit New Zealand (45 days) and Australia
    >(50 days)and travel (5). The first 45 days of the trip are to New Zealand,
    >The Australia part is:
    >The next 12 are to Tasmania, the rest NSW, Victoria. I don't think I'll get
    >to Adelaide but we will adjust these schedules based on your input to the
    >various questions I will post over the next few months. The last 15 days
    >are spent with friends in Port Macquarie and a fly in to Red rock country
    >and resting up in Sydney for the flight home. This leaves approximately 23
    >days to explore NSW and Victoria.
    >So here is how I see the utilazation of those 23 days
    >a. 5 days along the coast to Melbourne
    >b. 3 days in Melbourne area
    >c, ?? Days along the Great Cost Road
    >d, ?? days in the Grampians
    >e, ?? days to find my way to Port Macquarie.
    >So the next questions are:
    >a. Are three days in the Melbourne are to much, to little or just right
    >b. How should I allocate the rest of the time
    >c. Am I missing somthing significant that i should factor in
    >d. What is the most interesting way to get to Port Macquarie from The
    >Grampians
    >As before I'm appreciative of your input
    >PS don't you folk sleep.
    >Thanks
    >Bill

It's hard to answer without a little more info on the sorts of things
you are most interested in. I love wandering around in sleepy little
towns, or just sitting on a mountain lookout, or a ferry on the harbour.

For example, from the Grampians, you could head north for the Murray,
then follow it east through the wine country, or you could wander
through the Goldfields region and then up through Albury and Wagga,
Bathurst, Lithgow. So it all depends on the type of things you want to
see.


Cheers, Alan
--

Mack

Bill wrote:
    >
    > I am planning a trip to new Zealand and Australia in 2006 and have
    > commenced detail planning prior to booking the Airline tickets.
    > I am from Toronto Canada and am looking forward to my first trip down
    > south. Period of travel for the part of the trip in question - Early
    > March. We will have a rental car.

Be aware of the problems some people have driving on the other side of the road.
If you haven't done it before, you won't know whether it's a problem. Look
up the postings on this group under the heading

"Re: car rental - Australia and New Zealand "

and the string "Gene Shoemaker"

joe


--
Joseph Mack NA3T EME(B,D), FM05lw North Carolina
jmack (at) wm7d (dot) net - azimuthal equidistant map
generator at http://www.wm7d.net/azproj.shtml
Homepage http://www.austintek.com/ It's GNU/Linux!

Bill

mack <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:

    > Bill wrote:
    >>
    >> I am planning a trip to new Zealand and Australia in 2006 and have
    >> commenced detail planning prior to booking the Airline tickets.
    >> I am from Toronto Canada and am looking forward to my first trip down
    >> south. Period of travel for the part of the trip in question - Early
    >> March. We will have a rental car.
    >
    > Be aware of the problems some people have driving on the other side of
    > the road. If you haven't done it before, you won't know whether it's a
    > problem. Look up the postings on this group under the heading
    >
    > "Re: car rental - Australia and New Zealand "
    >
    > and the string "Gene Shoemaker"
    >
    > joe
    >
    >
    > --
    > Joseph Mack NA3T EME(B,D), FM05lw North Carolina
    > jmack (at) wm7d (dot) net - azimuthal equidistant map
    > generator at http://www.wm7d.net/azproj.shtml
    > Homepage http://www.austintek.com/ It's GNU/Linux!
    >

Thanks Alan, Joe

Allen, My interests are day walks (maybe on this part of the trip they
may be only a few hours) where there is an objective, such as a good
View, a waterfall, spectacular rocks eetc. along the way or at the end.
We are not into shopping, museums (except those that are exceptional) or
cities in general. Don't know if this helps

Joe, I have driven in the Uk on several vacations. I figure If I can
handle those narrow roads with stone walls for shoulders, I should be OK.
That said I plan to not drive for the first couple of days (get over jet
lag) and then really concentrate on the driving until the natural
instincts re-allign themselves. Remember, Passenger in the ditch where
ever you drive. It was really too bad about Shoemaker, a great
astronomer.

Thanks

Peter

In article <[email protected] >, Bill
<wdd100(RemoveThisToReply)@hotmail.com> says...

    > Joe, I have driven in the Uk on several vacations. I figure If I can
    > handle those narrow roads with stone walls for shoulders, I should be OK.
    > That said I plan to not drive for the first couple of days (get over jet
    > lag) and then really concentrate on the driving until the natural
    > instincts re-allign themselves. Remember, Passenger in the ditch where
    > ever you drive. It was really too bad about Shoemaker, a great
    > astronomer.

The point to be learnt about the Shoemaker accident is not that you can
remember which side to drive upon in ordinary driving, say when
approaching a roundabout or choosing which side to overtake another
vehicle on a freeway. It is that when you are driving along a narrow
road in rural or remote Australia where you generally keep to the middle
and only move to one side when another vehicle approaches, if you are
suddenly confronted with an oncoming vehicle at a sudden bend or crest,
your longstanding reactions will take over before you have time for a
conscious thought and you will automatically pull to the righthand side
of the road, which will be precisely the same piece of road that the
other driver is aiming for.

Luckily, the average driver will rarely venture off main roads where the
lanes are clearly marked, but it is a factor to be aware of,
particularly if you are here for more than a couple of weeks and explore
beyond the usual destinations.

Ncurtis

Bill <wdd100(RemoveThisToReply)@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]. 142>...
    > Allen, My interests are day walks (maybe on this part of the trip they
    > may be only a few hours) where there is an objective, such as a good
    > View, a waterfall, spectacular rocks eetc. along the way or at the end.
    > We are not into shopping, museums (except those that are exceptional) or
    > cities in general. Don't know if this helps

Not sure why you'd want 3 days in Melbourne, then (and mind you, I
liked visiting there). It is a great city for roaming around and
soaking up the ambience (heaps of restaurants, quirky public art,
extremely friendly people, etc.), but a bit lacking in Truly
Spectacular World-Famous Attractions. You might want to reconfigure
that part as 3 days at 1 or more of the various national parks within
a day's drive of the city: the Dandenongs, the Yarra region, Phillip
Island. Or maybe not, as you'll see similar sights at the parks along
the Great Ocean Road.

Nancy

Mack

Bill wrote:
    >

    > Thanks Alan, Joe
    >
    > Allen, My interests are day walks (maybe on this part of the trip they
    > may be only a few hours) where there is an objective, such as a good
    > View, a waterfall, spectacular rocks eetc. along the way or at the end.

In that case I have some suggestions in the Sydney area.

I do this as a bike trip...

Take the coast road from Sutherland, through Audley. Do not go along
the main highway which cuts inland, and is for people in a hurry,
and which misses out all the nice scenery. Stop at the Audley
Weir (you cross a river) and take a few minutes to look at all the
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos - they're large noisy birds and hang out
in flocks (like Canada Geese do in USA). Most of them hang out
near the kiosk there. In my last trip, it was the best place in Sydney
to see these Cockatoos.

Then head south to Stanwell Tops. Make a side trip to the waterfall
at Waterfall (Waterfall is the station, the waterfall is a couple
of km east I think - it's been a while since I've been there). It's only
a small waterfall by international standards, but if you're on a bike
it's pretty.

Stanwell Tops has nice laminar flow steady winds and is where Australia's
ealy aviator Hargraves flew in box kits. There is a memorial to him there
overlooking the cliffs where he flew. In the headlands just north people fly
hang gliders (particularly during weekends) and an australian design
of radio controlled gliders called zagis. The zagi flyers have one
headland and the hanggliders another. The zagis have 1-2m windspans and
with the brisk wind go many 100metres into the sky. I'd never seen these
before and asked the fliers about them. They said they were from California,
but when I get back here and look on the internet, I find that the Californian's
all say that the zagis are from Australia and give links to websites in
Australia
for plans, photos and club info.

Then travel down the Illawarra escarpement which is quite pretty.

If you're interested in birds, take a day trip to outside the continental
shelf to see birds you never see on land, albatrosses, fulmars... and you'll
see them in 100s, and a few porpoises (or maybe dolphins, forget which).

The people who put on these trips are a bunch of bird enthusiasts tracking
albatrosses lead by some academics in Canberra. They are a bit hard to contact.
The person I got into is Lindsay.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~sossa/

I stayed at the Boat Harbour Motel in Wollongong, just a couple of 100m from
the wharf where the trip starts. The trip is for bird enthusiasts rather
than tourists, the boat is small (pitched +- 30deg in the waves), you need
to be able to climb rung ladders and hang on. The trip is about 8hrs and
we had rain and sun at alternate intervals all day (bring suntan cream
and a rain jacket).
Being worried about being seasick and having a miserable time, I took meclazine
before leaving and purposely didn't eat all day (including breakfast).
I had no troubles. The rest of the boat was filled with people with
cast iron digestions who chowed down all day. One guy popped a bottle
of champagne on seeing his 1000th bird species for the year.

I have no connection to any of these people, but it was the highlight
of my last trip back to Sydney. They go once a month, so you'll have
to synchronise your trip with their schedule.

South of Wollongong I can't help you much.

There is some nice high waterfall somewhere near the Kangaroo Valley
(which is worth a trip through, for the sight of all the cliffs),
it's famous and I was there about 15yrs ago, but I forget what it's
called sorry.

Joe
--
Joseph Mack NA3T EME(B,D), FM05lw North Carolina
jmack (at) wm7d (dot) net - azimuthal equidistant map
generator at http://www.wm7d.net/azproj.shtml
Homepage http://www.austintek.com/ It's GNU/Linux!

Ken Pisichko

Alan, please send me an e-mail for some additional commentary? What I sent to
your alleged e-mail addy bounced. An anonymous forwarder will do, but not to
this NG.

Ken

Alan wrote:

    > It's hard to answer without a little more info on the sorts of things
    > you are most interested in. I love wandering around in sleepy little
    > towns, or just sitting on a mountain lookout, or a ferry on the harbour.

etc, etc.