I am wanting to take a vacation there, and I was wondering which places would be the most recommended. Also since our seasons are reversed (I'm from the U.S) is it better to come during your spring or summer (our fall or winter)? And I've always heard Australian people are very friendly, is that true? I'm from Texas and I also wondered what your perception of us is? Sorry I know that's a lot of questions in one!
2007-03-06 07:36:38 · 13 answers · asked by Amanda LW 2 in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
If you want to see northern Australia - Darwin, Cairns, the Barrier reef etc, come in the dry season - May to September. This is also the time to visit central Australia - Alice Springs and Uluru - it is far too hot in midsummer.
In southern Australia summer is warm to hot and this is the time some of the major festivals are on in the capital cities. It is a very relaxed time of year.
If you want to see places in different areas, May and September would be the best. It is not too hot in the north and not too cold in the south. The Olympic Games were held in Sydney in September.
As far as where to go is concerned, Australia is a big place. I've lived here for more than forty years and am still discovering new and interesting places. Read Bill Bryson's book "Down Under". It will give you some interesting ideas of things to do.
2007-03-06 07:49:01 · answer #1 · answered by tentofield 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Australians are some of the friendliest people in world! You'll get along great if you are not a arrogant traveler.
I would suggest that you take at least two weeks to visit, more if you have the time and money. Most people I have talked to have regretted not spending more time here.
Australia is roughly the size of the USA so I suggest planning your trip where you do not try to see it all in one trip. Pick 1-3 areas to explore and visit them. If you try to see to much you will be spending to much time in planes and cars. Come back again to see more.
www.letsgotoaustralia.com has a free e-book that will give you details on the weather here and various places to visit. www.australia.com has great information also.
As far as where to visit. Everyone has their favorites but here are a few of mine.
I would take a drive down the Great Ocean Road in Victoria to visit the Twelve Apostles. It is a majestic ocean drive with small romantic towns along the way.
I love the Great Barrier Reef also. Make sure to NOT go during the rainy season. You may not get to go out to the reef.
You will get many other places to visit so I will stop there for now. Have a great trip!
2007-03-06 16:12:22 · answer #2 · answered by Ducatifred 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Here is a bit of info about Melbourne (where I live):
Things that I would recommend -
***Werribee Zoo (most of it is a 1 hour trip on a bus through a "safari") The end of June is usually pretty wet so at least you are safe in a bus.
***A footy game at the MCG or Telestra Dome, depends of you already follow AFL - if not try and get to a Collingwood or Essendon match, they usually have the biggest crowds so you will get more atmosphere.
***Look around Crown and have dinner there one night - then have stage shows there so you could always do that, or there is bowling, cinemas, bars ect, so you could just hang out and have a good time
***Day trip to Great Ocean Road, I would suggest take two days, so drive out stay down there for a night and drive back. Because it's June you won't be able to swim or anything but it's a beautiful drive
***Aquirium in Melbourne, it will only take a few hours but i enjoy going in and having a look around
***Day trip to the Dandenongs, it's a lovely drive out, if you leave Melbourne about 9.30am have a drive and look around, find somewhere to have lunch - make sure you go to Sky High, and you would be back in the city by dinnertime. You can always stay in the Dandenongs the night, but it's only a hours drive from Melbourne so the choice is yours
***Daytrip to Ballarat to the Gold Mines. I would almost suggest staying in Ballarat the night, so you can travel out to Ballarat in the morning, go to Sovingren Hill for the day, have dinner and stay in Ballarat the night, then the next day head out to Bendigo for a day trip before heading back into Melbourne.
** You could spend a few days just exploring Melbourne - jumping on trams and seeing where you end up. If you are into shopping then Smith Street Collingwood and Bridge Road Richmond are good for bargin shopping.
** Dinner in St Kilda, I love either Circa or gee, can't remember the name of the other restaurant, but it's down near St Kilda Marina, beautiful views of the bay.
** If you like wines then it may be worth booking yourself onto a winery tour in the Yarra Valley - you get to see the beautiful Yarra Valley and taste and purchase wines, plus usually there is dinner as well.
Hope that these suggestions help.
I can't really help you with anywhere else.
2007-03-07 02:17:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm...
Melbourne Area:
If you like penguins I strongly reccomend Phillip Island (2 hours from Melbourne)
Mornington Peninsula has very beautiful beaches, and lots of attractions (50 minutes to 90 minutes from Melbourne)
Bellarine Peninsula - same as Mornington (2 hours from Melbourne)
Yarra Valley - best wineries. Search for hotels in Chirnside Park, because there's really good hotel there.
Victoria:
The Grampians - 4 hours from Melbourne. Very big national park, If you're going to drive Melbourne-Adelaide stop there.
Great Ocean Road - You just must be there.
Queensland:
Cairns is a must-see, very beautiful place!
The Gold Coast is the most attractive place for kids!
Northen Territory:
Uluru (Ayers Rock) Amazing.
Sydney:
Bondi Beach - nice to be there, the most famous beach of Australia.
New South Wales:
Central Coast - Really nice place!
(I haven't got some places because I haven't been there)
2007-03-07 05:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These are my favourite places in Australia, maybe google them and see if they sound like places you'd want to go: Broome, Darwin, Uluru, Kakadu, North Stradbroke Island, Airley Beach, Daintree National Forest, Byron Bay... and of course, my hometown Melbourne (where you can see some amazing coast, surf, walk in rainforests, and enjoy some big city action too). If you're going to Melbourne, make it in summer or spring - you don't want to see our winters... they're miserable!
Just remember it's a very big country, so getting around it can take a long time!
*John So is not all he's cracked up to be, he refused to meet with the Dalai Lama when he visited our city. So don't believe everything you hear!
2007-03-06 22:20:07 · answer #5 · answered by shortcake 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I went to Sydney for a six day holiday. It absolutely poured down every day/night and stopped the morning we got on the plane to come back home.
Hey I just organised a New Zealand Tour for seven of your Country Music Entertainers over here late January. Great people. They came from Texas, Florida and Nashville.
Home is New Zealand, bottom of the North Island.
You should have a wee tour around NZ after your Ozzie Trip.
2007-03-06 16:09:59 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Queensland is very nice, plus there are plenty of theme parks to do in Queensland. Queensland is also a tourist destination, especially Surfers Paradise. Queensland in Spring would be nice. Summer might be too hot for you, but if you like the heat, then come in Summer! Although, it's usually always warm in Queensland! Most Australians are very nice. I think our view of Texans is that you are very nice people. Very polite. And, we love the Texan accent!
2007-03-06 21:17:30 · answer #7 · answered by * tj * 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you want something different come to West Australia the best time to come is around July-Oct ,we are very friendly and down to earth people and treat people how they treat us and it doesn't matter where you are from just come and have a good time we don't judge people by their state.
2007-03-08 04:43:05 · answer #8 · answered by molly 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your going to come for a holiday to AU, i would say the best place would be Sydney! its got lots of cool stuff to see and do, its a city but not very big one to citys like New York etc.
I would say come in summer when its hot, and you can see the awesome beaches!
We are very laid back ppl, and nice to.
I think its dif with each person over here, some like ppl from the U.S, some ppl dont, but if you like a person over here, then they like you back.
Hope that helped any, im from AU, bye the way.
2007-03-07 03:58:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
http://www.tourism.australia.com/ Browse this page it will tell you all you wish to know.Australia can be hot in summer and cold in winter.Aussie are a very friendly lot in general.What do we think of Americans we are beside them in every conflict so I think that answers that question.PS as Chris above stated New Zealand is worth a visit while you are over this way.
2007-03-06 16:24:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋