Going to Australia for a week to 10 days, any recommendations on what to do or how to get around cheap?

Answer 1

Personally, there is not much of difference in terms of 'culture shock' within East coast Australia. Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne are pretty 'standard Australian capital cities'. Of course Sydney will have a lot more happening things going on, while Brisbane is 'less happening', but it is a myth. Brisbane is a pretty happening place nowadays.

You can fly 5 hours from the East coast to West Coast (Perth) and find exactly the same 'atmosphere'. Culturally.

If you are interested in Aboriginal culture, then I think Northern Territory is a good base to explore. Alice Spring, the Uluru, etc. Northern Queensland also has a good portion of Aboriginal population.

Tasmania is the 'forgotten' part, since not only foreign visitors, but also local Australians tend to ignore that island state. But you will be richly rewarded if you go there. I love Tasmania.

If you have money and want to sample all of those things in 10 days, suggest:
- Sydney for its typical Australian big cities experience
- Alice Spring for Australian dessert atmosphere
- Northern Queensland, simply for its astounding Great Barrier Reef and tropical weather
- Tasmania - very European, so you might be told. But I beg to differ when it comes to natural scenery. Every inch of Tasmania is very scenic.

Flying costs the same with catching bus or train. SERIOUSLY. Sometimes cheaper if you get good deal. You take train or bus because you WANT to. But just an idea, a bus trip Sydney-Melbourne is abotu 12 hours. Flying to the centre Alice Spring is known to be costly, and I don't think there is any cheap ways to do it. But generally, the coastal cities are well served, thus you might get some competitive price. Virgin blue and Jetstar are the two main budget airlines for Domestic flights.

Answer 2

If you are here for such a short time, flying is the only way to go. In a week you will have time to see some of a city such as Sydney and make a trip for two or three days to Alice Springs and the red centre or Cairns and the Great Barrier reef. That's about it.

Australia is as big as the USA and everywhere is a long way from everywhere else. Were you to drive, it would take you a day to drive from Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane and three days to Cairns or Alice Springs. Fly. There are some cheap flights around if you look. QANTAS, Jetstar and Virgin Blue are the main airlines.

Answer 3

Think about what is interesting for you, then get you information about that particular thing. But as you only can stay there for 8 to 10 days just pick out one little part. Australia is such a huge country - you won't believe. Within this period of time you can visit either two larger cities, each for 4 or 5 days or you start a trip to the outback in a large city and arrive in another one. But those two cities shouldn't be too far away - I reckon not more than 800 to 1,000 kms, cause you should have a look around the place you're driving.

Answer 4

Flying to me is better than hours on a bus. Really it depends where you are going - one end of the country to the other - or just sticking around one state.

I would fly between some places - only because there ARE some bargains out there and you are time limited. You just got to know where to look!

For instance - some flights between Melbourne and Cairns can get as low as $199, sometimes less. (look for the promo fares) - it's cost you WAY more for fuel etc. (and a few days traveling rather than 3 - 4 hours on the plane

Just keep checking in - or surf the site for a few days - see how the fares work. I've seen fare(s) change prices up to 5 times a day for the same time and route.
They also have a 'happy hour' between midday and 1pm for more specials.

Answer 5

If you plan on stopping at several destinations in Australia then i recommend you fly as it is cheaper thus time is the essense.
We did
Bangkok-Sydney
Sydney- Melbourne
Melbourne - Sydney
Sydney- Ayers rock
Ayers Rock - cairns
Cairns - Brisbane
Brisbane- Fiji


We flew everywhere from point to point and enjoyed a few days in each destination going on excursions etc.
We had a fab time and hope you do too.

Answer 6

with only a week you will see nothing unless you fly between destinations
Australia is a very big place