Vacation in Australia - where to visit?

fangmouse
fangmouse Posts: 119
in Chit-Chat
Hi I'm going to Australia for a holiday soon. Which part of Aussie should I visit? I'm from Singapore and I heard that Sydney is very much like Singapore, so I do not plan to visit Sydney as of yet because I want to experience something less alike. Any recommendations?

Replies

  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
    I'm not from Aus, but I've always wanted to visit the opera house. Just sayin'.
  • janentmurray
    janentmurray Posts: 6 Member
    Gold Coast in Brisbane, known for its surf,sun, beach and movie world, sea world, wet 'n' wild, dreamworld :)
  • candiceh3
    candiceh3 Posts: 379 Member
    Cairns is ok... you have the reef and the rainforest. But depending on the time of year, you can't go swimming due to stingers in the water.

    You can see the reef (if that is what you want to do) via Brisbane, but Brisbane won't exactly wow you.

    What do you want to see?
  • fangmouse
    fangmouse Posts: 119
    Hmmm I don't mind a few malls here and there, and I don't mind farm stays and all. Gold coast sounds fun too! I'm just not too sure what Australia has to offer as of yet so I need the help of you guys!
  • Ejourneys
    Ejourneys Posts: 1,603 Member
    I spent 2 weeks in Australia in August 1991. Those 2 weeks included:

    1. Staying in Yulara and driving a rental car to Uluru (aka Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (aka the Olgas), and Kings Canyon.
    2. Staying in Cairns and visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda, taking the railway, and taking a day trip on a boat that led to snorkeling and scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef
    3. Staying in Sydney, where I attended concerts and a school piano competition at the Opera House (I think I was the only person not related to or teaching the students at the competition) and visiting the zoo. I wanted to visit the Blue Mountains, but ran out of time and money.

    I stayed at youth hostels throughout. A friend who worked in travel got me a good deal on airfare.

    I loved all of it. But if I had to pick one of the three locations I'd choose Yulara, with car rental. At the hostel we slept 20 to a room, but it was comfortable and we were so tuckered out that it was by far the quietest lodging I had in the country.

    I also prepared for the trip by reading books like Robyn Davidson's _Tracks_, Robert Hughes's _The Fatal Shore_, and Bruce Chatwin's _The Songlines_ -- plus I carried with me the Lonely Planet guide to Australia.

    I'd say focus on what you're most curious about. Then find a part of the country that answers your curiosity.
  • Satiable
    Satiable Posts: 121
    If you'd prefer to avoid the cities, there are some gorgeous natural spots in northern Australia. Perhaps you'd like Kakadu? It's a national park that sprawls over an area about half the size of Switzerland. If you visit between January and April you'll catch it in the wet season, which is when the whole place blooms. Hope you like very hot weather. :tongue:

    http://www.parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/index.html

    My favourite city is Melbourne, if you'd prefer something a little more urban. Welcome in advance!
  • VBnotbitter
    VBnotbitter Posts: 820 Member
    The Kimberly for some true wilderness, Margaret River region for wineries and spectacular scenery and beaches, Melbourne for urban interest.
  • MickeyBoo
    MickeyBoo Posts: 196 Member
    I'm from Queensland :) If you want the nightclubs, a sometimes rough night scene, beach bods, theme parks and a very touristy place then Gold Coast. If you want the natural beauty then Hamilton Island right through to the top end of Qld, Alice Springs for Ayers Rock and the northern parts of the NT for some real outback Australia. If you want somewhere that caters to a. It of everything then the SunshineCoast is great for both beach and country without all the over the top glitz and touristy crap of the Gold Coast.

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