Planning an Australian Vacation

[dUSt]

I'm in the brainstorming stages of planning an Australian vacation in June 2016.

I understand that it would be the beginning on their winter, but I also understand that their winters do not get that harsh. We're picking June because my kids will be out of school, and the Australian schools would be in session (so no competing for airline seats).

I know we have some Australian phatmassers--and maybe some people who've visited before?

We'll be flying in to Sydney, but also have options to stay in Coolangatta, Coffs Harbor, Golden Beach or Torquay--or any combination of those places. 2 parents with 4 kids ranging from ages 18 to 3.

Anyway, just looking for suggestions.

[AccountDeleted]

There is a website that was useful to me in finding accommodation when I first came back to Oz. It is called airbnb and their website is http://www.airbnb.com.au 

You are right that it won't be too cold for you, especially if you are heading north. Sydney might have a few thunderstorms, but it's such a beautiful place visually that it's worth it. Don't come to Melbourne if you want warmth - it is freezing here right now in July.

School holidays in NSW (Sydney) are: 

School Holidays

Saturday 2 July 2016

Sunday 17 July 2016

 

and if you are heading up to QLD, they are:

School Holidays

Saturday 25 June, 2016

Sunday 10 July, 2016

And this site might be useful for other dates: http://www.nswschoolholiday.com.au/index.php/nsw-school-holiday-dates-2016 

Have fun.

 

Edited July 20, 2015 by nunsense

[Spem in alium]

I agree with nunsense: Sydney is a great place to go -- great tourist stuff, very visually appealing. 

It's generally not too bad in wintertime. There are thunderstorms occasionally, as nunsense says, but temperatures are usually mild. Melbourne does get cold, however (though I wouldn't let that deter you, it's a beautiful city. Even a couple of days' visit would be worth it, if you can).

June is a good time to visit, as schools are still going.

Coffs Harbour is beautiful too! And seeing as you will be in NSW, I really do suggest visiting some rural areas to see the countryside (the Blue Mountains (http://www.bluemts.com.au/), which have lots of great things to see, and the Three Sisters). It will be colder there than in the city, but definitely worth it for scenery. They aren't too much of a drive out of Sydney, and accessible by train. 

And if you have free time, hit me up! I'm in Sydney  

 

[dUSt]

amesome info!

We already have accommodations available at all the places I mentioned above through a Wyndham timeshare (my dad's). We might be able to get a place somewhere else but I'm trying to avoid additional expenses. We're already going to have to rent one of these:

[Credo in Deum]

[Norseman82]

Be sure to link up with Tab - maybe he'll buy you a Fosters and throw some shrimp on the barbie.

[AccountDeleted]

I agree with nunsense: Sydney is a great place to go -- great tourist stuff, very visually appealing. 

It's generally not too bad in wintertime. There are thunderstorms occasionally, as nunsense says, but temperatures are usually mild. Melbourne does get cold, however (though I wouldn't let that deter you, it's a beautiful city. Even a couple of days' visit would be worth it, if you can).

June is a good time to visit, as schools are still going.

Coffs Harbour is beautiful too! And seeing as you will be in NSW, I really do suggest visiting some rural areas to see the countryside (the Blue Mountains (http://www.bluemts.com.au/), which have lots of great things to see, and the Three Sisters). It will be colder there than in the city, but definitely worth it for scenery. They aren't too much of a drive out of Sydney, and accessible by train. 

And if you have free time, hit me up! I'm in Sydney  

 

I humbly disagree with spem here. Don't come to Melbourne in the winter! You will always remember Melbourne as that dreary, grey, cold, damp suburban place instead of as a cosmopolitan city of culture and gardens and quiet beauty, which is what you would see in the autumn or spring (summer can be either debilitatingly hot or raining - go figure). I think of Melbourne as similar to Seattle- it's green because it rains a lot. Especially don't come after spending time in Sydney, because Sydney is the flashy, drop dead gorgeous sister compared with Melbourne's plainer but richer in quality personality. Flash vs substance  and tourists want flash. Residents prefer substance!

I have lived for years in every state in Australia and I love each and every one of them, but Melbourne is my heart's home. That doesn't stop me from seeing how poorly she compares with some of the tourist attractions of the other cities.

And dUSt, you are wise to get the van and drive - you see so much more that way in less time. Just don't end up on the wrong side of the road - remember that you should be sitting near the centre line not the kerb side! (ye)s, we even spell things differently

The further north you go, the hotter it gets so if you all start to feel cold, head north, young man!  

Australia is a great place - I am sure you will all have fun. 

[Gabriela]

Oh! Post pictures of the Tasmanian devils!

[dUSt]

The Blue Mountains look like something I definitely want to do.

OK, lets assume that I am going to spend a couple days in Sydney, and then drive north and stay a few days in Coffs Harbor. And then, of course, the drive back to Sydney. Let's also assume I am not opposed to driving a bit out of the way if it's something amesome. Do you Australian folks have like a "top 3 things you shouldn't miss" list?

Also, I have experience driving on the wrong side of the road in Ireland. We rented a car and drove around the whole country. I'm crossing my fingers that the Australian roads are just a tad wider.

[AccountDeleted]

The Blue Mountains look like something I definitely want to do.

OK, lets assume that I am going to spend a couple days in Sydney, and then drive north and stay a few days in Coffs Harbor. And then, of course, the drive back to Sydney. Let's also assume I am not opposed to driving a bit out of the way if it's something amesome. Do you Australian folks have like a "top 3 things you shouldn't miss" list?

Also, I have experience driving on the wrong side of the road in Ireland. We rented a car and drove around the whole country. I'm crossing my fingers that the Australian roads are just a tad wider.

Our roads are great out in the country areas - wide highways a lot of the time. But in the cities and suburbs, forget it - on streets with two lanes going in the same direction, parking is often allowed in the left lane except at peak times (Clearways) - really stupid. And don't even get me started about Melbourne traffic - forget the trams, think about those 'turn right from the left' turns in Melbourne city! I actually like them but they are a real shocker for someone who doesn't know what to do the first time. I haven't driven in Sydney for years so maybe it's better now, but when I was there, city traffic was horrendous, especially crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. But then Americans in big cities are used to traffic! I made a commute every day in Silicon Valley and it was stop/start all the way.

Here in Victoria we have e-Tag, which is a highway toll system paid via credit card. It uses an electronic device (eTag) in the car which sends a signal to the toll reader. Sydney uses something similar called E-Toll. If you are renting a car, they probably have that all arranged for you, but if you are curious, the website is: www.myrta.com  and then choose the E-toll option.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

Be sure to link up with Tab - maybe he'll buy you a Fosters and throw some shrimp on the barbie.

I haven't had a drink for 6 months so thats out of the question and barbie isn't a great role model for children  though a good steak and sausages with some onion and tomato or b.b.q sauce is great. But yeah definitely do the blue mountains for at least 1 day, check out the scenic railway and the 3 sisters, there is heaps of other tourist stuff up there too but yes pack your jacket and gloves if your going up there for a day in winter though if the sun is out it will be actually mild when it comes to mountains in winter, coffs harbour is warm as and you will not be needing jumpers there and Sydney 'The Rocks' is a touristy area. I'm sorry i'm of not much use for places to see i've kind of been trapped in my city my whole life unfortunately broke and smoking dope kind of thing, and no i don't smoke dope anymore. But also I am more than willing for an eye ball (that is aussie CB talk for meet up) even if i have to bus it up to sydney that is fine. If not all good as long as Jesus iz in tha hood, no doubt.

The blue mountains as far as i'm aware though it does snow it is rare.

well not every year anyway.

also even if i am drinking alcohol june next year which i truly plan not to be i don't drink with good people coz i get all crazy.

and i don't put that on my brothers and sisters in christ for the most, that's my problem not theres.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye

[Spem in alium]

 I didn't realise Melbourne got so bad in winter, haha. I was there a few years ago in June, and again last year, and it was cool, but don't remember it being too bad. In any case, follow nunsense's advice on that one  

Our roads are great out in the country areas - wide highways a lot of the time. But in the cities and suburbs, forget it - on streets with two lanes going in the same direction, parking is often allowed in the left lane except at peak times (Clearways) - really stupid. And don't even get me started about Melbourne traffic - forget the trams, think about those 'turn right from the left' turns in Melbourne city! I actually like them but they are a real shocker for someone who doesn't know what to do the first time. I haven't driven in Sydney for years so maybe it's better now, but when I was there, city traffic was horrendous, especially crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. But then Americans in big cities are used to traffic! I made a commute every day in Silicon Valley and it was stop/start all the way.

Here in Victoria we have e-Tag, which is a highway toll system paid via credit card. It uses an electronic device (eTag) in the car which sends a signal to the toll reader. Sydney uses something similar called E-Toll. If you are renting a car, they probably have that all arranged for you, but if you are curious, the website is: www.myrta.com  and then choose the E-toll option.

Yes, country areas are great to drive! Great views, wide roads, but also higher speeds. Oh yes, those turns in Melbourne! They kind of freaked me out when I was there, and I wasn't even on the road.

I don't live in the city area of Sydney, but when I go there traffic is always busy - and yes, especially on the Harbour Bridge. 

So glad the Blue Mountains are on your list. I definitely recommend stopping in a small town called Blackheath - they have some nice restaurants from memory, and also a place called Evans Lookout, with amazing views. And if you can, visit the Jenolan Caves.

Would you be opposed to driving south to Wollongong/Kiama (still in NSW, with about a 1.5 hour drive from Sydney)? There's an amesome blowhole there. http://www.kiama.com.au/see-and-do/blowhole. And there are nice things to see and do. 

You can probably tell that most of my top things are nature things  

[AccountDeleted]

 I didn't realise Melbourne got so bad in winter, haha. I was there a few years ago in June, and again last year, and it was cool, but don't remember it being too bad. In any case, follow nunsense's advice on that one  

 

 

Melbourne has had some mild winters but this year has been bad. Drivers are complaining about having to scrape ice off their windscreens in the morning (I take public transport). Of course, it's nowhere near as bad as someplace like upstate New York - I lived in Rochester, NY for two years - couldn't handle the winters after being raised in Southern California! And folks in Edmonton, Canada (where I also lived) would laugh at anyone in Melbourne complaining about the cold, but it's all relative to where you are at the time.

One of the worst things about a Melbourne winter is the end of it - towards the end of September the winds blow something fierce, and if you happen to be standing on a street corner waiting for a tram or bus, well, it's miserable. At least in upstate New York, we dressed for the cold when we went outside or we went from our heated houses to our heated cars to the heated malls or offices! LOL  

But despite writing all that, I actually prefer winter to summer because I can always put on more clothes or heat the room, but in the oppressive heat of mid-summer, I can only take off so many clothes, and I hate the feel of refrigerated air conditioning (I use fans instead) and I seem to suffer a lot more. So right now, I feel very cozy indeed, sitting in front of my gas heater drinking a cuppa. 

[dUSt]

lol, what's a windscreen

lol, what's a tram

lol, what's a cuppa

[AccountDeleted]