djb@cbosgd.UUCP (David J. Bryant) (09/03/85)
A group of us here are planning a trip to Australia next March/April.
I'd like to hear from anyone that has advice or suggestions on the
following points:
1) We'll be arriving in Australia at Cairns, and plan to spend
a few days there and out on the Great Barrier Reef. Because
of financial and time constraints we want to stay close to
Cairns, which I understand limits us to Green, Fitzroy and
Lizard Is. Which should we select? Lizard is pretty expensive,
so it's less of interest than the other two. We want to see
the wonders of the reef of course, but we'd also like to be
able to do other things, plus we want some relative peace and
quiet (so we can rest up from the long airplane ride).
2) What should we do in Cairns? We've heard some about the trip
out to Kuranda, but don't know much else. Any hotel suggestions?
Restaurants?
3) Next stop is Darwin, principally to see Kuranda Park. Any other
tips (including hotels and restaurants) on things in the Darwin
area.
4) Alice Springs is pretty well taken care of in terms of local
must-sees (Ayers Rock, The Olgas), but any other pointers would
be great. Mostly we'll be observing Comet Halley while on this
part of the trip.
5) On to Sydney. Here we're pretty ignorant, and would like info
on hotels, restaurants and special sites. We want to get out
into the Blue Mountains for at least one night so we're interested
in accomodations in that area.
The travel agent has provided lots of brochures, but they all are pretty much
long on superlatives and short on details. Also, it's nice to get personal
recommendations from folks that know the areas. This is a dream trip of
a lifetime for most of us, so we want to do it right.
David Bryant AT&T Bell Laboratories Columbus, OH (614) 860-4516
(cbosgd!djb)
ps: Any of you Australians out there in Netland that would like to meet some
of us fascinating Bell Labs + astronomer types while we're out your way
on holiday, let me know. We'll happily reciprocate if you're ever in
the States.debbiem@rruxe.UUCP (D. McBurnett) (09/05/85)
Unless you have already made your arrangements, don't bet on being able to do much of ANYTHING. My parents are trying to do the same kind of thing you are, and a lot of stuff is already booked booked booked. Oh, you can get flights OVER to Australia still; the problem is once you get there. Better make your arrangements FAST. Also, because of all the people with the same idea, some reservations are only being taken if they are handled through a travel agent, i.e. hotels etc. won't take a reservation from you personally, even some of the chains. Better act fast if you want to get in on this. GOOD LUCK!!! Debbie McBurnett rruxe!debbiem
smh@rduxb.UUCP (henning) (09/05/85)
**** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA rduxb!smh > Unless you have already made your arrangements, don't bet on being > able to do much of ANYTHING. My parents are trying to do the same > kind of thing you are, and a lot of stuff is already booked booked > booked. Oh, you can get flights OVER to Australia still; the > problem is once you get there. Better make your arrangements FAST. > Better act fast if you want to get in on this. GOOD LUCK!!! My wife and I were in Australia in December and we only had reservations in Alice Springs. We had absolutely no trouble getting good lodging anywhere including Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and many small places in between. Now if you want a resort during our summer near Cairns then you have a problem or if you are going around Christmas and Boxing Day and in January you might have a problem. Basically most Australians are economy minded and will not be going to the resorts. They have an abundance of free beaches with jelly fish which can inflict pain on swimmers. Most people swim in fresh water or on the barrier reef since it is free of jelly fish. It just has some of Jaws friends swimming around. If you are a hiker, beware, Australia has 10 of the most deadly snakes in the world and Tasmania doesn't have a nonpoisonous snake. They have excellent snake bite care and have virtually no fatalities. Safer than honey bees in US.