Australia!

[emmycantbemeeko]

I am planning a trip to Australia in late November, and I would appreciate any advice anyone has to offer- and since my traveling companion is currently in a combat zone, I'm responsible for the details. Suggestions for what to do/see/where to stay? We're currently thinking Queensland and we're both of an outdoorsy bent, but no tickets or

Comments

[reynardo]

Perfect time to go - not too hot, not miserable and cold, and before the cyclone season really starts. We just spend a week on Lady Elliot Island, but there are other ones that aren't quite as expensive.

We also did a 3 day camp around Uluru in the Centre, and time up in the Northern Territory. It'll be a lousy time to do the Top End - it's that hovering-not-quite-there time just before the Monsoons, so lots of incredible humidity and brooding storms. But Uluru should be good - cool nights and hot days. The camp wasn't too basic - frost-covered sleeping bags and dealing with a mouse plague, but the walks were lovely and there's something special about that countryside. We used Wayoutback for the camping part, and they were pretty good. Alas, our lovely driver has now gone to another company, but the others should be fine

[emmycantbemeeko]

Thank you! For right now it looks like we probably won't make it to Melbourne, but that's such a generous offer. The boy is become quite determined on Brisbane, and since he's the one whose leave this is, I suspect that's what what we'll do.

Although every time we think we have our itinerary down, something else amazing-looking turns up and we're indecisive again. I wish we could stay longer. Too many possibilities!

Anything particularly unmissable in your opinion in/around Brisbane?

[reynardo]

I'll check with my brother-in-law who lives up that way. The gallery is pretty amazing (They just had the Surrealist exhibition). But Brisbane's not really my area. Give me a couple of days.

[reynardo]

OK, Sis-in-law says that apart from the gallery and the beaches, your best bet is to go a bit further north and make sure you see some of the Great Barrier Reef.

Oh - and if you get to Harvey Bay, don't go to the Shark Museum. Think "Time Cube guy and big fishes" and you'll be close.

[jakflak]

Remember: everything in Australia is poisonous and out to kill you. It's home to the worlds only venomous mammal.

[slysom]

'Nee and I went to Sydney and Brisbane, both of which were super fun. The beaches of the Gold Coast (near Brisbane) are supposed to amazing- we didn't make it that far.

'Nee might have some ideas, and I think I might still have her Australia guidebooks.. I'll check and let you know, and of course you can e-mail her. She made all the plans for our trip. :)