Australia - Road Trip in Sep 2011
Discussion
Any advice welcome.
As the title says the GF and I are planning a 3 week trip to Oz next September, the current plan is to spend a few days in Sydney, hire a camper van and drive for 10 days up to Brisbane, a few days up there then internal flight back to Sydney for another couple of (days before home.
Currently flights with BA (although I assume a Quantas code-share ?) are around a grand each (doesn't seem too bad) but will these get any cheaper i.e. is it possible to book a flight too early ?
Can anyone recommend a decent place to stay in Sydney (seems more expensive than I thought for accommodation tbh, most hotels around 200 GBP per night) ?
Also anyone experience of campervan hire in NSW ? Seems around 500 quid for 10 days of a 2 berth "deluxe" camper with a one-way fee included (including all excess waivers etc), again seems pretty reasonable ?
More importantly, what should we make sure we see on the way up the coast, things to do etc.
Cheers,
Chris
As the title says the GF and I are planning a 3 week trip to Oz next September, the current plan is to spend a few days in Sydney, hire a camper van and drive for 10 days up to Brisbane, a few days up there then internal flight back to Sydney for another couple of (days before home.
Currently flights with BA (although I assume a Quantas code-share ?) are around a grand each (doesn't seem too bad) but will these get any cheaper i.e. is it possible to book a flight too early ?
Can anyone recommend a decent place to stay in Sydney (seems more expensive than I thought for accommodation tbh, most hotels around 200 GBP per night) ?
Also anyone experience of campervan hire in NSW ? Seems around 500 quid for 10 days of a 2 berth "deluxe" camper with a one-way fee included (including all excess waivers etc), again seems pretty reasonable ?
More importantly, what should we make sure we see on the way up the coast, things to do etc.
Cheers,
Chris
AirAsia do promo deals every once in while, but they tend to be up for a day and then gone. You have to be quick or lucky. Kinda hit or miss, but they are good prices if you get them. £1k return or single for both of you?
Sydney is very expensive, but there are cheaper places than £200 per night. It depends what level of quality you want, but certainly expect to pay more than you would in the UK. Other places in Oz are cheaper.
Sydney is very expensive, but there are cheaper places than £200 per night. It depends what level of quality you want, but certainly expect to pay more than you would in the UK. Other places in Oz are cheaper.
Condi said:
AirAsia do promo deals every once in while, but they tend to be up for a day and then gone. You have to be quick or lucky. Kinda hit or miss, but they are good prices if you get them. £1k return or single for both of you?
It's a grand return for each of us (economy), compared to recent long-haul flights I've taken this doesn't seem too bad. Any idea how Air Asia compares to BA / Quantas in terms of comfort / service ?Condi said:
Sydney is very expensive, but there are cheaper places than £200 per night. It depends what level of quality you want, but certainly expect to pay more than you would in the UK. Other places in Oz are cheaper.
We were looking for a boutique-style hotel and assumed it would be cheaper than the UK, guess if we're sleeping in a Mazda Bongo for the majority of the holiday we can swallow a bit more for a hotel. I am planning a 5 week trip in jul/aug 2011 as well. I have been using this for inspiration 100 things to do in aus linky
chrisdk said:
Condi said:
AirAsia do promo deals every once in while, but they tend to be up for a day and then gone. You have to be quick or lucky. Kinda hit or miss, but they are good prices if you get them. £1k return or single for both of you?
It's a grand return for each of us (economy), compared to recent long-haul flights I've taken this doesn't seem too bad. Any idea how Air Asia compares to BA / Quantas in terms of comfort / service ?Condi said:
Sydney is very expensive, but there are cheaper places than £200 per night. It depends what level of quality you want, but certainly expect to pay more than you would in the UK. Other places in Oz are cheaper.
We were looking for a boutique-style hotel and assumed it would be cheaper than the UK, guess if we're sleeping in a Mazda Bongo for the majority of the holiday we can swallow a bit more for a hotel. BUT; the flights go to Kuala Lumpa, so just working things out quickly, if you booked now for July 2011 flight then 2 singles to KL on a promo deal would be.... £500 near as damm it, then on from there would be a further... £276. So thats two of you, into Melbourn for £776. Ok add on a bit for baggage (£20 or so), a bit for inflight meal (£5 a piece) and your maybe looking just over £400 per person. Return flights the same, so round trip for £800. £200 per person off BA prices. For some people it will be worth it, for others not.
Edited by Condi on Sunday 17th October 16:29
First thing to know is that right now Australia is expensive, the dollar is strong and the pound is weak, expect stuff to cost more than it does in the uk.
Next I would wonder about spending 10 days doing Sydney to Brisbane, to be honest it's not that interesting and nor is brisbane that great when you get there. The cities to visit are Sydney/Melbourne, some people love one, some the other and Perth, which is well worth a visit. Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra are not great. Getting up to the barrier reef is well worth it if you can, but the reality with Australia is that it is so big and the good bits so far apart that the only way to see it in a reasonable time is to fly.
Next I would wonder about spending 10 days doing Sydney to Brisbane, to be honest it's not that interesting and nor is brisbane that great when you get there. The cities to visit are Sydney/Melbourne, some people love one, some the other and Perth, which is well worth a visit. Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra are not great. Getting up to the barrier reef is well worth it if you can, but the reality with Australia is that it is so big and the good bits so far apart that the only way to see it in a reasonable time is to fly.
Staying in Sydney - try the Royal hotel in Randwick. Close to the beaches at Coogee (which has decent nightlife, Coogee Bay Hotel) and a 10min taxi or bus ride into the city.
When I went, we were advised not to drive to Brisbane, as there's not much worth seeing between. South of Brisbane, lies Byron Bay. North lies Noosa and Fraser Island. All well worth a trip and stay.
Fly further north to Proserpine and stay at Airlie Beach. Take a boat trip round the Whitsunday Islands. If you do, make sure it includes a stop on Whitehaven beach - one of the worlds most stunning, I am told. It was indeed so to me.
When in Sydney, a trip to the wine vineyards is worth a trip, as is a trip to the Blue Mountains.
Brisbane itself did nothing for me - just a dull city. Surfers is a concrete mass of Lego blocks - not at all appealing.
Have fun - I would love to visit again - especially Sydney. Great place.
When I went, we were advised not to drive to Brisbane, as there's not much worth seeing between. South of Brisbane, lies Byron Bay. North lies Noosa and Fraser Island. All well worth a trip and stay.
Fly further north to Proserpine and stay at Airlie Beach. Take a boat trip round the Whitsunday Islands. If you do, make sure it includes a stop on Whitehaven beach - one of the worlds most stunning, I am told. It was indeed so to me.
When in Sydney, a trip to the wine vineyards is worth a trip, as is a trip to the Blue Mountains.
Brisbane itself did nothing for me - just a dull city. Surfers is a concrete mass of Lego blocks - not at all appealing.
Have fun - I would love to visit again - especially Sydney. Great place.
chrisdk said:
Can anyone recommend a decent place to stay in Sydney (seems more expensive than I thought for accommodation tbh, most hotels around 200 GBP per night) ?
Sites such as wotif.com are your friend here. Not knowing budget/requirements I can't advise.chrisdk said:
More importantly, what should we make sure we see on the way up the coast, things to do etc.
Absolutely f
k all. Apart from a few oversized fibreglass pieces of fruit which the natives seem to think are so great. They're not, they're st. If you're dedicated to 10 days to do this 13 hour drive, spend 9 of them in Byron Bay ogling hot travellers and getting wasted. ETA That's probably not quite true. Bellingen is quite a quaint little place and Nambucca Heads has a couple of cool things. But seriously, adjust your expectations or plans.
Edited by Google [bot] on Monday 18th October 01:53
chrisdk said:
Condi said:
Sydney is very expensive, but there are cheaper places than £200 per night. It depends what level of quality you want, but certainly expect to pay more than you would in the UK. Other places in Oz are cheaper.
We were looking for a boutique-style hotel and assumed it would be cheaper than the UK, guess if we're sleeping in a Mazda Bongo for the majority of the holiday we can swallow a bit more for a hotel. http://www.therussell.com.au/
It works out at about 90 quid a night if you don't mind sharing a bathroom. I was only sharing a bathroom with one other room, but don't know if this is the same for all the rooms. Alternatively I think you can pay extra for an en-suite - I didn't bother as it was only somewhere to sleep and I was out and about all day anyway. I'd stay there again. It was clean, had a bit of character, nice staff and did what it said on the tin. This was a few years ago though so it's possible that it's changed!
The main advantage however was the location. It's situated right next to the Rocks (the oldest part of Sydney) so is good for exploring that area. However even better than that is that it's about 90 seconds walk from Circular Quay. This gives you direct access to the metro system to get anywhere around town and Circular Quay is also the hub for the passenger ferries to get you out and about. You're also about five minutes walk from the Opera house in one direction, and the harbour bridge in the other. If you're pushed for time and need somewhere central to stay for a whistle stop tour of the main tourist sights then I imagine it'd be hard to beat.
I did this trip (not in a camper earlier this year).
Australia was expensive but you can do it cheaply if needed. Sydney is definitely worth a visit and there is a lot to do here, but as your time is limited I would head up the coast a few hours and go around the Hunter Valley for the vinyards etc. Then from here you will have a lot of driving to do if you want the action. Coffs Harbour is alright, a bit boring!
Byron Bay is awesome if you want to live the hedonist life, partying, surfing etc. I would recommend a few nights in the "Arts Factory". Moving north you have lots of great beach resorts but they all seem to offer much the same.
People always turn their nose up at Brisbane, I really liked it but there is not a lot to do. A must do is Fraser Island, I did it from Hervey Bay which is a few hours north of Brisbane. After that you are heading up in to the sweaty part of Oz. Sailing around the Whitsundays is great!
Australia was expensive but you can do it cheaply if needed. Sydney is definitely worth a visit and there is a lot to do here, but as your time is limited I would head up the coast a few hours and go around the Hunter Valley for the vinyards etc. Then from here you will have a lot of driving to do if you want the action. Coffs Harbour is alright, a bit boring!
Byron Bay is awesome if you want to live the hedonist life, partying, surfing etc. I would recommend a few nights in the "Arts Factory". Moving north you have lots of great beach resorts but they all seem to offer much the same.
People always turn their nose up at Brisbane, I really liked it but there is not a lot to do. A must do is Fraser Island, I did it from Hervey Bay which is a few hours north of Brisbane. After that you are heading up in to the sweaty part of Oz. Sailing around the Whitsundays is great!
Jackleman said:
People always turn their nose up at Brisbane, I really liked it but there is not a lot to do. A must do is Fraser Island, I did it from Hervey Bay which is a few hours north of Brisbane. After that you are heading up in to the sweaty part of Oz. Sailing around the Whitsundays is great!
Hervey Bay - found the only thing I liked about that place was it's a gateway to Fraser Island. Seemed like some of our coastal towns - too full of grey rinsers!bradders said:
v15ben said:
bradders said:
Coogee Bay Hotel
Christ that brings back some memories from uni days 
I came on here today to post a similar message to the OP - I'll be checking back here regularly.
We're looking at:
London to Perth
Perth to Alice Springs (Ularu)
Alice Springs to Melbourne
Melbourne to London
All in 2 weeks!
However, we're considering emigrating so its more of a fact finding mission than a holiday for us (hence no Sydney).
Remember VAT goes up next year so that's another reason to book your flights before 2011 if you can.
We're looking at:
London to Perth
Perth to Alice Springs (Ularu)
Alice Springs to Melbourne
Melbourne to London
All in 2 weeks!
However, we're considering emigrating so its more of a fact finding mission than a holiday for us (hence no Sydney).
Remember VAT goes up next year so that's another reason to book your flights before 2011 if you can.
GeraldSmith said:
Next I would wonder about spending 10 days doing Sydney to Brisbane, to be honest it's not that interesting and nor is brisbane that great when you get there.
Agree with that 100%. There are loads of great road trips in Australia - Great Ocean Road, Nullabor Plain (if you like nothingness), Bruce Highway from Cairns to Brisbane, Cape Tribulation... - and really the road from Sydney to Brisbane isn't one of them. If I only had 3 weeks, particularly in September when the south of the country will be cold and damp, I'd start at Cairns and work my way down to Brisbane, taking in the Reef, the Atherton Tablelands, the Whitsundays, Fraser Island and doubtless a load of other things I've forgotten. Maybe finish off by flying down to Sydney and doing the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley tours (and of course the obligatory photograph at Bondi), but honestly there are far better places to spend your time deckster said:
GeraldSmith said:
Next I would wonder about spending 10 days doing Sydney to Brisbane, to be honest it's not that interesting and nor is brisbane that great when you get there.
Agree with that 100%. There are loads of great road trips in Australia - Great Ocean Road, Nullabor Plain (if you like nothingness), Bruce Highway from Cairns to Brisbane, Cape Tribulation... - and really the road from Sydney to Brisbane isn't one of them. If I only had 3 weeks, particularly in September when the south of the country will be cold and damp, I'd start at Cairns and work my way down to Brisbane, taking in the Reef, the Atherton Tablelands, the Whitsundays, Fraser Island and doubtless a load of other things I've forgotten. Maybe finish off by flying down to Sydney and doing the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley tours (and of course the obligatory photograph at Bondi), but honestly there are far better places to spend your time If I was to do the east coast again I would do a liveaboard from Cairns, mooch around the Daintree, then fly down to the Whitsundays to do a trip and spend some time in Airlie Beach. Then get down to Fraser before flying from Brisbane to Sydney.
In the timescale that's being talked about, anyway.
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