planning a oz vacation around melbourne gp 2006

Hi,
Me and a bud are thinking about going to the Australian GP in Melbourne
in late Mar.-early Apr 2006. We are coming from the US and this would be
our first time in Australia. We would spend 1-2 weeks after the GP ends
in Australia travelling around. Anyone have recommendations on place to
stay/eat/visit in Melbourne during the race week? Don't mind roughing it
to stay in low-budget places like hostels in urban areas and camping
outdoors. What is Melbourne like during the race week, what can we
do/see race-related or otherwise. Also what are some places to hit
afterwards that are workable in only a week or two. I was thinking about
Uluru, Cairns area, and maybe Sydney or Brisbane. We would be more
interested in outdoor activities, doing rather than seeing, although I'm
sure we'll do both. Is the Qantas Airpass a good deal for getting to
Australia and getting around internal? Definitely interested in any
advice/ideas from people who have been to Aussie GP. TIA

The GP is hot on the heels of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. (15th
March to 26th March.)
http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/?s=melbourneinmarch#ch4



Accommodation in Melbourne will be hard to find at that time so I suggest
you book VERY EARLY.
There will be lots of things happening in Melbourne at that time.

http://www.visitmelbourne.com/
http://www.melbourne.com.au/
http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/

You shouldn't have too much trouble with accommodation in the other states
though. I suggest that you choose places that are vastly different. eg.
Central Australia Ularu, Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges for one
trip. Fly into Alice Springs and arrange excursions from there. Another
place would be Airlie Beach from where you can explore the Great Barrier
Reef etc. There is lots of hostel accommodation in Airlie Beach and plenty
of things to do. You could perhaps fly home from Sydney - the harbour there
is beautiful but I try to avoid staying in cities when I visit overseas.

Julie
Melbourne

"What?" wrote in message
.net...
Hi,
Me and a bud are thinking about going to the Australian GP in Melbourne
in late Mar.-early Apr 2006. We are coming from the US and this would be
our first time in Australia. We would spend 1-2 weeks after the GP ends
in Australia travelling around. Anyone have recommendations on place to
stay/eat/visit in Melbourne during the race week? Don't mind roughing it
to stay in low-budget places like hostels in urban areas and camping
outdoors. What is Melbourne like during the race week, what can we
do/see race-related or otherwise. Also what are some places to hit
afterwards that are workable in only a week or two. I was thinking about
Uluru, Cairns area, and maybe Sydney or Brisbane. We would be more
interested in outdoor activities, doing rather than seeing, although I'm
sure we'll do both. Is the Qantas Airpass a good deal for getting to
Australia and getting around internal? Definitely interested in any
advice/ideas from people who have been to Aussie GP. TIA