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#1
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
Hello Everyone:
My husband and I are planning to visit the Oz - Sydney and Cairns, from the US, during the last two weeks of May 2007. Not having traveled much outside the US, we are a bit apprehensive and having a hard time deciding on our schedule. We plan to spend about 11 days for the trip. We are nature lovers and we would like the trip to be a relaxing and peaceful one - I mean, we are not the adventurous type. Any advice from the travel enthusiasts reading this message is really appreciated. We would also appreciate any information on where to stay and dine and places to shop. Also, is it necessary to purchase on-line tickets in advance for rides such as the Cairns Skyrail cableway, Kuranda rail and Sydney Harbor cruise? ******************************* This is our tentative plan: Day 1: Arrive at Sydney; Check into a hotel room; Purchase tickets for Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Cruise; Take a walk on Sydney Harbor Bridge at night. Day 2, 3: Sydney Harbor Luncheon Cruise; Visit Sydney Opera House (Guided tour); See an Opera at Sydney Opera House; Fly to Cairns on Day 3. Day 4, 5: Ride the Skyrail cableway and Kuranda scenic railway; Snorkeling at the Cairns Great Barrier Reef. Day 6, 7: Take the bus to Daintree forest on Day 6. Boat tour on Daintree river. Spend the night at Daintree forest on Day 6. On Day 7 take the bus back to Cairns. Day 8, 9: Visit the Curtain fig tree; Flecker botanical gardens; and take a trek on Red Arrow Walk. Day 10: Fly back to Sydney; Shopping trip to local stores, Opera House Mall etc. Day 11: Flyback to US. ******************************** We would appreciate any words of wisdom from the travel buffs. Thank you very much for your time. |
#2
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
On 8 Nov 2006 17:39:51 -0800,
wrote: Hello Everyone: My husband and I are planning to visit the Oz - Sydney and Cairns, from the US, during the last two weeks of May 2007. Not having traveled much outside the US, we are a bit apprehensive and having a hard time deciding on our schedule. We plan to spend about 11 days for the trip. We are nature lovers and we would like the trip to be a relaxing and peaceful one - I mean, we are not the adventurous type. Any advice from the travel enthusiasts reading this message is really appreciated. We would also appreciate any information on where to stay and dine and places to shop. Also, is it necessary to purchase on-line tickets in advance for rides such as the Cairns Skyrail cableway, Kuranda rail and Sydney Harbor cruise? ******************************* This is our tentative plan: Just a couple of thoughts on Sydney; I'll be watching the Cairns replies myself because I'll be there two weeks after you. Day 1: Arrive at Sydney; Check into a hotel room; Purchase tickets for Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Cruise; Take a walk on Sydney Harbor Bridge at night. By tickets to the Opera House - do you mean a tour or a show? If a show, then you can book in advance and do your own "tour" by arriving early for show-time. See http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ or http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/ For your other nights in Sydney - that first link will also work for other venues. Day 2, 3: Sydney Harbor Luncheon Cruise; Personally, I'd spend the Luncheon cruise money on a really good restaurant - and take the Manly Ferry. Or do both - take the Ferry and find a good lunch in Manly, spend an hour or two on the Corso and the beach. You can buy all-day transit tickets for about $15 that will cover rail, the ferries (excluding the jet-cats) buses etc. Great value - and that ferry-ride to Manly is as good as most "cruises". Visit Sydney Opera House (Guided tour); See an Opera at Sydney Opera House; see above. Fly to Cairns on Day 3. Day 4, 5: Ride the Skyrail cableway and Kuranda scenic railway; Snorkeling at the Cairns Great Barrier Reef. Day 6, 7: Take the bus to Daintree forest on Day 6. Boat tour on Daintree river. Spend the night at Daintree forest on Day 6. On Day 7 take the bus back to Cairns. Day 8, 9: Visit the Curtain fig tree; Flecker botanical gardens; and take a trek on Red Arrow Walk. Day 10: Fly back to Sydney; Shopping trip to local stores, Opera House Mall etc. Day 11: Flyback to US. ******************************* We would appreciate any words of wisdom from the travel buffs. Thank you very much for your time. Cheers, Alan, Australia -- http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/ latest: The Vatican http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/ |
#3
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
Hello Alan
I agree about taking public transport instead. I went on my one and only harbour cruise a few months ago for my sister's 40th birthday. What a waste of time that was for seeing the view. the boat just went round in circles for a few hours. Once you have paid for your all day bus, fery and train ticket, you can ride the ferrys all day long, if you wish and really explore the harbour. For me, the trip on the Manly ferry is the best! Regards: Jim Sibbick "Alan S" wrote in message ... On 8 Nov 2006 17:39:51 -0800, wrote: Hello Everyone: My husband and I are planning to visit the Oz - Sydney and Cairns, from the US, during the last two weeks of May 2007. Not having traveled much outside the US, we are a bit apprehensive and having a hard time deciding on our schedule. We plan to spend about 11 days for the trip. We are nature lovers and we would like the trip to be a relaxing and peaceful one - I mean, we are not the adventurous type. Any advice from the travel enthusiasts reading this message is really appreciated. We would also appreciate any information on where to stay and dine and places to shop. Also, is it necessary to purchase on-line tickets in advance for rides such as the Cairns Skyrail cableway, Kuranda rail and Sydney Harbor cruise? ******************************* This is our tentative plan: Just a couple of thoughts on Sydney; I'll be watching the Cairns replies myself because I'll be there two weeks after you. Day 1: Arrive at Sydney; Check into a hotel room; Purchase tickets for Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Cruise; Take a walk on Sydney Harbor Bridge at night. By tickets to the Opera House - do you mean a tour or a show? If a show, then you can book in advance and do your own "tour" by arriving early for show-time. See http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ or http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/ For your other nights in Sydney - that first link will also work for other venues. Day 2, 3: Sydney Harbor Luncheon Cruise; Personally, I'd spend the Luncheon cruise money on a really good restaurant - and take the Manly Ferry. Or do both - take the Ferry and find a good lunch in Manly, spend an hour or two on the Corso and the beach. You can buy all-day transit tickets for about $15 that will cover rail, the ferries (excluding the jet-cats) buses etc. Great value - and that ferry-ride to Manly is as good as most "cruises". Visit Sydney Opera House (Guided tour); See an Opera at Sydney Opera House; see above. Fly to Cairns on Day 3. Day 4, 5: Ride the Skyrail cableway and Kuranda scenic railway; Snorkeling at the Cairns Great Barrier Reef. Day 6, 7: Take the bus to Daintree forest on Day 6. Boat tour on Daintree river. Spend the night at Daintree forest on Day 6. On Day 7 take the bus back to Cairns. Day 8, 9: Visit the Curtain fig tree; Flecker botanical gardens; and take a trek on Red Arrow Walk. Day 10: Fly back to Sydney; Shopping trip to local stores, Opera House Mall etc. Day 11: Flyback to US. ******************************* We would appreciate any words of wisdom from the travel buffs. Thank you very much for your time. Cheers, Alan, Australia -- http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/ latest: The Vatican http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/ |
#4
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
You do not need to buy tickets in advance for either the Kuranda Skyrail
cable-way, nor the Kuranda train. I'd also recommend the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, http://www.tjapukai.com.au/ wrote in message oups.com... Hello Everyone: My husband and I are planning to visit the Oz - Sydney and Cairns, from the US, during the last two weeks of May 2007. Not having traveled much outside the US, we are a bit apprehensive and having a hard time deciding on our schedule. We plan to spend about 11 days for the trip. We are nature lovers and we would like the trip to be a relaxing and peaceful one - I mean, we are not the adventurous type. Any advice from the travel enthusiasts reading this message is really appreciated. We would also appreciate any information on where to stay and dine and places to shop. Also, is it necessary to purchase on-line tickets in advance for rides such as the Cairns Skyrail cableway, Kuranda rail and Sydney Harbor cruise? ******************************* This is our tentative plan: Day 1: Arrive at Sydney; Check into a hotel room; Purchase tickets for Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Cruise; Take a walk on Sydney Harbor Bridge at night. Day 2, 3: Sydney Harbor Luncheon Cruise; Visit Sydney Opera House (Guided tour); See an Opera at Sydney Opera House; Fly to Cairns on Day 3. Day 4, 5: Ride the Skyrail cableway and Kuranda scenic railway; Snorkeling at the Cairns Great Barrier Reef. Day 6, 7: Take the bus to Daintree forest on Day 6. Boat tour on Daintree river. Spend the night at Daintree forest on Day 6. On Day 7 take the bus back to Cairns. Day 8, 9: Visit the Curtain fig tree; Flecker botanical gardens; and take a trek on Red Arrow Walk. Day 10: Fly back to Sydney; Shopping trip to local stores, Opera House Mall etc. Day 11: Flyback to US. ******************************** We would appreciate any words of wisdom from the travel buffs. Thank you very much for your time. |
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
On Thu, 9 Nov 2006 23:17:39 +1100, "Big Jim"
wrote: Hello Alan I agree about taking public transport instead. I went on my one and only harbour cruise a few months ago for my sister's 40th birthday. What a waste of time that was for seeing the view. the boat just went round in circles for a few hours. Once you have paid for your all day bus, fery and train ticket, you can ride the ferrys all day long, if you wish and really explore the harbour. For me, the trip on the Manly ferry is the best! Regards: Jim Sibbick I drop in on Sydney at least twice a year, sometimes more often en-route from Pottsville to Melbourne and back. I get on a ferry every time. My favourites over the years have been the Manly Ferry (the old type, not the jet-thing), and the little ferries to places like Watson's Bay (and "The gap"), or Balmain, or the Zoo. I tend to get off at a wharf I've not been to before and just go for a wander until the next ferry arrives. Even the trip to Parramatta on the Rivercat was interesting, although it's better coming back as the river becomes the harbour and opens up before you. In every major city I've visited anywhere in the world we tried to spend at least a day just getting on public transport to the end of the line and try to come back via a different route. It was a way to see the real people away from the tourist traps, and see the homes and suburbs. We did that in New Orleans, New York, Granada, Rome, Paris, London, Budapest - wherever. Sydney was no exception - but had the added advantage of the ferries and that magnificent harbour. Cheers, Alan, Australia -- http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/ latest: The Vatican http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/ |
#6
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
Day 2, 3: Sydney Harbor Luncheon Cruise; Personally, I'd spend the Luncheon cruise money on a really good restaurant - and take the Manly Ferry. Or do both - take the Ferry and find a good lunch in Manly, spend an hour or two on the Corso and the beach. Absolutely. No trip across the harbour is improved by having somebody with a megaphone showing you where Nicole Kidman's sister lives. Eating on harbour cruises doesn't really work in my experience - for the price of the cruise you can get a spectacular meal on land, and leave when you like. In Manly, the best thing to do by far is to walk along the footpath to Shelley Beach. There are miniature (and not so miniture) sculptures along the walk, about a km or less. On Shelley Beach is a very upmarket restuarant http://www.lekiosk.com.au/ if you feel like a real splurge, though Manly (but not Shelly Beach) has loads of restuarants for all budgets and tastes. Personally, I would spend as little time on the Corso as possible, unless you want to buy a stubbie holder with "no fat chicks" written on it. |
#7
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
"A Mate" wrote in message u... You do not need to buy tickets in advance for either the Kuranda Skyrail cable-way, nor the Kuranda train. I'd also recommend the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, http://www.tjapukai.com.au/ wrote in message oups.com... Hello Everyone: My husband and I are planning to visit the Oz - Sydney and Cairns, from the US, during the last two weeks of May 2007. Not having traveled much outside the US, we are a bit apprehensive and having a hard time deciding on our schedule. We plan to spend about 11 days for the trip. We are nature lovers and we would like the trip to be a relaxing and peaceful one - I mean, we are not the adventurous type. Any advice from the travel enthusiasts reading this message is really appreciated. We would also appreciate any information on where to stay and dine and places to shop. Also, is it necessary to purchase on-line tickets in advance for rides such as the Cairns Skyrail cableway, Kuranda rail and Sydney Harbor cruise? ******************************* This is our tentative plan: Day 1: Arrive at Sydney; Check into a hotel room; Purchase tickets for Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Cruise; Take a walk on Sydney Harbor Bridge at night. Day 2, 3: Sydney Harbor Luncheon Cruise; Visit Sydney Opera House (Guided tour); See an Opera at Sydney Opera House; Fly to Cairns on Day 3. Day 4, 5: Ride the Skyrail cableway and Kuranda scenic railway; Snorkeling at the Cairns Great Barrier Reef. Day 6, 7: Take the bus to Daintree forest on Day 6. Boat tour on Daintree river. Spend the night at Daintree forest on Day 6. On Day 7 take the bus back to Cairns. Day 8, 9: Visit the Curtain fig tree; Flecker botanical gardens; and take a trek on Red Arrow Walk. Day 10: Fly back to Sydney; Shopping trip to local stores, Opera House Mall etc. Day 11: Flyback to US. ******************************** We would appreciate any words of wisdom from the travel buffs. Thank you very much for your time. I agree with everything that has been said about Sydney. Definitely get on the Manly Ferry and just pick a restaurant that looks good once you get over there. Do not waste your money on a Sydney Harbour Luncheon Cruise. I believe it is a good idea to book ahead for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk. I haven't done it but I have heard it is very popular. You mention that you want your trip to be a relaxing and peaceful one. That will be very difficult for you with the amount of things that you are trying to do in such a short time. Don't get me wrong, it is possible to do all of these things but you will go home exhausted. Hope you enjoy your trip to Australia. Julie |
#8
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Advice on Autstralia (Sydney & Cairns) trip planning
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