[waynef]

Hello fellow MINI fan's from Australia!

My wife and I have decided to take the plunge and visit Australia on our holidays this year. We live in the UK and hope to spend 3-weeks in Aus, starting with about 7 days in Sydney.

We considered hiring a car (in a MINI cabriolet perhaps ) for the 2nd and 3rd weeks to go touring around but we don't have any fixed plans as yet.

We feel a little ill-informed about where we should go and what we should see and We would really appreciate some inside information and advice from the experts. We aren't particularly keen on following the typical tourist trail but are interested in knowing about really nice towns, great scenery, great drives, good cultural spots, motels, museums, pubs and anything else you can suggest.
We are starting in Sydney so will be limited by how far we can go so if you can tell us what you know about Sydney and that side of the country that would be great (score things out of 10 if you can).

Thanks very much. We really appreciate your time.


*** WE PLAN TO VISIT MID-NOVEMBER AND LEAVE BEFORE MID-DECEMBER ***

[Basil]

Waynef, thanks for your pm. I'm an ex pat Englishman anyway living in Brisbane, so beyond the usual NSW holiday spot's I can't really help you. There a few Sydneysiders on the boards though that may be able to offer you some impartial advice.

What I can do though is move your thread into the meetings area, as it will probably do better there.

I wouldn't hold out too much hope for a rental MINI though. But might be different in or around Sydney.

Cheers

[waynef]

Hi Basil,

Thanks for moving my thread. A good idea.

On the subject on the MINI hire, I was joking. It's more likely to be a monster Holden V8. And that was a joke too!

Thanks,

[eltel]

Wayne, you've not received much feedback, have you.

We're in Melbourne, which is a really nice place. Australia's second biggest city, 3 million people and right in the centre of Victoria. Great beaches all along the coast, mountains, rain forests, deserts, great and safe roads.

I know that you can rent MINI Coopers here in Melbourne, Boo and his fiancee did this in September last year.

Bear in mind that travelling in Australia means long distance driving if you're hoping to visit Melbourne or Brisbane from Sydney. Eg a non-stop drive to Melb from Syd is 10 hours along a good highway at 110kph.

If you're based in Sydney, doing day trips, then the NSW crew should be able to advise you on which beaches, parks, mountains, towns to visit.

If you're coming to Melbourne then I can do the same, and may even escort you on a drive.

Hope that your trip to Australia is really enjoyable.

Regards, ElTel

[Boo]

I'm getting some stuff together for you..should have some up tonight..

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by eltel
We're in Melbourne, which is a really nice place. Australia's second biggest city, 3 million people and right in the centre of Victoria. Great beaches all along the coast, mountains, rain forests, deserts, great and safe roads.

And then people from Victoria wake up !!!!

Just jokes everyone

Seriously, have you considered Queensland ??

It depends what time of year you are coming over, but if you come in our winter, QLD has MUCH better weather than most places in Aus. In summer, it's still better, but it might be a little HOT for your liking.

I would suggest starting to look here....

QLD tourism

If we can be of help let us know. We'd love to escourt you on a drive around South East Queensland.

When are you coming over???

And finally, Queenslanders are very friendly - Just Ask

[swamos]

Oh, and don't get any ideas about poping up from Sydney to Brisbane for lunch. Australia is BIG .

Sydney to Brisbane is a 12 hour drive. Sydney - Melbourne is about 10 hours. Y ou might want to arrange a flight from one of the other cities to save you backtracking.

[iaa]

Not an Aussie, but travelled a bit down under.

Thoroughly recommend the "Backstage Tour" of the Opera House and do try to see a performance as well (Concert Hall or Opera Theatre).

[swamos]

I forgot something else!! The following site is the Bureau of Meterology site, and is excellent. If you look in the climate averages section, you should be able to work out what to pack.

Bureau of Meterology

[Boo]

One area that is a definite 10 is Jenolan caves....
The road down to the caves are fully panoramic and zig zag and switchback along cliff faces. The entry to the caves area is through a 24 metre high opening in rock known as the Grand Arch. On the other side is Caves House which provides accommodation in an old Tudor Style building.

There are over 300 subterranean caves of which nine are opened to the public and have guided tours offered. If you are into thrill seeking, then you can go on extended adventure tours through some of the undeveloped caves.

More to come tomorrow on Sydney via Mini2

[rich]

Hi there...

You don't say when you plan to visit. For Sydney, personally I think the nicest weather is November, i.e. late Spring. The countryside looks colourful & it's not too hot. For culture January is good as it's Sydney festival. Christmas is good of course if you want to see the NYE fireworks. Bear in mind too that Xmas & Jan are school holidays and every man & his dog is on holiday, so places get booked up & are pricier

Sights round Sydney to see/do I'd recommend are:
- Do a harbour tour or just hop on a ferry to Watson's Bay which shows you much the same for 1/10th the price
- Do the bridgeclimb... and/or have a bottle of champagne from the bar of the ANA hotel for a sensational view
- Have a Saturday morning cruising one of the excellent street markets at The Rocks, Paddington, Glebe or Balmain. All these places have excellent pubs too
- By a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide & try some of the many sensational restaurants & bars
- Check out Bondi Beach or Manly Beach to marvel how tacky it is & how many English bacpackers there are!
- For an antidote to this within Sydney, go to Balmoral beach and have lunch at The Bathers Pavilion (one of the best reatuarants in town)
- See a real beach by heading out of Sydney either North or South 1 hour's drive
- If you go North go to Palm Beach (where they shoot Home & Away) and explore the area round Pittwater - You can cross this large Bay full of expensive yachts by ferry to some very pretty quiet beaches
- If you have a couple of days spare, rent a houseboat on the Hawkesbury - a series of fjords near to Pittwater. Take plenty of grog & a fishing line for blissful idling in breathtakingly beautiful surrounds. Have a blow-out meal at Cottage Point Restaurant - You arrive by boat of course & you can watch other diners arriving by seaplane right in front of you
- If heading South, go to The Royal National Park & explore the bushwalks & beautiful secluded beaches
- For a longer beach holiday I'd recommend either Jervis Bay or Nelson Bay (3 hours from Sydney, south & north respectively)
- Go to the Blue Mountains & rent a cottage or a B&B for 2-3 days in one of the villages such as Blackheath. See the Three Sisters lookout with all the tourist buses but also do one of the many excellent bushwalks into the gorges below - My faves are The Grose Canyon & Capitol Pass
- If you like wine, and you aren't going to South Australia, West Australia or Victoria, go to the Hunter Valley for a couple of days - About 2 hours North of Sydney
- Go & see a sporting event at one of Sydney's main venues
- Go & see something at The Opera House
- On a rainy day you've got various museums & galleries & an excellent aquarium. On a dry day Taronga Zoo is good
- If you have the budget to fly & want some beach action, then go to either Byron Bay in north NSW (very groovy) or Noosa SE Queensland (very chic)
- If you like cities then Melbourne is a must & can be combined with some excellent & varied sightseeing in the country & on the coast. It's different to Sydney & just as good. (...In many ways better)

Hope this helps... I've only really skimmed. I'm sure others can add more

[waynef]

Quote:

Originally posted by eltel
Wayne, you've not received much feedback, have you.

We're in Melbourne, which is a really nice place. Australia's second biggest city, 3 million people and right in the centre of Victoria. Great beaches all along the coast, mountains, rain forests, deserts, great and safe roads.

I know that you can rent MINI Coopers here in Melbourne, Boo and his fiancee did this in September last year.

Bear in mind that travelling in Australia means long distance driving if you're hoping to visit Melbourne or Brisbane from Sydney. Eg a non-stop drive to Melb from Syd is 10 hours along a good highway at 110kph.

If you're based in Sydney, doing day trips, then the NSW crew should be able to advise you on which beaches, parks, mountains, towns to visit.

If you're coming to Melbourne then I can do the same, and may even escort you on a drive.

Hope that your trip to Australia is really enjoyable.

Regards, ElTel

Thank you ElTel.

We plan to visit from mid-November and leave before mid-December. My Auntie Josie lives in Melbourne so it's a 'must' for me - yay me!

Speak (and see?) you soon,

[waynef]

Quote:

Originally posted by swamos
And then people from Victoria wake up !!!!

Just jokes everyone

Seriously, have you considered Queensland ??

It depends what time of year you are coming over, but if you come in our winter, QLD has MUCH better weather than most places in Aus. In summer, it's still better, but it might be a little HOT for your liking.

I would suggest starting to look here....

QLD tourism

If we can be of help let us know. We'd love to escourt you on a drive around South East Queensland.

When are you coming over???

And finally, Queenslanders are very friendly - Just Ask

Thanks to swamos,

We plan to visit from mid-November and leave before mid-December. I think that we'll have to hire Thrust II to visit everyone - not a MINI - this is GREAT!!!

Your all very kind,

[waynef]

Quote:

Originally posted by iaa
Not an Aussie, but travelled a bit down under.

Thoroughly recommend the "Backstage Tour" of the Opera House and do try to see a performance as well (Concert Hall or Opera Theatre).

Cheers pal,

My wife's an opera fan (she like Avril Lavigne too you know!)

No doubt, for the sheer heck of it, I'll go along for a laugh

All the best,

[waynef]

Quote:

Originally posted by Boo
One area that is a definite 10 is Jenolan caves....
The road down to the caves are fully panoramic and zig zag and switchback along cliff faces. The entry to the caves area is through a 24 metre high opening in rock known as the Grand Arch. On the other side is Caves House which provides accommodation in an old Tudor Style building.

There are over 300 subterranean caves of which nine are opened to the public and have guided tours offered. If you are into thrill seeking, then you can go on extended adventure tours through some of the undeveloped caves.

More to come tomorrow on Sydney via Mini2

More! Give me more! Bravo!
(What a crap Fiat that was too )

[waynef]

Quote:

Originally posted by rich
Hi there...

You don't say when you plan to visit. For Sydney, personally I think the nicest weather is November, i.e. late Spring. The countryside looks colourful & it's not too hot. For culture January is good as it's Sydney festival. Christmas is good of course if you want to see the NYE fireworks. Bear in mind too that Xmas & Jan are school holidays and every man & his dog is on holiday, so places get booked up & are pricier

Sights round Sydney to see/do I'd recommend are:
- Do a harbour tour or just hop on a ferry to Watson's Bay which shows you much the same for 1/10th the price
- Do the bridgeclimb... and/or have a bottle of champagne from the bar of the ANA hotel for a sensational view
- Have a Saturday morning cruising one of the excellent street markets at The Rocks, Paddington, Glebe or Balmain. All these places have excellent pubs too
- By a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide & try some of the many sensational restaurants & bars
- Check out Bondi Beach or Manly Beach to marvel how tacky it is & how many English bacpackers there are!
- For an antidote to this within Sydney, go to Balmoral beach and have lunch at The Bathers Pavilion (one of the best reatuarants in town)
- See a real beach by heading out of Sydney either North or South 1 hour's drive
- If you go North go to Palm Beach (where they shoot Home & Away) and explore the area round Pittwater - You can cross this large Bay full of expensive yachts by ferry to some very pretty quiet beaches
- If you have a couple of days spare, rent a houseboat on the Hawkesbury - a series of fjords near to Pittwater. Take plenty of grog & a fishing line for blissful idling in breathtakingly beautiful surrounds. Have a blow-out meal at Cottage Point Restaurant - You arrive by boat of course & you can watch other diners arriving by seaplane right in front of you
- If heading South, go to The Royal National Park & explore the bushwalks & beautiful secluded beaches
- For a longer beach holiday I'd recommend either Jervis Bay or Nelson Bay (3 hours from Sydney, south & north respectively)
- Go to the Blue Mountains & rent a cottage or a B&B for 2-3 days in one of the villages such as Blackheath. See the Three Sisters lookout with all the tourist buses but also do one of the many excellent bushwalks into the gorges below - My faves are The Grose Canyon & Capitol Pass
- If you like wine, and you aren't going to South Australia, West Australia or Victoria, go to the Hunter Valley for a couple of days - About 2 hours North of Sydney
- Go & see a sporting event at one of Sydney's main venues
- Go & see something at The Opera House
- On a rainy day you've got various museums & galleries & an excellent aquarium. On a dry day Taronga Zoo is good
- If you have the budget to fly & want some beach action, then go to either Byron Bay in north NSW (very groovy) or Noosa SE Queensland (very chic)
- If you like cities then Melbourne is a must & can be combined with some excellent & varied sightseeing in the country & on the coast. It's different to Sydney & just as good. (...In many ways better)

Hope this helps... I've only really skimmed. I'm sure others can add more

Thank you soooo much,

We really are grateful to you Rich for all your time on this one. I owe you (all) a drink. Between you all!
(Joke).

[rich]

Quote:

Originally posted by waynef
Thank you soooo much,

We really are grateful to you Rich for all your time on this one. I owe you (all) a drink. Between you all!
(Joke).

No worries...

Avagoodtrip

Happy to drink your beer if you have time. The Lord Nelson near The Rocks is rather fine

[waynef]

Quote:

Originally posted by rich
No worries...

Avagoodtrip

Happy to drink your beer if you have time. The Lord Nelson near The Rocks is rather fine

Sounds like a good idea to me

Thinking of staying in Kings Cross or maybe splashing out a bit more and trying to find a good value hotel/B&B in The Rocks. Any ideas? There's another pint (read: schooner) in it for you!

[Goul]

You can also visit Darling Harbour and go to the top of Centre Point Tower.
Rich has given you alot of great ideas.

Jervis bay is wonderfull and is considered a paradise.....u will love it.....it has the whitest sand in the world.

www.soutcoast.com.au/jervisbay/


Dont forget to visit a Mini dealership in Sydney

[Goul]

Also try www.sydneysights.com.au

You should also try some sky diving if u r into that type of thing............

www.sydneyskydivers.com.au


Hope that helps