I’ve been away from these boards for a while altough I don’t think anyone has missed me, but I need a bit of support from you guys at the moment. A couple of weeks ago I got laid off at the company I worked for and they gave me a rather large farewell bonus for it. At the time I thought it was wise for me to spend all that money on a long overdue holiday to somewhere I always wanted to go: Australia. Since no one wanted to come with me I became bold and decided I could do this on my own. However, tonight I’m getting cold feet. Although I’m very excited to go, I’m also scared to death to go alone.
All these horror scenarios are going through my head, and although I’m not the person who lets himself push around, I still wonder if I can make it out there alone. I’ve read that Australia is a very easy going place for backpackers and my Lonely Planet says that it is highly exaggerated that 9 out of 10 animals are poisoness (it’s closer to 10 out of 10 ;)). But still…
Anyone out there who had these experiences? Anyone who has backpacked there to give me some advise? Any locals? My Lonely Planet is probably all I need, but I’d rather prefer some first hand experiences.
Another doper is heading our way in November (is it pldennison, so there might be some possibility of you meeting up en route if your schedule is flexible).
Some backpacker accommodation here is extremely dodgy. The Y is always reliable or I can chase up other backpacker accommodation for you if you let me know your needs (you can get severely ripped off by unlicensed hostels around popular places like Bondi, so some local knowledge is useful).
Good to see I left at least one lasting impression. Missed you too Arden. As I said, I’ve been laid off a couple of weeks ago and didn’t have a chance to frequent these boards as much as I used to (having no work really diminishes the time I can be online. Go figure…). Forgot to update my email address in my profile I just found out. That’s been taken care of now though… If you tried to contact me about the PBeM we had going, I was under the impression that nobosy was interested anymore, I hadn’t received any emails for weeks. Anyway, since I’m going away for a couple of months now I guess I have to cancel that as well I’m afraid. Sorry, it really was good fun for as long as it lasted (and gave me yet another thing to do instead of working ;)).
reprise, I’ll be flying in on Darwin. But I plan to drop by in Sydney somewhere halfway of December. I’d love to meet up. Haven’t got anything planned yet, so that might be a bit later or earlier, but I definitely drop you a line.
And thanks for you moral support Nacho (is it OK if I shorten that?), although I’d rather go for a tanned, hunky surfer dude if it’s all the same for you
Yes, that’s why I go there first in stead of December of January, because I understood that it’s really scorching hot around that time. Gives me the chance to actually do something there then. After a few days I’ll be travelling soutwards to Perth and will go to Alice and Cairns after that. Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania are for the second half of my holiday.
Now that you mention it though, any advise on how to prepare for extreme humidity? And bugs?
No worries mate, I’ve got plenty of that wacky stuff where she came from. Maybe when I come back we can start something new? Then I probably have myself a new job and have all the time in the world to daily check my emails again
You’ll find some information about Darwin and the wet at these links.
Once you go north of the Tropic Of Capricorn here, you encounter some mosquito-borne diseases. The usual advice is to always wear insect repellant and cover yourself after sundown.
Humidity is something you either love or loathe. I’ve been known to sit in an air-conditioned shopping centre all day when it gets too oppressive. Large quantities of alcohol and extreme humidity aren’t generally a good combination (although it’s a combination which doesn’t seem to bother the locals). I’d definitely recommend paying extra for air-conditioned accommodation - fans are useless against the kind of humidity you’ll encounter.
If you aren’t from one of the desert regions of the US, don’t underestimate the intensity of our sun. The “Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap” campaigns will be in full swing when you’re here, take notice of them. Heatstroke is a very real risk during the summer, and not one to be taken lightly.
And never ignore the advice of the locals when you’re going somewhere. It may seem really silly that you’ll be advised to contact the police station in whatever town you’re heading to when you’re travelling around the Top End, but the distances are vast and the climate extreme; people need to know ASAP if you haven’t arrived somewhere that you’re heading.
Don’t feed the crocodiles (yes, people are stupid enough to attempt this), please don’t feed the dingoes, and make sure you swim between the flags on our beaches and you’ll have a wonderful time here.
Aghris, I can’t exactly say I’ve had a huge amount of interaction with you on these boards, but hell, yer a Doper aintcha? You’ll be made more than welcome here in Sydney. Reprise and I will make sure of it! And we’ve got Dopers in most of the other big cities as well.
This is a very tourist-friendly country. Travelling alone here should be no problem (I kinda like travelling by myself). No language problems, water you can drink, good transportation and telecommunications, friendly natives, and heaps of stuff to see and do. Backpackers are really well catered for here; there are hostels in all the major cities, a lot of the big towns, and also in the tourist places. Internet cafes abound.
The poisonous beasties will be no more of a problem than grizzlies are to the average American in his or her daily life.
Once you’re in Sydney, I’d be happy to show you around while you get your bearings. If you ask ever so nicely and if I’m available, I might be able to pick you up from the airport. The g/f and I even have a spare room if you need to crash for a night or two, as long as you don’t mind putting up with a hyperactive three year-old, and a playful cat.
If you go to the link on my sig, you’l find a messageboard where you are welcome to ask the Aussie Dopers about anything of which you are unsure.
So, no cold feet! Get your sorry butt down here, already. You’ll have a great time.
Oh and feel free to make side trips to the friendly shores of NZ. We are just like Ausie except that you don’t have to put up with dangerous animals like Australians.
I had a short trip to Australia (one month) a few years back
and my best memories are from the unplanned experiences. I was on my way from Cairns to Brisbane, taking my time, and I stopped at a little place called Arlie Beach. Thought I might have a picnic and move on, but I found a little cottage to rent for next to nothing, and I stayed for about 5 days there. Funky little town, easy access to the outer reef for diving/snorkeling, just an unexpected pleasure all around. So mix it up a bit, and include some of the touristy things in Sydney and the bigger cities. Have a great trip!
Well, I spent 3 weeks Down Under in 1999. If you want, you can check out my trip and some recommendations at this website. The entire trip was great fun, and I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of nice people. And I am planning on going back, but it will be a few years, I have some other trips to fit in first.
One word of warning, the women down there seem to start at nice and rapidly move into the WOW!! level. It is possible to hurt your neck from trying to watch all of them at once. (Well, I didn’t make it to Darwin, so I can’t speak for the ladies there. But everywhere I went, the scenery was very nice.)
and if I’m available, I might be able to pick you up from the airport. The g/f and I even have a spare room if you need to crash for a night or two, as long as you don’t mind putting up with a hyperactive three year-old, and a playful cat.