Anyone been to Australia, for business or pleasure?What did you see or where did you go?Did you see the Oprah special on Australia a couple of years ago?Tourist, Sailor, Soldier, Scientist, Priest, Aviator, Businessperson, etc., what was your impression?Paul Hogan, Hugh Jackman, Errol Flynn, Olivia Newto-John, Geoffry Rush, Toni Collette, Kate Blanchette, Elle Macherson, Miranda Kerr, some of our exports.We are a large Island, with a small population, currently, 23 million.My state, Western Australia, is 42% of the total land mass, but only 10% of the population, 2.3 million, yet we produce, through mining, farming, fishing, tourism, LNG, gold, etc, 46% of Australia's export income, via exports to Asia(China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia), Europe, Russia, US, etc.Most Australians like Americans.We have compulsory voting here, Federal & State.I would be very interested, please?I have been to the US four times, West, East, North, including Canada(very short visit,on US business.) & south, driven about 8,000 miles in total, flown to about 15 different major cities, and had wonderful times. Planning again returning next year, for 3-5 weeks, business & pleasure.I have been very fortunate & lucky, worked hard, play eagerly, holiday, not enough.Look forward to hearing from you all. Thank You, in advance! Doug

On our last cruse, we met up with a couple from down under. Very interesting conversations. We had planned to go there this January, but family matters are still up in the air after our son's death. As they liver on a farm, there is just so much to do now.

I spent a week in Sydney while on R&R in Nam. I had a wonderful visit.I found the local folks great, great sense of humor, and very proud of their country. I never heard a harsh word or felt threatened walking all over Sydney.I never got the chance to go back and still regret that I didn't

I went for 3 months last year, Sept - Dec.Flew on Airmiles.Rented vehicle CampedFound lots of types of eating places have stronger knowledge and offerings of balanced nutrition meals. Also portion size is larger than N. Am. Thus, often, I being female, could buy lunch, eat 1/2, take 1/2 with me for supper.Inspite of reading regularly for 10 years my eyes were not good at spotting good places to dry camp.& certainly there were campgrounds with folks squeezed in to the point of ouch.Where: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia. Interests rural, NOT city or beach or coast, though saw some of both. Sydney, more than others. Generally, worked east to west, then zigged back working south. Find ways to avoid toll roads. There are some where they charge you without booths and it's easiest to pay online, but needed help to get that done.Worked down west of Port Philip Bay to ferry over to end of the bay, then back and over to the Murray River basin.Scared to point of avoidance to go too far west in QLD, and NSW when I saw a sign about road trains. Why. Well, yes, you're supposed to pull off the roads when one of those comes along, but the shoulders are rather rough, thank you.All told, Australia does more to support infrastructure in small towns. Having and supporting a population spread out as much as can be seems essential to Australian economy. Postage is valued as important to the economy. Fewer chains stores. Keep it that way.Vistors Centres are municipal, though some can talk regional. Many of those have showers. Pretty well all towns, have 'public toilets'.Gas stations aren't always service stations. That is, if you want a pit stop, ask.Most Aussies, would say: "Canadian, eh".Camps Australia Wide essential.Pics almost ready to post, when our climate has me inside more.:B& can't get tiny pic to work this AM.

I got a great deal on a two week tour to Australia in the 80's. Added another week for a three week jaunt. Landed in Cairns for a two day stay including snorkeling the great barrier reef. Absolutely beautiful, both land and sea. Made our way to Brisbane for a smashing time with visits to the wild animal parks, farms with boomerang lessons (didn't work for me!). Had Morton Bay Bugs - boy I wish we had them here - delish!Went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant and met a retired newspaper photographer. He invited us back to his home where he had a roomful collection of Australian artifacts - lots of aboriginal art and artifacts.Headed to the Gold Coast and sampled the casino. Then our two weeks were up - I am sure I left out bits :-)- and we rented a car and drove to the coast near Frasier Island. Hired a small plane to fly us over and stayed in a resort for a week. What an incredible island! Only one like it in the world - made of sand with a jungle on it. 75 miles of pristine beach. Accessible only by air or 4 wheel drive. It has a salt lake on it to rival the US Salt Lake in buoyancy. Lots of dingos, wild birds, kangaroos.We met a couple there that owned a bar and restaurant in a small farming area. They invited us stop on our way back. Had a smashing time - lots of local color in the bar ;-)DH and I want to go back for three months...but can't leave or take our dogs. So it may be a few years.I LOVE Australia!!!

When I was in Nam I did my R&R in Sidney. Viewed the opera house when it was being built. The shells were just about all that was done at that time and they allowed people to walk through it even though it was in the construction stages. Very interesting concept. I enjoyed the people of down under and had a great week there being a tourists and having some great meals after the Army chow. Had some of the best steaks while I was there. Couldn't believe it as we were coming in from the airport the taxi driver said that he would sure be glad when the street cleaners came back off of strike and went back to work. I looked out the window of the cab and didn't see any trash around so I asked him how long they had been on strike and he responded that it was about a month. Then as we walked around down town I could understand why it was clean there was a trash can on every corner and if someone was walking down the sidewalk and saw some paper on the street they would pick it up and put it in the trash can. Left a lasting impression on me even after over 40 years ago and I still remember it.Beautiful in Sidney and surrounding area that we visited.

Anyone Been To Australia? | Good Sam Community

noxinnhoj
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
I flew from Vancouver/LA to cairns queensland in 1992 with a one year work visa,a big wad of travellers cheques and no travelling experience.I purchased my first rv there(sort of),it was a 1979 mazda e-1300 van with duall wheels with a bed in the back.Once I got the motor rebuilt(got taken by a kiwi),I drove it up to cape tribulation,then back down the entire east coast and across the nullabor highway to the west coast.Drove up to perth,monkey mia and got stopped in Broome by the wet season,highway flooded.I ran outa money so I headed back to Perth,sold my van,flew to Sydney and got on a flight back to Vancouver with no money in my pocket.Never did work in oz but it was the best year of my life,I love Australia,hope I can go back one day,would be nice to do it in my dually with the lance,sorry for the long post.....
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2013
"Fear" keeps me in the US. . .if I go to Australia, I'm afraid that I might not want to come back.
GoinThisAway
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
Have not been to Australia but would like to some day. I figure its a trip best done after retirement. If I'm going to spend many hours on a plane each way I want to be able to stay many weeks. What destinations would you recommend for someone who enjoys natural beauty and chatting with hometown folks?
fatmanobx
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
When I was in the Navy (1969) we pulled into Sidney Harbor just before the Opera House opened. We spent 10 days there and it was the best time I spent anywhere in the far east. The nicest people in the world. If I ever go overseas anywhere it would be back there. Also went to Melborne and it was just a neat place to visit..
3_tons
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2013
Spent 10 days in eastern Australia back in '89...Mostly Sidney and up Pacific coast highway 1 to the Gold Coast (just south of Brisbane)...My impressions, very western like, friendly to Americans and lots of beautiful scenery...Differences in the dollar aside, its not so much that things are more expensive there (as well as most other parts of the world), but rather that things generally cost much less in America. Canada is yet a similar example of this. Lots of Americans (who quite dutifully complain of high prices) take for granted that America truly is a world wide (volume) dumping ground for low cost consumer goods with electronics often considerably less costly here than even Korea or Japan. Love your Country!

Best Regards,

3 tons
Sheriffdoug
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
dadwolf2, will get back to you with some ideas within the next couple of hours, at work at re moment.

By the way, I had a Bar in Fremantle, Western Australia, 90-97, served a lot of US Sailors & Maines.
When you guys(& girls) were in town prices went up 100%, but I kept my prices the same, rooms, food & drinks, reasonable and met 1000's of great US people. We were literally next to the wharf, Down the Western End, on Phillamore Street, was called His Lordship's Larder. Very busy place, locals, tourists, sailors, women, all sorts! On Friday's I had a nine hour dance show, 12noon till 9pm,
three different sets. Danc'n on the Bar counter, Pool Tables & staging. Got to work at 7am and removed all the tables and chairs in the two main bars, as I would have 500 guys in the bar at any given time, and we served 5500 to 6500 drinks for the day. Was like that every week, sailors or no sailors. Yee Haa!

Still doing the same thing, in a little Bar near Perth Airport, The Redcliffe Tavern. Half the size, but very busy too, about 4700 sq ft. Lots of Fly In, Fly Out Miners, Men & Women, most come off night duty, tired and well behaved, with a mix of locals and tourists.

Lots of Fun.

Been a Barman for 40 years! Cheers!
dadwolf2
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
I've never been to Australia but would like to go. What's the best way to go without feeling like you're on a tour bus and just seeing the stuff they show you before getting back on the bus.
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
I spent some time in Western Australia courtesy of the Marine's back in 86 and 88.
I was mostly in the field training but did get to visit Perth and Freemantle. Which I understand are to what people think of Australia, as my town of 29 Palms is to what people think of California. LOL

I really liked the country and I found Australians on the whole to be a very friendly bunch. The cost of living seemed kind of high though.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
sabconsulting wrote:
Eating anywhere in Sydney other than Pie Face now is painful on your wallet.

Agree. When in Europe(what happened to the Euro? so few countries use it), we were sitting in that cafe where I did the shot of the Castle overlooking Lake Bled when we had a Kremšnita(see link) and some very nice Coffee for 5 Euro, they did take Euros unlike other places.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-bowies/4135999582/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Scott16
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
Hi Sheriffdog,
I've been to Australia 7 times while I was in the US Navy. Western Australia: Perth, Freemantle, Bunbury; Northern Territory: Darwin; New South Wales: Geelong, Sydney; Queensland: Townsville. I am sure I left some towns off. What a great time and great people anywhere we went. Went on a lot of guided tours. Also drank lots of beer, and great steak dinners. Hope to go back some day to visit.
Scott

PS. I still have all my Australian Navy Ship Ball Caps from the sponsor ships while we were in port.