Going Down Undah

[mauied1101]

Howdy Gents and Gals,

Wife and I are going down undah for a little undah three weeks - Australia, New Zealand, and a couple nights on Oahu on our leg back. We figure this'll be our last big trip before we start thinking kids...

We're going to Sydney, Cairns, Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef, and the North Island in New Zealand - anyone have any suggestions on what to bring or where to go? My wife is determined to hug a koala - and we know we can only do that in Queensland.

We're heading thereabouts in May, if y'all have any suggestions.

[guado]

No friggin clue but have FUN!!!

Don't bother even looking for sticks in HI...but I Am sure you already knew that. OVERPRICED LIKE WOAH!!!


Either way if you get to hug a Koala I WANT PICS!!! Bonus if you get a cigar in the KOALA's mouth.

[cigarsarge]

Nice...I want to go to Australia in the worst way. I have a friend from there. I'll try to get some pointers.

[nhcigarfan]

We need LeojVS to get in on this thread. He should know about the area.

[Kass]

Sounds like an awsome trip. Have a great time!

[heftysmokes]

We need LeojVS to get in on this thread. He should know about the area.

Also, rsanz could probably help out. It seems he's our only NZ member.

[Cabaiguan Juan]

Sounds like fun Paul.

[JokerZ]

Well being one of the few Aussies here on the forums at the moment, I think I feel qualified to answer some of your questions! :)

Cairns and Port Douglas, you can expect to be reasonably hot and humid. Weather should be fine and warm on most days, you might just start to get a bit of rain though as the wet season will be thinking about kicking in. Although with the weather so screwy all over the world these days its anyones guess.

Cairns is a nice little town, very tourist centric, so you should be able to get in on some great tours. If you like tropical rainforest type stuff, book a day or two on a guided tour of the hinterlands. You will really enjoy it. Track down one of the places that does harley tours and get in on some of that action as well. The guys are very experienced riders and you'll get real value for money. Do a search for the skyrail train in cairns as well, its a breathtaking experience.

For the most part you'll find aussies are very laid back and easy going. This should make your trip extremely easy and a lot of fun. Hitting up Sydney after your laid back tropical adventure will bring you back into reality though. Its a very fast moving town and its expensive, on the plus side, if your wife enjoys shopping you will have a blast there. If you do Sydney first and then head up North the difference will be immediately noticeable.. :)

If you are heading south past brisbane to the Gold Coast I know of a really great cigar shop that you can visit. PM me for the details on that.

As for the Koala's.. Well the good news is they look soft and cuddly. The bad news is they are quite grumpy, ill mannered and fairly vicious. They sleep a lot of the day away and just don't seem to like being woken up! I have heard though there are quite a few more timid and well behaved ones in some of the wildlife sanctuaries.

I've never been to Auckland in NZ, but I assume from North Island that's where you'll be heading. There is one place I've heard of though which sounds like a real must check out venue. Its called 'The Ice Bar' and yep you guessed it, it's made entirely of ice.

Well if you have any more questions, let me know and I'll do my best to help you out.

[LeojVS]

well I found this thread.
THere is a place in Sydney where you caan cudde a koala. Its Featherdale wildlife park.
http://www.featherdale.com.au/index.htm

I will post more in a while. Have to take kitty to the vet. She has a big hole in her head........

[mauied1101]

Thanks Jokerz and Leo - much appreciate the information.

Jokerz - is the skyrail you mentioned the one in Kuranda?

We're heading to Sydney first - staying downtown and plan on doing the touristy stuff before heading to Cairns where we'll be in and out for a week (driving out and staying in the rainforest and taking a cruise to snorkel).

Icebar looks very cool...

[LeojVS]

im back. The cat with the hole in her head is OK Now, Sydney. There is the Harbour bridge climb from $170-$300 pp, depending on day and time, Luna Park (fun park) right on the harbour , Sky walk, which has you outside, walking around on see thru mesh on top of Center Point tower, or Sydney tower as it is now called, you have Jet boating, and some killer food. To see roos in the wild, go up to Glenbrook, in the Blue Mountains (near where I live) and to to Glenbrook National Park. Will cost you $11 to get your car in (dont walk. Trust me) and there are roos just hopping around. THey can get a little agro, so watch out. Jenolan Caves is great, and its out past Lithgow, which is a fair bloody drive, but its worth it.

[mauied1101]

Sweeeeeeeet.... though we weren't planning on getting a car. Need it? (a lot of the places you're mentioning seem a bit out). We were thinking of staying in Sydney and doing the local sites, etc. Taking a guided wine tour of Hunter Valley on one of the days - which is our jaunt out of the city.

Any thoughts on unbeatened paths and food? Both fine dining as well as authentic/local food. Wife said y'all have great sushi.

Thanks again for your help!