Australia

snow

New Member
Friends advice me that going to Australia in Jan is hot. Has anyone been to Australia around Jan?
 


dolphin

New Member
Hi Snow,

which part of Australia do you intent to visit? Australia is a vast place and the climate can be quite different. Jan is their summer and if you are visiting the West like Perth, my advice is DON'T !!! Your friend is right, it is so hot it can kill. Not to mention the annoying fly which come out during summer. If you are visiting the East ( Melbourne/Goldcoast etc) then it is more tolerable. In fact it is advisable to bring you jacket even tough it's summer cos some coaster area can be cool when the wind is strong. Best time for Australia is spring (I think around Sept) when you get to see their wild flower.
 

lydia

New Member
Hi Snow,

Been to Melbourne 2 years ago for vacation during the Summer (Dec). It was quite cool initially but the weather changed drastically the following day with temperatures up to 38 degrees. It felt like oven! But I think it is warmer in Jan than Dec. Nevertheless, Melbourne is a wonderful place. Don't miss their grand Crown Casino!
 

snow

New Member
Hi Dolphin & Lydia

Thanks for your advice. Mostly likely I will postpone my honeymoon becos of health problems, I'm unable to visit most of the countries like Europe and States during Dec.
 

mag

New Member
hi snow,

i live in melbourne ,australia.
let me know if you need any specific info, k?
would be more than willing to help

mag
 

snow

New Member
Hi Mag

mostly probably I will be visiting Melbourne and Gold Coast around Jan.But Melbourne is more cooling than Gold Coast, right?Just wondering do you have any other advice for me?
 

mag

New Member
Hi Snow,

It's winter now, August is the last winter month. Spring starts in September, therefore summer is Dec-Jan-Feb.

Well, as a rough guide, Tasmania, Adelaide and Melbourne are the cooler states. Followed by New South Wales (Sydney) and Brissy (Gold Coast). W. Australia (that's Perth) can be really hot in summer months.

Sun is piercing in Australia during summer months, even in the cooler states. Do use lots of sunblock and bring a hat and your shades.

But all that said and done, Melbourne is famous for its four seasons in a day :) So, do bring along a cardi for the sudden change in weather. If you like, you can give me your email address, I can give you a list of things to do in Melbourne.

As for Gold Coast, I've been there twice and naturally, you must go the MovieWorld and the beach. Buy your swim suits there, lots of variety! Most of what we get in Singapore are from down under anyway! And if you're into diving, wet suits are cheap here!

And for anyone doin DIY and are rather price-conscious, you might wanna consider using Autopia Tours for your day tours. There are a number of operators here, like Grayline, but Autopia is about half their prices. They use 22-seater buses, smaller but the drivers are great!


Is it DIY?
 

jac

New Member
anyone knows what is the best travel website to get good deals on airline and accomodation to sydney /melbourne?
 

eternity

New Member
Hi mag,
like to have the list also as i will be going australia next fri. me will be going goldcoast, sydney and melborne. Will be going f&e and book the hotels when we reach there. any advise? thanks in advance.
 

sweetiee

New Member
Hi jac,

You can log on to www.holidaycity.com. I booked the hotel thru this site during my last stay at sydney.
happy.gif
 

jojo

New Member
Hi Mag...

Am considering to go for my honeymoon in Australia...Will probably be away for 2 weeks or so in June. What should I include in my itenary?

My hubby and I were thinking of going on a free and easy tour so we could explore on our own. Would appreciate it if you could give me some suggestions. I am definitely not gonna miss Gold Coast as that is the main reason why I wanna go there for my honeymoon.
happy.gif
happy.gif


JoJo
 

aussie

New Member
Hi eternity and jojo, perhaps you would like to refer to my experiences in Gold Coast under the topic "Holiday in Gold Coast & Sydney" ?? There I have related quite a detailed list of stuff which you gals might find useful.

Aussie
 
B

bridegerms

Guest
Hi Mag,

I will be going to mel and Brisbane for my honeymoon during Oct can i too have a list of things to do in mel?

My e-mail is [email protected]

Thanks
 
L

limo

Guest
Hi Mag,

I am intending going to Mel for my honeymoon during early Oct 2002. But i am not sure whether the weather will suits me anot. Btw, could u email me a list of things to dos & don'ts in Mel. And most impt of all, wat things essential to bring during my travel there. Thanks a lot.

My email: [email protected]
 
I

interested

Guest
hi,

I'm thinking of going melbourne end of june and is there any shopping i can do ? I know it's winter over there but dunno if they are selling other clothes not for winter use ?
 

jas

New Member
Hi Limo, interested and lavender,

just some contribution,

I had been to mel last year sometime May-June. Mel itself is a business distric with lots of high rise building, shopping centre & the famous Crown Casino.

Shop there is almost the same as shopping in Singapore, nothing is cheap there. If you want something special you may visit the victoria market. As for place of interest you got to join the day tour & get out of the town.

Remenber to bring extra clothing when you are out weather chang quit fast. If it rain, don't worry they are also famous in 10mins rain.

Enjoy your trip.

Had anyone been to other part of Australia suitable for Dec weather????
Share with me ,Thanks.
 

adele

New Member
Hi! Anyone knows whether the coach svc to city from the Melbourne airport operates 24 hrs? I am arriving in Melbourne at abt 1am n wld like 2 take the coach rather than cab.

Tks in advance!
 

cody

New Member
it's 24 hours alright, but it runs at 1-hourly intervals at night (else it's half-hourly intervals).

The coach service isn't very cheap. It's more economical and convenient to take a cab if there's 2 of you.

check out their website:
http://www.skybus.com.au

Have fun there!
 

orchid

New Member
Hi Adele,

Cab will cost abt $28-30 from airport into the city. i think the bus will cost abt $9 each.

If you're coming in at night, i'd suggest you take a cab cos it will take you right to the hotel. or else, you'll stop at the bus depot and you'll need to walk with all your barang.
 

enid

New Member
Hi Mag,

I'm planning to go Melbourne and Tasmania in early Nov. Can i also hv the list of things to do in Melbourne ? Thks. [email protected]

Anyone went to Tasmania ? Is it better to DIY or join tour grp ?
 

cody

New Member
Hi

I've been to both, and travelled quite extensively in these 2 places (10 days at each location).

Both Melb & Tas:
Go around on your own ... its really v easy.
Just rent a car and zip around town and the outskirts.

I got a whole long list of things to do / where to eat / what to visit. Busy now ... reply in this forum later.

Have fun!
 

cody

New Member
Hi enid, do you have a rough idea of where you want to visit, and how many days you have in each location?

I have no problems passing you whatever info i have, but i'm sure it's going to be an information overload.

I have on hand some data already, but would like to recommend you to some of the places i stayed. Let me know is you would like them as well...

Nov is a good time. Not too hot, not too cold.
Summer is ard Dec - Feb.

i wish i can go another time!
i've holidayed in Melb 3 times, and Tas once... you can imagine how much i enjoy Australia!
 
B

bearyhungry

Guest
hi gals,

you should seriously consider staying at the oakford if you go to melbourne. it's owned and operated by the singapore ascott group.

they have quite a few there. if you prefer to live in the city, then stay at oakford on collins. but i wouldn't recommend, it's more fun at the other two residences that i do recommend.

you can stay at oakford ultimate, it's new and nice! and it's located in the south yarra district, very convenient and it's an upmarket locale.

or you can consider oakford mews. it's nearer to the prahran district, which is very near to south yarra, but hippier and younger. but the furnishing at ultimate is slightly better.

these are all serviced residences, meaning got kitchenette, cutlery, microwave, big fridge, etc. and it's very cheap!

check it out at www.the-ascott.com
 

mag

New Member
hi gals,

when going to melbourne, it's best to go free and easy, you will enjoy life there, just spend everyday doing whatever you feel like doing for that day!

it's easy to get around in melbourne, whether driving in a rented car [btw, delta is cheaper generally], or taking the MET [which consists of trams, trains, buses]. you can try a stored value or multiple trip pass for MET.

but if you plan to go outside of melbourne [melbourne is the city of victoria state] and visit places like grampians and great ocean road, i suggest you take day tours with local operators. it's definitely more fun than joining a tour from singapore.

they have many greyhound or the bigger operators there [rather expensive tho]. but i personally suggest you go with autopia tours. they're quite a fair bit cheaper and buses are smaller and service more personalised and fun... check out www.autopiatours.com.au. they have various pickup points in the city.
 

mag

New Member
and gals,

some of the "must-eats" include:

- dim sum at shark's fin inn at chinatown
- steak and ribs at squires loft, toorak road, south yarra
- italian food at romeo's at toorak road
[must try the flounder, avocado seafood, banana ice cream crepes] warning: desserts very good, must save some space in your tum!
- dim sum at taipans [quite far off, can't remember where liao]
- pancakes at pancake parlour [they're everywhere! chadstone shopping centre [very big!], jam factory...]
- afternoon [devonshire] tea at fairfield boathouse

generally, the indian and thai restnts in melbourne are not bad!
 

mag

New Member
as for shopping, you can try the following places:

- chadstone shopping centre [you can stay a whole day there]
- richmond factory outlets [not everytime good, but worth a look]
- brandsmart [branded goods at discount, off-seasons la] the polo not bad, the rest so-so
- prahran, many hip hip alternative shops
- toorak road, south yarra, more upmarket
- johnston street, collingwood, got nike, adidas factory outlets

otherwise, look out for these brands:

- atelier [rather nice clothes, youngish]
- witchery [soft, feminine clothes]
- ojay [more executive, but nice cut]
- sportscraft [pricey, but nice cut]

shoes there are quite expensive, but some rather good and nice onces. but you can get nine west boots at good prices during sale, or at the factory outlet at richmond. quite worth buying.
 

enid

New Member
Hi Cody,

I'm planning to go for abt 10 days in Tasmania and 5 days Melbourne.

Do tell me all info (hotel, farm stay, scenery/places of interest). Thks.

You can send to me @ [email protected]
 

angie

New Member
Hi

I'm new to this website. Read about you gals discussing of Australia Honeymoon. It interest me a lot. My hubby and myself are planning to visit Australia for 3wks free & easy. Will be covering Brisbane, Goldcoast,Syndey and Melbourne.

Our wedding is in November, so will be going around the 3wk of Nov. We are thinking of saving up on accomodation, just go for those cheaper type or even apartments will do, anyway most to time we will be out touring, no point staying in luxury hotels and we don't get to enjoy it right?

Can anyone of you provide me on more information about these places. Tell me anything, food, shopping, places of interest, whether, lodging, day tour packages(which is the best to take), etc etc... the more the merrier.

U gals can post your mails to me at : [email protected]

Thanks A Million

Warmest Regards
 

angie

New Member
U can try, Gasi Holidays, the Account Manager I'm liaise with is very helpful. You can contact him at 6 7340001, his name is Chris Chong.

Sorry I don't know about the package price cos I'm booking free & easy from him. They are located at Mandarin Shooping Arcade, 3rd floor
 
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potpie

Guest
hello =)
i'm planning to go australia from late may-mid june for holiday.
It would be a diy thing.
I would like to know for domestic flights, is it alrite that i book them in aust? coz i dun wan to be constraint by the timing of the domestic flight and leave the place when i still wan to stay for a few days longer if i like the place. how is the availability of the domestic flights? or you all would advise that i book the domestic flights in SG first?

& any clean accomodation to reccomend for gold coast, sydney and melbourne? preferably under A$100.

tia =)
 

orchid

New Member
Hi potpie,

You can get domestic flights directly from qantas.com.au or virginblue.com.au

it's always good to book at least a few days early so that you are assured of a seat. last minute bookings abit risky.

for accommodation choices, you can go to www.lastminute.com.au they have a listing of <$100 hotels.
 

tigerlily

New Member
Hi,

It was on the news that "Australia's chief medical officer has warned that people coming in from affected nations could find themselves barred from entering the country."

I'm going to Melbourne next week and was pretty concerned. I gave Australian High Commission in Sinagpore a call to confirm this news. The reply from the public affairs dept was that Singaporeans travelling to Australia will be allowed into the country. We will not be quarantined or barred. So don't worry too much, can still go.

So far, there are no SARS patients in Australia.
 

zenz

New Member
Hi Tigerlily,

But just in case, make sure that you don't get sick before the trip. You'll never know whether they will bar you from entering if you have a slight fever or common flu.

Drink plenty of water and vitamin C. I miss Melbourne.. have a good trip!
 
E

es

Guest
Tigerlily,

I'm also going to Melbourne in 2 weeks time.
Think will still go ahead, if change will be quite troublesome and dunt know when got the time to.

Glad they dont quarantin us. Do let me know if there's any news on it. Thks.
 
L

little gal

Guest
heard that Aus has really banned visitors from Sars-affected countries....;-(
 

tigerlily

New Member
Hi little gal,

I spoke to the Aus High Com and they confirmed that Singpaore travellers are OK to go through because we already have stringent checks on our side. they said that the media did not report that. sigh... i think they're banning people from places like HK, Hanoi &amp; Guandong.
 
L

little gal

Guest
hi tigerlily...thanks for the assurance...can't imagine being quarantined jus becoz we arrived from S'pore...but sure do hope everyone on flight is coorperative...dun travel if they are sick...else there is a risk that other passengers get infected...
 

tigerlily

New Member
Hi,

Get the latest australian SARS related travel &amp; health bulletin from these websites:

http://www.health.gov.au/sars.htm

http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Severe_Acute_Respiratory_Syndrome

If they are barring anyone, it will be in these websites. So far, nobody's getting barred from visiting Australia.

I've also given Qantas a call. same thing, no flights affected, Singaporeans travelling to Australia are allowed entry into Australian airports. Tighter airport controls - they will check you if you look sick.
 


chris

New Member
hi gals

thanks for your info! has booked a ticket for me &amp; my family to go melbourne end of april. heard rumors they have banned us from going. so relieved to hear it's not true....

have checked with my travel agency too. they also say so far their customers can still go to australia.
 

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