December in Oz

Thanks to some kind of glitch in the VS rewards seat availability system, the mdviponds have found themselves with return Gs to HKG and SYD this December.

Question is, now that they're booked, what do we do with our time out there? We've got 5 days in Hong Kong on the outbound leg, then from the 11th - 30th in Australia. We're hoping to spend the first few days in Sydney, then Christmas week on a beach somewhere (at the moment we're looking at a place called Avalon - back near Sydney, mainly for the ease of getting back to SYD on the 30th).

Uluru (Ayres Rock) is all but out - mdvipond jr. will be 2 and a bit by then, and I think it'll be too hot for one so young. Pretty darn disappointed, to be fair, but what can you do...? The Blue Mountains look nice, and the 'Great Ocean Road' is said to be worth a try. Other than that, I'm a bit stuck.

Anyone out there got any ideas? Fly to Perth? Indian-Pacific Railway? Hire a camper van? Melbourne? Adelaide? Help me V-Flyer, you're my only hope...

[honey lamb]

Great Barrier Reef? 3 hour flight to Cairns and maybe a cruise out in that direction?

We've much the same in the way of days in Oz for our August trip and have decided on staying on the East side of the country. We've decided to fly up to Cairns immediately on arrival in Australia so that another day isn't "wasted" in shunting around airports.We're staying 5 nights in Port Douglas with the reef (and there are loads of options -scuba,snorkeling,Low Isles etc etc) ,Cape Trib and Karunda on the agenda - then off to Brisbane for 3 nights- apart from meeting an old college mate of Mr DLs we've nothing else planned for that bit of the trip yet (apart from Mr DLs hankering to visit Byron Bay....).That's followed by 7 nights in Melbourne (visiting family and friends),squandering money at the Crown Casino,going to Phillip Island and generally loafing about in the allegedly fab city that Melbourne is .We're doing 5 nights in Sydney (and surrounding area) at the end so that we're convenient for the return flight.
A camper van sounds like a fun way to travel about with Jnr, and will allow you lots of flexibility-a rail journey might be a bit more restrictive in that respect.Internal flights are pretty cheap with Virgin Blue so made overland travel a bit of a no brainer for the longer distances for us(even though I'd love to do the Great Ocean Road).

I think Avalon is an excellent choice to spend some time exploring the northern beaches. The further away from Sydney - and Bondi Beach - at Christmas the better, I say!

Avalon is just over an hour's drive north of Sydney - a hire car is a must (especially with a toddler in tow) as the bus service is rather limited to the main highway. There are some absolutely great beaches for swimming, surfing and sunbathing in this area and you will be spoilt for choice! Palm Beach at the northernmost tip, 10 mins' drive from Avalon, is a favourite place of mine with the Barrenjoey lighhouse one of the main attractions. You can even charter a seaplane to fly from Palm Beach to Sydney! Mona Vale, 20 mins drive south on the Barrenjoey Road has excellent shopping and dining. Wherever you go the scenery is superb!

So where else can you go? Well, Australia is pretty big! Melbourne is always worth a visit if you've never been. I've always wanted to go on the Indian-Pacific but with the journey from Sydney to Perth being the best part of three days I'm not sure I could hack it. What about Brisbane and the Sunshine coast?

I would recommend the Great Ocean Road drive:D We drove it from Adelaide to Melbourne, having driven Melbourne to Adelaide inland (not very exciting[:(])The Twelve apostles are definitely worth a look. We stayed overnight in a small place called Port Campbell, very charming.

If you're looking for a city break though I would suggest Melbourne[y]

Have a great trip. It'll be December before you know it:)

Well done on the Gs my folks have been looking and not been able to find any yet.

First bit of advice - the school summer holidays start around 14 December and as it is summertime lots of people take extended Christmas breaks - you will need to book early if you want decent choices.

We went down the Great Ocean Road between Christmas and New Year last year and booked in October - hardly any availability by then. It is a very nice drive - possibly bit too much for jnr - great koala spotting places along the route though. 12 Apostles were interesting although I was disappointed as whilst driving didn't see many other vehicles but polled up and the world and his wife were there all pushing and shoving to get the perfect photo.

My parents did the fly to Perth and IP to Sydney and raved about it - takes 3 days on train and not much time off the train. Again maybe too much for jnr (no relos you could leave him with [}:)]).

Ayers Rock and the Olgas are definitely worth visiting - yes it will be hot but it is a dry heat - not like Queensland where it will be humid. You only need a couple of days there. My folks were here last December form 6th to 30th and here in Melbourne the temperature ranged between 14 degC on Christmas Day to 42 degC over that period, although it was not humid here at all.

Be careful about doing too much the distances are vast and my mum said that when she got home she needed another holiday to get over that one. (And they flew First with Emirates).

When looking at flights check all airlines Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue - the prices are not that different and they each have deals. My folks flew MEL PER with QF as they wanted some $150 less each than DJ on the date they wanted.

I can recommend Melbourne as a place to visit;)-I do live here - there is nothing wrong with Sydney if you are lucky enough to be by the water (although avoid Bondi like the plague - unless of course you like cheap tacky places - personal preferences there). I have not been to Brisbane but here in the office it is referred to as BrisVegas. Adelaide I went to for a day on business - it looked closed. Hobart and the area around it is very nice. Blue Mountains are very nice too for a day or two.

I hope that is of assistance - any specific questions feel free to pm me.

Rob

I have family in Victoria and Queensland, but I'll have to go with the Victorians and recommend Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road.

I have relatives who live just 10 minutes drive from Port Campbell, who I visited during my Round the World trip last year, which made a great base to explore the area. It's a really nice area, and has a lot to offer.

Mike

Wow. You've got to love this site. Thanks guys, loads of great tips.

Originally posted by Strawberry Muppet
I think Avalon is an excellent choice to spend some time exploring the northern beaches. The further away from Sydney - and Bondi Beach - at Christmas the better, I say!

Avalon is just over an hour's drive north of Sydney - a hire car is a must (especially with a toddler in tow) as the bus service is rather limited to the main highway. There are some absolutely great beaches for swimming, surfing and sunbathing in this area and you will be spoilt for choice! Palm Beach at the northernmost tip, 10 mins' drive from Avalon, is a favourite place of mine with the Barrenjoey lighhouse one of the main attractions. You can even charter a seaplane to fly from Palm Beach to Sydney! Mona Vale, 20 mins drive south on the Barrenjoey Road has excellent shopping and dining. Wherever you go the scenery is superb!

Isn't it wonderful in life when you get the answer you're looking for? We really, really liked the look of the Barrenjoey area, but there's not a great deal of information on t'net about it. Thank you for confirming what we'd hoped. There's a cracking little beach house 100 yds from Avalon beach which, with a little luck, I'll be booking today.

Think we'll definitley have to try The Great Ocean Road, then we can tie a trip to Melbourne in as well.

The Barrier Reef sounds fun - would love to do it - but again, looks like it could be excessively hot, humid and wet in December. Or am I getting my weather reports from the wrong place?

Originally posted byRobL
Ayers Rock and the Olgas are definitely worth visiting - yes it will be hot but it is a dry heat - not like Queensland where it will be humid. You only need a couple of days there.

Really, really want to do Ayres Rock, but I've seen some reports claiming that the distance, the heat, the pretty poor state of the hotels and - in December, apparently - the overwhelming 'fly problem' make it one to avoid. I'd love to be convinced otherwise though...

I was in Sydney just after Christmas 2005 and I tell you the place is full of tourists, especially on the beaches in the city! You'd be lucky to find a place to relax on Bondi Beach, it's so crowded! I really hate crowded beaches. If you want peace and tranquility then staying in Avalon and the surrounding northern beaches is a no-brainer. You have all the space you want!

There are many sleepy coastal towns with a village-like atmosphere (and really friendly Aussies!) all along the peninsula and just so many places you can go to relax, have a picnic on the beach, go yachting, sailing, dine al fresco...the list is endless. You can even find shopping malls with fantastic eateries and cafes, such as the huge one at Warringah Mall in Brookvale or the smaller one at Newport right next door to Avalon. I always visit the northern beaches when I go to Sydney because I just love the beautiful scenery and slow-paced life - not to mention some of the finest beaches in NSW.

Although Avalon is only 25 miles from downtown Sydney it can take more than an hour to get there because there is only one main highway linking the northern beaches to Sydney, which can get congested at busy times, especially over the Spit Bridge.

Don't forget to visit Taronga Zoo in Sydney when you're there - I'm sure it will be a treat for little Jnr.

Really, really want to do Ayres Rock, but I've seen some reports claiming that the distance, the heat, the pretty poor state of the hotels and - in December, apparently - the overwhelming 'fly problem' make it one to avoid. I'd love to be convinced otherwise though...

We went in January and it was 39 degC yes there were flies - but have experienced worse in rural Victoria - they don't bite but are just infuriatingly annoying - they must be stupid - something to do with the heat methinks - you brush em off and they keep coming back for more.
It was hot but dry - pleasant to sit around in but not much fun for exercise ie moving.

The trips we did all provided unlimited cold drinking water and walking was upto the individual they didn't mind if you just hung around in the shade.
Only drawback is when temp gets above, I think, 35dgeC the Rock Climb and Olgas 2nd stage walk are closed from 0800 in the morning.

Hotels - first you have to take into account how isolated the place is and judge accordingly. We stayed at the Sails in the Desert the 5* one, we got a great deal through a last minute company here and only paid 1/3rd of the advertised rate, and we found it absolutley fine. Drinks and food were expensive but it is a captive market. Altough all are welcome to go to any of the properties in the resort to eat and drink.

If you are planning to come back to Oz give it miss this time - if you have no plans to return and you really want to see it go. We arrived at 1000am on Friday and left at 1000 am on Sunday having seen and done all we wanted to. We have been to Port Douglas in February and that was worse than Ayers Rock for comfort outside.

Rob

Originally posted by RobL
We have been to Port Douglas in February and that was worse than Ayers Rock for comfort outside.

Rob

Oh joy. We were actually thinking of going to Port Douglas. Why does this have to be so difficult? Anyway, Ayres Rock provisionally back of the list (Mrs. mdvipond still not keen re. the flies).

Sorry didn't mean to put you off.

But PD was hot and humid with mossies which bite whereas Uluru was hot with flies which pester you but don't bite. Personally I hate hot and humid as I find it oppressive but hot and dry with flies is fine. Having said that PD was a wonderful place to visit great restaurants and access to the Reef.

Chances are you would be just as bothered by flies in Melbourne if its hot enough. My mum hates flies to the point that in summer she won't open the windows in case a fly gets in and the house is as hot as an oven. However when she was here after a day she wasn't as bothered by them as anyone else.

From my experience they are just a minor irritation to be put up with.

Rob

Not putting me off at all Rob, and your advice is much appreciated. I noticed there's another thread on here re. Port Douglas, and it sounds like a good spot, and December shouldn't be quite as bad as Jan/Feb, I'm hoping...

Well we've kind of formulated a list a trips/places we'd like to do. At least half will have to be eliminated, then the rest need to be 'scheduled':

Sydney for 4 days (we land there, it would be a shame not to)
Blue Mountains
Melbourne
Great Ocean Drive
Kangaroo Island (they have penguins!!)
Ayres Rock
Heron Island (Queensland)
Port Douglas

And of course, the only thing we have decided on is Avalon/north beaches for Christmas week. Phew. Any comments woud be appreciated.

As we have found out ,accommodation in resorts seems to get booked way in advance- so if there's anything you particularly like the look of, get it booked now. Are you looking at hotel rooms or appartment type accommodation?

We're booking a beach house for the week in Avalon, the rest will be hotels, B&Bs, apartments - basically whatever is available and tickles our fancy. I've already noticed that about 50% of the places we're looking at are booked though - stay calm, mdvipond, no need to panic...

Hi

taken some further guidance and PD should not be too bad in December - wet season doesn't start until mid January - or so I am reliably told.

Rob

Great news, Rob, thank you kindly. Coincidentally, actually looking at Port Douglas hotels now - hell of a lot to choose from. Sea Temple looks nice...