Summer 2008 in Australia, I decided to travel around Australia..I was already prepared how tough this trip would be with limited budget…fortunately in the end, it turned out to be a very enjoyable trip!
Before I go, I need to have a really good plan, there are several ways traveling around Australia, by plan, train, bus, car, boat and caravan. I have put all of possible transportation into my tour plan, pre-book caravan park, pre-book airline tickets, pre-book backpacker and so on…there are a lot of work to do before I leave, and I think I had done a good plan…
I started from the city – Melbourne, then driving with Caravan, in Australia, some of Camper Mobil Providers in Australia offer for only $1 perday relocation caravan hire, the pick up and return date has been set up, I found the days are too short but this way saves me a lot of money! for my cases, I have picked the carvan up today, I will need to return it 2 days later in Sydney… Today after picking up the caravan, I drive towards to my 1st stop- “Canberra”! If you drive alone the Hume Hwy, the distance is approx. 666km and takes approx. 8 hours to get there.
But I drove alone the coastline, so that I can at same time enjoy beautiful eastern coastline of Australia; but it took me approx. 10 hours to get to Canberra. The 1st pitt stop is Lake Entrance, Lake Entrance is a very popular holiday destination during Summer, and always full during school holiday season!
Arrive Canberra…overnight in the Caravan Park
Next morning, early wake up, drive around the city, then get on to the hwy towards to Sydney city after lunch. on the way to Sydney, there are places to visit, such as Wollongong. I tried to get to Sydney earlier because the traffic in Sydney is very busy all the time.
Overnight in Sydney Caravan Park
Today, I drop off the caravan to the office, then visit Sydney tourism center near Sydney Entertainment Center, the staff in the center are very helpful and friendly, they spent so much time to explain to me how to walk around Sydney CBD and what I can do in the city. For budget reason! I decided to walk around the whole Sydney CBD, but, ferry around the Sydney Harbour is a must do activity, it is not too expensive, only AUD7 for one way. Sydney CBD’s main attractions are: Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Chinatown, City Center and so on…so much things visitors can do in Sydney. At night, if you like, you can join “Ghost Guided Tour”. If you dont like to walk too much..you also can purchase tourist bus pass, it only costs $39 per trip.
Overnight in Sydney’s packager accommodation.
Other places suggest to visit if you plan to stay longer in Sydney: Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountain, Hunter Valley, Newcastle…and more.
There is no relocation caravan from Sydney to my next destination: ‘Brisbane’, therefore, I have flown to Gold Coast with cheapest domestic flight. If you fly domestic with cheapest fare, you are only allowed to carry a hand bag in the plane, alternatively, you can prepaid AUD8 at same time when you purchase air ticket online, then it will allow you to check in 23 kg luggage at the counter. I have paid this because I have more than one bag for my trip. Gold Coast’s domestic airport (the airport is called Coolangatta airport) is far away from the city center if your destination is “Surfers Paradise”, normally it takes around 35minutes from airport to City center. There are bus, coaches transferring travelers to the city center, one way with coaches is approx. AUD16 to AUD18 dollars, if you want to catch bus, you have to go all the way out of the airport and it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the bus stop by walk. I have taken the coaches, because coaches stop right in the center of Surfers Paradise.
Gold Coast is really a Surfers Paradise, most of hotels, apartments are built alone the coast.
Surfers Paradise is not only for surfing, also there are plenty of shops, nightclubs and food to satisfy tourists. I love their nightclubs, all of them are very close to each other. The seafood are testing, the people are nice and relaxing. “Hard Rock” is the only one left in Australia at moment! if you are hard rock fan, you should not miss it!
Today I decided to spend one more day on Gold Coast. ..tomorrow is weekend, I should be able to get a weekend discount train fares from Gold Coast to Brisbane.
Next day, I have purchased weekend discount train ticket from Gold Coast to Brisbane. the train takes 1 and half hour to get to Brisbane center station. After checking in the backpacker in the center, I started walking around the city. Brisbane is a big city, Brisbane International Airport provides most outbound/international flights, off course there is domestic airport too, but if you are trying to transit international flight from domestic, suggest you to make it minimum 3 hours, because there is distance between Brisbane Domestic and Brisbane International airport.
From Brisbane to Cairns I have found a relocation caravan available which cost me AUD25 per day(sometimes if you are lucky you can get only $1 per day plus $25o petrol money), I was lucky able to get one even it cost me $25 per day, but I need to return this caravan on 7th day, driving from Brisbane to Cairns there are plenty of nice places to stop, but I decided to make it within 7 days!
When arrived Cairns, I took few tours, such as Fitzroy Island tour, Great Barrier Reef Cruising, Diving, Kuranda Rainforst…so many activities you can join. I found my way to the Wharf- ship departure terminal, where you can find plenty of cruise ship for a day trip out to the Reefs.
After 5 days in Cairns, fly from Cairns to Darwin normally quite costly, so you’d better to make early booking otherwise you will be possible pay up to AUD1000 for just one way form Cairns to Darwin. By the time arrive Darwin is alreay late at night.
I have already booked a 6 days Darwin to Alice Spring packages, the breif itinerary is:
Day 1: Darwin to Katherine Gorge
Leaving Darwin, we stop for a break at Adelaide River on the way to Katherine. We spend the whole afternoon at the majestic Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk), which is part of the Nitmiluk National Park. Experience the striking beauty while canoeing or cruising (at own expense) through the gorge itself. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp near Katherine Gorge. (LD)
Day 2: Katherine Gorge to Tennant Creek
Not far to the south is Mataranka, where you can revive in a sparkling thermal pool surrounded by lush tropical forest. Next stop is the iconic Daly Waters outback hotel, the Territory’s oldest pub. Nearby lies Australia’s first international airport, but you won’t get a flight back home from here these days! After lunch, we continue south to Tennant Creek where we camp overnight at Juno Horse Farm. (BLD)
Day 3: Tennant Creek to Alice Springs
This morning we check out the sacred site of the Devils Marbles, which balance precariously on their rocky perch. From here we stop in at Barrow Creek Pub, home to the historic Telegraph Station – catch a glimpse of what Outback telecommunication used to be like! A visit to Ti Tree gives you the chance to buy original works of art by Indigenous artists, before crossing over the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Alice Springs late in the afternoon. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (BL)
Day 4: Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru
Kick off your adventure on top of a camel! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here it’s off to Uluru (Ayers Rock), and a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on the Valley of the Winds hike. You’ll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll) under millions of stars. (LD)
Day 5: Uluru to Kings Canyon
It’s an early start this morning, but you’ll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. Stretch your legs with a walk around Uluru’s base, or climb to the top if you choose. You’ll deepen your understanding of the land and its stories at the Cultural Centre. After lunch we travel to our permanent campsite at Kings Canyon. You’ll fall asleep contented with a delicious camp oven dinner filling your stomach. (BLD)
Day 6: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations which make up Kings Canyon. You’ll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, before we make our way back to Alice Springs. (BL)
Finished the tour, overnight in Alice Spring, then next day to catch The Ghan Rail from Alice Spring to Adelaide. The departure schedule from Alice Spring to Adelaide is : Thursday at 12:45pm, arrive Adelaide on Friday at 1:10pm or every Sunday at 3:15pm arrive Adelaide on Monday at 1:10pm. If you book early, you are possibly to buy a Rail saver Daynighter Seat for AUD182 one way (Rail Saver: Payment required at time of booking. No changes permitted. Non refundable (100% cancellation fee). Subject to availability.)
Adelaide is a well designed and beautiful city, you can walk around or catch free bus or Terrace to Terrace tram service to look around Adelaide city . If you are a wine lover, suggest you to take a Wine tour, South Australia is the home of the Australian wine industry, producing 50 per cent of Australian’s wine. There are 13 wine regions and over 270 cellar doors – the majority of them no more than a 90 minute drive from Adelaide. I skipped wine tour but I took a trip to Kangroo Island instead! The company called Sealink has coach transfer service between Adelaide and Cape Jervis, then catch ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw (Kangaroo island Ferry Terminal). The package is 2 days tour packages, it includes transfer, the brief package is:
DAY 1
Early morning pick up from your Adelaide hotel for a scenic coach trip through the south coast to Cape Jervis. There you will connect with SeaLink’s ferry for the 45 minute cruise to Kangaroo Island to meet your tour coach.
First stop on your SeaLink Seal Bay Discovery Tour is Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, an interesting bush engineered eucalyptus distillery that makes the most of its environmental resources. After a two course lunch at the Vivonne Bay Bistro we head to the fascinating Birds of Prey free-flight demonstration. At Seal Bay walk along the beach with a National Parks Ranger amongst a breeding colony of wild and rare Australian Sea Lions. From Seal Bay we travel back to the Parndana Wildlife Park where you can feed Kangaroo Island kangaroos, have your photograph taken with a koala, and take a guided tour of this wildlife and bird park.
Last attraction for the day is something a little different, Island Pure Sheep Dairy, a unique and enterprising farm. Here you will have an opportunity to observe sheep being milked and sample delicious yoghurts and various sheep cheeses. Your coach will return to your choice of overnight accommodation.
DAY 2
After your morning hotel pick up your second day of touring begins with a visit to Clifford’s Honey Farm to enjoy an informative talk by the beekeeper followed by tastings and an opportunity to sample to homemade honey ice-cream. At Kelly Hill Caves enjoy a guided tour that will take you deep into the cave to view the unique limestone formations, created over thousands of years.
After a two-course lunch we head on to Flinders Chase National Park. Flinders Chase is renowned as a sanctuary for native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas. The tour of the park will take you to the rugged southern coastline for a walk on Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch. Remarkable Rocks provide great photographic opportunities and stunning sea views. Admiral’s Arch boardwalk takes you down a rugged cliff face to reveal this spectacular arch, a natural nursery and safe haven for playful fur seals that can be seen swimming and playing in the waves, or resting on the rocks.
After a short stop at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre we travel back to Kingscote to watch the pelican feeding and learn a little about these fascinating and ancient birds.
Last night at Adelaide city, but I didn’t have too much sleep, because I need to catch 5am flight from Adelaide to Perth, the cost for this flight only AUD99, I was luck to get this ticket (off course plus additional AUD8 for my luggage).. early arrive Perth at 8:25am, too early for my accommodation check in, I was too tired to explore the city, I decided to spend my time in the YMCA Perth until check in time….then I decided to spend all afternoon in my bed…sometimes afternoon is only quiet period before your roomates back to the room!
Next day…I feel sooooo tired…but I still push myself to go out for a little bit of city sightseeing…I was so glad that Perth city have 3 free bus service, Red/Yellow/Blue CAT bus service, that you can visit all Perth city for free! I spend 2 days to look around Perth City, King’s Park is the best spot to outlook the whole city..Perth is a very clean city for me! People seem not so busy as People in Melbourne or Sydney…they seem more relaxed and easy going!
Perth is capital city of Western Australia, it is huge land, you need to spend more than 1 month to explore WA.
After WA, fly back to Melbourne city, if you fly with JetStar, the airplane will land in Avalon airport, now there is bus service from Avalon to Melbourne city.
Last destination will be “Tasmania”…it locates south. ..you can catch Spirit of Tasmania ship from Melbourne to Devonport or fly over to main city in Tasmania(such as Hobart), best way to travel around Tasmania is by car…I have spent only 5 days in Tasmania; it really depends on what you want to do in Australia, some of my friends go to Tasmania once a year just for Fishing, and they normally spend 1 week to 10 days in Tasmania..in general, during summer time, you can try to experience fun of catching Lobster. I personally love Tasmania very much, it is always a clean land, if you arrive Tasmania by Ship, at the check out point, they will ask every passengers to throw away any fresh food in the bag, you are not allow to bring them into Tasmania. We have prebooked a car and it is ready to pick up at Devonport, start traveling around Tasmania!
I have to thank all the friend I met on the road and company with me with caravan car! Driving alone can be very dangerous, suggest you travel with someone else especially if it is long drive more than 2 days. You will find someone looking for travel company on the notice board in YHA/YMCA or Hostel accommodation.
Filed under: I love Australia Tagged: | Australia
