Off to Oz

[honey lamb]

The excitement in the honey lamb household is only massive. The decisions have been made, consultations have taken place and the die cast. Thanks to Aer John's excellent win in the Grove earlier this month, the two Upper Class tickets have been parleyed into a return trip to Sydney with a layover in Hong Kong thrown in. :D:D

We fly in July to Hong Kong with a week's layover (during which time we want to do a tier point run to Singapore) before flying to Sydney. We then have the best part of two week's in Sydney during which time I want to visit the Great Barrier Reef, before flying back to Hong Kong with a night's stopover there.

Any hints, tips and suggestions* for our trip will be gratefully received

*This does not include substituting oneself instead of either myself or Aer John on the passenger list!

[buns]

Honey Lamb

Congratulations on choosing such an excellent way to make use of the generous VS gesture[y][y]

*This does not include substituting oneself instead of either myself or Aer John on the passenger list!

Hopefully you will allow me to share in your excitement though;)

Have a fantastic time

BTW, Well done Aer John

So much to do honey lamb - you'll love it!

You must do the bridge climb of the Sydney Harbour bridge - it is fantastic - and very safe - you are secured for the whole walk.

If you get time take a trip out for a day or two to the blue mountains - the jenolan caves are very impressive. Katoomba is also a great spot for mountain biking and abseiling - if you're into that kind of thing

Take the ferry over to Manly - there are fantastic views from the ferry.

And if you can, see something at the Opera House - there was an orchestra playing in the main hall last time I was there and the accoustics are breathtaking.

Sydney Aquarium is also worth a visit (in Darling Harbour), as is the museum of contemporary art at Circular Quay.

I've done all of the above, and am going back for more in Feb !

Rich.

[mitchja]

As Richard says above. You will love it . I'm going back in June 2006

The bridge climb is amazing and well worth it. Just one tip - dont have too much to drink the night before as the first thing they do is breathalyse you.

This is me on the bridge climb back in 2000:


I'm going to try the night climb next time

Regards

I was under the impression you weren't allowed to take cameras up the bridge?

[mitchja]

The guide takes pics for you.

Regards

[Scrooge]

Congrats Honey,best way I can think of to "spend" your free flights[y][y][y]

Wow!! Many congratulations!

A few years ago, we were invited to a friend's wedding in Sydney and planned a three week trip around it. Due to annual leave being cancelled, it turned into a weekend [jet lag express]. As well as the wedding, we went on a Sydney harbour boat tour and a tour of the Opera House and enjoyed both immensely. Heaven only knows what you'll manage to do with the other 12 days!

Enjoy the anticipation and the trip in equal measure

EC

Honey lamb

Congrats

We are jealous however, having been there in May we want to go back already.

If you are into your wine, a trip upto Hunter Valley is also
worthwhile.

As Richard says Manly is a must, I recommend the Spit to Manly
walk, a 10Km walk around sydney harbour ending in Manly and catch
the ferry back to Circular Quay, just in time for sunset at the opera house!


Robert

Nice one Honey Lamb & Aer John - that'll be a fantastic trip! [y]

Originally posted by mitchja
The bridge climb is amazing and well worth it. Just one tip - dont have too much to drink the night before as the first thing they do is breathalyse you.

Well that lets me out of that one then

Cheers

Michael

[Bazz]

Sounds like you have worked out a great itinerary Honey Lamb, I am sure it will be the trip of a life time! Well done to AER John, this is a great way to enjoy your prize and at your age what a fantastic experience, enjoy [y][y][y]

[HighFlyer]

Fantastic choice on the trip [y]

I've already given you my $0.02 worth on Honkers and Sydney but i'll echo what has already been said on here. Ive done all the activities on Richard28's list and would also recommend them. I tink we need another Gallery section for members Bridge Climb pictures. If you do decide to take the plunge, get in early and book the Twilight Climb, you get to see day and might, and sunset over Sydney. Its a little more costly but wll worth it.

I can highly recommend the GBR, check out Quicksilver, they offer full tours from Cairns or Port Douglas and are well worth doing as they offer a whole range of activities on their moored ships.

Are you also going to Uluru?

Im sure you will have a fab time, keep us posted

Heartiest Congrats to Aer John and yourself Honey.
Whilst in Sydney a good idea is to purchase a 3,5 or 7 day sydney travel pass. The cost for a 7 day one is approx £68 at the current poor rate of exchange - but still excellent value.
It entitles you to all local train, bus and ferry journeys as well as two "explorer buses" which tour the north and south shores. They also throw in two half day cruises.
The website can be found at http://www.sydneypass.info/

A full day can easily be spent exploring the ferry routes as Sydney is best seen from the water. A Saturday afternoon in the Rocks area is very entertaining - obviously with some liquid refreshment thrown in;)

To visit the reef, Port Douglas is, in my opinion, a much better option than Cairns to use as a base and if hiring a car the short drive, (about 45 mins) from Cairns airport to Port Douglas is well worth enjoying.

shoreside
(Oz bound June '06)

For sure visit Manly. Used to live there and is a great place to spend an afternoon. Use the ferries as much as possible probably the best way to get around and the buses also go whereever you need to go.

Originally posted by HighFlyer
I can highly recommend the GBR, check out Quicksilver, they offer full tours from Cairns or Port Douglas and are well worth doing as they offer a whole range of activities on their moored ships.

Quicksilver is great but Ocean Spirit is fantastic.

Congrats on trip Honey. My experience of Oz is a bit rusty having last been there in 92 but hoping to make the trip with kids in the next couple of years.

I know you'll have a fantastic time.

Phil (Buffy)

I'm hopefully going to heading down under around September (will book once I can afford the ticket and they can be booked through the website).....do like threads such as this as they give loads of tips of things to do and see. didn't know about getting your photo taken on the bridge, the sunset tours, Manly etc, so great pointers

Gives me the impression from the posts on these forums that honeylamb & partner must have some great job(s) or be rather well off judging by the amount of travelling they seem to do! Takes me months to save up enough to get anywhere, and then there's trying to get the time off work to do things as well..........no Xmas or Easter holidays allowed for example, and they only let 1-2 people off at the same time.

[Decker]

Great one HoneyLamb! [y] Don't forget to get an Entertainment Book. If you use their accommodation it'll more than pay for itself.

[ChuckC]

Congratulations to you and Aer John, HoneyLamb. Such excitement!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip to Oz. Am considering an adventure there myself and will be looking to our Forum members for their suggestions.

Best wishes,
Chuck-

Christine, I'd second the suggestion of the Sydney Aquarium. Really good walking through plexi-glass tunnels under the huge tanks.

As far as the Barrier Reef goes I would definitely take a trip to the Outer Reef. Some trips will only take you to the Inner Reef and I think that is missing out. A word of advice. The sea can get quite choppy so if you are prone to seasickness, take some meds with you and take them the night before to get you started. It took us about two hours to get to the Outer Reef and I didn't do justice to the smorgasbord lunch they put on for us. I stayed in Palm Cove when I was there and it was a nice spot for a couple of days, handy for Port Douglas and the reef and also the Kuranda Railway.

There are so many things you could do whilst you are in Australia. Don't even get me started on Darwin and Kakadu National Park. My favourite part of the holiday, but probably too much for you to fit in. I loved Australia and will go back one day.

Phil

Hi HL

I think it's VERY nice of Aer John to take you to Sydney!

I'm sure you'll have a great time and we'll have a great read with the TR's and pics!

Regards

(The other) John!

Honeylamb,
Although Cairns is OK I would recomend the Whitsundays - the diving is better and Cairns is a little 'rough around the edges' (In my humble opinion!):D

[HighFlyer]

As far as the Barrier Reef goes I would definitely take a trip to the Outer Reef. Some trips will only take you to the Inner Reef and I think that is missing out. A word of advice. The sea can get quite choppy so if you are prone to seasickness

I went to Agincourt Reef when i was there, absolutely beautiful, it's on the very edge of the GBR and isnt flooded by tourist boats. I saw Clownfishes (Nemo) in their Anemones while i was diving! Completely agree about the seasick thing though, i have never felt sea sick before but the journey back from the reef was one i dont care to remember. Passengers were being sick left, right and centre and i felt so ill that i went straight to bed when i got back to the hotel.

Port Douglas and the reef and also the Kuranda Railway.

Another [y] for Port Douglas, which has lots to see and do - and for the Kuranda Railway. The cable cars are fantastic, although it is very similar to the Blue Mountains in Sydney if you are planning to go there. Port Douglas is a bit of a trek from Cairns Airport, a very windy bumpy road if i recall, but its worth it when you get there and you can walk on the beach in the evenings! I stayed at the Sheraton Mirage on Four Mile Beach and would happily recommend it.

Dang you! Im so wanting to go back to Oz now!!! [:(]

[honey lamb]

Thanks everyone, for all the suggestions. [y] We'll have great fun researching them.

Much as I'd love to do the Harbour Bridge walk I'm not sure if I'll be able - I'm no spring chicken, you know - but the rest sound just great.

Thanks also for the suggestions for the GBR. I wouldn't have known where to start

Port Douglas is a bit of a trek from Cairns Airport, a very windy bumpy road if i recall,

Sarah, I live in the south west corner of Ireland. Bumpy, windy roads are the norm

honeylamb & partner

Aer John is not my partner. He's my son

Gives me the impression from the posts on these forums that honeylamb & partner must have some great job(s) or be rather well off judging by the amount of travelling they seem to do!

First of all, without going into my financial details, I work on the premise if I can't afford it I don't go. I manage my allocated time off well and take little in the way of casual days off. Finally the trip to Oz is only costing me the airport taxes as Aer John won the tickets earlier this month in the Virgin Atlantic Swingers final

I think it's VERY nice of Aer John to take you to Sydney!

Yes, I think it's VERY nice of him too!

Oh and thank you all on his behalf for your congratulations. He lurks from time to time so I know he will see them [y]

Hi honeylamb
Just some advice for your trip down under,the first 2 weeks in july are school holidays in NSW so sydney may be busy,however some attractions have extra activities during this time.
July is the middle of our winter and although the days are still sunny and warm (around 20 degrees)nights are quite cold,so bring some warm clothes too
You must visit sydney tower (unless you dont like heights)there are two revolving restaurants at the top and a viewing platform,and just this week they have opened a skywalk where you go out on a glass platform around the outside of the tower ! On a clear day the views are excellent look forward to your TR !

Originally posted by jut1702
You must visit sydney tower (unless you dont like heights)there are two revolving restaurants at the top and a viewing platform,and just this week they have opened a skywalk where you go out on a glass platform around the outside of the tower ! On a clear day the views are excellent look forward to your TR !

Good spot!!

details on the skywalk are here!

Think I may add this to my itinery too!