Seattle Scott Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Hello to everyone! I have been perusing previous posts and everyone seems to have a good piece of advice for all questions, so I figured I'd try those who have been there before. I am leaving corporate American mid-April and heading down for a major holiday. Starting in Sydney and heading north to follow the sun. What I would like to ask is what to hit on the way (cities mainly as I am sure I can figure out which sites when I get to the city). And what is the best method of travel to get there? Also open for any travel buddies at any point along the way. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lebourvellec Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Welcome to PIO Once you are in Australia and staying in hostels it is often best speaking to the people there what they did and what was best. There are not much citys north of Sydney, your main one would be Brisbane, then Cairns. On the east cost main places to visit, Newcastle (if you like wine tasting) Byron Bay, Nimbin, Surfers, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Harvey Bay, Fraser Island, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns, Then North of Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation. The underlined ones are the main ones you should go to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Scott Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. I will stop and check each of those cities out? An additional question, would you recommend paying for travel as I go, getting a pass, or shelling out some money and getting a car/caravan? If you have a vehicle are there places to park it along the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickachu Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 A vehicle will be expensive in the beginning, but you'll be able to sell it after and re-coup basically what you outlaid, have a look on gumtree.com.au for a rough estimate of prices. Places to park will be cheaper than a hostel/hotel too. So that's something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Scott Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 That seems like a great deal, I bet those cars are passed down for years. Just so I am hearing you correctly, in exchange for hostels you would be sleeping in the car/camper. If I go the car route, would you think getting a tent/camping gear would be advisable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritChickx Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 i think getting a campervan is the best way to go if you have the money. Your way of eating, sleeping, and travelling! And staying in vanparks are a lot cheaper than hostels. If you have a car and stay in a hostel you will have to pay for parking. We did it for 2 weeks, got very expensive. So either a campervan or no vehicle at all would be best. If you don't go with the campervan i'd try to get a bus pass from companies like greyhound. I second what snifter said with regards to areas to go to! The sunshine coast is also very nice too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Join the YHA before you leave. It may be cheaper to buy passes for Greyhound or train overseas - I don't know. You may make contact with travel buddies via the hostels, club together to buy a car/van. There are hostels everywhere and well-established routes but it might be more exciting/interesting to head off the main tourist routes - travel the inland route from Sydney to Cairns for instance, staying away from the coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lebourvellec Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 i think getting a campervan is the best way to go if you have the money. Your way of eating, sleeping, and travelling! And staying in vanparks are a lot cheaper than hostels. If you have a car and stay in a hostel you will have to pay for parking. We did it for 2 weeks, got very expensive. So either a campervan or no vehicle at all would be best. If you don't go with the campervan i'd try to get a bus pass from companies like greyhound. I second what snifter said with regards to areas to go to! The sunshine coast is also very nice too. Hey Im not Snifer!!LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lebourvellec Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 As for mode of transport, depends if you are going to be on your own. Greyhound does hop on hop off passes (as well as a few other backpacker companies), and when you hop off some hostels are waiting with mini buses. It is really easy - dont make too much plans and just take it how it comes, see who you meet. Im sure that there was some tour trip that left from Sydney and for a week they stopped a different beaches up to Byron Bay(?) learning to Surf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Scott Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 That was the general plan. Take it as it comes......but always good to hear the opinions of those who have done/seen it before. Anyone else traveling through the Sydney area on April 15th date range? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Heather Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Hey Scott - leaving on tax day, eh? I'm an American too, been here in Sydney since the beginning of Feb. Not sure, unfortunately, how much longer I'm going to be able to stay here since I'm having a hard time finding any work. But if by chance I manage to get a short term job in the next couple of weeks, I'll be around on the 15th of April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Hey Scott - leaving on tax day, eh? I'm an American too, been here in Sydney since the beginning of Feb. Not sure, unfortunately, how much longer I'm going to be able to stay here since I'm having a hard time finding any work. But if by chance I manage to get a short term job in the next couple of weeks, I'll be around on the 15th of April. Have you done your 'RSA' (Responsible Service of Alcohol)? If you are able to do bar work, there always seem to be American and Canadians working in the pubs around me in Surry Hills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Scott Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Arriving on tax day Already have those taken care of!! My general plan was to stay for about a week and then start heading north, hitting the stops along the way. Then find a city to settle in and work for a bit, but its all subject to change. How difficult is it to get the certification to work in bars? I have bar tending experience and would love to take up that kind of job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Heather Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 @Mary - no, I don't have an RSA. Not super eager to get one since I don't know how much longer I'll be staying in this state. @Scott - from what I hear the RSA (which allows you to work with alcohol - something you usually need for both bartending and waiter/banquet work) is pretty easy to get, but you have to pay about $160 and take a short class. And you have to do the same separately for whichever state your in - one RSA won't carry over to a different state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Scott Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 Heather, 17 days, are you still in Sydney? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Heather Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 yup, still here. Just found a job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Scott Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 Congrats!!! Where/what are you doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Heather Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I'm working night shift at an HR call center in Chatswood. I'll PM you my contact info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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