Hello Australia

23 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 17 Oct 2002, 9:44 pm

#7458

On sunday Im heading of to Cairns... Dubnut here in Melbourne looked after me like I am a king, can u believe it !? Im really excited about the trip and would greatly appreciate if u could tell me where to stop and whats worth looking at on the way... since Im a tourist it would be great if youd help me on this, and a place to have a shower every once in a while would be fantastic ! keep on CRUISIN - Jonathan *

vanderaj Administrator a suffusion of yellow

3,130 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Oct 2002, 11:48 pm

#7474

I am a regular up in Cairns, well, not Cairns itself cos it's a complete hole compared to the places not even 20 minutes away from it.

We should have some FNQ people on the board. FNQ is like a different country, and they certainly like to think so :-) The locals might let you in all the little secrets that only locals know.

Anyway, when I'm up there the first thing I do is get the hell out of Cairns. As I said, it's a hole and many of the cab drivers the most racist people I've ever met - anywhere period. If it was just one cabbie, I'd just say I got a bad apple, but this is multiple drivers, multiple trips over a 10 year period in the 90's. I hope the rest of the Cairns people aren't like the cabbies. Maybe they don't like the profusion of Japanese shops and the Aboriginals, but it's no excuse whatsoever. Anyway, get a hire car, and leave. It's my best advice to you.

If you're planning on going to Cooktown or bush bashing, get a 4wd, otherwise any rental will do. Get one with aircon unless you're good with humidity.

There are so many great places that I like, so I'll just list 'em:

Port Douglas - heaps of stuff to do there, including veg out. It's gotten way more commercial in the 20+ years I've been going, but it still has some charm left. I no longer stay in Port Douglas as I've found better places to base myself. Port Douglas is where Bill Clinton + family hang out when they're here. I like getting on the overpriced day trips to the outer Barrier Reef with all the other lemmings. Great views, interesting fish, snorkling, diving (if you're certified), and then a great lunch on the way back.

I like the Atherton tablelands - excellent rain forests hikes around there. Take the steam train - it's got some fantastic views, but do take some form of eye protection, I got ash in my eye the last time and regretted not having any sun glasses. Lake Tinaroo is excellent if you like hiking and picnicing (take all your crap out with you though).

Kuranda - I stay in the cabins at the "Kuranda Rainforest Park". It's nice there, but handier if you have a car. There is an Aboriginal dance theatre there and a cable car thingy and a dodgy hippie market which is great if you're into useless knick-knacks. Looking at the touristy web sites now, there are some really nice places I'll probably try the next time I'm up there. Kuranda is where I usually _stay_ and drive around as it's handy to everywhere without being totally overpriced. Most of the places you can stay at are really nice and leafy, and cooler than the coast, so it's easier to sleep at night.

Daintree - fantastic rain forest.

Cooktown - only been once, the drive was nice. Didn't stay long enough to get a really good idea of the place. If you're taking the coastal road in a 4wd, definitely get a local with 4wd experience to help you get there. There is plenty of traffic when I was doing it so I don't think an EPIRB will be necessary, but take water, additional fuel and food.

Andrew

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Oct 2002, 12:48 am

#7487

Hi, welcome to Oz Jonathan

I can make a few suggestions and maybe others can add alternatives for you.

Heading inland is the way most people from Victoria go if wanting to cover distance in the quickest time when going to Queensland.

The Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo is a good stop to make in NSW, you get to see lots of animals and stretch your legs. You can hire a bike to ride around the zoo. Well worth a visit.http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/content/view.asp?id=61

Coonabarabran in NSW also worth a look. Night tour of Siding Springs Oberservatory great to visit. We went on a night tour and looked through the telescope. May need to check on this.
[url=http://www.lisp.com.au/coonabarabran/index.html
http://www.lisp.com.au/coonabarabran/index.html[/url]
http://www.sidingspringexploratory.com.au/intro.htm

Stop in Morree and swim in the Artesian Spa Baths. Great after a long drive
http://www.mynrma.com.au/travel/go/destinations/new_england/mor.shtml

Head Nth West of Moree to the Castereagh Hwy, turns into Carnavon Hwy
Visit Carnavon National Park in West Queensland. It is one of my favourite places, like a prehistoric world. Brilliant
http://www.env.qld.gov.au/cgi-bin/w3-msql/environment/park/discover/resultframe.html?id=238

Longreach, Outback Queensland, west of Carnavon NP
http://www.longreach.net.au/biz/lotc/lotc_day.html

Then start heading Nth East toward Cairns going through Atherton

Cape Tribulation is very popular spot above Cairns, in the Daintree
http://www.dctta.asn.au/

Heading south down the coast

Airlie Beach/ Whitsunday Islands. The backpackers have budget sailing trips, well worth doing
http://www.airliebackpackers.com.au/

Harvey Bay and Fraser Island. Not sure when the whale season is?
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~man7/btg/

or Rainbow Beach & Cooloola National Park, on of my favourite places
http://www.queensland-holidays.com.au/pfm/sites/0006943/body.htm

Could visit the Sunshine Coast, much less touristy and less crowded than Gold Coast.

Lamington National Park on O'Reillys side very good/excellent
http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/mainmenu.html

Bangalow near Byron Bay and Nimbin, Northern NSW coast area.
http://www.bangalow.com/index.htm

Nambucca Heads
http://www.here.com.au/visitor/default.htm

South West Rocks, a very pleasant place to stop
http://www.holidaycoast.net.au/kempsey/swrocks.html

Sydney, get a 'Day Tripper Pass' and travel everywhere by ferry on the harbour all day

Eden a pretty old port south of Sydney
http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/NSWEden.shtml#Things%20to%20see

Lakes Entrance or Metung, back in Victoria

Wilson's Promontory National Park
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm

Almost back to Melbourne

You can camp in any of the national parks I have mentioned if you've got the gear

I hope this helps a little and I'm sure others will contribute.

Cheers
Jen

Flying VW Wolfsburg Wizard

680 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Oct 2002, 5:53 pm

#7544

Hi good luck with the trip be carefull on the way there are lot's of kangaroo's on the road.
If you don't have a bull bar they can cause a lot of damage to your car.

MelbourneCairnsCruiser Casual Dubber

23 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 18 Oct 2002, 7:34 pm

#7561

O.K. thanks for the tips. I am leaving Melbourne on Sunday heading west to Port Augusta, then up through the centre and over through Western Queensland then up the coast to Cairns. Then it is down the coast to Melbourne. I have 7 weeks to get it all done in . I am going to have a n Air Cooled great time!!!! I will pop in on any one along that route. I don't need to worry too much about the Kangaroos, from what I hear they are faster than my panel....but not as pretty

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Oct 2002, 8:42 pm

#7573

You really are going inland

Lesson one don't trust any kangaroo sitting by the side of the road. They make their move when you are right next to them. For some strange reason they jump at passing cars and this is no joke.

They say sheep are dump. Kangaroos are dumber.

From Port Augusta you could head for the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound

http://www.flinders.outback.on.net/welcome.htm

Cooper Pedy, live under ground and search for http://www.opalcapitaloftheworld.com.au/opals

Oodnadatta Track. Check conditions of the road -wet weather good for 4 wd only
http://www.williamcreekhotel.com.au/outback/oodtrack/intro.htm

Carry plenty of water for yourself it can get very hot and dry. Even if you have a good veihicle you just never know, it may break down. Don't wander off from the VW, many people's worst mistake. Let someone know your rough time table so they can raise an alarm if needed (when you don't call in at a set time and date)

My son and his girlfriend did the circuit of Oz in a Hyundia hatch and it is still running. They had no trouble., it's the luck of the draw.

Be sure to drop into a fair dinkum Aussie pub :thumb

You'll have an amazing time🙂

[Edited on 18-10-2002 by jenz58]

The_Bronze. Minister of Volkswagenism

1,922 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 19 Oct 2002, 12:14 pm

#7710

Hi John,
The wife shut the door on our house for a while but your welcome to have a dinner, a couple of lunches and I can take you for a cruise of the Newcastle city, lookouts, local wildlife parks and an excellent site to view the Hunter valley from above.

I'm originally from Queensland and spent most of my youth traveling all over as an avid Geographer / explorer using mostly my motorbikes and kombis (Girlfriends).

I can recommend visiting-

Blackdown tablelands - west of Rockhampton

Stockman's Hall of Fame - Longreach but it's a hard slog west if you want to see the real Australia.

Olsens Caverns at 'The Caves' 27 k'm north of Rockhampton.

Either a stay at the Kepple lslands or Whitsunday Islands. Don't go to both their all the same.

Korana Corc Farm - Emu Park North East of Rockhampton. John and Vivvian Lever.

Eungulla Nationa Park 80-90 K's west of Mackay.

The Central Queensland Gemfields - Full of vagrants, lost tourists, and missing persons who didn't want to be deported and are searching for a stone that will pay their way to stay. - hours drive west from my home town Emerald. The most 'alternative' location in Queensland but being ruined a little by tourism.

Anyway, call into Newcastle for a visit and I'll tell you a few more while I show you the sites. Email me for my address and contact details.

stevesallychandler@yahoo.com

Bronze.

Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, NSW.

4WDDubnut Commited Dubber

54 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 20 Oct 2002, 8:18 am

#7827

Well, he set off this morning at 0600, Destination today is Bordertown S.A.
We will keep everyone posted on the progress of his trip. He is pretty exited about meeting other veedubbers along the way. So keep your eyes open for a fire engine red Bay Panel Van. It is sooo pretty!

kombiluva Seriously Crusin Dubber

164 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 20 Oct 2002, 8:49 pm

#7873

When you come down the pacific Goat Track-see Highway 1 (Pacific Highway), stop into "Byron Bay", not bad but it does get better, head south by 8 Klm to a little place called "Broken head" which is on the beach...very nice-you can camp there.
Head off south by about 6 hours and you get to "Coffs Harbour", keep going and pull in at "Nambuca Heads"....a good place to bed down, the Caravan park out at the head land is nice. A little further south have a look at "South West Rocks"-the caravan park is across the road from the pub, the Caravan park has it's own beach......so nice to fall asleep with the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks no more then 20M away.
Once your over all of that, go and have a look at Foster very nice when the school holidays are not happening.

Good luck with your travels. hope you don't have any encounters with the wildlife at 100klm/h.

All the best

Kombiluva

MelbourneCairnsCruiser Casual Dubber

23 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 20 Oct 2002, 9:22 pm

#7889

I don't think I will have much trouble with the wildlife at 100Ks....I am driving a 1600cc panel....Her topspeed is about 90ks and she likes to cruise at about 75-80 ks....But boy does she look pretty doing it.
All jokes aside thanks for the tips. I am in Bordertown S.A. tonight $7 at the caravan park. I would pay that just for the shower!

Bug

Former member · 21 Oct 2002, 4:11 pm

#7969

😎
A place you must visit & camp is "Byron Bay" northern NSW
You can camp here ...tourists welcome...
especially vee dubbers.
Beautiful scenery, great people, casual
atmosphere.
Come anytime. all welcome
Bug
😎

type82e Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 21 Oct 2002, 7:49 pm

#7990

definately come to byron we have the best beaches and rain forests
I'm in lismore nsw half hour inland from byron you can camp in the backyard (your kombi wont be lonely) if you get stuck or break down give us a buzz
marcel:thumb

MelbourneCairnsCruiser Casual Dubber

23 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 21 Oct 2002, 10:02 pm

#8021

welltonight I am in Port Augusta. 35C today. It is the weathewr I came over for..
Give me a ring on 0409 237757
and keep me company!!
Jonathan* now known as Outback Boy
Woo Hoo

I Chose to Cruise...

4WDDubnut Commited Dubber

54 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 23 Oct 2002, 6:47 pm

#8238

He arrive in Coober Pedy today had to drive through a sandstorm of biblical proportions. top speed of 50kmh.
42C...He's really Outback Boy now

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Oct 2002, 9:59 pm

#8403

Saw the storm on the news and wondered if Jonathan was in any of it :o

Well that is what driving OZ can be like. Last time we were up Nth NSW we were dodging bush fires and dust storms. Looks like a bad year with the drought and high winds.