Author Topic: Australia (Besides Melbourne And Sydney) Master Thread  (Read 87716 times)

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #80 on: November 05, 2010, 03:01:15 AM »
Has anyone actually tried bringing in La Briute meals into Australia?

I've been emailing customs there and they seem to say that if it's a non-perishable sealed commercial meal that you can bring in up to 10kgs per person if you declare it and it passes inspection.

And yes, there are some edible LB meals (Cheese Ravioli, Spaghetti and Meatballs, etc.) and I do love having a piping hot meal in middle of a long hike or in the wilderness.

Make sure to have a printout of the email they sent, Customs officials in Oz can be viscous

Offline Dan

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #81 on: December 19, 2010, 05:46:16 PM »
So what do you guys recommended for activities in SYD or MEL?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline RR

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #82 on: December 21, 2010, 05:15:06 PM »
Melbourne- Nothing much to do there however Penguin Island is very nice. Make sure to stop off at the wildlife park on your way to the penguins (Dont know where it is on the island but the information centre as soon as you arrive will have the details.)
You can buy cheap Uggs in Melb

Sydney- Darling Harbour and Circular Quay are nice. Centrepoint/AMP tower. Harbour bridge climb is aparently amazing. When you eat at Katzy's you have to try their poppyseed salad dressing and their sticky date pudding. YUM

Offline Dan

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #83 on: January 06, 2011, 03:52:21 AM »
Has anyone actually tried bringing in La Briute meals into Australia?

I've been emailing customs there and they seem to say that if it's a non-perishable sealed commercial meal that you can bring in up to 10kgs per person if you declare it and it passes inspection.

And yes, there are some edible LB meals (Cheese Ravioli, Spaghetti and Meatballs, etc.) and I do love having a piping hot meal in middle of a long hike or in the wilderness.
Customs had "no worries" with the La Briute meals.
And they were so pleased that we declared them along with a sealed bag of almonds we got in first class (also "no worries") that they didn't even look through any of the rest of our stuff for other contraband (nothing major, just some milchig choc bars and whatnot)
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline jack6941

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #84 on: January 20, 2011, 03:35:42 PM »
looking into flying to australia. what would be my best options for miles tickets? i have 120,000 aa miles and about 90,000 continental miles. and what are some good stuff to do there?
No 2 people are the same

Offline Devorah

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #85 on: January 21, 2011, 01:48:18 AM »
looking into flying to australia. what would be my best options for miles tickets? i have 120,000 aa miles and about 90,000 continental miles. and what are some good stuff to do there?

If you want to go economy, AA is 75K miles to fly on Qantas; Continental is 80K to fly on United.  Personally, I would go Qantas; United flies some terrible planes to Australia.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #86 on: January 21, 2011, 02:59:24 AM »
and what are some good stuff to do there?
There is so much to do in Aussieland, just wait for dan's trip report!

Offline moish

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #87 on: January 21, 2011, 04:00:05 AM »
There is so much to do in Aussieland, just wait for dan's trip report!
hopefully it will come. dans had an up and down relationship with them

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #88 on: January 21, 2011, 04:27:25 AM »
Quote from: mois :oh link=t ::)opic=83.msg54986#msg54986 date=1295600405
hopefully it will come. dans had an up and down relationship with them
Moish is still a tad offended about this.
Dan, catch up time...

Offline Dan

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #89 on: January 21, 2011, 07:36:55 AM »
hopefully it will come. dans had an up and down relationship with them
Hehe too true.
Hours and hours of writing and then they're met with either comments about it not being a deal or that I am being arrogant writing about First class travel and the like.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline moish

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #90 on: January 21, 2011, 09:19:21 AM »
aussie - ol' reliable. can always count on you to dig up some obscure thread!

dan - advice, take a voice recorder with you on a trip and after each day speak onto it so after your trip all you have to do is transcribe

Offline Dan

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #91 on: January 21, 2011, 09:22:21 AM »
dan - advice, take a voice recorder with you on a trip and after each day speak onto it so after your trip all you have to do is transcribe
Not bad advice at all.  Day late and a dollar short though.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline harry

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #92 on: January 29, 2011, 07:44:28 AM »
Dan,

When are you starting on your australian trip report. we are all waiting!

Offline Devorah

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #93 on: May 26, 2011, 02:31:31 AM »
Looking for some advice.

We will be in MEL visiting family in July and would like to go away for 2-3 days with my husband (no kids!).  Considering Tasmania, Surfer's (am pregnant, so can't snorkel/dive, but the warm weather is appealing) or possibly New Zealand (although maybe it's not worth the shlep for such a short time). 

Any suggestions for flights - is it worth using mileage or perhaps getting cheap ticket with Jetstar or Virgin, hotels (have starpoints, MR, a few PC - but am Plat) and stuff to do?

Thanx in advance.

Offline Devorah

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #94 on: May 26, 2011, 02:32:48 AM »
Dan,

When are you starting on your australian trip report. we are all waiting!

+1

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #95 on: May 26, 2011, 04:04:52 AM »
1)Tasmania is very cold. New Zealand is amazing and you can fly Emirates as there is always availability to AKL on points. I would def do South Island (Queenstown)

2)Surfers is cool, but they don't call it "Surfer's Palestine" for nothing. If you've been to Miami you won't be impressed

3) I'd go to Hamilton Island/Whitesundays or Port Douglas (Sheraton Mirage). You can fly with Virgin or Jetstar. No need to dive or snorkel as there is a lot to do and see

Offline Devorah

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #96 on: May 26, 2011, 01:46:37 PM »
New Zealand is amazing and you can fly Emirates as there is always availability to AKL on points. I would def do South Island (Queenstown)
Which points would you use to fly Emirates?  How would you get from AKL to the South Island (looks like quite a drive)?  Any suggestions of things that are a must-do/see?

Thanx so much.

Offline Dan

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #97 on: May 26, 2011, 01:50:12 PM »
Which points would you use to fly Emirates?
SPG transfer to Emirates.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Devorah

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #98 on: May 26, 2011, 01:51:39 PM »
SPG transfer to Emirates.
Thanx.  How many points do I need to fly from Australia to New Zealand in economy?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Australia Master Thread
« Reply #99 on: August 24, 2011, 01:46:59 AM »
Hey Dan, or anyone else who knows,

I was planning a trip to Australia for two weeks at the beginning of December to go with my wife (kallah as of now).  We'll be in Melbourne for 5 days, Sydney for 5 days, and Gold Coast for 4 days.  I was wondering if you had advice of getting a cell phone (not so much to call the States as) to make local calls.  Are there any good deals out there?  Is it worth it to rent or buy, etc?

Also, since we are using Continental miles for this trip, we will be (willingly) stopping in Bangkok overnight and in Tokyo for about 8 hours.  Do you have an idea of what to do there for the short amount of time we'll be there?

Finally, since we'll be using Starpoints for all hotels, I wanted to know if you have stayed at either the Westin Melbourne, Westin Sydney, or Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa Gold Coast?  If yes, are they nice?

I know its not urgent, but we're trying to book "big", non-free things in advance as I've heard it's a pretty busy/ expensive travel season.

Thanks