Australia (Besides Melbourne And Sydney) Master Thread

[Dan]

Some discussion here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/destination-guide/lizard-island-v-bedarra-v-62223.html

[SLP]

Has anyone traveled to Australia/New Zealand in July or August? What can you tell me about the weather? Yes, I've googled it but would love some first hand info.

[AJK]

Has anyone traveled to Australia/New Zealand in July or August? What can you tell me about the weather? Yes, I've googled it but would love some first hand info.

What more does "first-hand info" give you that decades of weather statistics available via Google does not?

"Is it *really* X degrees in Queenstown in August, or are they playing some joke on me?"

"Do you think I should bring my white pumps or my leather boots, or even my Marc Jacobs flats with the gold studs for the shabbas walk to Chabad, you know, based on the weather when you were there in July 2009?"

http://www.australia.com/about/key-facts/weather.aspx

http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand-climate-and-weather/

[Ergel]

What more does "first-hand info" give you that decades of weather statistics available via Google does not?

I have always wondered this when people ask for first hand info regarding weather.

[Side incomer]

Anyone that has some experience with Perth?

[Yehoshua]

Anyone that has some experience with Perth?

I've never been, but I've heard there's not much to see there for a first time visitor to Australia. If you've already been to Australia multiple times you might consider it. Lots of produce and dairy is grown in West Australia.

[Dan]

Anyone that has some experience with Perth?

Damaxer

[Emkay]

Anyone that has some experience with Perth?

Really no reason to go to PER

[AJK]

I hope to split some time between CNS and HTI.

Any idea on how long I need in each place? Is 3 and 3 good?

[Dan]

I hope to split some time between CNS and HTI.

Any idea on how long I need in each place? Is 3 and 3 good?

Yup.

[AJK]

Yup.

Though one can seemingly dive the GBR from HTI, it seems like everything is more expensive from HTI.

So I'm thinking 2 days of diving the GBR from CNS (where there is much more competition = cheaper prices), then fly to HTI and just take some boat tours/chopper over HTI for a day or two.

[Dan]

Though one can seemingly dive the GBR from HTI, it seems like everything is more expensive from HTI.

So I'm thinking 2 days of diving the GBR from CNS (where there is much more competition = cheaper prices), then fly to HTI and just take some boat tours/chopper over HTI for a day or two.

Look into a 2 day cruise of the Whitsundays from Airlie beach.

[AJK]

Look into a 2 day cruise of the Whitsundays from Airlie beach.

Sounds like a fantastic idea.

Issue is (well, without researching it) is the ability to get from HTI to Airlie Beach. I'm assuming they offer boat shuttles?

[Dan]

Sounds like a fantastic idea.

Issue is (well, without researching it) is the ability to get from HTI to Airlie Beach. I'm assuming they offer boat shuttles?

Yup.

[AJK]

Yup.

Excellent.

So perhaps Thursday early AM to Sunday early AM in CNS, then quick flight to HTI and take ferry to Airlie Beach for 2 day cruise of Whitsundays.

[tuvz]

http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/search-the-book.aspx?bookinit=Cairns,%20Palm%20Cove%20and%20Port%20Douglas

May be worth buying the online version for ~ $45
I used one of their vouchers to save 20% off my snorkeling trip
savings were a lot more than $45

Check to see if they have a voucher for the company you want to use (some up to 30% off)

[AJK]

What have people had success bringing into Australia kosher food wise?

[Yehoshua]

What have people had success bringing into Australia kosher food wise?

Any prepackaged food from the US, including tea, granola bars with nuts and snacks. No experience with meat or dairy products. They're super strict, so don't plan on sneaking anything in. If the Quarantine people catch you could be sent back to where you came from. Declare if you're unsure.

[AJK]

Thanks, but, yeah, most interested in rules re: meat and dairy.

Trying to avoid having to do the type of research that I had to do with NZ.

[Yehoshua]

Thanks, but, yeah, most interested in rules re: meat and dairy.

Trying to avoid having to do the type of research that I had to do with NZ.

Why not just buy there and get shipped up north? Also Harvey Fresh is UHT milk that's chalav yisrael that's available at most Coles and Woolworths nationwide.