Australia (Besides Melbourne And Sydney) Master Thread

[D93]

I've had him drive me before. It's not too bad. Case in point: I'm alive to tell you about it. 

And you also asked me to drive you again! Unless you just had no other option! 

[Yehoshua]

And you also asked me to drive you again! Unless you just had no other option! 

I asked because I didn't mind your driving. If I was scared for my life I'd have taken Uber.

[MendelG]

http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=39689&alias=new-shluchim-to-rural-australia

[Ehrenkranze]

currently have on hold united 40k MEL-EWR with $80 taxes and fees. is this $80charge unavoidable?

[mmm740]

currently have on hold united 40k MEL-EWR with $80 taxes and fees. is this $80charge unavoidable?

Yes, Australia departure tax

[benjie1305]

Port Douglas vs Gold Coast?

[Yehoshua]

Port Douglas vs Gold Coast?

Having only been to the Gold Coast, I'd say it depends on the time of year. In summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) I'd go for the GC. In winter (Jun, Jul, Aug) PD is the clear winner. Reason: PD is a lot hotter, wetter and more humid in the summer than the GC. Plus there are many jelly fish that breed in the summer and spend much of their time on the beach. From what I've heard they are lethal and that makes going in the water hard.

Sign from PD:

[benjie1305]

Having only been to the Gold Coast, I'd say it depends on the time of year. In summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) I'd go for the GC. In winter (Jun, Jul, Aug) PD is the clear winner. Reason: PD is a lot hotter, wetter and more humid in the summer than the GC. Plus there are many jelly fish that breed in the summer and spend much of their time on the beach. From what I've heard they are lethal and that makes going in the water hard.

Sign from PD:

Hm. I would indeed be going during the summer months.

How long were you in the GC?

[Yehoshua]

Hm. I would indeed be going during the summer months.

How long were you in the GC?

3 full days: http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=47138.msg985235#msg985235

[tuvz]

Port Douglas vs Gold Coast?

As a local who has been to both i would say Port Douglas

Gold coast is similar to Miami imo

Would you be going to the Great Barrier Reef? that is a big plus of going to PD

[benjie1305]

As a local who has been to both i would say Port Douglas

Gold coast is similar to Miami imo

Would you be going to the Great Barrier Reef? that is a big plus of going to PD

I am very much debating. Especially if it holds true that jelly fish might be a real concern when accessing the water.

Can you comment on that?

[tuvz]

I am very much debating. Especially if it holds true that jelly fish might be a real concern when accessing the water.

Can you comment on that?

I remember hearing about the issue of jelly fish before i went, but not that they were lethal?!

We went October time so was in between the two seasons

When we went to the outer reef we rented full body wetsuits for $5 which was meant to lessen your chance of a jelly fish sting..(also very good to prevent sun burn)

Otherwise we didnt go to the beach during our stay there but that was more personal preference rather then being worried

The GBR is a natural wonder of the world and if you are shlepping all the way out here I would definitely recommend it over gold coast

[Yehoshua]

I remember hearing about the issue of jelly fish before i went, but not that they were lethal?!

We went October time so was in between the two seasons

When we went to the outer reef we rented full body wetsuits for $5 which was meant to lessen your chance of a jelly fish sting..(also very good to prevent sun burn)

Otherwise we didnt go to the beach during our stay there but that was more personal preference rather then being worried

The GBR is a natural wonder of the world and if you are shlepping all the way out here I would definitely recommend it over gold coast

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying not to visit the GBR, but if you rented those full wet suits in Oct imagine how many more jellyfish will be there in Jan. We ultimately decided to go to the GC despite the fact that we were there in Dec and had "schlepped" all the way from LAX (not really the biggest schelp, but still). I will admit that the GC did remind me of Miami (having cities named Miami Beach and Palm Beach helped a lot), from the landscape to the weather, but it's Miami with great mountains less than an hour drive away.

Another reason we went to the GC was because we're not PADI certified so scuba at the GBR wouldn't have happened.

[Ryan the Yid]

I am looking to go to Aus for Succot. Is it worth using points? 85k on United. Also where would you suggest to go in Oct ? We want a part touristy part activity filled vacation.

TIA

[mmm740]

I am looking to go to Aus for Succot. Is it worth using points? 85k on United. Also where would you suggest to go in Oct ? We want a part touristy part activity filled vacation.

TIA

85k on United is one way for a standard award, definitely not worth it. You would want to use 40k for a saver award in economy or better yet 70k for business. Check for availability from SFO and LAX to SYD and LAX to MEL.

[Ryan the Yid]

85k on United is one way for a standard award, definitely not worth it. You would want to use 40k for a saver award in economy or better yet 70k for business. Check for availability from SFO and LAX to SYD and LAX to MEL.

Thats a great idea thanks. How about if we are doing a cash flight is there a cheaper way to book it?

[Ryan the Yid]

Thats a great idea thanks. How about if we are doing a cash flight is there a cheaper way to book it?

For some reason there is no saver award available until the 16th of October. Coming back after Succos there are great flights but nothing going there.

[Something Fishy]

Is anyone following this subject? Is this true or mostly hyperbole?

http://www.outsideonline.com/2112086/obituary-great-barrier-reef-25-million-bc-2016

[KidOOO]

Planning on going to HTI, trying to book an award from NYC

can anyone assist me with the routing? do I book to SYD and then from there with cash? and what is best milage to use

[Dan]

Planning on going to HTI, trying to book an award from NYC

can anyone assist me with the routing? do I book to SYD and then from there with cash? and what is best milage to use

Should be able to use AA/BA.

Why HTI over CNS?