Going Down Under - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Jhaley · 09-26-2006, 08:54 PM

Holly Shit,

I have less than 48hrs till I leave for Australia and I can't belive that the day is almost here!!!!!. This will be my first backpacking trip and im going on my own, I know that everything is going to workout but it's hard not to have 8 Billion different things going on in my head Right Now, I think I just want to get the fuck out of here. 2 months ago I got out of a 3 year realtionship and one of the 1st things i thought of doing was booking this trip and leaving reality. I fly into Brisbane and really have no plan of action all i know is that im going to be there for 3 to 4 months living in paradise and experiencing things that could never be done in Canada, So anyway if anyone has any words of Wisdom I would love to hear from you!! Has anyone been to Port douglas, or Fraser Isalnd? is surfer's Paridise a good place to start?

**raoulduke** · 09-26-2006, 09:07 PM

Yeah surfers is a good place to start. However I would stear clear of there (or any major beach town) during schoolies week. Not sure if you have that but it's when all the kids leaving school go out and party (Like spring break I guess). Not sure what date that'll be but I'll do my best to let you know.

If you don't have any concrete plans keep an eye on the budget airlines www.jetstar.com.au and www.virginblue.com.au also accomodation on www.lastminute.com.au and www.wotif.com.au for bargains.

Haven't had any experience with virgin blue prices but I can tell you jetstar is an affordable way to get down the east coast or wherever you need to go.

If I think if any more tidbits I'll let you know

Good Luck

Jhaley · 09-26-2006, 09:23 PM

thanks for the tips's on schoolies, would you think taking the greyhound up north would be a good idea and just stopping for breaks along the way

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raoulduke @ Sep 26 2006, 10:07 PM) [snapback]141015[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Yeah surfers is a good place to start. However I would stear clear of there (or any major beach town) during schoolies week. Not sure if you have that but it's when all the kids leaving school go out and party (Like spring break I guess). Not sure what date that'll be but I'll do my best to let you know.

If you don't have any concrete plans keep an eye on the budget airlines www.jetstar.com.au and www.virginblue.com.au also accomodation on www.lastminute.com.au and www.wotif.com.au for bargains.

Haven't had any experience with virgin blue prices but I can tell you jetstar is an affordable way to get down the east coast or wherever you need to go.

If I think if any more tidbits I'll let you know

Good Luck

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**raoulduke** · 09-26-2006, 09:40 PM

I'm not familiar with the greyhounds but domestic flights have gotten very competitive lately so compare some prices. Perhaps you could greyhound it up to the north then fly back down to Sydney or Melbourne. The idea of stopping for breaks sounds attractive but personally I'd rather flying up directly and havong extra time to spend up there. I'm no expert though

The official schoolies week is November 18-26 but its sure to be busy a week or two either side of that.

Summer isn't in full swing here yet but if you are pale don't forget your sunscreen, especially up north. Nothing will piss you off more than getting sunburnt because you went one day without it.

Jhaley · 09-26-2006, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the info I like the flying back down south idea to save some time Ill check those sites out for sure, I couldnt imagine not seeing some of the country though, we actaully just finnished a pretty good summer up here so im not to ghostly im lucky enough to work outside, but I've got the sun screen in mind, thanks for you help

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raoulduke @ Sep 26 2006, 10:40 PM) [snapback]141019[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm not familiar with the greyhounds but domestic flights have gotten very competitive lately so compare some prices. Perhaps you could greyhound it up to the north then fly back down to Sydney or Melbourne. The idea of stopping for breaks sounds attractive but personally I'd rather flying up directly and havong extra time to spend up there. I'm no expert though

The official schoolies week is November 18-26 but its sure to be busy a week or two either side of that.

Summer isn't in full swing here yet but if you are pale don't forget your sunscreen, especially up north. Nothing will piss you off more than getting sunburnt because you went one day without it.
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**raoulduke** · 09-26-2006, 10:08 PM

No Worries.

Good Luck

**omisan** · 09-27-2006, 12:52 AM

You're gonna have a blast no matter where you go. Since you have so much time, wind your way up/down the coast (or inland, if you like) and see all there is to offer.

You can check out my month-long trip here to see what I did & where I went.

Like Raoul said, domestic flights are quite cheap - that's mostly how I got around, although not every town you might want to visit will necessarily be near an airport. Trains run out from Brisbane to the Gold Coast for example, and buses are cheap and plenty. I believe Greyhound also has some passes you can get if you don't want to keep springing for point-to-point tickets.

Can't tell you anything about Frasier Island since my trip out there got canceled due to storms, and Surfer's Paradise is a crazy beach/party town... if you catch the latter part of Schoolies Week (around the last week of November) the QLD kids out there are too young to get into the bars/clubs and they tend not to stay in hostels, so it's not so bad. As for Port Douglas, the area is beautiful, but the town itself is just sort of a super-rich resort town. You'll want to check out the Daintree rainforest and river around there... There are lots of daytrips and overnighters there offered out of Cairns. Check out the local YHA (or scope their web site) for what's available. Speaking of which, Cairns, while not much of a town in and of itself, is a total gateway to fun stuff - definitely worth checking out. Flights from Brisbane are pretty cheap!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 09-27-2006, 05:23 AM

^ I echo the sentiments above. Surfers is basically a big tacky party town - but quite fun. Make sure you grab a surf lesson on the beach...I mean, afterall, its not called Surfers Paradise for nothing. Most hostels have various bar crawl events that save on drink and entrance fees to the clubs. These bar crawls also tend to mean that clubs are crazy busy one minute, dead the next after the crawl has moved on, so follow the crowds. The town is very much geared towards hard-drinking backpackers.

Cairns is really the gateway to outdoor adventure in Australia. You can take trips out to the Great Barrier reef for snorkeling/diving, there are white-water rafting trips, various camping safaris into the rain forest and/or Outback/desert areas. I have heard that Frasier Island is a blast, but I didn't go when I was in Oz. There is just so much to see. Enjoy your trip.

Jhaley · 09-27-2006, 07:57 AM

Thanks guys for your advice!!! Omisan I checked out that link you sent, it sure looks like you had an amazing time while you where there I hope to do the same, does anyone know what time of year the box jellyfish come out, and what part of the country there in??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LiveFreeorDie @ Sep 27 2006, 06:23 AM) [snapback]141032[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

^ I echo the sentiments above. Surfers is basically a big tacky party town - but quite fun. Make sure you grab a surf lesson on the beach...I mean, afterall, its not called Surfers Paradise for nothing. Most hostels have various bar crawl events that save on drink and entrance fees to the clubs. These bar crawls also tend to mean that clubs are crazy busy one minute, dead the next after the crawl has moved on, so follow the crowds. The town is very much geared towards hard-drinking backpackers.

Cairns is really the gateway to outdoor adventure in Australia. You can take trips out to the Great Barrier reef for snorkeling/diving, there are white-water rafting trips, various camping safaris into the rain forest and/or Outback/desert areas. I have heard that Frasier Island is a blast, but I didn't go when I was in Oz. There is just so much to see. Enjoy your trip.

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**raoulduke** · 09-27-2006, 06:12 PM

Box jelly fish are only in northern queensland and come out around November-April, always ask around if it's safe to swim and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Once again, Good Luck on your trip

**omisan** · 09-28-2006, 01:19 PM

Actually, Surfer's Paradise isn't all that great for surfing, but the gentle, low waves they tend to get there are pretty good for learning. You actually have to go a bit further south on the coast to get the good stuff, like Kirra near Coolangatta.

You don't have to worry *too* much about box jellies (aka stingers) - the beaches in the areas that are affected by them usually have a closed-off swimming area with nets to keep them away, but they do occasionally spill over or their long tentacles can get through the net. If anything does happen, pee on your leg or scream for a lifeguard to go for the ubqiuitous bottles of vinegar at the beaches... highly unlikely, but better to be prepared and know! If you go diving, like out at the Great Barrier Reef, there aren't many box jellies that far out (the danger at that time of year is because they come in toward the beaches), but you can always opt to wear a stinger suit. It's this lycra bodysuit that looks really dorky, but hey, why take the chance?

**Delaney** · 09-29-2006, 08:37 AM

I don't know if you have already left yet but I was in Australia in May and just wanted to say that I highly recommend Fraser Island! Someone from TPunk recommended I take the Cool Dingo tour and I did and it was awesome. I met really cool people and learned a lot more about the island that I would have doing a self-guided tour.

Have a safe trip, I know you will have a BLAST!

My Webpage

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delaney @ Sep 29 2006, 08:35 AM) [snapback]141225[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I don't know if you have already left yet but I was in Australia in May and just wanted to say that I highly recommend Fraser Island! Someone from TPunk recommended I take the Cool Dingo tour and I did and it was awesome. I met really cool people and learned a lot more about the island that I would have doing a self-guided tour.

Have a safe trip, I know you will have a BLAST!

Cool Dingo Tours
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Also, for cheap domestic flights check out www.jetstar.com.au

Jhaley · 10-02-2006, 01:14 AM

hey

Just wanted to say that im having a ball already, im in town called Noosa 2hrs north of brisbane, this place is amazing im staying a yha hostel thats located 2 min from the beach the atmosphere is awsome and i woiuld recomed it to anyone, anyways ill start posting as things heat up, thanks for all the advice

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delaney @ Sep 29 2006, 09:37 AM) [snapback]141225[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I don't know if you have already left yet but I was in Australia in May and just wanted to say that I highly recommend Fraser Island! Someone from TPunk recommended I take the Cool Dingo tour and I did and it was awesome. I met really cool people and learned a lot more about the island that I would have doing a self-guided tour.

Have a safe trip, I know you will have a BLAST!

My Webpage
Also, for cheap domestic flights check out www.jetstar.com.au
[/b]

**raoulduke** · 10-02-2006, 01:21 AM

Yeah Noosa is awesome.

Have fun mate.

**omisan** · 10-02-2006, 02:49 PM

Dude, the YHA in Noosa is one of my favorite hostels in the world. Especially if you have a room in the main house.

If you don't mind splurging a bit, try out the great restaurants there. It's one of Australia's culinary capitals, so you're guaranteed to get some good food. I particularly liked Berardo's and Sierra Cafe.

Nightlife is pretty decent, but remember that you have to be in any establishment by 1am before they lock everyone out.