Modern Vespa

So i might bite the bullet and finally go down under. Fiji air has a special $800 RT from Honolulu. While i've dated and almost married an Aussie i've never been. I understand te language.Are their some cheap hostels,good bus lines between cities? Where's MONIT i may come live with him. Seriously i'd just stop by and say hey. Any info would be much appreciated. They have the same fare to NZ ;so BOULTY next trip.: TIA I know summer here is their winter and that would be the perfect time for me to go but i don't do snow or very cold. Haven't worn pants in 15yrs. 8)

Best time? Haven't got a clue. My wife and I spent a month there a few years ago in June/July and it was just fine weather wise.

You can get cost effective meals at return service (think nice VFWs) and bowling clubs. I found the return service clubs to be good with lots of interesting folks to jaw with.

It was a terrific visit. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Added: At that time:
Sydney: light jacket and an umbrella
Cairns: comfortable in shorts, maybe a light jacket at night
Darwin: just a bit toasty, shorts and t-shirt weather.

It doesn't matter when you go, it's always full of Australians.

Oh snap!

And if its not Australians its POM's or yarpies or even worse. .. My relatives.

American or English? Either way

Bite that bullet. Hope you get to hook up with some Aussie MVers. Now that's funny.

very funny. Har har!!!

As someone who's been here for the last 14 years I think I can possibly answer whatever questions you have Judy. Happy for you to PM me if you want.

We live in Adelaide, South Australia but I've had the pleasure of visiting and spending time in all the capital cities with the exception of Darwin.

"Best time of year" is highly dependent upon what you think is the best weather? If you want it stinking hot, then get yourself down to South Australia (or it's outback) anytime from December through to February. (Strangely, even though we're a month into autumn at the moment it was over 36 degress in Adelaide yesterday!)

Give me some guiding questions, regarding where you may go and I'll get some more targeted information back to you.

Just remember, it's not hot here all the time (we have lots of snow in the winter in certain areas). It can also rain a lot too. surprising as we're the driest continent on earth (outside of Antarctica).

Whatever time you choose to come, you'll love it here as there's something for everyone. Plus some MV members who could easily give your visit a personal touch!!

Gday Judy.

You'll love Australia, but to get here involves crossing the red dirt a bit, otherwise you're still in West New Zealand really.

West Australia used to be a separate area, but a relaxing of standards at the Nullabor combined with a few new water holes has let a heap of ring-ins through, so now everyone lives here happily ever after.

Leave the city behind for at least a couple of nights, get some red dirt between your toes and shoo a few flies and see a part of the "Old Land" up close. Nothing whispers like an old Wandoo. 8)

Best time would be whenever it's hibernating season for all the deadly creepy-crawlers down under.

Usually that's between sunrise after they've all crashed to sleep and 5pm when the bars open up again.

Ta-Dump BUMP-BUMP

Sober. Who can afford the price of a decent beer.

Decent beer? Australia?

Right after getting caught nicking a loaf of bread. Gov will pay your passage, too.

Judy

.. the answer is "anytime" .. It really depends what you want to see.

May is the best time in northern Australia - the "wet" is just over so the roads are passable in places like Kakadu, yet there is still enough water on the big waterfalls like Jim Jim and Twin Falls (they do slow and stop at the end of the "dry"). The days are warm and not too hot in Queensland, especially around the Daintree (Cairns), and the water is clear on the Reef.

Sydney stays mostly in 65 - 75F range through autumn and winter, nights are rarely ever below 50F. Some days drop to 60F but that is actually rare. It's a crystal clear 77F day today and the sun is nicely low enough (after the equinox) to sparkle off the Harbour. the water is still warm enough to swim. There will be days like this all through winter (maybe 5-10F colder), with the water warm another month yet.

Winter in the centre is cold nights (below freezing - it's a long way from the sea!) but warm sunny days. It's a great time for Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Early winter around Byron Bay is spectacular - warm days, cool but not cold nights, clear skies and sea. The ocean cools down around June, so you can still swim then wander in rainforest (if that's not to similar to home!)

The south would be cold for you until about October. Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart can be damp, grey and miserable in mid winter.

Why not either
- come soon and enjoy autumn in the south, head north in a few weeks fro the warmth; or

- come late winter (August) and see the north, head south around October for the spring.

But you want cccccold? I've snow-camped at -23C (-9F) on the main range of the Snowy Mountains. Plenty of snow if you want it.

Hi Judy
I live in Melbourne & Melbourne is a great city and Monit also lives in Melbourne check out the Vespa club of Melbourne you will be most welcomed and helped out on any visit you may make....Melbourne has four seasons ....ask any questions you may have and only to happy to provide info as required.
Cheers Mike

Any MVers who are planning a long-haul flight to either of our fair Antipodean lands should try to see both because most will only make this trip once in a lifetime. Flight time across 'The Ditch' between Down-under and Godzone is 3 hours.

Judy...if you arrive in Auckland I will collect you from the airport and there is a bed waiting for you.

Anyone thinking of 'touring' NZ should bank on a minimum of three weeks. If you plan on seeing much of Oz plan on three years!

Judy, make sure you pack me in an extra bag. I can pay your second bag fee.

Shameless promotion: Any Interest in New Zealand in 2015?

Thats like calling the US Canada. Or Canada the US.

ps, Great idea!

Yano i will. Fiji air has some cheap flights since their starting service to Honolulu. Thanks so much guys. I can fly into Sydney or Melbourne. Hmm which to do. Need to get my map out. I will definitely take you up on your offers. Some really cool stuff that everybody has written. Boulty. I'll be to NZ soon and thanks for the offer. 8) Now only if the US $ was stronger. I'm used to traveling cheap. Don't think i'll be able to do it on this trip.

Was taking license based on Boulty's post.

Gday again Judy.
Since getting over here is a bit like trying to hitch a lift to the moon, I thought I'd send a couple of pics.
Taken yesterday here at work, and the last one should look like this through my window here at work in about 3 hours from now.

This was my walk home yesterday, at about 65F at 7pm (daylight saving). Rozelle Bay, part of the inner harbour in Sydney.

anytime of the year. most of us ride all year round..


south is cooler north is hotter. flying between cities is better than buses due. to the distance

True that. Once travelled Brisso to Melbourne by bus = 24 hours almost non-stop.
At midnight this dude gets off at Goondiwindi to transfer to a Perth bound bus. I asked him how long that was going to take......
4 1/2 days.

I once sat propped in between webbing pallet straps inside a Hercules for a total of 11.5 hours straight. This was from Adelaide to Perth, so it doesn't include the 4 hours from Sydney to Adelaide before that.

I think I'll ride instead thanks.

yes if you want to see WA-- perth or broome FLY


i did perth to melbourne by bus in 1989.. 4-5 days with two 30min stops, that was over xmas so the driver stopped at a fridge in the middle of the Nullarbor and picked up a cake on chrissy day. also a wheel fell off

From around 1786 onwards - much more space then ..

Awesome pics. I like buses.I haven't done 4 1'2 days but 3 was my max. Never really drive on my trips. Moto taxi's are fun but i doubt there are any. BOB My Aussie boyfriend used to just shake his head when i called him a 7th generation convict. BTW a warm aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii.

[quote="Boulty"]

Judy...if you arrive in Auckland I will collect you from the airport and there is a bed waiting for you.
![/quote


urm thats a bit froward

ANDY no offense. Thank you very much. 8)

I'll just put this here

Z Anybody know how much it costs to fly from Australia to NZ. The cheap airfare from here can take me to AU or NZ. So is it cheaper to fly from one to another> NZ to Au or Au to NZ?

melbourne to christchurch is around $300 depends on when you book



have a look at flight centre http://www.flightcentre.com.au/travel/flights/general-enquiry/Christchurch?gclid=CPiCpIfdyr0CFUUGvAodiy8Aiw

I could fly into AUS and then fly out of NZ. I'll see if it's possible. Thanks Josh. Very cool.

Either its the weather or the breeding , but all aussies i've met have been happy casual , relaxed folks that are nice to chat to and have no hangups . Hope you enjoy the trip .

Judy

Internal flights in Australia are reasonable to very cheap wherever there is competition - some smaller airports are serviced by one airline only and then the cost is high.

Look at Virgin Australia and Jetstar (owned by QANTAS) websites.

Like everywhere, midweek, mid-day flights are the cheapest. QANTAS is now mostly premium price flights, essentially for the business market. but sometiems QANTAS and Jetstar code share planes

One small trap - watch the international flights operating sections within Australia, such as from Perth to the east. Fine flying-wise, but they mean you have to check in another hour or so early, and at the international terminals. They often come up when you try to book cheap flights.

There are a range of open-use bus tickets, such as up the east coast, where you can hop on and off at will. Plenty of pretty coastal town to spend a day in - though the distances get bigger in Queensland (it's 1000 miles from Brisbane to Cairns).
http://www.greyhound.com.au/passes

enjoy!

Hi Judy Your upcoming trip sounds awesome, as usual. If you have time, I highly recommend a visit with amazing folks at Scooter Central in Sydney, ScootaCo in Cairns and Ace Scooters in Perth.

Monit is such a lovely guy. PM him to let him know your travel plans. And please give him, Mrs. Monit and the mini Monits a giant hug from me.


There are a lot of hostels or backpackers as the Aussies call em. I stayed at Hostel International in Sydney. There are roadhouses in the more undeveloped areas. There's also lots of places to camp.

I was there in August & September. Had rain in Cairns but it's tropical so you'll feel right at home. Colder temps and some rain in the south. Also had hail and a bunch of wind in Perth. Not much fun for riding. Should be fine on a bus. There was sign outside the Minilya Roadhouse that may or may not be helpful:


Another sign I liked


Have a great time and take lotsa pics, please!

Mini Monits. Made me laugh for some reason.