Australia

[Eednud]

2 hours ago, German Jag said:

If you're a gambler then you have the Sky City Casino next to Darling harbour as well as the Crown in Melbourne.

Plus Australia's very first casino at Wrest Point in Hobart.

 

8 hours ago, Ross. said:

I assume the kick off time on that website has adjusted to reflect the time in Switzerland? Or is it really a 9:50am kick off for some of those matches?

They must adjust for local time. 

[The Golden God]

It's just the worlds largest collection of poisonous things

[Arabdownunder]

6 hours ago, German Jag said:

Melbourne:- As mentioned above St. Kilda (lived there many years ago). If the cafe on the pier is still open then breakfast there is worthwhile.

Cafe burnt down  a few years ago and has since been rebuilt. If you go in the evening you get to see penguins coming ashore to their nests.  St Kilda is OK for going out but there's a heap of other suburbs which are more popular with locals.  Lots in the city centre as well.

Quote

Melbourne Star next to the Docklands is also worth doing.

Wouldn't bother with this. Its a big London-Eye wheel thingy but since it was first  built its been surrounded by high-rise apartment blocks so there's really nothing to see. For a better view over the city go to the Eureka Tower observation deck.

If you're interested in sport apart from fitba then the F1 Grand Prix is on March 17th and the Australian Rules season starts the following week. A big game at the MCG is quite a spectacle. Both rugby codes (Storm for league, Rebels for union) will also be in season.

Suggested day trips from Melbourne if you've got time:

• Yarra Valley: wineries, wildlife park, scenery
• Mornington peninsula: beaches, swim with dolphins, golf, wineries
• Great Ocean Road: spectacular surf beaches and scenery

 

[Ross.]

5 hours ago, Arabdownunder said:

Yarra Valley: wineries

Yes please.

5 hours ago, Arabdownunder said:

Mornington peninsula: wineries

Yes please.

[Arabdownunder]

Melbourne Comedy Festival is also on then
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2019

[Swarley]

On 13/11/2018 at 19:24, Ross. said:

Might have to cancel Lord Howe, scoping flights around the time we will be over and they are looking at $1000 per person return, on top of the accommodation which is pricey enough in it's own right. That being the case, I now need to find somewhere to spend 3 days on the beach that isn't too close to the city and isn't going to be absolutely rammed the whole time. We were thinking Palm Beach for a few days, or heading a lot further north to Seal Rocks or south to Jervis Bay. Both may be a tad remote and f**k with our timetable, which is tight enough as it is.

Many thanks for all the suggestions gents @Eednud @Arabdownunder @Swarley

It depends if you have a hire car or are relying on public transport. If its the former then somewhere outside the city would be an option, latter you may want to stay closer to civilisation.

Seal Rocks is about 3hrs drive North of Sydney. I've no idea how to get there via public transport. I've also never been there but I know people who've camped there and loved it. I have spent some time in and around Nelson Bay. Nice place.

Jervis Bay is fantastic for a short break. We typically go to Huskisson about 2-3 times a year. Its about 3hrs drive South of Sydney. Huskisson is a touristy town, nice pub, cafes etc. Couple of nice beaches. Hyams Beach is relatively close and it reputably has the whitest sand in Oz. There's also a lovely beach side walk between Huskisson and the neighbouring town of Vincentia.

Palm Beach, thats about 40mins drive North of Manly, maybe an hour on a bus. There not much there though apart from a beach. The main attraction is that they film Home and Away there but, unless you want to spend 3 days on the beach not doing much, I wouldn't spend more then a few hours there.

[Barry Ferguson's Hat]

The one thing you need to prepare yourself for in Australia is that many Aussies pronounce 'peninsula' as 'pen-in-sway-la'.

The sooner you can get over this, the sooner you can start enjoying yourself.

[Eednud]

1 hour ago, Barry Ferguson's Hat said:

The one thing you need to prepare yourself for in Australia is that many Aussies pronounce 'peninsula' as 'pen-in-sway-la'.

The sooner you can get over this, the sooner you can start enjoying yourself.

I live near the Le Fevre and the Fleurieu Peninsulas, a couple of hours drive from the Yorke Peninsula and a lot further from the Eyre Peninsula. Some might have trouble pronouncing Le Fevre or Fleurieu and a lot of other words but I've never heard anyone pronounce it that way.  Pen-insular or pe-ninsular maybe

[Highland Capital]

2 hours ago, Barry Ferguson's Hat said:

The one thing you need to prepare yourself for in Australia is that many Aussies pronounce 'peninsula' as 'pen-in-sway-la'.

The sooner you can get over this, the sooner you can start enjoying yourself.

I used to live on the aforementioned Mornington Peninsula.  I don't recollect anyone pronouncing peninsula that way.

[Swarley]

9 hours ago, Barry Ferguson's Hat said:

The one thing you need to prepare yourself for in Australia is that many Aussies pronounce 'peninsula' as 'pen-in-sway-la'.

The sooner you can get over this, the sooner you can start enjoying yourself.

Just wait until you hear them try "Maroon".

[Papad]

St Kilda is a bit of a backpacker hole. North of the river is more hipster and better for a night out, especially Fitzroy. Carlton, Brunswick and Richmond are fun too with fantastic food options.

Definitely the best city in Australia by a mile!

Oh, and Ramsey Street is doable by tram (or an official tour)!

Edited November 18, 2018 by Papad

[afca32]

Enjoying it here so far (been here since Tuesday, semi-permanently). Pretty cool place all round. Not sure about the size of a pint and general confusing drink measurements in Adelaide though.

[Eednud]

Enjoying it here so far (been here since Tuesday, semi-permanently). Pretty cool place all round. Not sure about the size of a pint and general confusing drink measurements in Adelaide though.

A pint here is 425ml, same size as a Schooner most other States. A schooner is 285ml but that’s a middy or a pot elsewhere. This might help. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-08/curious-adelaide-south-australia-beer-glass-sizes/8874960

[throbber]

Also,
If doing it then start at the Coogee end and walk to Bondi,  the views from cliff over Bondi are very impressive.  Then get the f**k out of Bondi as soon as possible.

Do it the other way round and have a drink at the Coogee Bay Hotel. Someone once shat in the complimentary chocolate ice cream there and it’s still talked about years later.

[MONKMAN]

I lived in Carr street just up from the Coogee Bay Hotel, it was always my Sunday drinking spot. That said, walking it Coogee to Bondi is still the best way to go.

Edited November 19, 2018 by MONKMAN

[throbber]

I lived in Carr street just up from the Coogee Bay Hotel, it was always my Sunday drinking spot. That said, walking it Coogee to Bondi is still the best way to go.

I stayed in a hostel in Coogee for a few nights and then moved into a flat at Double Bay not far from the Golden Sheaf for 2 months and then moved to Bronte for 6 months and spent the summer there. The term halcyon days gets thrown about a lot these days but I’m getting genuinely depressed thinking about it now!

[Arabdownunder]

On 18/11/2018 at 23:34, afca32 said:

Enjoying it here so far (been here since Tuesday, semi-permanently). Pretty cool place all round. Not sure about the size of a pint and general confusing drink measurements in Adelaide though.

This should make things clear:

 

[Eednud]

This should make things clear:

[]

 

Just as well they stopped doing the Darwin Stubby.

 

When they brought in the fresh glass for every beer rule rumour was that loads of Melbourne Uni students ordered their beer by the pony causing chaos behind the bar. Think it was late 70s or early 80s that rule was introduced in SA & Vic.

[fanny paddery]

On 14/11/2018 at 02:06, MONKMAN said:

Also,

If doing it then start at the Coogee end and walk to Bondi,  the views from cliff over Bondi are very impressive.  Then get the f**k out of Bondi as soon as possible.

When I stayed in Sydney I'd head to Kings Cross and then on to Oxford street for a night out, but I believe the licensing laws have changed to stop 24hr drinking in the city centre and Darlinghurst areas.

 

From Melbourne for a night out head to St Kilda.

Take a drive down the Great Ocean Road if you have time. 

Yeah, I live in Darlinghurst and the area has died a bit of a death. Oxford St is still busy, as apparently the politicians are a little scared to come down too hard on the gay bars due to the risk of perceived homophobia. 

The biggest change has been in Kings Cross, which is becoming more gentrified by the day.  Dreamgirls and Pokey's are now shut, with a woolworths opening on the main strip.

I second the Coogee to Bondi walk, but think people are giving Bondi a slightly hard time. It is geared at back packers and serves this purpose.

I always recommend to our visitors to go up the westfield tower for a couple of cocktails. It is $20 per person minimum spend, however that is the same price as going to the viewing platform. Cocktails are about $15 each and are excellent, and the view from the city is amazing.

The walk from the botanic gardens to Barangaroo allows you to take in the Opera House and the Bridge, and provides all the typical tourist photos you see. Lots of nice bars in Barangaroo now.

Remember in Australia happy hour is still a thing. In Sydney you will be lucky to get a pint for <$10, but its quite common to get a pint for around $6 between 5-7pm

You are also coming to Sydney in peak horse racing time. Saturday the 6th and 13th of April are the 2 biggest race days of the year at Royal Randwick, with a prize pool of around $10m each day. Let me know if this is something you are interested in and there is a small chance I could sort some members tickets.

[fanny paddery]

On 14/11/2018 at 20:48, Swarley said:

It depends if you have a hire car or are relying on public transport. If its the former then somewhere outside the city would be an option, latter you may want to stay closer to civilisation.

Seal Rocks is about 3hrs drive North of Sydney. I've no idea how to get there via public transport. I've also never been there but I know people who've camped there and loved it. I have spent some time in and around Nelson Bay. Nice place.

Jervis Bay is fantastic for a short break. We typically go to Huskisson about 2-3 times a year. Its about 3hrs drive South of Sydney. Huskisson is a touristy town, nice pub, cafes etc. Couple of nice beaches. Hyams Beach is relatively close and it reputably has the whitest sand in Oz. There's also a lovely beach side walk between Huskisson and the neighbouring town of Vincentia.

Palm Beach, thats about 40mins drive North of Manly, maybe an hour on a bus. There not much there though apart from a beach. The main attraction is that they film Home and Away there but, unless you want to spend 3 days on the beach not doing much, I wouldn't spend more then a few hours there.

The Hunter Valley would be a much better stop over than Seal Rocks, for about the same driving time. More wineries than you could ever imagine, nice scenery and you can do a night in the blue mountains on the way home.

if you dont plan to hire a car, the wife got me this for my birthday one year and it was genuinely outstanding value for money https://gourmetgetawaytours.com.au/about/