Australia! I Will Be In You!

[FlyingCanOpener]

After waiting for the plane tickets to drop after missing the rock-bottom December pricing, I just booked my tickets and am headed to Australia, landing on 30 June in Gold Coast, and heading back to the States on 20 July from Melbourne. Running the Gold Coast (Half) Marathon the weekend I arrive, then after that isn't set in stone. Want to do Brisbane, Canberra (Mt. Kosciusko too!), Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney, and Ayers Rock, with possibly a trip to Cairns to see the Australian Armour Museum. Going to get my fill in of sports, and while I probably can't do State of Origin III (I'll be close to leaving so I won't be around Brisbane), want to go to an NRL game, Super Rugby (I think I'll be in Sydney to see the Waratahs-Jaguares game, if not I can be near Melbourne to see Rebels-Jaguares), and an AFL game to experience Australian men in sleeveless shirts jumping up in the air to punch each other.

 

Was going to try to squeeze a week in New Zealand in, but too much travel, not enough time soaking things in, and the British and Irish Lions tour taking all of the Airbnb and hotel rooms for most of July means a later adventure to Kiwiland.

 

So... Southern Hemisphere I&I perhaps? I know most of you guys live in Melbourne or Sydney, so it's probably better

[Adam_S]

If you want to see some decent rugby league then you could always stop by Townsville on your way up to come and see a Cowboys game.

 

Make sure you get yourself one of these too.

 

https://mcdonalds.com.au/menu/aussie-bbq-angus

[FlyingCanOpener]

I thought about it, but the way my itinerary is laid out, actually getting to an NRL game will be tricky unless I get to the Gold Coast-Dragons match on the day I get there. I wanted to go to a suburban Sydney game (Like Manly-Wests) but I'll be in Melbourne at that time, and the Storm aren't playing in Melbourne that weekend. I'm pretty sure I'll be in Sydney to see the Waratahs play Union though. Thought about making a flight back to Brisbane for State of Origin 3 on 12 July, but is really paying $300 to go see Queensland make it 3-0 worth it?

So it's still up in the air, but the idea is to go in the following order:

Gold Coast (4 days--including arrival)
Brisbane (2 days)
Townsville (?)
Cairns (2 days)
Sydney (3 days)
Alice Springs (2 days just to see Uluru)
Canberra (3 days including Mt. Kosciusko)
Tasmania (1 day trip)
Melbourne (4 days including leaving)

Going to do car rental for a lot and making the big trips by air (Brisbane-Cairns-Sydney-Alice Springs). And I like doing odd things like eating at fast food places like McDonald's to compare/contrast with them here. I literally want to go to a Harvey Norman electronics store for no other reason than because I see them all the time on the NRL adverts.

Edited February 11, 2017 by FlyingCanOpener

[Adam_S]

Origin game 3 is Jonathon Thurston's last ever for the Maroons so it should be an extra special drubbing for the Blues this year. I reckon the atmosphere should be pretty special.

 

Flying is a good idea as Australia is a mind-numbingly dull place to drive around.

 

Try to see the Reef while you're in Cairns if you can.

[FlyingCanOpener]

Won't make it to Origin 3, but I might get to 2 NRL games and an AFL game, because I'm a big fan of the local wildlife.

 

I've narrowed down my places to visit to Gold Coast-Brisbane-Cairns-Sydney-Canberra-Thredbo-Melbourne, and stuff to do pretty much in place apart from Melbourne and Brisbane.

 

I figure there's enough to do in Melbourne for me to figure it out for the 4 days/4 nights I'm there, but Brisbane isn't really jumping out at me apart from the frigate there on the river at the Queensland Maritime Museum and nature stuff (Which I'm always game for). What's there to do there?

 

Also, I plan on making a day at the Australian Armour Museum in Cairns. Anyone with a connection that can sweet talk me into some inside tours and such?

[FlyingCanOpener]

Well, I've been Feet Dry in Australia since Friday afternoon. Just ran the Gold Coast Half Marathon and didn't embarrass myself in the process. Heading to Brisbane on Monday, then flying to Cairns on Thursday morning.

 

Here's a link to my photos (Growing as the trip goes along). The number will increase substantially at the Armour museum!

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10213744741199564.1073741838.1436955377&type=1&l=c51836877a

[Gman]

I've just returned from the Armour and Artillery Museum in Cairns and for a new collection, was very impressed. standard of maintenance for runners seemed quite high to my aged eyes.

 

You'll have a blast. If you mention you served (Uncle Sam or otherwise) to the manager on duty, you might get a closer look inside. I was fortunate to get a tour of the workshops and see an Archer in complete refurbishment to new condition as well as a dilapidated M5A1 light tank and 88 awaiting their turn.

 

Was especially nice getting a look inside a T72M1 for first glance at other side of the curtain.

[Gman]

Great to meet up with FlyingCanOpener yesterday.

 

If anyone from this Grate Sight are passing through Brisbane, Oz, be sure to mention, very happy to meet up and buy dinner/drink and show around town.

[FlyingCanOpener]

Absolutely! Gman and his wife are amazing hosts, and the company was as excellent as the food. Oh, and the rugby league talk was nice too.

 

Brisbane is a seriously underrated town to visit and enjoy. I had far more fun here than I was expecting based on the initial recon of the town.

[Ivanhoe]

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/things-in-australia-that-will-kill-you-animals-that-will-try-to-kill-you

[Adam_S]

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/things-in-australia-that-will-kill-you-animals-that-will-try-to-kill-you

 

There's a few things missing off that list actually. Off the top of my head:

 

Death Adders

Taipans

Tiger Snakes

King Brown Snakes

Western Brown Snakes

Sea Snakes

Lion Fish

Paralysis Ticks

Irukanjis

Blue Ring Octopus

Stingrays

Flamboyant Cuttlefish (the only venomous species of cuttlefish in the world)

Magpies

[Allan W]

 

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/things-in-australia-that-will-kill-you-animals-that-will-try-to-kill-you

 

There's a few things missing off that list actually. Off the top of my head:

 

Death Adders

Taipans

Tiger Snakes

King Brown Snakes

Western Brown Snakes

Sea Snakes

Lion Fish

Paralysis Ticks

Irukanjis

Blue Ring Octopus

Stingrays

Flamboyant Cuttlefish (the only venomous species of cuttlefish in the world)

Magpies

 

 

Magpies???

[Adam_S]

Vicious little bastards.

 

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/boy-killed-trying-to-avoid-magpie-20100909-152sr.html

[FlyingCanOpener]

I loved the sound of a Magpie, but as Argus said when we met, you've got to get them on your side because they can be so territorial.

 

I'm currently in the airport in Melbourne about to head home, but the place left a wonderful impression on me, not to mention I got to spend time with Argus and GMan, who are both far greater men than their online personas let on. Great tour guides and great conversation as well. I'll definitely be back with the girlfriend in a couple of years max. Might have to try Townsville next time, eh Adam?