Australia Destinations
APEC Week, News From Sydney
APEC week has officially shut down Sydney Until September 9th 2007. As you read through and watch some of the some of the attached serious articles and associated silly stuff, it does make one wonder about calling Australia the land of the free. A police state has been declared in the Central Business District of Sydney. While Security is obviously important, many feel Australia has gone overboard.
As one TV spokesperson stated: “George Bush wanders around the rest of the world with out all of this fuss.” …
Date: September 3rd, 2007 |
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APEC Week, Sydney Road and Transport Closures
The APEC Summit is coming to Sydney. If you do not need to be in Sydney that weekend- It is HIGHLY recomended to get out of town! Go some where else! Starting the 2nd and running through the 10th, Sydney will encounter changed traffic conditions and area closures around the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and main CBD areas. You can see the latest details at www.apec2007.org.
The changed conditions include a Cement Wall enclosing part of the city, “Exclusion Zones” where certain people may not be allowed to enter- you must …
Date: August 19th, 2007 |
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APEC Summit closes Sydney Opera House From Sept 3
The Good news? Sydneysiders will be getting an extra Holiday on Friday September the 7th, 2007. However, that translates to a nightmare for anyone planning to visit during that weekend. The APEC Summit will basically be shutting down the CBD (Central Business District) for a few days before and after.
I just heard on the radio this morning, dear President Bush will be making an early appearance, just to make the lives of commuters even more messy. Transport, the Opera House, and street closures are all on the cards. Anyone who lives near the coast has probably noticed the recent appearance of Military ships running “Ops.”
Check out this article from Boston.com to find out more about closures. I’ll be writing a few more pieces featuring ideas of how to escape the madness. (Check out this blog for regional vacation ideas.)
CANBERRA (Reuters) - From Boston.com:
Harborside Sydney, usually a tourist and restaurant mecca, will be transformed into a high-security fortress when the leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific economies gather for the three-day APEC summit.
Breaking News Alerts More than 4,000 troops, police, federal agents and private security guards will be deployed in the city centre to guard leaders including U.S. President George W. Bush, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China’s President Hu Jintao.
Sydneysiders are being asked to have a holiday during the September 7-9 meeting as the city centre is locked down within a 2.8-metre (9ft) reinforced concrete fence, meant to keep at bay possibly thousands of anti-globalization protesters.
Date: August 9th, 2007 |
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Melbourne Bushwalks/Day Hikes
Check out this article from the Daily Boomerang. It looks like they had a fab time in the local Werribee Gorge near Melbourne. Come on! How can you resist going to a town called Bacchus!
If you are in the Melbourne area looking for an easy day hike that isn’t to far outside of town one of the places I highly recommend is Werribee Gorge State Park. I took a trip to this park that is located a short 40 minute drive west of Melbourne near the city Bacchus Marsh this past weekend. …
Date: August 8th, 2007 |
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How to Select and Prepare Australian Seafood. Know what you are ordering with help from the Sydney Seafood School
Do you know what a Balmain Bug is? Chances are you’ve read about it in your guide book on the plane ride over. No trip to Sydney is complete without trying some of the fantastic seafood on offer. If you are like me- I am completely overwhelmed when it comes to ordering seafood, knowing if it is prepared properly, and not to mention- knowing how to prepare it is a complete mystery to me. So while visiting Down Under, why not learn a new skill! If …
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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Sydney Observatory, Total Eclipse Party
Hey any one need a REALLY good idea for a date? The Sydney Observatory is placed in quite arguably one of the most scenic spots in all of Sydney.
On the hill just next to the Harbour Bridge, it is a stunning vantage point. At any time of year, a visit during the day or evening is not misplaced. They quite frequently have family friendly programs and events. One that has caught my eye is coming up next Tuesday.
There is to be a Total …
Date: August 20th, 2007 |
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Alice Springs Dry River Boat Race
Alice Springs has a TV show (The Alice), is near Uluru, and is famous for it’s quirky festival- the Henley on the Todd Boat Regatta. The Aussies have such a great sense of humour and love “taking the piss” out of themselves. The Dry River Regatta is a perfect example of this. The fact that the nearest body of water is 1500K away doesn’t seem to hamper the boat race in the slightest…except in 1993 when the event had to be cancelled due to flooding….Bring on the water cannons! …
Date: August 14th, 2007 |
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Virgin Blue Turns 7 and You Get the Savings
Australia is not known for its budget airlines, however, there is something to celebrate for all of you budget travellers Down Under. Virgin Blue is celebrating their 7th Birthday by offering amazing sales on flights and vacation deals. Destinations for cheap airfare include Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific! Check out the deals:
Some Blue Vacation Deals:
Canberra- 2 nights from $650 per person
Cairns- 2 nights from $305 per person
The Whitsundays- 3 nights from $393 per person
Christchurch -3 nights from $440 per person*
Date: August 8th, 2007 |
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Webjet Domestic Airfare Sale, Fares from $41!
There’s currently a domestic sale underway by the major airlines, Webjet makes it easy for you to find the best deals by putting all the fares on one page for you to search, compare and book.
To find the cheap flights you’re after simply search your desired departure and arrival cities using the search box here, the fares are already discounted.
Fantastic domestic airfares starting at $41*.
(Based on Sydney to Gold Coast one way)
Travel between: 05 Feb - 13 Mar 2008
On Sale until: …
Date: August 2nd, 2007 |
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How to Get around Brisbane, Maps and Transport Options
First things first, Brisbane is NOT on the coast! Many people arrive and are disappointed to find out that the buzzing little city of Bris-Vegas is not on the coast. It is about an hour in land built on a river.
That said it is still a beautiful and fun place to visit. So close to the infamous Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay, many people fly into Brisbane, and then catch transport from there.
So how do you get around Brisbane and Queensland you ask? The following links provide schedules, routes, and fee information. Click Here to get a map of Brisbane.
Airport Link
Queensland Transport Info
Brisbane City Transport
Public Transport in Brisbane
Queensland Rail
Brisbane does have FERRY service as well. You can call 131230 for more information. Regular ferry services operate between:
• Dutton Park - University of Qld (Contact Dutton Park Ferry Services 018 88 7979)
• St. Lucia - West End
• QUT Gardens Point - South Bank - River Plaza Hotel
• Edward Street - Thornton Street - Eagle Street
• Riverside - Holman Street
• South Bank - Edward Street - Riverside - Dockside - Sydney Street - Mowbray Park - New Farm Park
• High speed CityCat services from Bretts Wharf at Hamilton to the City and the City to West End, St. Lucia and the University of Queensland. Timetable info: Transinfo 131230.
If Public Transport isn’t your thing and you prefer to BIKE it around town:
Date: July 25th, 2007 |
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