Thread: Timing fro Australia Trip

I'm gathering you just pay taxes on DL... no fare component? We pay zed low on CX or medium on others, so if someone wants to take QF/DL etc there are usually deals in US of USD$700-900rtn in economy for confirmed seat to stimulate travel here,for us to travel the other way return is another matter!! (more $$). So in terms of comparison to a zed it isn't much more for a confirmed seat, but if you pay taxes only a lot more I guess. But a confirmed seat then upgrades on miles sounds like a good idea...

I couldn't tell you what time is a good time to nonrev here... I never had trouble in March/April on QF. Had a LOT of trouble in October/November, and my friend had a lot of trouble on DL this month.

Are you just doing SYD or other places? First time?

first for me--he did the cruise w/some family (his 9 yr old stayed on board and ate cheeseburgers...) and most stops were NZ.
we never spend more than 3-4 nights in most places. got an idea for itinerary?
Our DL seats are free (fees only) and IF we wanted confirmed steerage we can use his "award" tkts (that is NOT happening w/his seniority!)
I guess we can still buy a OzPass of some sort? We also have partnership with VAustralia (??) (we also have Skymiles)

We bid for last wk Jan, first in Feb combo for 2011. We do have 2 wks end Sept spill Oct. We can add to front end easily.
I'm just starting to consider ideas--throw them at me!! Thanks in advance!

Did my trip to SYD in March so that seems all right since Nick mentioned it as well.

I flew NRSA on QF.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Jan 29 2010, 01:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

We bid for last wk Jan, first in Feb combo for 2011. We do have 2 wks end Sept spill Oct. We can add to front end easily.
I&#39;m just starting to consider ideas--throw them at me!! Thanks in advance![/b]

So I take it if you do 3-4 nights in places you are going to go to cities other than Sydney?

What are you into? Flashy touristic sites? The outback? Beaches? Food/wine? Nature?

Sydney is very flashy and the tourist capial with most icons. Melbourne is more about the arts, food and coffee. Adelaide is good for wineries. Tasmania is good for nature. Northern Territory will give you that outback feel. Queensland is good for beaches and diving.

Let me know and i&#39;ll hit you up with some ideas.

You have a ZED with QF right? If I were you i&#39;d check out www.tigerairways.com.au - it&#39;s basic but very safe and would prob be cheaper than ZEDs. I got a fare to Tasmania for $2.60 in a few weeks (+$20 taxes, +$6 "convenience fee" etc... you get the drift).

wow--I just looked at the V agreement we have--kinda complicated! it&#39;s a service charge basis and must be requested in advance blah blah blah
We do have ZEDM with Qantas and if using jetstar--sep listing/zed for those flights
we&#39;re not "city" people--not shoppers--more culture, outdoor--he goes outdoors, I watch him and drink! I love the spa stuff (Lillianfels is one of our targets I get discounts from luxurylink.com) as well as the Observatory and Diamont. I adore tragic opera and I really want to see the Opera House--he&#39;s willing to see his first there.
my husband fell in love w/Hobart-It sounds perfect to spend some serious time.
we like beaches but not to just cram into lounges and drink beer (sorry, I know that&#39;s a national pastime, Nick..)
I&#39;m the wine-r and foodie so that appeals to me, but not the upscale $$ end--good eats, great prices
hmmm....just starting to sort thru options!@

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Feb 1 2010, 04:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

wow--I just looked at the V agreement we have--kinda complicated! it&#39;s a service charge basis and must be requested in advance blah blah blah
We do have ZEDM with Qantas and if using jetstar--sep listing/zed for those flights
we&#39;re not "city" people--not shoppers--more culture, outdoor--he goes outdoors, I watch him and drink! I love the spa stuff (Lillianfels is one of our targets I get discounts from luxurylink.com) as well as the Observatory and Diamont. I adore tragic opera and I really want to see the Opera House--he&#39;s willing to see his first there.
my husband fell in love w/Hobart-It sounds perfect to spend some serious time.
we like beaches but not to just cram into lounges and drink beer (sorry, I know that&#39;s a national pastime, Nick..)
I&#39;m the wine-r and foodie so that appeals to me, but not the upscale $$ end--good eats, great prices
hmmm....just starting to sort thru options!@[/b]

As in V Australia or Virgin Blue? Or does V agreement mean something totally different? If you mean those two their staff travel policies are WHACKED.

If you don&#39;t mind being locked in to flights, I would seriously look at tiger airways or jetstar kk tickets. On a sale or a few weeks out they will be far far cheaper than a ZEDM.

Go to the opera and see something, it is worth the cost. Are you OK with heights? Do the bridge climb if you are. Rather $ but i&#39;ve heard good things. As for nature in SYD - blue mountains. In syd a good central place to stay is circular quay, but bear in mind it is expensive as is all food nearby (tourist trap). Darling harbour is ok but a bit further away. Downtown is ideal. Also there is heaps of public transport in SYD, but it is run like a sham. No ticket is valid for everything so you need new tickets each time, and the ferries are expensive.

If you want to drink (wine?) MEL and ADL are the bets. Good wineries. Also near Melbourne I would recommend you google Daylesford/Hepburn Springs area for spas - both a great weekend away with good spas/pampering and great food. As for nature we have the 12 apostles and penguin parade... google those. Oh and and open range zoo. Food in MEL is excellent, we have everything you could want. Vietnamese? Head to victoria st. Middle eastern? Head to sydney road. Italian? head to lygon st (not best italian ever mind you). Cheap at these local places too... much cheaper than city and you can get there on a tram and our public transport tickets are valid on trains/trams/buses as one ticket. Did you know we have the largest tram network in the world based on length of track? We have the most bars per captia in Australia too... lots hidden in laneways, jazz clubs etc.

As for nature you would LOVE Tasmania. You can drive up and down in hours, and stop at wineries, cheese factories, brewery tours, distilleries. Great seafood, wine, dairy and nature.

If any of that interests you let me know and i&#39;ll shoot you more details somehow

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Feb 1 2010, 05:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Down under is quite interesting but very WIERD. (Sorry Nick)[/b]

Haha no worries. What was so weird? I&#39;m curious!