I recently returned home from the trip of a lifetime. Ten days in Australia split between Melbourne and Sydney. The flight is brutal and the time change was rough but I had the most amazing time.

My wife was presenting research at a conference in Melbourne so I had a bit of spare time on my hands to explore the city. I was fortunate to have sigforum member cjevans contact me and offer to give me a tour of the city. I had a blast touring the city, having a delicious lunch and going to see a ton of motorcycles at the local dealerships.

I can be a bit of a procrastinator and waited to long to book things to do in the city. Well, my sigforum membership saved the day. Cjevans offered to take my wife and I on a tour of the Great Ocean Road including Bells Beach (yes THE Bells Beach from Point Break). When I asked my wife on the way home what her favorite part of the trip was she said “riding with you and your friend on the great ocean road, visiting the picturesque beaches, vineyard and seeing Bells Beach”. I agreed.

We had a great time in Australia. The harbor tours of Sydney were incredible as was the food. Both of our hotels were located in perfect locations. In Melbourne we were right on the Yarra river and in Sydney we were within walking distance to the Sydney Opera House and tons of shops and restaurants.

We got lucky, the weather was absolutely perfect and the food was spectacular. The waves were head high at Bells and the surfers put on quite a show. I fell in love with the unique Australian car culture which a few of you already knew.

I can’t wait to go back. If I ever won the powerball I’d probably live part of the year in Australia.

Good for you and your wife and thanks for sharing your experience. I've only heard good things about Australia and would love to visit sometime. I really hate flying though....

Can't beat that!

The land of Oz can be fantastic. In August I spent 7 days on aborigines land hunting water buffalo. What an incredibly remote and beautiful area.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
I really hate flying though....

Yeah, I think from LAX it was a 13 hour flight - I recall taking Benadryl and napping 3 times.

Did you visit the Foster's plant?

Is it true?

Do they have hundreds of kangaroos lined up at trough urinals?

They don’t drink fosters there. But I believe the Roo pee thing is true.

I triggered someone from Queensland when I said I like their Quattro equis (XXXX) beer.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
They don’t drink fosters there. But I believe the Roo pee thing is true.

I triggered someone from Queensland when I said I like their Quattro equis (XXXX) beer.

Ah, Castlemain XXXX. Many a misspent hour in a pub in Earl’s Court (London) swilling that stuff years ago. It was better that the warm bitters on tap....

I actually liked it. I was on a boat headed back to the opera house and had limited choices. It was that or some IPA or cider. I just can’t get into IPA...I’ve tried.

Love Australia I have been there three times. Perth, Sydney, Cairns and a few other places. I love Tohey’s Old.

quote:

I love Tohey’s Old.

Ah Tooheys! I recall (many years ago) very much enjoying Black and Tans made with that beer!

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Good for you and your wife and thanks for sharing your experience. I've only heard good things about Australia and would love to visit sometime. I really hate flying though....

It is possible to get to and from Australia by ship, you know.

I visited several sites in Australia in Feb/Mar 2017. Had a great time!

stickman, can you post a few pictures?

flashguy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flashguy,

I envy you! And kudos to cjevans.

Had Australia and New Zealand on my bucket list but got sick where travel is no longer doable.

Some pics from the trip.



Shrine of Remembrance


Brighton Beach


Melbourne skyline overlooking the Yarra river


Bells Beach


Bells Beach






Three Sisters and Jamison Valley


Cassowary, these things can be vicious

Those photos are fantastic...that must have been a great visit!...and it makes it even more so to meet a SIGForum member from all the way on the other side (and down under) of our world...thank you for posting!

At 7pm they project art onto the Sydney Opera House.


A view of the other side

Nice pictures. It's awesome you had a great time there and met a forum member. The few forum members I have met in various area's have been very good and generous people.

Thanks for the pics, stickman! You did some of the same things I did, I see: Shrine of Remembrance; Echo Point; Featherdale Wildlife Park, and the Sydney Opera House. Nice photos!

The Sydney Harbor bridge is quite the sight to see.



I got a kick out of seeing that my former employer has a high rise building in Sydney.