Planning a LSD trip to Perth, Sydney, Brisbane etc

[Garfield]

Hi to all

We are planning a LSD trip for the end of 2007.

We just got the quote from Flight Centre and I must say its very expensive. R86 000 for the 4 of us.

Will it be wise to book the flights throught them and arrange our own accomodation from here? Self catering perhaps?

We plan to go from the 22 Dec - 6 Jan.

The plan is to go to Perth for say 2 nights and then fly to Sydney for another 2 nights. Rent a car and sleep over in Hunter Valley. Then to Coff harbaour for a night.

Then we plan to stay somewhere in Brisbane for 4 nights as to have time to see the areas and schools.

From Brisbane we plan to go to Townsville and then our last 2 nights will be in Cairns.

Any suggestions and ideas please.

Thanks

Garfield

[Lisa T]

HI Garfield

We booked our LSD trip to Perth for Oct 2007 for 2 weeks for the 3 of us. Our flight cost for 3 economy tickets on SAA is R24 000.00 direct Durban/JHB/Perth. I suspect because you are going in December you will be paying full economy price tickets which is probably why your quote is so expensive. I would also suggest looking at flights via Dubai or Mauritius as those flights are always more cost effective. (Air Mauritius and Emirates). That's if you're not worried about flying direct or not.

Try going online as well, because SAA's prices are always cheaper than via an agent. www.flysaa.com

This is all I can recommend, but I suspect your costs are high due to the time you are travelling.

With regards to booking accommodation via them or doing it yourself, why not get a quote from them and then go online and check out direct internet rates as a comparison. To be honest we've found them to be similar. We managed to exchange our RCI for a 2 week stay in Perth, and in so doing saved ourselves about R10 000.00

Bye

Lisa

[LeeInOz]

HI Garfield

This is all I can recommend, but I suspect your costs are high due to the time you are travelling.

Bye

Lisa

In Nov the prices do go up until jan some time. Flight Centre will confirm this. That is why we came in early Nov.

The other way to save is to book the Aus local flights on Jetstar.com.au or virginblue.com.au.

We arrived and then booked connecting flights which saved looks of cash

[Garfield]

In Nov the prices do go up until jan some time. Flight Centre will confirm this. That is why we came in early Nov.

The other way to save is to book the Aus local flights on Jetstar.com.au or virginblue.com.au.

We arrived and then booked connecting flights which saved looks of cash

Thanks Lisa and Lee

I would never of dreamed that going in December would effect the costs to such an extend.

I really think we will have to consider to go later in January. I will get more quotes from the airlines you suggested.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate

Garfield

[Bob]

Garfield,

Most Aussies avoid the tropics in Dec / Jan

You can go to Townsville and Cairns at that time of year by all means, but it will be like a sauna. . . . muggy and stinking hot.

Spending R84 000 on a holiday means you must have loads of dough in your bank to emigrate with.

Emigrating will chew up a lot of money also.

I'm scratching my head wondering what you hope to see in 48 hours in Perth after getting over jet-lag ? ?

I once met a Yank who reckoned he was "seeing" Australia in a week . . . . Melbourne one day, Sydney the next , Alice Springs the next, etc.

Australia is seven times the size of South Africa!

"Seeing Australia in a week" ? ? . . . . . . yeah, right!

[Garfield]

Bob

THANKS for your reply. It makes sense. Too many places to little time. We are planning a 16 day trip. Could not remember all the other places we plan to see.

You say most Aussies avoid the tropics in Dec/Jan. OK so what do you think of Brisbane? We were thinking of settling there. Really hope the weather is not quite tropic there.

We run a small factory and we only shut down once a year from the 22 Dec till say the 12 Jan.

This is really the only time we have to go.

Maybe I should consider taking the kids out of school in March or April next year.

I realise Aus is VERY big, but we do not know where to start. Maybe we should plan to go to only 3 places and extend our stay.

Thanks again

Garfield

[Bob]

Mate,

I don't want to burst your balloon, but I reckon that you're trying to do too much with the little time you give yourselves.

Australia really is a damn big place, and to try to see it all (west coast and east coast) in 16 days means a lot of hard travelling at 200 km/ hr . . . . a blur.

All the "grey nomads" . . the old farts like me that travel around Australia in their 4WDs and caravans . . . travel up to the tropics in the "Dry" season (winter-time).

The caravan parks right across the tropical north of Australia (the top 40% of this country) go from being virtually empty to being chock a block full in about three or four weeks. . . and the reverse is true when the humidity begins to build up in Sept / October before the full blown onset of the "Wet"

The weather up there in July (winter-time) is great one day, perfect the next . . . . clear blue skies, warm days (25 to 30 degrees) and cool nights with no humidity to speak of.

The tropics don't have four seasons like the temperate part of Australia, South Africa, Europe, America.

The tropics is 'wet" season and "dry" season.

The "Wet" is hard to handle if you're not used to it. If you live up there, you gradually acclimatise yourself to the steady build-up in humidity in October to December . . . . and even then you're sweating like a pig come Christmas, sitting underneath the air con all day and night.

Night-times you need the air con flat out to sleep. No air con, no sleep!

I'm not even talking about the cyclones that can come along, out of the blue, at that time of year.

Anyone selling you tickets to Townsville and Cairns in Dec / Jan is able to book you on any flight because the seats aren't full at that time of year.

Likewise with accomodation.

The tourist season is 6 months beforehand or after.

You won't be able to swim in the South Pacific either, because of the stingers in the sea. They can kill you.

They migrate down the eastern Australian coastline in summertime from the equator.

So . . . . you can't even enjoy the beaches to their full capacity at that time of year in Townsville and Cairns!

Brisbane is sub-tropical. Brisbane's one of my favourite places in Australia. I worked there for a couple of months back in 1973 and it was a very relaxed place, and still is, I believe.

It does get a bit muggy in summer-time, but nowhere near like further up north of Queensland in the tropics.

You can enoy the beaches also in Brisbane all year round, but don't go too far north of Brisbane or you get the lower limits of the stingers in the sea.

I wouldn't go much further north than Noosa in high summer for that reason.

It's beautiful countryside on the coastal side of the Great Dividing Range, but once you cross the Divide it dries out and looks more and more like Outback countryside . . . like the Karoo in summer.

In 16 days, my advice is narrow down what part of Australia you'd like to really see.

In that time frame you could land at Melbourne and drive up thro Sydney to Brisbane, but even then you'd be moving quite a few of those days.

The east coast of Australia is worth a good look, especially at that time of year. It will be green and lush in parts with the seas warm, the beaches golden sand for miles. Your kids will love it.

You could just as easily spend the whole time in Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane.

Each place has enough to see on its own merit for two weeks, easily.

Around Brisbane there is the Gold Coast to the south down to the New South Wales border. To the north of Brisbane is the Sunshine Coast . . . less commercialised, but well worth a few days holidaying there.

Personally, I'd come to the realisation that 16 days isn't going to do much justice to the whole of Australia, so I'd narrow down to one or two areas that I'd like to see. Perhaps a week in Perth, and a week in Brisbane? . . . but don't let the travel agent sell you further north than the Brisbane region (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) . . . not in January.

[Garfield]

Hi Bob

Thanks a million for all your advise. After reading what you said we have planned to skip Cairns and fly straight to Sydney then drive to Brisbane. Skipping Perth as well.

I will be online again later tonight. Busy at work right now.

Really need to talk to you.

THANKS

Garfield

[GarNik]

Hi All,

This is our first post on this Forum. I can't thank you guys enough for the valuable information that we have got from reading your posts.

My hubby and I and two children are off on a LSD to Perth in December 07 for 3 weeks. I think we can honestly say that it is mostly a LS as we have pretty much decided we are going should everything work out as planned.

We chose Perth for no other reason other than we have good friends there - but that is not to say that it is where we will settle permanently.

Will appreciate any feedback on LSD's to Perth - we are staying with friends in Dianella and then plan to have a few days in Busselton.

Thanks again.

GarNik

[Lisa T]

Hi Garnik

We are visiting Perth for 2 weeks in October, so I'll be sure to write up a post with some pics when we get back.

Bye

Lisa

[GarNik]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks- look forward to hearing about your trip and seeing some pics. Enjoy!

Regards

Nikki

[Garfield]

Hi Garnik

Welcome!!

Garfield

[GarNik]

Hi Garfield,

We are off to Perth on 14 December 07 - January 4 08. We managed to get flights to Perth via Kuala Lumpur - Air Malaysia for R36 500.00 (all inclusive) for four of us (2 Adults and 2 children ages 9 & 5). We booked via Rennies Travel - but you can book online at www.malaysianairlines.com.

Look forward to hearing more about your trip.

Regards

Nikki

[Queensland Girl]

HI Garfield

You are coming in peak season(re flights)

Peak ends 15 Jan.

You are also coming in the holiday season here, and will also pay PEAK rates in Ozz. If there is ANY chance you can do this trip out of peak 15 Dec- 15 Jan you will be doing the family and your wallet a huge favour.

Another issue is that all the schools you want to look at are closed. A good idea is to set up an appointment with the Principal to make your decision. You will not meet with anyone.

Hey-we have an area on the Gold Goast exactly like Kloof. Check out Tamborine Mountain! MUCH cooler and gets that beautiful mist....

[MannyT]

Hi Garfield

I would suggest that seeing that you are only coming over for only 14 days that you reduce the number of places that you intend to visiti.

A visit to Perth is a good idea and a couple of days is all you need to get a feel of the place,(thousands of South Africans can't all be wrong).Not a bad idea to drive from Sydney to Brisbane.

If Brisbane is your preferred destination plan to spend more time there, Brisbane, suburbs, schools etc, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast(you have to take the kids to Sea world while you are there),Glass House Mountains etc- beautiful part of the world.

I would suggest that you leave Townsville and Cairns off your itinerary for this trip. Nice places to go to on holiday once you get over here permanently.

Enjoy you trip!!

Manny

[JJV]

Skipping Perth as well

Hi Garfield

We spent a full week in Perth on our LSD trip and the second week visiting Brisbane & Sydney. I don't regret spending the time in Perth, it has got a lot going for it.

Edited June 28, 2007 by JJV

[Garfield]

JJV

Thanks, maybe we should still consider Perth.

Manny

"Thousands of SA cannot be wrong" hehheee. I agree. Thanks for the info on Sea World and Glass House Mountain. Nobody ever mentioned this. Will defnitely go.

Might be wrong, but I think the zoo is in Townsville. So we thought to take the kids there. But its a 3 hour trip from Brisbane which is a problem for us.

Queensland Girl

We don't have a choice, only time is Dec/Jan. Believe it or not, did not for one moment think about the schools being closed in Dec. i am laughing at myself now. GOSH this makes it complicated.

How nice is this. There is somebody that knows Kloof and can suggest a area similair to it. WONDERFUL. This site is amazing. THANKS sooo much. I am off to check it out.

Tamborine Mountain. OK!

GarNik

Cannot believe you got your flights so cheap. Will check out the link thanks. If you fly to Perth via Kuala Lumpur, how many hours will you be spending in transit? Would be interesting to know.

Lisa

Another person to add to the Perth list. Please share your experience with us when you get back

Thanks for all the replies

Garfield

[GarNik]

Hi Garfield,

Just checked my itinerary : We leave JHB 14h45 arive KL 07h15 (local time) leave KL 09h40 arrive Perth 16h00. I think it works out to a total of 19 hours travel time with connections (not ideal with two kids, but the savings on air fare will come in handy while we are there).

Breakdown of Cost of Flight

Adult tickets : R9169.00 + R585.00 Travel Agent Fee = R9754.00 each

Kids Tickets : R7331+.00 + R585.00 Travel Agent Fee = R7916.00 each

Regards

Nikki

Hi Garfield,

Just checked my itinerary : We leave JHB 14h45 arive KL 07h15 (local time) leave KL 09h40 arrive Perth 16h00. I think it works out to a total of 19 hours travel time with connections (not ideal with two kids, but the savings on air fare will come in handy while we are there).

Breakdown of Cost of Flight

Adult tickets : R9169.00 + R585.00 Travel Agent Fee = R9754.00 each

Kids Tickets : R7331+.00 + R585.00 Travel Agent Fee = R7916.00 each

Regards

Nikki

[Garfield]

Garnik

Thanks for the reply. As a result of this site and information we got a quote flying from Dubai. We will save R 20 000.00 , BUT we will be in transit for 30 hours. Gosh this is just toooo much for the children.

19 hours is still debateble. We are going to get a quote from them.

Will look at the link

Garfield

[MannyT]

Hi Garfield

The Australian Zoo (sans Steve) is just north of Brisbane. If I remember correctly just over an hours drive from Brisbane.

Enjoy!

Manny

Hi Garfield

I forgot to mention that if you get to Perth the ferry trip along the Swan River from Perth to Freemantle is a must.

Enjoy!!

Manny

[Heather]

Hi Garfield

I agree with Queensland girl - we are from Winston Park - gold coast is sooooo similar and yes I was also thinking what are u doing coming at this time because the schools are closed. What schools are your kids at now? Mine were at Thomas More and are at a similar school here on the Gold Coast. If you want to look see Gold Coast let me know and maybe we can help out with accommodation as long as you dont mind mattresses!!

Heather

[Garfield]

Hi Manny

The Australian Zoo is a must on our list. We will be in Brisbane for at least 4 days, so we will be able

to go. If we go to Perth will look at the ferry trip you mentioned, thanks.

Heather

I am very excited to hear from so many that the Gold Coast is so similiar to Kloof.

Thomas More is a fantastic school. Don't know how long ago you immigrated, but they built the most

fantstic 50m heated pool. My girls swam in the gala February when they unvealed it. My girls just looove

swimming. Both my girls are in Kloof Senior Primary.

Did you enroll you kids in a private school there? What do one pay per year for a school similair to Thomas More, if you do not mind me asking?

I realise the schools will be closed. So many things we did not think about. This site has opened my eyes to a million things. Remember we only plan to immigrate in 2009 - 2010. After this holiday we will know if Aus is for us or not. I will have to go again later to sort out the school issues.

Thanks for the offer on accommodation, but we will never bug you that time of the year. Its Chrismas and new Year and i know families spend time together. If we go for Flight Centres quote we will be booked into the Surfers Paradise Holiday Inn on the Gold Coast. Will keep you posted

Garfield

[Die Ficks]

Hi All

Our family is planning a trip to Melbourne(1-6 Des)/Sydney(7-14 Des)/east coast Port Macquarie(14-21 Des) and Pacific Palms(22-29 Des)

Tickets booked through SAA - R31800(JHB-PER-SYD-JHB). Party of 4- 2 adults, 1 child and infant.

I found agents charged more.

In Melbourne we will be staying with friends.

Sydney we booked self catering accommodation in Surry Hills through www.shortstays.net Cost = AUD$990 for 8 days

The Port Macquarie and Pacific Palms accommodation booked through RCI.

Still need accomodation in Port Macquarie or surrounding area for 21 Des 2007. Any recommendations?

We will be travelling by car from Melbourne to Sydney. Any definite stops on the way - given limited time?

Regards

Sebastiaan

[Mikej]

Hello Garfield

We went for an LSD a few years ago and will now end up in a place we never went near because of work. Where you end up can depend a lot on the type of work you do and the type of visa you apply for. I suggest you focus a bit on where you can and will get work before you decide where to look.

Put your work info out here on the forum and I am pretty sure someone will do similar work and will be able to tell you what your options will be. It is possible you can narrow it down to a state or even a town and this will reduce the places you need to see so you can spend more time there.

Regards

Michael

[Antoinette]

We flew Perth-Darwin-Brisbane-Melbourne-Perth during our LSD trip. We stayed three to four nights in each city.

It can be done but I doubt if you get the entire picture of what a city and its surrounds are like or what it would be like to stay there. (Except for Darwin - humidity 40% and max temp 32C in WINTER - really outside my comfort zone).

Our travel agent booked us into hotels in the centre of city and then you will definitely get a warped idea of what the place is like. The city centres are BUSY places.

In the end we decided on Adelaide after my husband read up on it and send me on a second LSD trip (had to do the trip anyway to validate baby's visa). I stayed with a collague in Mount Barker and really enjoyed it. The frist LSD trip was not a waste as I found Brisbane to humid (even in winter) and my husband didn't like Melbourne because of all the traffic and size of the place.

I think it helps if you decide befor hand what the place must be like where you would like to stay. What are your dislikes and likes i.e city slicker or country folk, flat or mountains, hot or cold, arts and culture etc. Then read up and plan your LSD trip (if you want to spend the money).