2006 trip to Australia

[DirtDiva]

Um, they actually drive on the right in Europe... I'm pretty sure they just drive over the whole road in Paris. Oh, and they drive on the left in Aussie and NZ (and Britain and Japan), so, yeah, it'll be the opposite of what you're used to.

[bikerchick68]

OK... so we'll have to work on the car rental thing then... LOL... if she was a cyclist I'd just rent bikes and tool around that way!

When in Europe I visited Ireland (6 days cycling), Scotland and London who all drive on the left... Paris, LOL... yeah I actually commented that the driving reminded me of Tijuana, Mexico! Whoever fits gets to go..technically they're supposed to be on the right... a minor technicality to be sure! LOL

[Trekhawk]

OK... so we'll have to work on the car rental thing then... LOL... if she was a cyclist I'd just rent bikes and tool around that way!
When in Europe I visited Ireland (6 days cycling), Scotland and London who all drive on the left... Paris, LOL... yeah I actually commented that the driving reminded me of Tijuana, Mexico! Whoever fits gets to go..technically they're supposed to be on the right... a minor technicality to be sure! LOL

Yep it sure makes driving interesting and even crossing the road when you have cars coming from a direction you are not use to. My Husband and I agree that driving a car is not too bad because you know the driver stays nearest the middle white line but on a motorbike and push bike it easy to forget. No visual clues to prompt when you are daydreaming. Yikes

If you hire a car and decide to visit Tassie you will have a great time zipping around everything is so close.

Driving in Melbourne can be challenging though if you are already coping with driving on the wrong side. They have trams thru the city and a few bizarre rules apply when driving near them (not bizarre for Victorians but definitely for girls from Western Australia).

Let me know if you need any other info. Im happy to help and love talking about home.

Leslie

[bikerchick68]

trek... thanks! hey, is there a good bus/train system in Melbourne then? Here in CA our public transportation is a joke. Really bad... I was so amazed in Europe at how easy it was to get around! Also easy to get around in New York...one of the few states that has a good system that I know of...

If Tasmania is pretty small, I may opt to rent scooters... that's what I do in Hawaii and I just love it... it's like riding a bike but cheating! LOL

thanks again for all the input! We are getting serious about planning now so we can get everything set up and know what the $$$ will be!

[Veronica]

Thom brought home the Lonely Planet books for the area yesterday. One of the perks. They look pretty good. I'm so envious. I'd love to be taking a month off to go with him right now.

V.

[Trekhawk]

Thom brought home the Lonely Planet books for the area yesterday. One of the perks. They look pretty good. I'm so envious. I'd love to be taking a month off to go with him right now.
V.

Veronica - I love lonely planet guide books. We have used them for all the countries we have visited. I have a big one for the USA.

bikerchick68 - forgot to add check out the lonely planet guides that V is talking about if you havent already. They always list heaps of good cheap accommodation and I think give good honest reviews about tourist spots. It has helped us out heaps when we have been travelling in different areas of the world.

[kiwi girl]

Melbourne has a tram system around the inner city and inner suburbs and then trains further out. I've been the Melbourne a couple of times on holiday and had no problem getting around without a car. Guides like Lonely Planet will tell you how to get to most of the attractions and stuff on public transport

[jjules]

my advice --- fly into brisbane - get a rental car - drive down the east coast great ocean road all the way to the bottom

[Trekhawk]

trek... thanks! hey, is there a good bus/train system in Melbourne then? Here in CA our public transportation is a joke. Really bad... I was so amazed in Europe at how easy it was to get around! Also easy to get around in New York...one of the few states that has a good system that I know of...
If Tasmania is pretty small, I may opt to rent scooters... that's what I do in Hawaii and I just love it... it's like riding a bike but cheating! LOL
thanks again for all the input! We are getting serious about planning now so we can get everything set up and know what the $$$ will be!

bikerchick68 - check out www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au if you go to the general information tab it gives a outline of whats available and links for tourists.

Scooters would be a cheap option I would think but just remember it will be a little cooler in Tasmania than Hawaii.

If you go to www.abc.net.au/news/ and go to the weather tab it will give you the weather for all state capitals so you can see what the weather is doing at this time of year in Aust. Dont forget it will be in Celsius.