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Oz-It's No Place Like Home

An August 2000 trip to Sydney by jana25

Diary of a year in the life of an american in australia.

  • 7 reviews
  • 3 stories/tips

Oz-It's No Place Like HomeBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Best thing to do in Sydney (for free): You can walk from Kings' Cross all the way to the Opera house and Harbor Bridge in a few short hours.

Best Redeeming thing to do with no big town surrounding: Taggerty Bush Settlement, located about 2 hours outside of Melbourne. Run for the past twenty years by Bronwyn Rainer, this place is a refuge for orphaned aussie animals. You can help out by feeding or just holding them. amazing.

Best aussie moment: outback nights-clearest sky in the world.

Quick Tips:

Forget about the guide book and take advice from fellow backpackers and travellers.

Best Way To Get Around:

Australian public transport is probably among the best in the world, one word of warning: distance. If you plan to take a bus from sydney to perth, then be prepared for a 40 hour ride.

Grampians-YHA Eco-HostelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Every hostel should be like this- besides being eco-friendly and immaculately clean, the couple who run it totally cater to all. There is plenty of space for everyone, adequate heating in the rooms, hot water when you want it and plenty to do around you to keep yourself happy.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jana25 on April 4, 2002

Grampians-YHA Eco-Hostel
Corner Grampians and Buckler Roads Halls Gap
03 5356 4544

Cape Trib Beach HouseBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

THe Beach House is partially on the beach and partially in the rainforest, as are most things in and around Cape Trib. There are daily activities scheduled, and it is literally a two minute walk to the beach. There is a kitchen, a restaurant, and a swimming pool. Yoga on the beach is offered, and you can go for an early morning kayak. It is paradise on earth.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jana25 on April 4, 2002

Cape Trib Beach House
Cape Tribulation Road Sydney, Australia
07 4098 0030

Radeka BackpackersBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

In Coober Pedy, which is a story unto itself, everyone lives underground, except for the aboriginals. It is cooler, and with temperatures soaring (100 at least in the shade) by 10 AM, it is probably a good thing. Coober Pedy is the aboriginal word for white main in a hole. Radeka's is exactly that. The bare essentials, but for the middle of the dessert in an opal mining town, you didn't hear anyone complaining!!!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jana25 on April 4, 2002

Radeka Backpackers
123 Uluru Square Sydney, Australia

Art Gallery of New South WalesBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Art Gallery of South Australia"

I loved this place, it was great. Gave a picture (literally) of what it was like to be a colonist back in the day. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it immensely.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jana25 on April 4, 2002

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road Sydney, Australia 2000
+61 (0)2 9225 1744

Moomba FestivalBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Moomba is the aboriginal word for party. It is a four day city wide moomba:) with free performances, free food, even moonlight cinema!! Complete with bats!!!You can take in a comedy performance, then head on over for some wine tasting in St. Kilda. A great time will be had by all!!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jana25 on April 4, 2002

Moomba Festival
Melbourne Sydney, Australia

South Australian MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Being from New York, I am used to museums hitting you up for money to get in. I was pleased to find that this one didn't. I enjoyed the antarctic exhibit, and also the aboriginal exhibit.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jana25 on April 4, 2002

South Australian Museum
North Terrace Sydney, Australia

Fraser IslandBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, and has been listed as a world heritage site. Tour packages come in 1,2, or 3 day camping trips where you rough it for a few days. You can go swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Mackenzie, or roll into the waters of the fantastic Lake Wabby. I opted to do a three day camping trek, and I had a blast. One word of advice, Fraser Island is only accessible by way of 4 x 4. Companies offer a self drive tour, or you can choose to to have a guide. No swimming in the ocean, though, too rough and also too many sharks....

Adelaide, South AustraliaBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Adelaide was the first point for me that I felt as though I was approaching the outback.

Adelaide has heaps of museums, restaurants, plus it is the gateway to the barossa wine valley. You can get to Kangaroo Island from here as well. Kangaroo Island is filled with wildlife, and you can do 1 day tours or camping trips for up to 3 days. Adelaide also serves as home to the famed Adelaide Cricket Ground, where cricket great Don Bradman got his start (a memorial service was held here in March 2001 after he passed away). Also known as the city of churches, Adelaide has some great architecture and stained glass windows for those who are interested.

Taggerty Australian Bush SettlemenBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Bronwyn Rayner has operated this combination B&B, hostel, organic farm for 20 years. Anyone who is looking for something totally off the beaten path should stop here for a few days. Bronwyn takes in injured and orphaned animals and you can help in making them strong. A day trip to a nearby waterfall is also included. I went for a few days and it was one of the highlights of my trip. If you are in Victoria, this is not to be missed. Take a v-line bus from Melbourne to Eildon, asking the driver to stop at Taggerty. It is fourteen dollars for a round trip ticket. The phone number to Bronwyn is 03 5774 7378.

About the Writer

jana25
jana25
New York, New York
  • "I love travelling, hiking, kayaking, reading, photography."
  • 1 journal
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  • 6 reviews

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