OT: Australia

Bettyboarder · Fri Jun 26, 09 9:09 am **OT: Australia**

Who's been there......Trying to plan a trip to Australia for a few weeks this winter. What are the places/things that we should see?

Any tip or advice...we are bringing all of our kiting gear for sure.

thanks

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

Perth to Esperance on the SW West coast is amazing. Lots of beaches, breaks, great wind, camping and fantastic wine. Its like California central coast with the rugged beautiful terrain, without the hordes of people. We rented a camper van from Apollo and cruised all over. I started to go north of Perth but ran out of time. The camper van was really affordable.

East coast is nice too, but lots of people and some really tacky tourist places (Surfer's paradise, Gold Coast, etc). You could take a year easy!

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

Betty,

I can tell you all about the kiting around Sydney and up the East Coast...we are going 1st week of December...

Let's get em!

Razz

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Cairns, specifically, Port Douglas.
Went up there scuba diving for a week with a small outfit (I can find the name if you're interested).
Stay away from Quicksilver operations, they are destroying the reef.

I highly recommend scuba diving while you are there. It is one of the best spots in the world.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

tinyE - do you have the name of the scuba shop you got your cert through? I remember you spoke highly of them and they worked with a good operation in Oz...

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

If you're on the East Coast I'd suggest you look in to Noosa. When I was there in 2000, before I started kiting there was one guy out had the whole place to himself; flatwater river mouth spilling out into a nice beach break. I believe it's quite a popular spot now

jp · Since 04 Mar 2005 87 Posts wherever there are whitecaps

Hi Betty Boarder,

Stoked to hear you might be going to the land of OZ this winter. I've been very fortunate + was able to go 2 times ( luvved it so much ~ I had to go back)...

Just a few thoughts to share:

> Spend as much time as you possible can in the country. 10-14 days minimum...there is so much to see + enjoy + each area is so unique

In far North Queensland, is the beautiful rainforest + Great BArrier Reef for snorkeling + diving. I flew into Cairns , got a rent-a-car + drove one hour North to Port Douglas. This is the Coral Sea ...very beautiful, turquoise water with loads of MArine life.

Then, flew back out to Darwin (Northern Territories), beautiful country again...got a rent-a car + drove the sites...

Flew out to Alice Springs, this time took a bus to Ayers Rock (+ climbed it~ whewwww:). mined for Opal in Cooper Pedy..

Then headed to the West coast..spent time in Perth/Fremantle. Now your on the Indian Ocean side..water is cooler, very windy (several America"s Cup races held here)..Diving is fun- more rockways+ not as tropical, but pretty in it's own. Becareful;.too .l.this is definetley, great white sharkie area.

Way further up the coast is Carnarvon...another beautiful town (area)..

Almost everytime ..I flew into an area, got a rent-a car + zoomed out to see the country. Only one place I made a room reservation + that was in the middle of the Outback...everything time i just winged it + it was a blast!

Basically had all flights + rent-a-cars planned way in advance.

Might want to consider stopping in French Polynesia or even Hawaii a few days on the trip back.

Hope you enjoy Oz as much as i have ( didn't mean to bore you too much).. If you have any questions...(feel free to ask)... ask you can see..i cannot say enough good things.

Have a blast + put a shrimp on the barbie!! (the prawns from Far NQ are outrageous)..

p.s--- all kinds of cool beers to savoir, too

Jane

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

my brother lives in Brisbane and kites all the time.
he also rides with Ben Wilson and the conditions sound stellar down under.
I'll get him to comment on this thread and give you some input.

Nak · Fri Jun 26, 09 9:24 pm

Bring Ambien for the flight!!! It will help you sleep and reset your body clock. It will basically give you one more quality day while you're there.

kitetele · Since 20 Mar 2005 121 Posts Portland, Oregon Stoked

Not sure if it is still there but Down Under Dive was the place I got certified and it seemed all good to me.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

Betty and slither

Im in Brisbane, moved over here 7 months ago. I can get you beta on most of the east cost and Melbourne. havent been to he west coast yet. East coast is loaded with wave spots and warm warm water. pm me if you want details or more info. I will be here for another 18 months. perhaps we can connect here and I can show you around a abit.

Areas around brisbane have some of the best flat water.

cheers,

R

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

For scuba do your class work before you go. You are not going to want to sit in a classroom plus study during your trip. Then do your cert dives in OZ. I should have the name of a nice small dive shop that I'd highly recommend. And I agree best to stay away from quicksilver and large tour scuba operations.

Tan · Since 03 Jun 2008 23 Posts St Kilda, Australia

um... as one of the few australians on this forum I thought I should put my 2 bobs worth in.

betty I dont know what your plans are or if you have been here before but the east coast of Australia from Sydney to Brisbane is the tourist trap. Big sky rises, dirty cities, lots of tourists. crowded beachs. Unfortunately everyone who flies in does this leg and then flies out.

if you want to scuba head to Cairns but you cant actually swim on the beach in Cairns ...to dangerous. it is also one of the most expensive places to get certification. And lengthy. I got my scuba ticket in Borneo for a quarter of the cost and time.

however the Barrier Reef is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

perth and WA is amazing but if you are only here for a few weeks it adds a few hours on to your trip either way and it is incredibly isolated. But great beaches, kiting and WINE!

Melbourne is the cultural soul of Australia and has sensational summer kiting all along the coast plus is the gateway to the great ocean road, bells beach, merrimbula and tasmania. I would probably put melb at the top of my list if you were only here for a short time. Not as consistently warm as North - but less humidity.

Finally www.seabreeze.com is our forum. You will find the best advice for kite spots here when you decide where in this amazing country you want to go.

have a ball. I am in melbourne.....if you need a local when you get here, look me up.

Tans

bamboo · Since 24 Jun 2005 165 Posts da 'chung; taiwan Stoked

just spent a month in gnarabup outside margert river, WA in March/April time frame. that place is INSANE! no other way to describe it. definitely the most beautiful place i've ever kited. the waves were money! the wine and food was spectacular. and the vibe was truly some of the best. awesome place and people.

top notch spot over there...

Bettyboarder · Sun Jun 28, 09 11:09 am

Thanks for all the tips Ryan we will have to meet up with you for sure. We are going to be there Feb thru March.

Tan thanks for the advice that forum will come in handy for sure. We orginally planned on hitting Perth and the west coast but I am not sure we will have enough time.

We are thinking of just getting a camper van and driving around till we find cool stuff.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

Tan, I think you are a bit Melbourne biased Wink

it is a beautiful spot and certainly the most coulture and big city feel.

The whole east coast does have its tourist traps but it also has 100's of desolate beaches that are beautiful with clear warm water, waves and some afternoon breezes.

its a big country and to see it all in a couple months is a challange to say the least. its as big as the US, many people dont know that or forget it.

Betty, getting a camper van is the way to go. if you do make it to WA ditch the van and fly, dont try and drive all that way.

r