Australia: The Long Way Downunda

[Scott Brady]

I will be spending most of the month of June in the beautiful country of Australia.

While some of the logistics are still in process, I thought it would be good to post my general schedule, should any AU ExPo members be in the area during my visit - it would be fun to meet up for a pint.

Brisbane: 8th-14th - Short Outback Trip. Visit HEMA, TJM and MaxTrax

Sydney: 15-17th

Melbourne: 18th-21st. Visit ARB and Kaymar

Outback Trip 22nd-30th

I will start posting more details soon as we will be adding a few more company visits as we make contact. Let me know if there is anything you need me to take a look at, ask questions of the manufactures, etc.

 

[whatcharterboat]

Hi Scott

Why don't you drop in and say gidday on your way to Fraser Island.....If I only had a couple of days in SE Queensland , Fraser would definitely be on the list.

Seriously, please drop in if you are going past.We are only an hour North of Brisbane and less than a minute off the highway.

Kind regards
John.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Why don't you drop in and say gidday on your way to Fraser Island.....If I only had a couple of days in SE Queensland , Fraser would definitely be on the list...

I'll second that recommendation, we really wished we had an extra day to spend exploring Fraser. If I did it over I would skip Cairns, don't get me wrong the GBR diving was spectacular) but I really wanted more time in the Red Center!

 

[Schattenjager]

Australia is a two lifetime kinda place. You won't be sorry no matter where you go.

 

[p1michaud]

Time in QLD

Scott,
This is great news! I'll second a trip to Fraser. Out of curiosity, what part of the Outback will you be visiting, by definition it's a large place...

I'm very keen to catch up for a beer while you are in Queensland. :beer:

Cheers,
P

 

[Steve F]

I'd cut down on Brisbane and Melbourne a bit, no offense meant to the locals there but Melbourne is not a big city by a long way, a day will get you around the whole thing and Brisbane is no bigger. Sydney (and I'll add its my home town so I might be biased) is a bit better in that at least it has the bridge climb and the opera house and that sort of stuff and is a bigger city than the other two. If you can get out of the citys then there's plenty to see, as others have said if you can get to Fraser Island you'll love it.

Anyway, be prepared for some temperature changes, middle of Winter and its cold in Melbourne, still nice up North though

Cheers
Steve

 

[Scott Brady]

Thanks for the feedback Steve. The cities are more of a reference to a region I will be in at that time. Nearly all of the time will be spent exploring outside of the cities.

I am looking forward to it.

 

[Christian P.]

If you are in Brisbane, I would make the push to Fraser island for sure - not to be missed. Go there before they block it...

 

[BriansFJ]

I've been to Sydney several times courtesy of Uncle Sam... I recommend a "pub crawl" of the old pubs in the colonial Sydney area (I think it was called the Docks or Rocks or something similar). They are more than a hundred years old and you can almost feel the history in the charmingly dark and cramped quarters.:friday:

 

[targa88]

Oz

+ 4 on Fraser Island.
Don't know how far into the centre (Simmo) you want to venture....

Might want to look up Pierre Michaud he is in Biloela, Qld.

 

[grimbo]

No offense to Steve but Melbourne has plenty to offer for a few days. Museums, galleries, excellent pubs, restaurants etc. Winery region 40 minutes from town, surf coast 1 hour away. Lots of great local areas too. Let me know if I can help. Obviously the visit to ARB head office will be on your agenda, who are you meeting with, Matt
Frost? If going to Kaymar Brendan is a great bloke.

As to wheeling there are enough tracks within 1 hour to have a bit of fun.

Also you should go to an AFL match while in Melbourne, preferably at the G.

 

[p1michaud]

QLD options

Might want to look up Pierre Michaud he is in Biloela, Qld.

I have not been on ExPo too much of late but did manage to catch this thread :sombrero:

Not sure what your agenda is but you may want to consider the following:

2011 Finke Desert Race - June 10 - 13th

Simpson desert - Lake Eyre given all the water we've had so far this year.

There are a few 4WD competitions but they are a bit before or after you arrive in the Brisbane "area".

Cheers,
P

 

[p1michaud]

Any updates?

Scott,
Any updates on destinations in QLD?
Cheers,
P

 

[Scott Brady]

Getting excited about the trip. I have a full schedule now.

Here is my tentative schedule - would enjoy meeting up with any members along the way.

Brisbane: June 10th
Frasier Island: June 11th-13th
Brisbane: June 14th
Sydney: June 15-16th
Melbourne: June 18th-21st
Flinders Range: June 22nd-28th
Route back to Brisbane (undecided)
Leave for US on 30th, though I might push that back a few days.

See you all there!

 

[grimbo]

When you're in Melbourne let me know if you want to grab a drink etc