Traveling the east coast of Australia

Turns out that our diving school - [http://www.tomsscuba.com/|Tom's Scuba] is planning a trip to Cairns over the same time that we will probably be there. Their schedule is listed here: http://www.tomsscuba.com/dives/australia_details.html. Not sure if we will try and meet up w/ them or not - but at least that can give us sweet diving advice.

Transportation Options

There are a few options for getting around the east coast and into the outback.

Railroad, possible option for getting into the Outback. Need to get int'l student ids to make this economical: http://www.railaustralia.com.au/trains.htm

Cheapest (w/ student ISIC card) http://www.statravel.com.au/

Cheap Airline: http://www.jetstar.com

Cheap Airline: http://www.virginblue.com

Quantas, flys places the cheap ones don't like Mt. Isa and Alice Springs: http://www.quantas.com

Long term bus tours, too expensive and long in most cases, but a good reference for stuff to do in various areas: http://www.ozexperience.com/index.php/travel/passes_map/

Things to do in Sydney

We can meet up w/ Claudia's contact there.

(dustin) One of my favorite cities in the world. try to get a hostel near Darling Harbor. This is where all the action is.

Climb the harbor bridge in sydney - http://www.bridgeclimb.com/E_Broc/BridgeClimbEbrochure_English.pdf

Things to do in Melbourne

WE ARRIVE ON MELBOURNE CUP DAY! -> http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=2323 We should get tickets to this and go to Fleminton Racecourse to watch everything and party it up

(dustin) Check out the dracula cabaret in the north of the city http://www.draculas.com.au/ it's an evening show, and is fucking hilarous, and very popular with the aussies so you might need to reserve a little in advance. also definitely take a day tour on the "great ocean road" some of the most beautiful coastline in the world!

Things to do in the Outback

'economically sound' eco tour - http://www.wilderness-challenge.com.au/dct01.html

Things to do in Tasmania

Good general site listing things to do in Tasmania http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/index.cfm

Kings Run seems to pop up a lot as one of the better places to see Tasmanian Devils. Only problem is that it's comparatively pretty far from Hobart - http://www.kingsrun.com.au/

See wild penguins - On foot at http://www.bichenopenguintours.com.au/bpt_main.html. There also seem to be a number of sea tours, which are more expensive but also involve seals and other animals.

Regarding Cairns

If i remember correctly the LP guide describes this city as a place that if you can't get laid here, it's not going to happen. so, in other words, good times.

Diving the Reef

http://www.divingcairns.com.au/home.html seems to be a pretty informative site with prices from multiple dive companies. It's probably not entirely unbiased, but gives a decent idea of price ranges.

So far, a two or three day live aboard trip to the outer reef seems to be around our price range. http://www.divingcairns.com.au/liveaboards.html

Also worth checking out is their list of things to check for in a dive package: http://www.divingcairns.com.au/liveaboards_checklist.html

Ryan's sister says this is one of the best dive groups in Cairns, haven't checked it out all the way, but it looks kind of pricey: http://www.taka.com.au

YOU WILL NEED ADAPTORS TO CONNECT YOUR ELECTRIC GADGETS

Australia works with 230V @ 50Hz... while USA works with 120V @ 60Hz. And they use a realy weird connector (type I). http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm