TD China Globe Trekkers
Australia Experience – Part 1/3
Nick Xie
02/06/2009
Mission
Share photos, stories and experiences What to see Where to stay How to have fun (not go with Chinese tours)
Inspire enthusiasm about our globe Gain a world view Appreciate cultural differences Take initiatives (one day) to see the world
Backpacking Explained
How Backpack on your shoulder Money/credit card/passport in your pockets Use credit card whenever you can (cash is king!!) Stay in highly rated hostels
What to bring 1 credit card Cash Camera Netbook or iTouch/iPhone (if you like to surf internet) Battery-powered alarm clock Travel-sized daily necessities (toothbrush, etc) Medicine (cold, cough, anti-itching creams, etc) Bath towels 1/3 to ½ of cloth needed for trip (throw-away socks)
Research
GoogleTripAdvisorLonely PlanetAsk the hostel receptionistsDon’t use Chinese sites (Ctrip, etc)
Only tell you where Chinese tourist group go
Australia Itinerary Overview
Sydney – 1.5 days City + beach Blue mountain + Jenolan Caves
Uluru – 2 days Ayers rock Kata Tjuta King Canyon
Cairns – 2 days Kuranda Scenic railway + skyrail Great Barrier Reef + scuba diving
Melbourne – 1.5 days Philips island penguin tour
Sydney Route
Take train (A$14) to central station
Get a “DayTripper” ticket Check-in at “Wake-up
Central” Turn left at station, follow
train track China Town Darling Harbour (Aquarium, IMAX,
etc)
Turn Right at Market St Sydney Tower Town Hall Hyde Park (St. Mary Cathedral,
Barrack Museums, etc)
Walk toward Opera House
Sydney Route (cont.)
Walk toward Opera House
The Domain Royal Botanic
Garden Macqueries
Chair
Sydney Route (cont.)
Walk toward Opera House
Sydney Opera House Circular Quay
Go to beaches Ferry to Manly Train to Town hall to
Bondi Section + bus Back from beaches
Cross harbour bridge Dinner at “The Rock” Take some photo of
opera house at night Take train back to
central
China Town
Cheap everything Chinese food
IMAX
If you like 3D movies Largest 3D screen
Darling Harbour
Beautiful view Good seafood - fish market not too far away (open for lunch only) Can skip Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Park, take a ferry to Circular Quay if you want
Sydney Tower
Panoramic view of Sydney city Have a restaurant A$25 to get in (not really worth it) Better view of tower is from Hyde Park Closes at 6pm
Hyde Park
Enjoyable walk in the shade in the afternoon St. Mary Cathedral Can skip nearby Museums (expensive and small)
Sydney Opera House
“the” landmark of Sydney Beautiful when viewed from Ferry
Sydney Opera House (cont.)
Sydney Opera House (cont.)
Harbour Bridge
Takes 15-20 min walk from circular quay to get to the starting point Can be climbed (cost $200) Walking across is free and nice
Bondi Beach
Tourist attraction but not the best beaches in most Aussie’s mind Bondi-Coogee cliff walk (30 min) if you have time Take circular Quay train to townhall then change train to Bondi section + bus
Sydney Opera House (Night)
Blue Mountain Itinerary (1 day)
Train from central station to Katoomba station At Katoomba station sign up for a tour that includes Jenolan Caves (A$92) You can walk to other scenic locations (30 min) or take trolley (A$20) if you don’t go to cave
Jenolan Caves
Water push from inside-out millions of years ago creating the caves Discovered last century Multiple Cave tours (if you have more than one day)
Jenolan Caves (cont.)
Blue Mountain Echo Point
3 sisters Take a trail and get close if you like