Hi all

Im planning a trip to Aussieland to stay with relatives in about 18 months (Jan 2007). Can anyone give me advice about flights like when to book, info about Sydney etc. Im also wanting to head to New Zealand for a week so info about NZ aswell please!

Better get saving : )

Em

I'm planning on going to Taz next year to see a net buddy.
Scary prospect since Ive never been on a plane before,
and a 24hr flight sure is a long time for something to go wrong.
But what the heck, its something to do.

Sorry that this was no use to you, i just felt like posting.

I think one of my better ideas to pass on would be to break your flight if possible- 24 hours is seemingly endlass! I found Singapore Airlines to be great and would fly with them again. January is very hot and steamy in Oz so bring cool clothes. Have a great trip and good luck.

Try search, N S W Tourism. There is info on Sydney. Enjoy your holiday. :thumbsup:

I flew there with Singapore Airlines last october and found their service top class, the food was excellent and the choice of films was amazing with really friendly staff. They even changed my return flight for 2 weeks later with no charge!, everyone else i was with had to pay about £50 to their airlines to change dates. Oz is an amazing place you will have a wicked tme,reckon I might be back there january time:thumbsup:

Thanks everyone, im sure i'll love it!

Singapore airlines sounds great, i think the cheapest airline i found was emirates a dubai airline.

ooooooo only another 18 months to go!

We went to Oz in Jan 2004 to visit relatives and flew on Qantas - I wouldn't go with them again if I had a choice. We are vegetarians and the food was awful. I've also known other people use them and found the staff rude and unhelpful.

Make sure you have a stop on the way - even just a few hours in Singapore or Bangkok airport gives you the chance to stretch your legs. I found the long flights a drag but you just need to keep getting up and walking about (even though the staff don't really like you doing this).

We booked through Expedia which was fine, except I checked twice with them that our vegetarian meals were booked but when we got on the plane they weren't! So if you have any special requirements I would double check with the airline. You can book about a year ahead and the prices don't really seem to change much as it gets later. I still haven't worked out the best time to book myself!:)

Originally posted by Longshanks
We went to Oz in Jan 2004 to visit relatives and flew on Qantas - I wouldn't go with them again if I had a choice. We are vegetarians and the food was awful. I've also known other people use them and found the staff rude and unhelpful.

Make sure you have a stop on the way - even just a few hours in Singapore or Bangkok airport gives you the chance to stretch your legs. I found the long flights a drag but you just need to keep getting up and walking about (even though the staff don't really like you doing this).

We booked through Expedia which was fine, except I checked twice with them that our vegetarian meals were booked but when we got on the plane they weren't! So if you have any special requirements I would double check with the airline. You can book about a year ahead and the prices don't really seem to change much as it gets later. I still haven't worked out the best time to book myself!:)

How hot was it in Oz?? I would prefer to go in the spring but Jan is the only time i can go!!

I went to Oz on my own last April. I could have gone for the Emirates flight which was the cheapest but I was a bit wary of flying to the Middle East on my own so I flew with British Airways via Bangkok. On the flight home we had a bit of a fuel leak and the plane was redirected to Dubai. BA were pretty useless and I had to find my own flight home. I ended up flying back with Emirates and their service turned out to be a lot better than BA anyway.

I booked all my flights through STA Travel who were really good.

You'll have a great time!!

Originally posted by love_hearts
I went to Oz on my own last April. I could have gone for the Emirates flight which was the cheapest but I was a bit wary of flying to the Middle East on my own so I flew with British Airways via Bangkok. On the flight home we had a bit of a fuel leak and the plane was redirected to Dubai. BA were pretty useless and I had to find my own flight home. I ended up flying back with Emirates and their service turned out to be a lot better than BA anyway.

I booked all my flights through STA Travel who were really good.

You'll have a great time!!

Thanks! I was considering Emirates. Been looking at flights to get an idea of cost and they are always the cheapest

I've been lucky enough to go to Sydney three times in the past few years - the first with Emirates, second with Singapore and third with Korean Air. Both Emirates and Singapore were great, although I think I slightly preferred Emirates... Korean Air was.. um.. interesting..! The first two times we did the booking ourselves through ebookers, but last time was with STA. I don't think there was much difference in us booking the flights ourselves and someone doing it for us. I guess as long as you're happy to organise everything you need (ie. insurance, ETAs etc) then it's as easy to book it yourself than go through an agent.

I actually didn't think the flights were as bad as I'd always imagined they would be - I just made sure I drank lots of water and went for walks to stretch my legs!

Sydney's a fantastic place and I wish I could go back there now! Have fun!

I'd check out Melbourne too if you can - fantastic city and great if you like live music and a bit of culture. I lived there for a year and had an amazin time! Also it should be a bit cooler than the rest of Aus in Jan so might give you a break from the heat. Other thing I would say is do break your flight if you can, I did on my return and it was much better. Have a great time, I'm very jelous!

defiantly check out Melbourne especially St Kilda it is one of the best places I have ever been to especially on a Sunday The Prince of Wales and the Hotel On the waterfront. Also go to Cairns if you are young then you will come back a different person if you go to the Woolshed. Go to Green Island on a days boat trip from Cairns. Sydney is OK but is much nicer out towards the Blue Mountains, I could go on and on but be sure of one thing you will have the time of your life.....

I am going in September and the best price I have for a one way ticket is ~ £380.00 with ebookers It is with a good airline aswell.

I have flown with Korean air before with a stopover in Seoul - !!!!!You have to have a stopover!!!!!!! Korean Air was cheap and I found it to be OK even though I am a tall bloke and they are not known for their generosity with legroom.

If you find a good price please post it on the forum I am researching tickets at the moment.

Have a great time the aussies really will look after you.

As an Aussie living in the UK (although back in my home city at the moment!) comparing various airfare deals/ flight experiences seems to be a popular topic of conversation when we meet other Aussies.

General consensus seems to be (and as already mentioned on this thread) that you can't go past either Singapore Airlines or Emirates for service, entertainment, etc. Saying that I flew Thai Airways and didn't have a bad flight, but they were more expensive than either of the other two (which I didn't know at the time) and didn't necessarily have standards of service that made up for the price difference, if that makes sense.

Again, I back up what's already been said about having a stopover somewhere in the Middle East/South east Asia just to break up the flight. I myself spent 2 hrs last Monday in Bangkok airport, not the most exciting place in the world but the chance to actually walk around, go brush my teeth, change clothes, etc was great.

As far as your actual trip, I have no idea where to start as far as recommendations go. Until last year (when I moved to Sheff) I had lived in Sydney all my life and am crazy about the city. In January it's gonna be hot hot hot, but it's perfect beach weather and the city comes alive in the summer with festivals, free events, etc.

I can also second what's been said about Melbourne, have taken many trips there and it's got a completely different vibe to Sydney - more laid back, great indie scene, etc.

This post is becoming a tad long, but if you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

Originally posted by Emilychee
How hot was it in Oz?? I would prefer to go in the spring but Jan is the only time i can go!!

It was fairly hot most of the time but there were some cooler, overcast days. We were in the Sydney/Blue Mountains area for the whole time. We're thinking of going back in March next year - as you say, spring is the preferable time (meaning our spring - their autumn!) Hope you have a great time anyway.

Cant wait to see all the sights!!!

Originally posted by Emilychee
Hi all

Im planning a trip to Aussieland to stay with relatives in about 18 months (Jan 2007). Can anyone give me advice about flights like when to book, info about Sydney etc. Im also wanting to head to New Zealand for a week so info about NZ aswell please!

Better get saving : )

Em

Jammy bleeder!!!

I would love to go to Australia & NZ, but a bit worried about going on my own.

Does anyone know of any schemes for single like minded people for travelling. I dont mean dating.

I need to get it done, hit 30 this year...dont want anymore regrets!!!

I wouldn't worry about going on your own plenty of people do, I did it. Its probably better in some ways because you can do exactly what you want to do. I met people straight away even getting on the airport bus. If you stay in hostels you will have no problems meeting like minded people - and there are some nice ones aswell. You will have a great time everyone has relatives or contacts in Oz so get in touch with them and tell them you would like to meet them

The citys are safe and clean.

I am sure there are single traveller organisations or you could post an advert on www.gumtree.co.uk looking for a travel mate.

I wouldn't worry about going on your own - its great fun and you will have memories to keep with you for life.

Go for it.

We've been to Aus twice - both for around 7 weeks. We've travelled mainly up and down the East Coast - driving a campervan from Cairns to Sydney. We booked everything on-line - flights through Travelbag (flying with Singapore airlines - excellent!), rooms/apartments through www.hotelclub.net & hotels.co.uk, campervan through travellersautobarn and internal flights with virginblue.com.au - all really easy to arrange and very reasonably priced.
If you do fly via Singapore, you can book bedrooms in the airport for 3 hour slots, for about £15 - this includes use of a shower room aswell - well worth it - especially if you only have a short transit time and just want to freshen up.

Have a great trip, whatever and where ever you end up!

Originally posted by Bad_Hair_Day
We've been to Aus twice - both for around 7 weeks. We've travelled mainly up and down the East Coast - driving a campervan from Cairns to Sydney. We booked everything on-line - flights through Travelbag (flying with Singapore airlines - excellent!), rooms/apartments through www.hotelclub.net & hotels.co.uk, campervan through travellersautobarn and internal flights with virginblue.com.au - all really easy to arrange and very reasonably priced.
If you do fly via Singapore, you can book bedrooms in the airport for 3 hour slots, for about £15 - this includes use of a shower room aswell - well worth it - especially if you only have a short transit time and just want to freshen up.

Have a great trip, whatever and where ever you end up!

Thanks! Singapore Airlines seen so have the best rep. The bedroom at the airport sounds like a really good idea, even if you dont want to sleep you can at least chill for a couple of hours.

Did you arrange that with the airline before you went??

Just thought of another thing... obviously ive got so save alot of money but what are the prices like in oz?? Is the cost of living cheaper that britain?? (hope so!)

Thanks

Originally posted by melbournian
I wouldn't worry about going on your own plenty of people do, I did it. Its probably better in some ways because you can do exactly what you want to do. I met people straight away even getting on the airport bus. If you stay in hostels you will have no problems meeting like minded people - and there are some nice ones aswell. You will have a great time everyone has relatives or contacts in Oz so get in touch with them and tell them you would like to meet them

The citys are safe and clean.

I am sure there are single traveller organisations or you could post an advert on www.gumtree.co.uk looking for a travel mate.

I wouldn't worry about going on your own - its great fun and you will have memories to keep with you for life.

Go for it.

Cheers Melbournian

You make some valid points. Doing my own thing certainly appeals and know one or two people over there or who have been there.

I need to sell my house and save some money! I might go early next year. Who knows what the future holds!

I agree with Melbournian. I emigrated on my own, didn't know anyone, no contacts at all but people are easy to talk to. I've not regreted one minute. Go for it!:thumbsup:

I commute every year between the UK and NZ.

Consider Perth as a stopover, 365 days sunshine a year with the 'Good Doctor' wind as well.

Plenty to see and do, with the weather garanteed.

Happy Flight and Happy Days!

Originally posted by Emilychee
Just thought of another thing... obviously ive got so save alot of money but what are the prices like in oz?? Is the cost of living cheaper that britain?? (hope so!)

Thanks

On most things it's a comparable price difference, like food, clothing, etc. For example, a bottle of coke that would cost you a quid in the UK will cost you $2.50 Aus dollars, and with the current exchange rate that's exactly the same amount.

Saying that, Brits tend to get to Oz and think all their Christmases have come at once because the pound is a very strong currency and so you do end up with a lot more spending money than, say, an Aussie in London (and didn't I find that out when I lived in London last year!).

If you drive, take your licence with you. At the moment petrol is about $1.10 a litre, something Aussies are grumbling about but this equates to roughly 45p a litre so for Brits its like bargain basement prices!!

Originally posted by LisaO
On most things it's a comparable price difference, like food, clothing, etc. For example, a bottle of coke that would cost you a quid in the UK will cost you $2.50 Aus dollars, and with the current exchange rate that's exactly the same amount.

Saying that, Brits tend to get to Oz and think all their Christmases have come at once because the pound is a very strong currency and so you do end up with a lot more spending money than, say, an Aussie in London (and didn't I find that out when I lived in London last year!).

If you drive, take your licence with you. At the moment petrol is about $1.10 a litre, something Aussies are grumbling about but this equates to roughly 45p a litre so for Brits its like bargain basement prices!!


Deffo going to take my drivers licence, just to be able to buy cheap petrol!!!

Hiya,

I flew to Oz always by Thai Airlines. Stopover in Bangkok.

About cost of living, I found Oz quite expensive. Everything costs about like in the UK (see 1 diet coke 2.5$ and in UK 80p...). Plus if you are travelling and not working on the way, its easy to run out your budget quickly....

Fuel is cheaper than here, but if it was otherwise no one in Oz will be able to afford to drive so much to go anywhere....
If you going to drive across the country, better to buy a car and then sell it. There is a number of cheap and very old cars running in Oz, cars in such condition that they will never be allowed to circulate in UK or (West) Europe!

I travelled quite a lot in the country and I found that, whatever the solution you choose for your trips around the continent (by car, by flight, on your own or with an organised tour [Adventures are quite good!], camping or sleeping in hostels...)you always end up spending about 100$ per day.

If you love the beach life and you love surfing, you will get istantly nice mates in the water and sometime, really good friends keen in sharing wit hyou their beautiful waves...

ah, sun is like laser rays, especially in WA, where the ozone hole is just above the area. so protect your skin and your eyes.

Well, you have to experience oz and the aussies on your own...
for sure you will keep the colour of the glassy water in your eyes forever...

have fun!

f

Emily, if you are thinking of staying the Transit hotel in Singapore, you need to book at least three weeks in advance. It's very busy, You can email them to book a reservationand then pay when you get there. They take $US, Pounds Sterling, Aussie Dollars and Sing Dollars.
I have flown to Oz and back three times this year and have stay in the Transit. It.s cheap..clean..quiet and very much 3 to 4 star. The food hall in the transit are of the airport is also top notch!!