Travel Forum / Destinations / Australia and NZ / April 2005

Hi, my family (2 kids, 2 adults) will be in the perth area end of May
and begining June for abt 10 days. We'd appreciate some advice on
where to go (and not to go) during this autumn/winter period. Also
what should our most basic clothing requirements be (seeing as we're

Q:
how is the busniss class from air new zealand compared to other airliners?
considering a flight from europe to auckland with a stop over in papeete.
are other companys on these route better?

We are about to embark on a trip accross Australia from Perth to Brisbane
and return towing a Jayco Hawk with my Commodore station wagon.
I have done a trip like this before so it doesn't worry me.
What I would like to know is this: This is the first time I have had a

Please read and take note -
From ABC online
Last Update: Tuesday, April 12, 2005. 6:16am (AEST)
Two perish in Great Sandy Desert

Last (Easter) weekend I bussed up to Sydney from Canberra for two days to
go to the Royal Easter Show and the Lord of the Rings exhibition, and do a
bit of shopping as well.  When I got to the hostel I was staying at they
insisted that I show photo ID, such as a passport or a ...

We're planning on spending a few days snorkeling the GBR in
mid-September, but we're having trouble picking the spot.  Any thoughts
on which island has better snorkeling?
We're also interested in overall impressions of the islands/resorts,

i'm going to australia and have a week to see whatever of the great
barrier reef and coastal queensland that i can. I'm trying to figure
out what part of the reef (and thus the surrounding area) i should
focus on. I could either spend time near cairns, townsville, the

We are planning a trip to the South Island in late September, and whilst I
know we have missed winter - are we likely to encounter issues with road
closures in places like Milford Sound and Arthur's Pass?
Whilst I know none of us have crystal balls, it's hard to find historical

I'm planning a trip from Darwin to Perth, okt/nov 2005.
How many day's should be planned for the "Gibb river road" and  added for
the side trip on the kulumbura road? I want to take it slow and get a good
idee of this part of the Kimberley's.

I plan to travel to NZ later this year and would like to purchase a NZ
PAYG sim card before I leave. Can anyone point me to a source for
these please? Not too bothered which network.

I will be going to Brisbane to stay with friends, I want to bring some
gifts. If I gift wrap the items will I have trouble with customs on
arrival? Should I have the receipts with the items? Thank you for any
help in this matter, Rich

Just returned from 10 weeks in NZ and two weeks in Sydney, so will be
hanging around to see if I can help with queries.
I had a fantastic time in NZ by the way. My itinerary was:
Auckland-Bay of Islands-Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua-Whakatane (White

According to the Australian Customs web site about what needs to be
declared and what not, "Declare all animal and plant materials or items
made from their parts"
I will be visiting Australia from abroad for the first time in

Ultraviolet? Chlorination?
In my trip to Sydney in 1999, I noticed that the water didn't have the
usual chlorine smell that we have in North America. I stayed at the
University of NWS campus.

Another question about Sydney airport; Arriving on a domestic flight at T2,
need to transfer to T1 for international. What is the best way (with
luggage) and how long needed (middle of day)
Regards