 Going to OZ for 5 weeks later in the year and been busy getting tips and things. Where's the best place for a VIsa? trailfinders charge £30, is this the norm? Hoping to get a motor home after the first 10 days or so and travel from the Whitsundays - Sydney. Flying to Brisbane and leaving from sydney. Has anyone done this and any tips? Hoping to see the coast and inland forests/national parks. Got a great book, "Explore Australia By Caravan & Motorhome", that gives indepth routes, place to see/stay, distances etc. Any advice appreciated Thanks
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 I'm going in the summer. Don't get stung by companies offering to get your travel visa for £15, 20, 30. Go to the Aussie government site and get your own for...FREE! It takes about 7 minutes to fill in your address and passport number etc.... the e-visa is associated with your passport so when it is scanned, you are cleared for entry.
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Thanks for that. I'll look ito it. Andy
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Yep go to the Aussie govs website and get a eta (electronic travel authority) don't think its free think its $20 http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/visitors.htm
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Aye, it says that, but ours were granted and we didn't get asked for any payment.
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Whitsundays are great, did a weeks diving from a boat. The town itself is geared up towards backpackers-the youth hostel was very good. You should definitely take a few days on Fraser Island, very strange place and lovely sand. Loads of tea trees and freshwater lakes on what is, I think, the largest sand island in the world. I really like Brisbane and we stayed there for about 6 months and my brother-in-law has just moved there again!! People are very friendly and laid back. Gold coast, Sunshine coast excellent. Remember to whack on the sun cream. Wish I was going but will have to wait.
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just applied on line for a visa and didn't get asked for and money, yet  Maybe get to fraser but once we leave the w'sundays its a case of what ever will be. Would love to have 5 months there but 5 weeks should see something 
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Just got my bro in Oz to check out me visa - it's an e-Visitor subclass 651 - which is definitely free. Don't let folk charge you £25-30 for it, it's just an admin charge for their work. It takes you about 10 minutes to do it online.
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Just got my bro in Oz to check out me visa - it's an e-Visitor subclass 651 - which is definitely free. Don't let folk charge you £25-30 for it, it's just an admin charge for their work. It takes you about 10 minutes to do it online.
Yep got the visa sorted, got a place sorted in Caloundra for the first 6 days, then off to the whitsundays for a few days. We have a hotel just outside sydney for the last few days and a bit of luxury before we fly home. Just need the motorhome now and we're sorted 
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well we are getting an itinery niceley sorted. Got a campervan for 18 days to travel between Brisban & Sydney. Been looking at stopping off at Mount warning, Lamington National Park and the Blue Mountains for a couple of days at each. Has anyone been to any of these or could reccomend any sites for campervans? Been looking on the net and getting quite giddy . Will be doing enough beachy things during the stay so a trip up a volcano will break it up nicely  Cheers
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Thought I'd bump this up just to see if anyone could reccomend any campervan sites around the mount warning & blue mountain regions? Cheers
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 I'm afraid I can't help with campervan sites but I did go up Mount Warning not too long ago. Its a good climb, you get to enjoy the wildlife and the amazing trees, and it is interesting to see how the flora changes as you get higher up. The top section is quite a steep scramble, but there is a fixed chain to help you pull yourself up to the small viewing platforms at the summit. Climbing is not really encouraged, in much the same way as it isn't at Uluru/Ayer's Rock due to the sensibilities of the local aborigines. I have to say though that my philosophy is more along the lines that the natural world is there for us all to enjoy and discover as long as we leave no trace (although that is a good argument for them not installing the chain or the platform up there!). Obviously that didn't put me off climbing it! I'll be over in that area again in October, but only for a few days so I doubt I'll go up again. I will be making a visit to nearby Byron Bay though, which has beautiful beaches, a picturesque lighthouse and a generally nice atmosphere! I hope you have a great trip.
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Climbing is not really encouraged, in much the same way as it isn't at Uluru/Ayer's Rock due to the sensibilities of the local aborigines. I have to say though that my philosophy is more along the lines that the natural world is there for us all to enjoy and discover as long as we leave no trace (although that is a good argument for them not installing the chain or the platform up there!). Obviously that didn't put me off climbing it!
We were at Uluru 4 weeks back. We didn't climb up it - my philosophy meant that I didn't want to offend the Aboriginals who consider it a sacred site any more than I would take off my shoes and walk over the high altar in York Minster. My choice; please don't let me influence you.
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