New Zealand and Australia...Must see?

[TonyHuntimer]

Hey,

I'm going to be in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, as well as Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland, New Zealand. Is there anything or any place that I must not miss while I'm there? Cool landmarks or stuff that tourists regularly miss? Good food? It's a cruise so, I'll be in each place about 4 to 10 hours.

Is there anything I need to be careful of while I'm in these places? Are there problems with pick-pocketers like in Italy?
Wild Dingos? Shrimps jumping off Barbie's? Just kidding. :)

Thanks,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[qwik1320]

I spent 3 weeks in Sydney a couple of years ago for work and took the wife along to vacation while I worked. Sydney is a beautiful area and the people were very friendly, she felt safe and took the train all over. You have to check out the harbor and bridge as well as the opera house. Had some great meals and a "few" pints :cheers: in the pubs around the Rocks. Bondi beach is also pretty cool. We'd love to go back someday. The only thing I'd warn you about is stay away from the Vegemite...it tastes like a$$ :barf:

[1FstChevy]

Ha, may I ask what a Vegemite is? I think I've heard that in a movie before.

Sounds like a super interesting trip though, much more so than the cruise's people take to jamaca and such, you'll have to tell us how it goes! (keep an eye out for the Camaros, & Holdens!)

[cluxford]

OK, as an Aussie who grew up in Sydney and spent last 7 years in Melb here's a couple of highlights;
1. Sydney Bridge Climb. This is an awesome once in a life time experience, literally walking to the top of the harbour bridge.
2. Sydney if coming during the summer months just make sure you get to any beach...Bondi is OK but packed but they are all good
3. Melbourne - #1 past time in Melb is food, some of the best restaurants in the world (and I have travelled all over the world). If you love a good steak get to Rockpool in the Crown complex...it's expensive but incredible
4. Eureka tower and do the sky walk (if you like heights). Largest building in Australia, with a glass (floor, walls etc) balcony near the top floor...I've not done it but people who have say it's awesome
5. Crown Casino complex at night....pretty cool place to go (and it's right in town)

No issues with any of the petty crimes....

The only major issues are:
1. 9 of the top 10 deadliest snakes live here
2. 8 of the top 10 deadliest spiders live here
3. I don't know this for fact but I think it's 3-4 of the top 10 deadliest sea creatures.....

But I love coming home....it's an awesome country !!

[Greg from Aus]

Hi from Western Australia
You ars going to the wrong side of Aus, no just kidding, you will love it and NZ is great. If you like extreme sports you have to go to Queenstown as that is the adventure capital of the World. Lay of the Vegemite as we don’t want the rest of the world to find out what there missing out on.:)

[osdmike]

If You are in NZ , 21,22,23 March.
Don´t miss "Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2008"

http://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz/article_2008.asp?id=about

Also bring Your flyfishing rod !!!

More to see:
http://www.hotrod.org.nz/events.htm

[qwik1320]

Vegemite is the dark brown goo that remains after brewing beer. It's yeast extract and if I remember correctly..."the worlds best source of Vitamin B". I had the pleasure :naughty: of trying some on toast with butter, the guy I was working with ate it every morning. I guess it's what you would call an aquired taste! I think they have something similar in the UK called Marmite.

I second the bridge walk, I wanted to do it but had limited funds at the time so we passed. They also have speed boat tours of the harbor that looked really cool.

I stayed in a hotel near a Holden dealership and would have loved to take a Monaro out but that whole driving on the "wrong" side of the road thing freaked me out. Not to mention the steering wheel and trying to shift with my left hand.

One other safety tip - when you come to a crosswalk - look RIGHT!

[Aussie]

What day/date & time will you be in Melbourne? You'll dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, Holden Head Office is about 10 mins away, they have a collection of about 10 concept cars the public can see there. Depends on how much time you have here, the most unique thing here would be the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island,
http://www.penguins.org.au/content.asp?pg=54
but it is about 2 hours away.
Tony feel free to PM me, I might be able to assist as tour guide here in Melbourne.
regards Roger

[Restomod]

Seat time in a Falcon......

[TonyHuntimer]

What day/date & time will you be in Melbourne? You'll dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, Holden Head Office is about 10 mins away, they have a collection of about 10 concept cars the public can see there. Depends on how much time you have here, the most unique thing here would be the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island,
http://www.penguins.org.au/content.asp?pg=54
but it is about 2 hours away.
Tony feel free to PM me, I might be able to assist as tour guide here in Melbourne.
regards Roger

You have mail. :)

Tony~

[NRV051]

If you have time hit the blue mountains about an hour west of Sydney, som nice country up there. Also Check out Western Sydney International dragstrip if time permits and there is some racing on. Pitty your not coming north to Brisbane we could have caught up for a beer or two.

Gav

[NRV051]

Vegemite tastes like **** and I am Australian thats saying something.

[TonyHuntimer]

Checking in from New Zealand. Australia was awesome!

Roger was an awesome guide. Pics and info when I return.

Cheers,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[Aussie]

Australia was awesome!
Couldn't have said it better, yeah we think it's OK, but don't tell everyone or else we'll have a whole lot of Americans over here :secret:

Was great to catch up, glad you enjoyed your time here.

Expect you'll be heading to Pontiac dealer to check out a G8 GT

cheers Roger

[TonyHuntimer]

Hey Roger,

Thanks a bunch for taking us around. How were the races?

We're in Christchurch today. We'll be in Wellington tomorrow.

Cheers,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[TonyHuntimer]

Hey guys,

Anything in Tauranga and Auckland, New Zealand that we should not miss?

Thanks,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[barno68]

Aukland is ok, but get out of the city. The country side is beautiful, and the beer is good :-) The thermal park at Rotorura (sp?) is a great trip, if not a little smelly. I spent seven weeks hiking around New Zealand and Australia when I got out of the service, best trip I have ever taken.

Brent

[StRacerDuke]

PM sent

[TonyHuntimer]

Thanks guys,

I just got back. I think I've been up for about 30 hours now. The trip was great.

The best Australian food I had was a Pepper Steak Meat Pie. :yum: I had a few that were not as good, but the best one I had was at an animal park cafe in Melbourne.

I decided not to attempt the Vegemite.

Cheers,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[shortz]

hope you enjoyed new zealand, pity i only noticed this post now as i could have pointed you in the right direction, and your a wiss for not trying vegemite, it aint all that bad, most kids here grow up on that stuff on their toast