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