Oz - Melbourne to Brisbane

[_sophie_]

Anyone recommend an itinery for travelling from Melbourne to Brisbane? How long would this take (including stops at some must-see sights and a rest on the beach of course!)?
Any tips/info/advice on travelling in Australia? What do you recommend?
Thanks

[bednobs]

avoid brisbane unless you have your snorkelling gear

[Buenchico]

You're not seriously thinking of driving, are you?

The most direct route is 1040 miles, so that would take around 21 hours of driving at an average of 50mph. So that would be 3 days of doing nothing but driving and taking meal breaks. To break up the journey, and to include some sightseeing, you'd really need to allow a full week. However that's the inland route (which goes nowhere near to any beaches).

Travelling on the inland route to Sydney, but then following the coastal road to Brisbane extends the journey to 1130 miles so you're still realistically looking at the best part of a week for a leisurely journey with some sightseeing and beach fun.

I'd suggest flying from Melbourne to Sydney. (Jetstar, Qantas, Tiger Airways & Virgin Blue operate on that route). Spend a few days finding out what the city has to offer::
http://gb.sydney.com/
Then you can either fly to Brisbane (with the same airlines) or drive the coastal route. That's still a 575 mile drive which, with some stops on the way for sightseeing etc, would still need several days.

When considering distances in Oz, the following might help you to understand the scale of the place. Take a look at the whole of the EU
http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/maps/EU.gif
and think how long it would take you to drive between Greece and Ireland, or between Finland and Portugal. The area of Australia is 75% bigger than the whole of the EU put together!

Chris

[Booldawg]

the flooded area in Brisbane is equal to the total land mass of France and Germany. Check situation before planning travel.

[jno]

I've driven from Melbourne to Sydney via Canberra, with stop-offs in Ned Kelly country. Very interesting, but took a couple of days, so I wouldn't recommend it if you just want to get from A to B. Brisbane's rather further, but if I had the time I'd do it. Plenty of motels to stop at. Porpoise Spit in Muriel's Wedding was based on Tweed Heads (if you think that's an attraction).

[DTCwordfan]

going by boat?

[jd_here]

Sydney is a must stop off point, Bridge, Opera House, Ferry system, Darling Harbour, Botanical Gardens, and soooooo much more. North of Brisbane is Cairns and the Barrier Reef, for complete tranquility stop at Palm Cove, a little livlier is Port Douglas. South West Oz is also a must, Perth and the Margaret river areas, amazing. If you happen on Ayers Rock I heartily recommend a Fly Net, in fact it is a MUST! Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did. JD

[milly143]

I might be wrong Sophie, but aren't you only 14 or 15?

[VHG]

Suggest you read the book "Down Under" by Bill Bryson for some idea of what driving around Australia is like

[_sophie_]

I'm 15, yes. 16 in Feb! Thinking for a gap year though when I leave school. I will leave school at 17 in August 2012, so plan to get a full time job until my 18th in Feb 2013, then as soon as I can after my 18th, apply for my visa (you have to appy when you're 18, right? Can't apply when younger?), then head for Oz for 6 months! Come back and go to uni.
I don't really want to drive, unless I'm going with friends which I'm not sure of yet. At first I was going to just stay in Sydney and work there whilst exploring the life there but recently moved towards the idea of moving up the east coast. Could I do this in 6 months with stop offs to explore the city and live a bit of each place? Where to stop off? How to travel? Or would it be better to just stay in Sydney and work? If I stayed in Sydney I'd just be worried I would get bored after 6 months, just living my life but in a different place? I'd like to have a bit of changes sometimes? So best way to travel in Oz etc on gap years? If you went to Australia on a gap year before and travelled, how did you do it?

It's just an idea, I have plenty of time to book and arrange things but just wanting some info to help me get started! Any help much appreciated! Thanks

[Buenchico]

At 18 years old, no rental company is going to let you hire a car so (unless you went through the hassle of buying a car and then selling it later) you'll be restricted to using rail and air services.

Here's a rail map
http://www.railmaps.com.au/map0.pdf
and here's some information about rail services:
http://www.railaustralia.com.au/

For information about air services, see the websites of the airlines I mentioned in my previous post.

For information about a Working Holiday Visa, see here:
http://www.immi.gov.a...tors/working-holiday/

Chris

[lumination]

hey, i will be going down the east coast of Aus in March (hopefully if the flood clears up!), i would suggest you get a bus ticket if you want to do it, greyhound or Oz Experience, personally im going to do the Greyhound bus. i can let you know all the places i stop off at, how much prices are for tours etc etc, you just gotta remind me after the 4th april, ok? and i will tell you everything if you really want lots of info.
my email address is [email protected]

also i have a travel blog atm, you can keep an eye on it when i get to Aus:
http://www.facebook.c...71452602865097?ref=ts

[lumination]

p.s i will be doing Cairns to Melbourne.

[alexanderd]

Lumination has the right answer you can travel by bus, get on and off whenever and wherever you like. Book the ticket in Melbourne for the whole journey to Brisbane then enjoy yourself. I have done it and it is easy as there are lots of cheap places to stay and even get a job for a few days if you feel like it

[honey33]

i went to sydney flew to cairns the flew to melbourne then back to sydney that was about 14yrs ago tho... i loved all the flying