Coming Down Under

Hi All-I haven't been around much in awhile, and never in this sub-forum that I recall (though I've gotten some awesome restoration blades from Oz!). Between vastly-increased responsibilities at work this year and the recent forum "troubles," I took a bit of a hiatus.

At any rate, I thought I'd warn you guys that the wife and I will be venturing your way in June (June 6th to July 4th to be exact). My wife's best friend of 50 years lives in Brisbane, and these two intrepid world travelers have been planning this anniversary reunion for years. She is taking a month from work, and my understanding is that we will be touring down the East Coast of Australia, and flying from Sydney over to the South Island of NZ. I believe they have every Air BnB rented, and a whole itinerary planned out (though I did get significant input into some Lord of the Rings filming locations in the national parks).

I just wanted to "check in" and let you know I'm in the neighborhood even though I'm not nearly as active on SRP as I used to be. Any tips on Brisbane, Sydney, Christchurch, Queenstown, and points in between is appreciated. What to do, what NOT to do, lol-that sort of thing.

Also, I know things are much more expensive down there. If a good universal benchmark, for example being a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black, costs around $50 US here, what might it average down there? Just curious.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Aaron

Hey Aaron. Unfortunately due to a family health crisis I'm really not free to catch up but as far as Sydney do's & don'ts... Don't walk around the CBD late at night, much like anywhere really. If you like beaches , plenty of those to see. Some smallish National Parks. I live a few klms. from one, Kuringai.
Oh & JW Black goes from AUD $40 - AUD $ 70 depending on where you shop.
NZ should be a blast. Enjoy!

South Island can be a bit cold this time of year, so bring warm clothes. Fox glacier is worth a look if you get time.
Don't drive on the right side of the road, do pm me for an address to send the bourbon...

Well, we're here now. We've spent the last few days in Brisbane, and I'm just blown away by how friendly, welcoming and laid-back the people are in this beautiful city. I can't get over the fact that in a city of millions, I have yet to hear a car horn, or witness the slightest rudeness or aggression. We'll start working our way down towards Sydney tomorrow, with stops in Stanthorpe, Tenterfield, Moree, and Dunbible.

No worries, mates! Aaron

Make sure you've got warm clothes: I grew up in Tenterfield and the default setting for winter is a frost every morning!

Thanks for the tip-We did pack layers of warm clothes, as we'll be going on to some mountainous terrain on the South Island NZ in late June.

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Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Thanks for the tip-We did pack layers of warm clothes, as we'll be going on to some mountainous terrain on the South Island NZ in late June.

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Have a sister in NZ and from pictures and descriptions NZ is beautiful!

I have to get there soon as I'm not growing any younger! Also just had a niece transferred to Singapore, so I've got two reasons to go to that part of the world.

After a few days in the Granite Belt wine country staying in Stanthorpe, we are now basking in the healing artesian waters of Moree, an oasis of sorts in the desert. I am in awe of the amazing flora and fauna here; it's like Dr. Seuss and Dr. Doolittle started designing wildlife on an acid trip! Of course there are kangaroos everywhere (including dead all over the roads, sadly), but we have also seen great flocks of white cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets, the pink galahs, ibises, kookaburras, and so many other incredible birds that defy description-it truly is a birder's paradise. The plant life is also like something out of a dinosaur movie, with all of the amazing palms, the ubiquitous gum/eucalyptus trees, the giant ferns we saw in the rain forest up around the Palmwood/Montville area of the Sunshine Coast, and various cacti including prickly pear out here in the bush.

In short, I am in awe of your country and its people, scenery and wildlife. We're off to Tenterfield tomorrow, Maladroit, then we head towards the coast and Dunbible before heading to Sydney. Cheers, Mates! Aaron/SHD

This brings great memories!

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Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

After a few days in the Granite Belt wine country staying in Stanthorpe, we are now basking in the healing artesian waters of Moree, an oasis of sorts in the desert. I am in awe of the amazing flora and fauna here; it's like Dr. Seuss and Dr. Doolittle started designing wildlife on an acid trip! Of course there are kangaroos everywhere (including dead all over the roads, sadly), but we have also seen great flocks of white cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets, the pink galahs, ibises, kookaburras, and so many other incredible birds that defy description-it truly is a birder's paradise. The plant life is also like something out of a dinosaur movie, with all of the amazing palms, the ubiquitous gum/eucalyptus trees, the giant ferns we saw in the rain forest up around the Palmwood/Montville area of the Sunshine Coast, and various cacti including prickly pear out here in the bush.

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So you didn't come across any beasties that wanna bite / eat you ? I guess the winter time keeps them a bit quiet :D

I have been thinking about visiting Australia. There is a wootz smelter there I'd like to visit. But it is every more expensive and time consuming than visiting the US.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

I have been thinking about visiting Australia. There is a wootz smelter there I'd like to visit. But it is every more expensive and time consuming than visiting the US.

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There used to be a guy near the south coast, maybe at Cathcart or Candelo who made his own tamahagane from iron sand.
Can't for the life of me remember his name.

Thought I'd necro this thread since I remembered his name, Mike Petersen.
Dunno if he's still at it. The video is from 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Khnue5ejY