Okayy im planning a trip to australia and i need help with umm EVERYTHING?

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Imelda

I grew up in Mackay, and contrary to the previous answers, I've also seen platypus in the wild - a number of times actually - at dawn, we got there before the sun came up and waited quietly - at the platypus viewing platform in Eungella. I disagree with the answer that states that Cairns is much nicer than Mackay....Cairns can be very touristy and overrun. Mackay doesn't have loads of attractions though - you might like to use it as a base to head up to Airlie Beach and out to the Whitsunday Islands and the reef. Mackay is very pretty, esp out at the harbour, but if you're on your own, the public transport isn't great and you might find it tricky to get around.
Sydney is a must see, it's easy to get around, has loads of sights to see (though no wild platypii!) - and is very beautiful. You should be able to find lots of information on the net about Sydney. I think the Aussie dollar is around 90 cents to the US dollar at the moment (?) not sure just check an online currency converter closer to your trip because it tends to fluctuate. In general, you'll get slightly more for your American dollar. Enjoy, and good luck convincing your parents! It would be good for you to come here because our (indigenous) culture is very different from America's - so you could learn about that, you are also going to see wild animals that you will never see in America...and the scenery you'll see here is unbelievable. I've travelled to more than 35 countries.....and I'm a bit biased obviously, but I think Australia is so stunning - you'll love it.

thresher

http://www.news.com.au/travel/australia/
try this

liz down under

Forget about your parents. Try being an exchange student. One airfare is much cheaper than three! Tell them it's in the interest of your education/broadening your horizons etc. Australia is one of the nicest, safest and most interesting places they could send their daughter away to. One airfare would be around $2000 US dollars but at least if you were an exchange student your accommodation would be free. You can see platypus in the wild but you need to go and sit by a river out in the bush, preferably at dawn or dusk, but even then you wont see much - just them coming up for air every now and then. Good luck with your plans!

But Why??

best place to see a platypus is near Beaconsfield Tasmania or near Latrobe in NW Tasmania, they're everywhere.

Definitely see the Great Barrier Reef and go to Cairns to do this as it is a large city and is a popular spot with tourists. It can get very hot and humid in Northern Queensland (I'm from Brisbane which is in southern Queensland and it is known to be humid) so I would recommend going in Autum/Winter or early Spring (April through to September).

Brisbane would probably be an ideal first destination; it is a good starting point to go to other parts of Australia if you can't make up your mind as it is roughly halfway down the east coast, and, it is an hours drive from the Gold Coast which has fantastic beaches and theme parks. Brisbane is also roughly an hours drive from Australia Zoo which would probably have platypuses. I have been to Tasmania and the natural scenery is amazing. If you want to see Australian fauna in the wild, you would have some chance in Tasmania. However, Tasmania is not known for it's nightlife or shopping. I have also been to Melbourne and it is your typical large capital city.

Australia has many well known hotel chains; Marriott, Hilton, Chiefly etc. However, the further you go from the capital city of a state, the more likely you will be staying in motels or hotels that aren't 5 stars. Also remember that there is essentially nothing between major cities; many tourists overlook this and don't realise how far apart the major cities are. Do not drive, get planes to travel long distances. Do not drive into the outback; tourists, even the occasional Australian, dies out there.

$1AUD is usually around $0.80USD. No idea about the airfare, but I imagine it would be around $1500AUD in economy. It would be good to go for the experience of travel and seeing another country, just don't mention drop bears to your parents.

Willy

Why Gippsland and Mackay? If you come to Australia, you need to go to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands. Instead of going to Mackay go to Cairns and Noosa - much nicer there. If your coming to Victoria, goto Melbourne its a great city for sport, food, fashion then go on trips along the Great Ocean Road and out to Gippsland. Ulura (outback) is an experience too.

You won't just stumble across a platypus in the wild, I've never seen one in the wild. You will however see heaps of kangaroos, emus, snakes and possibly koalas. Best to go to a wildlife habitat to see it all.

At the moment $1 Aus = around 0.88c US. The price of living here is quite reasonable. Like most other countries our petrol prices are through the roof but you could find accommodation in youth hostels etc. for as low as $ AU10-25 a night. Probably spend atleast $100 in food if you budget. Domestic flights here are pretty cheap at the moment. You could probably fly from up in QLD down to VIC return for AU $300 ish. Driving around will cost you alot more. It really depends how long your coming, I'd prob bring prob atleast $5000 exlc. airfare?

Convincing your parents, thats your job. Don't mention the snakes, sharks and deadly spiders lol.

jennifer h

I wondered why you wanted to go to Mackay perhaps you have read about the platypus at Eungella National Park not far from there. Yes I have seen them . You must be patient and sit quietly and still on the banks of the water and they come out to play. I remember there being a best time of day to see them but not sure what time that was now You can see a bit of our Australian wild life near Mackay. Cape hilsborough National park has kangaaroos wallabies and bush Turkeys also its not far to The Barrier reef. So good luck I'm sure one day you will get here

The Cats Meow

Firstly, your chances of seeing a platypuss not in a zoo = almost zero...
Australia isn't full of wild animals bouncing down the street trying to steal all our babies.
As an Australian I would recommend seeing the Great Barrier Reef which is in upper Queensland, Tasmania is supposed to be the most beautiful/amazing state of australia, for nightlife I would recommend Melbourne, Victoria.
Steer clear of Sydney, I am from their and I will admit we are not nice, we are not the cleanest city and we don't have much to see other than the bridge, the rocks and the opera house. The US dollar and Aussie dollar are almost equal at the moment.
All in all, New Zealand is a much better place to visit, spectacular scenery (lord of the rings filmed there) snow and surf, 100% all you need.

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