I an leaving the good old US of A in a couple weeks for my first time adventure of overseas travel...to Australia. I've flown about 3 times in my 50 years, and not since 2 years before 9-11. I'm sure things have changed beyond what my imagination can picture, so I need advice, guidance, hints, do's & don'ts, etc., anything I should know before I leave our country for the first time. Have my passport,have applied for my ETA for Australia, and going for my shots today. Unfortunately, I won't be able to visit Emma Bond while I'm there! 8-(  Thanks for your assistance ladies and gentlemen....you were the first ones I thought to ask!

I was in Australia last year,it's s long flight about 14 and 1/2 hours. You can pm me with any secific questions.

I travel alot, and there are a few common sense things you should be aware of while traveling. First don't bring anything sharp with you ie scissors, nail files clippers,pack them in your checked luggage. As of 4/01/2005 butane lighters of any kind will be taken, and not returned. Be prepared to take your outerwear, belt,& shoes off before you go through xray screening. If you are bringing a laptop you will have to remove it from your carry on and put it through screening, as well as cell phone, blackberry, etc. interestingly enough if you have a portable DVD they don't even look at it. Basically carry as little, as possible on the plane, but you are going to be on a Loooong flight, so bring some water, and plenty of reading... Have a safe and fun trip.....Australia is one place I really want to visit!! I am envious!!
Oh BTW I hear the women in Australia are Dynomite!! so bring plenty of condoms~;>))

...neither the airports or the Aussies are fond of them.

A visit to Oz without a visit to dear Emma? Are you mad?

That's a new one on me.  Oh well, better to be safe than sorry I guess.

The best book to read to get a feel for Australian culture is Bill Bryson's Downunder.  But other than that, can't think of any advice to give you other than do not ever ask an Australian what team they are rooting for.  

You can drink the water, the food is generally of an extremely high standard - with the usual warning to avoid any restaurant that is in your hotel, floats, rotates, has laminated menus or live music. If you get sick, go to a medical centre and see a GP - it'll cost you around USD50.  If you get really, really sick got to a hospital emergency room.

Prostitution is decriminalised in all states, wearing a bikini top on the beach is pretty much optional everywhere and you don't usually tip cab drivers.  Standard tip in a restaurant is 10-15% and, while appreciated, not compulsory.

Oh, and apparently Australian women are more likely to shag on the first date than any other nationality.  Go figure.

I’m saving all my quarters from my paper route to fly to Australia to visit Emma.

Is it just me, or does Emma resemble Xena, Warrior Princess?

Bugger off, she's a kiwi.

From what I read in the paper today don't go snorkeling, as a guy, crew member, just got cut in half by a shark in Australia.  They are not sure if it if it was a great white or a tiger shark.  They are still investuiagting that one (like it matters).

they did say it was the 1st death in a while .. since Dec 2004 and another in July 2004.

Enjoy you trip and stay in the shallow end of the pool and watch out for Land sharks

i`ve been there 3 times over the last few years.absolutely loved it...for the planeride... sit back relax and enjoy the free dinks and movies..check in early and try to get the emergency seats.. more leg room.(if your not flying first class.)drink lots of water...take a DUKE before you get on the plane. watch the free movies and fall asleep to them... did i say anything about the free drinks?  lol. when you get there.. if travelers checks...when you see a very good exchange rate jump on it. watch for hidden fees from Thomas and Crown..  they are cool though.. best to have american express travelers checks.STAY AWAY FROM THE POKIES! you`ll know what i mean when you get there. they`ll suck your money dry. if in brisbane...  try Casablanca on wed. night...  lotta hot chicks and meat market hotel LA is right across the street. in sydney try American Beefsteak... it does`nt jump off untill 1 or 2 am but you`ll party till 10am...melbourne try the crowne casino...mercury lounge....it`s all that..the chicks will buy you drinks with your american accent....  good luck man

American Beefsteak?  I think you mean Bourbon and Beefsteak in Kings Cross - and if you're not in the 18-25 age bracket, forget it.

Travellers cheques are a waste of time.  Take minimal AUD in cash with you and just withdraw from ATM's as required. In fact, you need to buy no AUD before you leave, there is a Thomas Cook before you clear customs.  All cabs, and virtually everywhere else, take credit cards (including parking meters). Most ATM's are part of the Cirrus network (as are most ATM's globally these days) and will allow you to withdraw funds as a cash advance on your credit cards.  Just check with your local bank before you leave that your cards are Cirrus compatible.

If you're going to Melbourne, my recommendation for a civilised drink would be Melbourne Supper Club.  In Sydney try the Victoria Room and Fix in the Kirketon Hotel (both Darlinghurst), Water Bar in the W at Wooloomoolo.  

Bondi is ugly and boring, but Icebergs Dining Room at Bondi is a great restaurant.  For the iconic view plus good food try Aqua Dining at Milsons Point.  Cheap and cheerful, but yummy are Chinta Ria in Cockle Bay (can book for lunch but not dinner) and Billy Kwong in Crown Stret Surry Hills (dinner only, no bookings - get there at 6pm, put your name down and settle in at the Dolphin across the road with a beer.  Best Thai restaurant is Sailors Thai in The Rocks.  Best sommelier and stellar wine list - Moog Wine and Food, Darlinghurst.

For breakfast, try Bills (Darlinghurst) or Bills 2 (Surry Hills).  Latter also good for lunch and dinner.  Suggest you go to first bookstore in Sydney and buy a copy of the Good Food Guide.

Yep, sharks are a bit of a worry - but most fatal attacks in Western Australia.  Sydney beaches are netted.  Most likely hazard is getting pissed (drunk) on our high alcohol beer and forgetting to look the other way when you step off the footpath.

Your tri-band cell phone will work in Oz.  Just pick up a Telstra, Optus or Vodaphone pre-paid SIM card.

All Australian hotels have mini-bars and an electric kettle to boil, coffe cups etc.

Have fun.

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Get a prescription of Ambien from your doc before you go over.  It is great for getting your sleep shifted over to the new time zone (and when you return).  No after effects either.

Thanks to all who replied! Emma was right, my tetnus booster was up to date, and I had Hep B innoculation 7 years ago, so no shots were neccessary. I'll be flying into Sydney, and staying there for a few days, then off to Newcastle, Dunedoo, Hunter Valley, and other places that sound pretty exciting. I'll be checking on H.O.G.'s Fly & Ride program while I'm in Sydney, as well, for next time. I know Lex, I am insane not to visit Emma, but I can't make it work without too much intrigue. I would need to take an arch super-villan with me for backup! Emma's for next time, too! Not looking forward to the flight, but have several of Clive Cusslers "Dirk Pitt" adventures to read, and a new Sandisk harddrive music player to listen to. I'll do OK.
Once again, thank you all for the information, and suggestions.

notify your credit card companies that you will be traveling so when they see the charges from Australia they (hopefully) won't suspend the card. The second card is for when one company screws up you can fallback to the other. This happened to me in Tahiti.

LTT

Nepal.

Ms. Bond!

I did not mean to offend with the reference to ms. warrior princess- and I actually meant it as a compliment!  but the info on Sir Ed was wonderful - cause I learned something! that I did not know....   This hobby is even educational!  wow!

But then...

Russell Crowe was born in NZ
Cate Blanchett's dad is a yank
Nicole Kidman was born in Hawaii
Naomi Watt's has a British passport
And the most decorated servicewoman of WWII, Nancy Wake, was actually born in NZ.

I guess we can take credit for 'Crocodile Hunter', Steve Irwin.  Please, someone tell me he was really born in Greenland...

And I have known many other Aussie climbers who are also very cool.

I recommend Greg's books to anyone, whether they are interested in climbing or not.  They are just good books, period.

See Amazon.com link below to Greg's best known book,  "Postcards from the Ledge".  But search for him by author to see his other books; they are all good reads.

Here's some text from an Amazon.com amateur "reviewer" of "Postcards from the Edge":

"Greg Child is a famous mountain guide who fearlessly describes what other mountaineering writers omit. He describes everything from bodily functions to theft to dishonest summit claims, to bureaucratic corruption, and all with a great wit and perception. Several of these essays left me gasping for breath from laughter while others, like his story about Alison Hargreave had me fighting tears. My favorite essay is Greg attempting to show off his climbing skills for his mother. Greg Child is one funny guy."




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