Australia and New Zealand question.

[Troy]

I have to travel to Australia for work in late July. Last February/March I went to New Zealand and basically worked all but about 1/2 day and really didn't get to do any touristy stuff or explore. This trip is going to be 4 days. Considering the jet lag lingers for 3-5 days this seems pointless to me! I have found out that I can get the plane tickets for about half price if I travel on Tuesdays. That will make my boss happy and I can have some sight seeing time. Due to the time change, if I leave Tuesday I'll get there Thursday morning which leaves me 4 days before work Monday morning (assuming I can stay awake all day Thursday). I am supposed to come back the next Friday but I can push that as late as Tuesday. Again, due to time change I'd get home the same day - which is where the jet lag really sucks! The flight home really doesn't seem to affect the price that much. That gives me 1-4 days at the end of the trip. Since 4 total days would be weekends I won't have to waste vacation time if I stayed over both of them. I have to be in Melbourne for work. Or I could leave the week before and have about 8 days before I need to do any work. It's winter there and I hear the weather in Melbourne isn't all that great any way. I'm trying to figure out if I want to hop a flight over to NZ for a few days or maybe just explore AU. I have to go back for 2 weeks in late October/early November which may be better weather for car stuff. So do I extend the trip or try to get home before my body adjusts?

Troy

[polywideblock]

its winter in NZ too      weather is just luck of the draw ,  supposed to be heaps to do in and around Melbourne    very cosmopolitan

QLD is where the grey nomads head to this time of the year  gold cost , sunshine coast, coral coast etc 

      I'm 2 hours north of Sydney and its 15*C /59*F and cold and wet 

oct nov is MUCH warmer  beginning to heat up for summer

     

[XH29N0G]

Wish I could go.  If you have not yet done so, look at the web for strategies to combat jet lag.  I found something on brittish airways a few years ago that helped me on a short trip to Sydney.  Last trip I took, I used melatonin and it also helped adjust the clock.  Thinking about it in the future. But don't want to recommend it because I think all should do their own research.

[Aussiemadonmopars]

The reason it's cheaper from US to AU on a Tuesday and only one way... thats the mail run.   

[Troy]

Well, I resisted the urge to stay a while. That trip falls between Carlisle and the Mopar Nationals so traveling that much in 6 weeks makes it hard to accomplish anything at home. I'll be getting there early Saturday and leaving the next Saturday afternoon so I'll have about 2 1/2 days to explore (part of Saturday, Sunday, Friday, and Saturday morning). Apparently there's a big "footie" tournament in Melbourne the week before I arrive so Saturday's hotel rate is ridiculous.

Troy

[polywideblock]

what weekend, i'll tell you who's playing and who to barrack for  

seriously you should find plenty to do in Melbourne for those couple of days  it is one of  Victoria's  main tourist spots  

don't forget that your dollar is worth 1.20 now , been looking at any aussie cars  it adds up quick you know  10 K au is 7,700 us  

[440]

The good dollar makes travel in Aus cheap, but things are more expensive here. The first time I came to Australia it was $.65 to the dollar 

There will be plenty to do in Melbourne, hiring a car and driving on the wrong side of the road would be the first "fun" thing.

[Troy]

For all but the first and last day I'll have a chauffeur. During the week the locals will be taking us out after work so I'll see some of the city with them. I was hoping to spend my off days away from the city. I'm not a city person. These trips are definitely better with the exchange rate - although work is covering the entire bill except for personal entertainment on my days off (things like museums, sporting events, etc.).

Troy

[440]

You could stop by Elko Performace, one of the major mopar importers. Their prices however will probably make you cringe.

www.elkoperformance.com.au

[polywideblock]

this might give you some ideas   

                                           http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Things-to-do/Top-attractions

                                     http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255100-Activities-Melbourne_Victoria.html

if your into dramatic scenery  try the 12 apostles , about 2 1/2 hour drive but well worth it  every one raves about the view 

[Alaskan_TA]

If you go visit Fred, find his cat before it finds you. 

[Bob T]

I really enjoyed a day at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens when I was there for work a few years ago, but I'd say the links that Poly has posted are worth a look, unless you have a recommendation from a travel agency for something else compelling to visit.

Its pretty cold and wet here for a while yet...

[Troy]

Thanks guys. I think the first 2 days will be tough ones - partially because of the jet lag but also because I'll be the first to arrive.

Troy

[kiwitrev]

the trick is to take the last flight out of lax non stop that gets you there first thing in the morning sleep on the plane no get lag ive done it many times
new Zealand has more to offer in less distance Australia is just huge and everything is spread out
new Zealand Auckland with a side trip to bay of islands or taupo or rotorua

[Troy]

I think that's the one I had. Got to Auckland at 6:00 AM. Last time we got there at about 8:00. I have a hard time sleeping on the plane - even with the upgraded seats. I did better this trip than the last. I made it until about 7:00 PM (in Melbourne) before I was stumbling around like a zombie. Slept until 6:00 AM today and I'll try to stay up until about 10:00 PM and keep that schedule for the week.

So far, "winter" isn't like any winter I'm used to...

I did part of this today:
http://www.openhousemelbourne.org/

I took a ton of pictures on my camera but it appears that I didn't bring the cord to offload them to my computer. I guess I'll have to catch up when I get home.

Troy

[polywideblock]

so how did the trip go ?

if I'm figuring right you were here for the coldest weather we've had in 10 years(arctic blast ) 

[Troy]

so how did the trip go ?

if I'm figuring right you were here for the coldest weather we've had in 10 years(arctic blast ) 

"Arctic blast"?!? It was about like spring where I'm from! The coldest was around 40 F (4 C) and the warmest day was around 51 F (10 C). Winter average temperature where I live is about 26 F (-4 C) with dips into the single digits (-17 to -10 C). It rained all but 2 days though and it was fairly windy at times. The nicest days were actually the 2 I had off so that worked out.

Because of that, I mainly stayed outside to see the sites. I took a tour of some of the cool buildings found here but the only one I spent any significant time inside was the RMIT Building 80.

I had hoped to travel out of the city but with my off days being split I really didn't have a lot of time to travel any distance and still enjoy something when I got to it. Most everything I did was within walking distance.

We ate a LOT of good food! Apparently the coffee is pretty great too - but I don't drink it so I can't say personally. The week I was there saw a dip in the exchange rates so that worked out too! All the extra alcohol we consumed didn't really impact the budget.

I don't know if it's the Melbourne culture specifically but it was 3 days before I saw an overweight woman. I need to move! The obesity rate (not just "heavy") in Ohio is over 30% (and over 20% smoke). That's likely helped because the food contains more natural ingredients and portion sizes are reasonable - unlike here where "burritos as big as your head!" is a great advertizing slogan.

Also, being in the heart of the expensive part of the city, it was odd seeing exotic cars and big engined sedans when the speed limit is only slightly faster than I can walk (and apparently strictly enforced!). Like anywhere else, it's probably better the farther away you get from downtown. But really, 80 kmh on a big highway is about how fast we (legally) go through construction zones...

Speaking of driving, I took a picture of the Melbourne "hook turn". I'll dig it up and put it here.

I did not make it to any sporting events - even though there was a game at Etihad stadium Friday night. I also didn't go to any museums or the theater. I'm more of an explorer though so I'm ok with that.

Overall, I accomplished everything for work - which was the whole point of going - so I guess that makes the trip a success.

Troy

[440]

Did you at least try to get into the wrong side of the car a couple of times ?

[polywideblock]

yeah, so we're used to wearing t shirts nearly all year round  so anything that makes you put a jumper on is "freezing "   

    as long as you had a good time   

[Troy]

Did you at least try to get into the wrong side of the car a couple of times ?

Only once! It probably helped that the trip to New Zealand was fairly recent and I was with the same people (who I only see over there) so my brain probably made the association.

Troy