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Traveling from the States?

135

Posts

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    not to mention the drop bears!

    starting to get OT.

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • FatSoDaFatSoDa Professor Doctor AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Thread-Drift.jpg

    [E]nforcing it Like I stole it
    paxaus.gif

    PAX Aus Enforcer
  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    *ahem*

    and back to our regularly scheduled topic.

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    though i am sure someone is willing to give visitors a bit of tour around town :D

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • DanacyrusDanacyrus Gaming Coffee Making Musician BrisbaneRegistered User regular
    I can totally show people around It'll be a joint educational experience ;P

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    Danacyrus wrote: »
    I can totally show people around It'll be a joint educational experience ;P

    if there's visitors going to brissie before pax aus.

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • langrilangri Registered User regular
    IS IT JULY YET?

    No? Aw, darn....

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    edited January 2013
    do you mean is it march/april cos i want game of thrones!
    langri wrote: »
    IS IT JULY YET?

    No? Aw, darn....

    do you have anything in mind to see while in sydney?

    thegh0sts on
    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • DanacyrusDanacyrus Gaming Coffee Making Musician BrisbaneRegistered User regular
    Unfortunately Brisbane is about as interesting as a brick wall... :(

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    Danacyrus wrote: »
    Unfortunately Brisbane is about as interesting as a brick wall... :(

    hmmmm.....not sure then if sydney is any more interesting.....unless one wants to pay $200+ to walk up the sydney harbour bridge.

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • tokyodovetokyodove Perth, WARegistered User regular
    Unfortunately Brisbane is about as interesting as a brick wall covered in water... :(

    FTFY

  • langrilangri Registered User regular
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    do you mean is it march/april cos i want game of thrones!
    langri wrote: »
    IS IT JULY YET?

    No? Aw, darn....

    do you have anything in mind to see while in sydney?

    I haven't looked into it too much yet. Any recommendations?

  • rithrith Perth, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Sydney is at least more interesting than all the other capitals I've been to.
    I went to Adelaide last year for Distant Worlds.. glad I was only there for a day since I was bored out of my mind. Went straight to Melbourne after that.

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    langri wrote: »
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    do you mean is it march/april cos i want game of thrones!
    langri wrote: »
    IS IT JULY YET?

    No? Aw, darn....

    do you have anything in mind to see while in sydney?

    I haven't looked into it too much yet. Any recommendations?

    we have an IMAX theatre, the harbour bridge climb (which has an awesome view btw), fish markets and other markets in general (though they're usually on the weekends).

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • zerochosenzerochosen WollongongRegistered User regular
    I haven't looked into it too much yet. Any recommendations?[/quote]

    Go to the Taronga Zoo! Look at all the things that can kill you.

    A webcomic by me: Enemy Agency
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  • DaCrawDaCraw Registered User regular
    For those checking out Sydney: there's always the standard tourist spots - the bridge, the opera house, etc. It'll be in the middle of winter, so the beaches should be less crowded - though note that they are still likely to be packed, just less so than in summer.

    ---
    Avatar is from www.xkcd.com
  • CamaranCamaran Catamaran MelbourneRegistered User regular
    Free on the Sunday if anyone wants a local to show them around Melbourne

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    I would be happy to accompany any US visitors to Sydney before PAX Australia but will have to see closer to the date.

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • LexiconGrrlLexiconGrrl Registered User regular
    Holy Naming Conventions! There's a BATMAN STREET in downtown Melbourne!

    Happily on Sabbatical. Don't bug me.
  • DaCrawDaCraw Registered User regular
    Well, yes, we were founded by Batman, after all...
    Sadly not that one.

    ---
    Avatar is from www.xkcd.com
  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    Well, i hope that our American attendees have a good time in Australia during PAX AUS :D

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • StupidStupid Newcastle, NSWRegistered User regular
    edited February 2013
    So, I'm back in this thread loking for help again. We have our plane tickets, and we have rooms for almost our entire stay. The problem is that my preferred hotel (which is actually a small apartment with a full kitchen and laundry facilities) is sold out for the first day of our stay.

    We're flying in to Sydney (not Melbourne) on July 6, arriving around 6AM. Our apartment at Quest World Square wont allow us to check in until the 7th, so we need a place to stay for one day. Can anyone reccomend a relatively inexpensive hotel in Sydney proper that would allow a very early check-in on the 6th, and (very likely) a late check out on the 7th? We'd like to avoid shuttling our luggage all over the City if possible.

    Stupid on

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  • FatSoDaFatSoDa Professor Doctor AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Stupid wrote: »
    So, I'm back in this thread loking for help again. We have our plane tickets, and we have rooms for almost our entire stay. The problem is that my preferred hotel (which is actually a small apartment with a full kitchen and laundry facilities) is sold out for the first day of our stay.

    We're flying in to Sydney (not Melbourne) on July 6, arriving around 6AM. Our apartment at Quest World Square wont allow us to check in until the 7th, so we need a place to stay for one day. Can anyone reccomend a relatively inexpensive hotel in Sydney proper that would allow a very early check-in on the 6th, and (very likely) a late check out on the 7th? We'd like to avoid shuttling our luggage all over the City if possible.

    Have you considered a youth hostel, you don't have to be a youth.

    [E]nforcing it Like I stole it
    paxaus.gif

    PAX Aus Enforcer
  • YugYug [ PAX Australia ] Content & Communications Manager AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Stupid wrote: »
    So, I'm back in this thread loking for help again. We have our plane tickets, and we have rooms for almost our entire stay. The problem is that my preferred hotel (which is actually a small apartment with a full kitchen and laundry facilities) is sold out for the first day of our stay.

    We're flying in to Sydney (not Melbourne) on July 6, arriving around 6AM. Our apartment at Quest World Square wont allow us to check in until the 7th, so we need a place to stay for one day. Can anyone reccomend a relatively inexpensive hotel in Sydney proper that would allow a very early check-in on the 6th, and (very likely) a late check out on the 7th? We'd like to avoid shuttling our luggage all over the City if possible.

    How many of you are there?

    I like drinking, I like gaming, so I created the Mana Bar
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  • StupidStupid Newcastle, NSWRegistered User regular
    edited March 2013
    Yug wrote: »
    Stupid wrote: »
    So, I'm back in this thread loking for help again. We have our plane tickets, and we have rooms for almost our entire stay. The problem is that my preferred hotel (which is actually a small apartment with a full kitchen and laundry facilities) is sold out for the first day of our stay.

    We're flying in to Sydney (not Melbourne) on July 6, arriving around 6AM. Our apartment at Quest World Square wont allow us to check in until the 7th, so we need a place to stay for one day. Can anyone reccomend a relatively inexpensive hotel in Sydney proper that would allow a very early check-in on the 6th, and (very likely) a late check out on the 7th? We'd like to avoid shuttling our luggage all over the City if possible.

    How many of you are there?

    There are only two of us. A youth hostel is not really an option as we are on a real "vacation" and will be travelling with quite a bit of "stuff". All of our accommodations were selected to provide our own cooking and laundry facilities. And being in our mid-40s does not lend itself well to dormitory living. I'm not afraid to spend a few bucks on a room.

    Stupid on

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  • FatSoDaFatSoDa Professor Doctor AustraliaRegistered User regular
    edited March 2013
    This is a link to a some bed and breakfasts. they are usually pretty flexible with leaving times as long as you let the owners know ahead of time.

    http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotels-g255100-c2-Melbourne_Victoria-Hotels.html

    FatSoDa on
    [E]nforcing it Like I stole it
    paxaus.gif

    PAX Aus Enforcer
  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    would be more that happy to meet up and say hello :D

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • ShocknaShockna Registered User regular
    whypick1 wrote: »
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    8. i believe they're called rotaries in the US

    "Traffic circle", actually, although dictionary.com says "rotary" is used in the NE US.

    FWIW, we call them "roundabouts" in my part of the US (Arizona). >_>

    Also, for anyone travelling from the US, were you able to find anywhere that sold tickets for less than 1500USD? I'm not going this year, but most likely will next year, and would like to know where to look ahead of time.

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    it cost me at least 2k to go to NA though i had flights going into Canada before the US :D

    i'd make sure if you need a visa to enter Australia also....google is your friend on that!

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • StupidStupid Newcastle, NSWRegistered User regular
    edited April 2013
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    it cost me at least 2k to go to NA though i had flights going into Canada before the US :D

    i'd make sure if you need a visa to enter Australia also....google is your friend on that!

    Our flights cost us $3850 for two people, from SFO. OUCH!

    A visa most certainly is required for travel to Austrailia. I've been advised by my cohorts down under to budget at least two months for the visa process. I'm sure it can be done faster, but you know how it is with bureaucracy....

    Stupid on

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  • FatSoDaFatSoDa Professor Doctor AustraliaRegistered User regular
    errrr? You definitely need a visa, well to enter about any country you aren't a citizen of. However Americans can fill out the online visa thing here

    www.ETA.immi.gov.au . It allows for a single stay of up to 3 months, but you can duck out of the country and come back in 4 times for a prolonged stay of up 12months. Its done online and baring any criminal records you should be able to do it immediately.


    Stupid wrote: »
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    it cost me at least 2k to go to NA though i had flights going into Canada before the US :D

    i'd make sure if you need a visa to enter Australia also....google is your friend on that!

    Our flights cost us $3850 for two people, from SFO. OUCH!

    A visa most certainly is required for travel to Austrailia. I've been advised by my cohorts down under to budget at least two months for the visa process. I'm sure it can be done faster, but you know how it is with bureaucracy....

    [E]nforcing it Like I stole it
    paxaus.gif

    PAX Aus Enforcer
  • langrilangri Registered User regular
    Just got my ETA figured out. Australia will actually allow me to enter! WOO HOO!!!!

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    langri wrote: »
    Just got my ETA figured out. Australia will actually allow me to enter! WOO HOO!!!!

    LOL, don't see why they wouldn't...unless you have/had a criminal record.

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • langrilangri Registered User regular
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    langri wrote: »
    Just got my ETA figured out. Australia will actually allow me to enter! WOO HOO!!!!

    LOL, don't see why they wouldn't...unless you have/had a criminal record.
    thegh0sts wrote: »
    langri wrote: »
    Just got my ETA figured out. Australia will actually allow me to enter! WOO HOO!!!!

    LOL, don't see why they wouldn't...unless you have/had a criminal record.

    There was a bit of a big deal made about "MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR ETA OR THEY'LL TURN YOU AROUND AT THE AIRPORT".

  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    well, i guess you won't have that issue now :D

    still have plans for a sydney visit?

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • langrilangri Registered User regular
    I do indeed. I get in the Monday before PAX, plan to fly to Melbourne on Thursday morning.

  • EmpzorzEmpzorz Cyber Athlete Melbs "Gotham City"Registered User regular
    Well if anyone is down for an extended period after PAX happy to meet up and show you the sites of Melbourne. I know all the great eateries, sites, shopping etc. and have shown quite a few internationals around. Usually just meet up at fed square grab a coffee to get acquainted and enjoy the worlds most livable city ;) If we get enough people keen i am sure we can get a facebook event going and formalise it a bit more. Anyway hope you have an awesome time i know you will ! However don't miss the Crown Casino fire show, i don't like to plug it as it's a casino and just steals money off people but seeing that go off along the Yarra with Gotham City (Melbourne) backdrop is pretty breathtaking IMO.

    Cheers Empz

    -Empzorz
    "If a Pentakill went by any other name would it still be as sweet"
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  • BrunhildeBrunhilde Registered User regular
    edited May 2013
    Firstly I'm shocked that tourists to Australia need a visa already paid for and approved before they arrive!
    The only countries I have been to that didn't stamp you on arrival are China and the USA, leading me to believe that only communist / paranoid countries operate this way. Hmmm.

    As for driving, being on the wrong side of the road becomes natural after a few hours. I've gone through roundabouts in Canada and when you are entering from the other side it's easy to go the other way around. When in doubt, just follow the other cars!

    In addition to the not turning while the light is red thing, there are a few rules to be aware of that are relevant in Melbourne only, due to the trams, like the hook turns previously mentioned, and also rules in relation sharing roads with them. This is good to read for foreigners and non-Melbournians alike: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/SafetyAndRules/RoadRules/Trams.htm

    This is a good resource for those taking public transport around Melbourne: http://ptv.vic.gov.au/

    As for tourist ideas, I work at Mount Buller. If anyone thinks they might be up for a day on the slopes, message me. (EDIT: Though if you are coming from Sydney/Canberra to Melbourne, there are better places to stop and ski along the way.) The snow wherever you are from is probably better, however something can be said for getting a day of skiing/boarding in during your summer, and being able to say you did it in a country that most people associate with surfing, and the desert. I'll be in Melbourne for PAX weekend then it's back up to the snow for me!

    I hope all foreign visitors coming for PAX have a fantastic time!

    P.S. When you are shocked by how expensive everything is, try to keep in mind that our minimum wage is $20 an hour, so it is all relative. Except for buying alcohol in city Melbourne on a Saturday night, that's a flaming rip-off.

    Brunhilde on
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  • thegh0ststhegh0sts Sydney, NSWRegistered User regular
    Brunhilde wrote: »
    As for driving, being on the wrong side of the road becomes natural after a few hours. I've gone through roundabouts in Canada and when you are entering from the other side it's easy to go the other way around. When in doubt, just follow the other cars!

    define "wrong"! just because we drive on left side/right hand drive doesn't mean it's wrong....though it's wrong in the context of defined rules that you have been acclimatise/learnt to be "normal".

    so it's not wrong, just a different way of doing things.

    Next PAX: PAX AUS 2017
    Previous PAXs: PAX Prime 2011, PAX AUS 2013
  • BrunhildeBrunhilde Registered User regular
    yeah, so wrong to you! Not wrong as in, only one can be right, sheesh...

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