AboutIan Smith Expertise Very good knowledge of N.S.W. from beach to bush to Broken Hill. Have also travelled in a lot in Victoria, Queensland (to Townsville), Tasmania, South Australia and a few weeks in southern W.A. Used to be Hunter Valley Tourist Officer. Contact me for sights to see, not which disco or pub to recommend.
Have also spent months in Europe, particularly the following: Italy, Germany, Spain, England, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Austria and Czech Republic.
I am a retiree and have a Winnebago Motorhome which I plan to use over the next few years (and have done some trips already).
Experience I have surfed, raced motorcycles, ordinary cycles and a bit of fishing through much of the area as well as working there selling 5 days a week. I also have many photographs which I am currently working at putting on the computer. I have an extensive catalogue of where I've travelled at virtualtourist.com under "iandsmith".
Organizations Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club
Publications REVS, Surfing World, Soccer Weekly, Australian Motor Cycle News, Womens Weekly.
Question My wife and I are hoping to travel to Australia. With our jobs, we would really only have two weeks at the most, which might be pushing it. We're wondering what the absolute best places are to see in Australia within two weeks. We've heard the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, etc. ALso, what order would be the best in terms of traveling in the country?
I'm interested in the Aborinal culture as well. Could you recommend anything related to the Aborigine people and their culture?
Answer You're absolutely correct, two weeks is pushing it. In fact, were I in your shoes I would do what I do when I go overseas, concentrate on one area.
Between Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Sydney (where I assume you're entering), you're probably talking about 5,000 kilometres, minimum.
It also begs the question, what is the "absolute best"?
Personally, I wouldn't miss out on the rain forest and waterfalls. For that, N.S.W. is arguably the best.
I'd also want to walk in the Blue Mountains (National Pass trail or Grand Canyon walk); I'd want to see some of the best beaches (N.S.W. is best again); historical towns (Victoria has superb examples); Broken Hill, where you get the outback and art as well.
As for the aborigine experience, you really have to go to W.A. or the Northern Territory and, be warned, if you do, you may find it very confronting. In places like Broome, it's not pretty.
So, if I was doing two weeks in Australia, I would spend three days in Sydney, head out to the Blue Mountains (train or car), head south to Canberra then go to Victoria and spend two days in the goldfields (any town beginning with "B" is good value), have a look at Melbourne and then come back up the Princes Highway.
Now, I realise that you probably won't be doing that but, please remember the distances are HUGE between Uluru and Great Barrier Reef and you're going to miss so much.
If the aboriginal thing is your prime reason then you probably should concentrate on the Northern Territory or W.A. Be prepared for drunkeness in public though, you have been warned.
I've just returned from doing a lap of Australia and it's hard to get the experience you're seeking. The best way is to have an aboriginal guide on something like Uluru, Broken Hill or such. That way you get to understand some of the ancient culture and how they related to the land which is quite interesting.
You'll probably want to correspond again and that's fine, I'll only be too willing to help.
I also have a lot of pictures and tips on a site called "virtualtourist.com" under the name "iandsmith".
Cheers, Ian
