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 There are 3 of us driving from Brisbane to Sydney. We have from Sept. 30th to Oct.9th. We like short hikes, good pubs and are open to see what we can. We are then looking for suggestions for things to see and do from Oct. 19th to the 30th. We can fly to New Zealand or the GBR or whatever sounds good. Any great ideas??
Mmm, got a few hours....
I'm assuming short hikes means bush walking?
Mount Tambourine at the back of Surfers is a nice place to go for views, short walks and a bit of country atmosphere.
Follow the coast road (Cabarita etc.) for a while to get a taste of the ocean and Yamba is also nice in that regard.
Then might I boldly suggest you then consider Bellingen and then go up to Dorrigo and do the Rosewood River walk. The countryside around here is superb.
Next go Ebor Falls and then head over to Armidale, taking time to see Wollomombi en route.
Next go to Uralla (via Dangars Falls would be good) and turn off on Thunderbolts Way and follow it all the way south. This will take you through Gloucester where I recommend you spend at least a couple of days.
Walk options are numerous and, rather than elaborate here, might I suggest you go to virtualtourist.com and there I have numerous pictures and script to help you decide.
If you still have time, Posrt Stephens is excellent and there's a wonderful walk to the top of Tomaree Headland with some spectacular views.
As for the 19th you could see some truly amazing countryside by looping the Blue Mountains and going to the Southern Highlands and south coast. Again, I have heaps of info in my pages on virtualtourist. This would comfortably fill in 10 days and, if you include Canberra, you can take in Floriade.
It's a loooong way to the GBR and it's then a long way out to the reef. For my money there's too much time spent travelling that could be better spent elsewhere. However, it depends what you like.
If you need further information please don't hesitate to contact me further.
Cheers, Ian
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