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Australia/Questions Answered by Expert Ian Smith
| Subject | Date Asked |
| in car electricity | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: im coming over to Australia in December for year and will be travelling round in a van, I want to ... A: In a word, no. They can't be run off a car battery, you need 240v either off a mains electricity or ... | |
| where should we live? | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: find work and a home.We live in Georgia United States ,and i plan to leave once i graduate.Can you ... A: Some Australian cities (read Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and possibly Brisbane) are expensive, no use ... | |
| where should we live? | 8/30/2011 |
| Q: find work and a home.We live in Georgia United States ,and i plan to leave once i graduate.Can you ... A: If you believe surveys, Newcastle is the best place to live. This was the international survey to ... | |
| Honeymoon | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: ) Me and my fiancé are going to be married in three months, and we both decided we would like to ... A: First of all, you haven't mentioned what you're interested in outside of looking at the reef and ... | |
| Australia vacation | 3/12/2011 |
| Q: Ian, my wife and I will celebrate out 25th anniversary in December. I'd like to surprise her with a ... A: If you're planning then 7 days would be my absolute minimum. If you fly east-west (I assume that's ... | |
| Travel from Sydney to the Reef | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: I am a first-time visitor to Australia. I plan on visiting my family in Sydney in late October. ... A: A few things arise from your question. Firstly, I'm not sure what you are interested in if you will ... | |
| Sydney Entertainment Centre | 7/19/2010 |
| Q: Have you ever been to the Sydney Entertainment Centre? If you have, could you please tell me what it ... A: Sorry if I'm late with this reply but my computer has been under repair. I have been there. I would ... | |
| barrier reef | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: Feb is the only chance to travel and are having 2 weeks in N.Z. similar in Australia,Do you advise ... A: Would strongly advise first option. There is so much more to see. I'm assuming you mean 5 days on ... | |
| Austrailia's economy/ Darling River | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: Do you know what resources are found in the Darling River? And do you know if it is used for ... A: Although it's outside of my area of expertise I'll have a go anyway. Firstly, you have to bear in ... | |
| Aboringal cutlure andi mages | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: I came accross several sites and a movie where it warns the audience that there are 'dead' people ... A: Right out of my area of expertise but I do happen to know a little bit about it. The beliefs are ... | |
| Don't know much... | 10/31/2009 |
| Q: Ian, I have always wanted to move to Australia and when i'm done with school i know i want to ... A: Dare I say that where I live might suit you perfectly. Only two hours from Sydney yet situated on ... | |
| Fishing around Shoal Bay | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: Just wondering if you would be up for taking a Canadian fishing around shoal bay and maybe going for ... A: It is indeed. I too was wondering how you were going. Your email address didn't come up but mine is ... | |
| Fishing around Shoal Bay | 9/26/2009 |
| Q: Just wondering if you would be up for taking a Canadian fishing around shoal bay and maybe going for ... A: You haven't said when. Shortly I'm heading off to Italy so your timing might be bad. Let me know. ... | |
| Brisbane to Sydney | 9/5/2009 |
| Q: There are 3 of us driving from Brisbane to Sydney. We have from Sept. 30th to Oct.9th. We like short ... A: Mmm, got a few hours.... I'm assuming short hikes means bush walking? Mount Tambourine at the back ... | |
| Cairns and the GBR or Sydney to Melbourne? | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: Im having a real quandry and wondered if you could help. We are 2 adults and 2 kids who will be 12 ... A: In the amount of time you have I would not recommend going to Cairns. There is so much to see ... | |
| Caravan from Sydney to GBR | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I found a great deal to Australia in late November. This is our first trip there and ... A: Okay, there's a few things you need to know. IT'S A LOOOONG WAY FROM SYDNEY TO THE GBR. We're ... | |
| Would you please suggest an itinerary? | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: We just booked a fabulous airline deal to New Zealand in October. We will be staying a full month, ... A: Gold Coast is nothing but touristy! Natural beauty - think north coast of N.S.W. Think places like ... | |
| Would you please suggest an itinerary? | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: We just booked a fabulous airline deal to New Zealand in October. We will be staying a full month, ... A: Try lastminute.com or simply google up a cheap airfare, there's quite a few around at the moment but ... | |
| Trip to Australia - Overwhelmed! | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: Good day! I am planning my trip to Australia, but am finding it quite overwhelming. I will have 20 ... A: Yes, as you suspect, 20 days isn't a lot but, bear in mind that the Barrier Reef is a long way up, ... | |
| Train rides | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: would you please be so kind and let me know how long it takes by train to travel from Sydney to ... A: Simply put, it's 14 1/2 hours to Brisbane, 10 1/2 hours to Melbourne and 4 1/2 hours to Canberra. ... | |
| Free & Easy Australia from Melbourne to Sydney | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: My friends and I plan to travel to Australia around mid-August 2009 for a free & easy holiday. ... A: I would suggest the following route - head up through Beechworth , then aim for Khancoban and over ... | |
| 2 weeks | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I are hoping to travel to Australia. With our jobs, we would really only have two weeks ... A: You're absolutely correct, two weeks is pushing it. In fact, were I in your shoes I would do what I ... | |
| moving from hawai to aus | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: I have a chance to select a city to live and work in australia in the Hospitality industry. Since I ... A: Mmm, obviously you haven't looked too closely at a demographic map of Australia otherwise you would ... | |
| First timer.... | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: I'm going to Australia in March for the first time to see my friend who lives in Queensland. What ... A: 45 minutes from SeaWorld will put here near the Gold Coast and all its attractions. For instance, ... | |
| First timer.... | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: I'm going to Australia in March for the first time to see my friend who lives in Queensland. What ... A: There are lots of things but, it depends where you are. Surfers Paradise, Australia's version of ... | |
| Australlia for two weeks | 11/1/2008 |
| Q: I am visiting Australia at the end of November with a friend. We are flying into Sydney, renting a ... A: I get frustrated when I get asked this question. It's somewhat sad to me that people don't contact ... | |
| Christmas in NSW | 10/30/2008 |
| Q: My boyfriend and i are arriving in Sydney mid Dec and planning to stay for 2 wks maybe longer but we ... A: First of all, Lennox Head is north, not south of Sydney. Secondly, it's a LONG way north, try at ... | |
| weather in australia | 6/23/2008 |
| Q: i just wanted to ask how is the weather in australia in august.like can we visit all kind of ... A: The only place you get extreme weather regularly in Australia is way up north where cyclones come ... | |
| travel to Uluru | 6/19/2008 |
| Q: g'day Ian I live in the bush about 50km east of Tenterfield in northern nsw. What are your thoughts ... A: Mmmm, Tenterfield, nice town, even though you live east of it near the ranges where I have spent ... | |
| Month in Australia/Tasmania | 6/18/2008 |
| Q: We are looking to travel to Australia/Tasmania for a month in Jan/Feb with our two children, ages 4 ... A: One month, mmmmm, stretching it a bit. My suggestions would be as follows: A week in Tasmania is not ... | |
| Details about australia | 5/30/2008 |
| Q: I would really like to know as to when is the right time to visit Australia. I do not like very hot ... A: Sorry I haven't been around to answer your question but I have been in remote parts of Western ... | |
| Perth or Brizzy? | 5/28/2008 |
| Q: my partner and I are wanting to move to Oz at the end of the year from NZ, we are both in our 20s ... A: If you are not too keen on hot weather then I'd definitely head for Perth. Brisbane has humid heat, ... | |
| Perth or Brizzy? | 5/27/2008 |
| Q: my partner and I are wanting to move to Oz at the end of the year from NZ, we are both in our 20s ... A: Unfortunately you haven't forwarded your likes or dislikes so that makes it difficult to recommend ... | |
| Auto travel by GPS | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: I am Canadian planning a 4 week vacation in Australia.I have a Garmin GPS with maps for Australia. ... A: Personally speaking, I probably wouldn't stay in Pokolbin during one of the hottest months in the ... | |
| Auto travel by GPS | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: I am Canadian planning a 4 week vacation in Australia.I have a Garmin GPS with maps for Australia. ... A: You will have no problem, the cigarette lighter plugs are the same. Just a word of warning though, ... | |
| Which city to migrate? | 12/10/2007 |
| Q: We are migrating to Australia next year. We have a yound boy (less than 1 year old) and would like ... A: It's very difficult to answer because I don't know what your requirements are. However, my answer, ... | |
| moving to australia | 11/6/2007 |
| Q: I am going back in 2009 and hope to live and work in maybe Sydney permanently. Would you think that ... A: I really have no idea how a business studies certificate rates in terms of need but, I can assure ... | |
| Australia Trip | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: I was impressed with seeing your advice re various trips that people are planning to Australia. I am ... A: Okay, the following are my choices based on what I've seen and believe people should be aware of. ... | |
| Australia Trip | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: I was impressed with seeing your advice re various trips that people are planning to Australia. I am ... A: Mmmm, we need more information. Not much point sending you seaside when you really want to be in ... | |
| move to australia | 7/3/2007 |
| Q: we have 2 small children and are both in our 20's i am qualified to take care of horses and my ... A: Right, the Dandenongs are on the outskirts of Melbourne so Gippsland would be an option for you. As ... | |
| move to australia | 7/3/2007 |
| Q: we have 2 small children and are both in our 20's i am qualified to take care of horses and my ... A: I'm going in at the deep end here because I haven't got a clue what your likes and dislikes are and ... | |
| Oz cities | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: I am considering moving to Australia and have actually begun reading up on visa applications. I was ... A: Not my line of expertise but I'll give it a go. Since Melbourne and Sydney are out and you want to ... | |
| Vacation planning | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: I am also an expert on this site, on an area half way around the world. I live in NYC, with a ... A: Blue Mountains first - I would stay at Blackheath, Katoomba or Leura. All have their disadvantages ... | |
| Preliminary research before moving | 4/7/2007 |
| Q: G'day Ian -- got lots of questions; hope you can steer me right. I'm an Aussie, born in Woomera. ... A: Wow, this wasn't the sort of question I envisaged but I'll give it my best shot. Let me get this ... | |
| Living in Australia | 2/12/2007 |
| Q: Thx for your response. Some more info... We are both 30 years old. Will both need employment. At the ... A: In addition to those places already listed, you should consider Surfers Paradise or the Sunshine ... | |
| Living in Australia | 2/11/2007 |
| Q: My wife and I would like to move to Australia but have no idea where we should move to. We heard ... A: Unfortunately, I suspect you've only given me some of the information I need to help you. For ... | |
| looking for off-the-beaten-path | 10/18/2006 |
| Q: We are actually flying to Cairns to do 5 days there and then flying to Melbourne where we pick up ... A: I stuffed this up. Did a big reply about the 9 days from Melbourne and sent it return instead of ... | |
| looking for off-the-beaten-path | 10/17/2006 |
| Q: We will be arriving in Sydney on Sunday 10/22. We have 7 days to drive from Sydney to Brisbane. ... A: Right, my suggestion would be to drive to Port Stephens the first night making sure you walk to the ... | |
| looking for off-the-beaten-path | 10/16/2006 |
| Q: A friend and I are traveling from Sydney to Brisbane by campervan. We are looking for some out of ... A: I have heaps, but I have to know what you are interested in to help you better and also how much ... | |
| Where to go in Australia? | 9/17/2006 |
| Q: myself, husband and 2 children would like to holiday in australia next August. We have no idea on ... A: (A) How long have you got? (B) How do you plan to travel while in Australia? (C) What type of ... | |
| compare cities? | 3/7/2006 |
| Q: I am about to apply to grad school in australia, and there are a few programs in different cities ... A: Personally speaking, I think you should be heading to Newcastle, the only one that adequately fits ... | |
| 3 week vacation | 10/21/2005 |
| Q: I am going to Sydney for 3 weeks on vacation, starting November 20th this year. Considering that ... A: I'm terribly sorry about the delay but I'm on holidays in England and the internet has been so hard ... | |
| Sydney - wine region?? | 10/10/2005 |
| Q: My husband and I, along with our four month old (yes you read that right) will be traveling from ... A: Sorry, am on holidays at the moment, will answer in three weeks. Cheers, Ian Just returned from ... | |
| Travel in australia | 9/20/2005 |
| Q: We are going to be limiting oursleves to the East coast. We want to go to the national parks etc and ... A: Mmmm, my experience travelling by bus is limited to one overnight to Brisbane from Sydney. You ... | |
| Henry Parkes | 4/1/2005 |
| Q: I was wondering if you would happen to now of any quotes that historians may have used regarding ... A: You really need to go into "google" and chase it up. There you will find many quotes I'm sure. ... | |
| emergency numbers | 10/19/2004 |
| Q: i will be travelling down to sydney from brisbane. i will be driving, as i will start at 6pm, taking ... A: There's two routes, the Pacific and the New England Highway. Since you obviously aren't all that ... | |
| What to see in Cairns | 9/28/2004 |
| Q: We would like to see more natural sights, like the rainforest, as opposed to historical. I don't ... A: Mmmm, okay, let's see what we can come up with. Heading south there is a rainforest area at the back ... | |
| vacation | 9/3/2004 |
| Q: When is the best time of the North American year to make a week long visit to Australia, ... A: Okay, a rough itinerary suggestion from me would be to spend 3 days in Sydney seeing The Rocks and ... | |
| vacation | 9/2/2004 |
| Q: When is the best time of the North American year to make a week long visit to Australia, ... A: I hate to be vague but, seriously, it all depends on what you want to do. Do you want to surf? Do ... | |
| TAHUNE RESERVE FOREST | 8/25/2004 |
| Q: My sister and I are interested to visit Tahune Reserve Forest. I understand that there is a public ... A: Sadly, you'll have no joy with public buses to the forest itself. You'll either require your own ... | |
| sites to visit | 8/20/2004 |
| Q: I'm italian and I'm going to visit Australia for the first time, this year in December, along with ... A: Personally, I would recommend to stay in one state for three weeks. It never ceases to amaze me how ... | |
| Broken Hill | 6/7/2004 |
| Q: We are a family of 4 (kids are 12 and 16). I have been to Aus. before but my husband and kids have ... A: To experience the outback Broken Hill is an excellent destination. You might just try contacting ... | |
| National Parks | 5/28/2004 |
| Q: I am going to spend 18 days visiting National Parks from Perth to Darwing. I have been doing a list ... A: FIrstly, I've never been to any of them or travelled north of Perth. Having said that I've spoken ... | |
| From Perth to Darwing to Adelaida | 5/25/2004 |
| Q: I have 29 days, in July, to go from Perth to Darwing to Adelaida with a campervan. Could you ... A: I would absolutely recommend that you spend as much time as you can south of Perth. If you go to ... | |
| Tasmania in a Week | 4/14/2004 |
| Q: Greetings Ian, My husband and I are planning a trip to Australia this October - December. Our ... A: O.K., a couple of other places you should definitely consider are the Pieman River Cruise and don't ... | |
| customs | 12/5/2003 |
| Q: I am from California and about 3 years ago I met a gal from Tasmania. We have become very good ... A: This is out of my area of expertise but I will try for you. I would suggest that you get on to ... | |
| Relocating to Northern NSW | 8/28/2003 |
| Q: My family are in the process of applying for a permanent visa, I have family in Port Macquarie and ... A: Plumbing will be a doddle, as in most western societies, tradesmen are at a premium. As for ... | |
| Driving in Australia | 6/16/2003 |
| Q: My wife, son and I are coming to Australia in about 5 weeks time and we are hiring cars in Perth, ... A: The only places where you are llikely to get lost is in the major cities, just like other countries. ... | |
Ian Smith
Top Expert on this page
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.
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