Any one been to Australia?

[Glaucus]

I turned up a few tours that went North out of Perth up to Ningaloo Reef to Broom to the outback and then to Darwin. Darwin to Alice is then straight down the highway by Greyhound or an internal flight. Maybe that would suit you better?

That sounds epic, what are these tours like, is there plenty of young backpackers on them. Travelling on my own for most of it, so want to meet some cool people to hang out with.

[Pumpkinstew]

http://www.adventuretours.com.au/21-...-tour-package/

http://www.ozbackpackertours.com.au/...=second&id=116

http://www.travelforever.com.au/tours.php

It's normally pretty clear from the website/brochure (and price!) whether the tour is aimed at the backpacking crowd or the older more refined traveller.

Western Australia is definitely the road least travelled in terms of tourists, so there may not be a massive choice of operators. You could always talk to your driver on the first trip to the SW out of Perth. Failing that there are travel agents in Perth that just cater to the backpackers and most hostels also have a travel agency in reception.

My experience of Uluru and Alice Springs was that getting there was more memorable than visiting the park. The viewing areas are normally filled with about 20 coaches and the local aboriginees are more interested in emptying your wallet than passing on any folklore.

[Pumpkinstew]

I've just checked and the website I cobbled together in 2002 is still running

WA pics are here if you fancy a squiz.

[Glaucus]

Where's the best place to get the visa from? Or are they all the same?

[Pumpkinstew]

Used to be the Australian Embassy.

Seems like it still is:
http://www.uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/visitor.html

I'm assuming you want the three month tourist one.

Here we go. Online application and it seems to be free.
http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/evisitor.htm

[Glaucus]

Thanks, I googled it and there are loads of companies you can apply through.

[Glaucus]

Visa granted.
Right guys. This is a toughy, is there anyway to take a suit and keep it in reasonable shape, I'm a bit stumped on what to do. I won't have time to hire one between getting there and the wedding. As I'm doing a coach tour thingy the first week. So it's going to be in a rucksack for a week before I need it.

Also is there anything you would take for backpacking which you would say is a must, other than the usual Holliday stuff.

Also anyone know a cheaper version of the http://www.jackson-sports.com/Models...le-Shopping-UK which has zip away shoulder straps, so don't have to muck around with odd bag rubbish at the airport.

[Fayshun]

Originally Posted by AcidHell2

This is a toughy, is there anyway to take a suit and keep it in reasonable shape,

Fold the left shouder inside out into the right shoulder and roll the trousers up inside the shoulders. Fold bottom of jacket to the top. And before your wear it, stick it on hanger in a bathroom with the shower on hot to steam the creases out.

[Mark]

Anything that goes in the hold will get chucked around by the equipment and the handlers, whether or not it has zip-away straps, so:

• Obviously, a proper suit carrier taken as hand luggage will be your safest bet, but I assume you want to avoid that.
• Rolling clothes instead of folding them will often keep them in better shape. Haven't tried the above suggestion but it might work.
• If the suit does have to go in the backpack, get a lightweight inner bag (preferably just big enough) to keep it clean, dry and separate from anything else.
• Would you have access to an iron (or steamy shower) to sort mishaps out?

[Glaucus]

Yeah will be at a hotel so iron shouldn't be a problem.

The zip thing is to zip away the straps. As usually if you have straps the bag can't be put throughough the usual luggage route at the airport and I don't really want to gaffe about, taking it to the special luggage area.
Basically on that rucksack there's a pouch which zips over all the shoulder straps, so it becomes a normal bag.