I wanted to take a quick moment to say - hi! I'm Michelle Mangio, and I'm the new Australia Editor for BellaOnline.

Rather than make a full introduction (you can check out my bio page or my webapge - I thought I'd start off by asking: How many of you have been to Australia? How many times, and when did you go? If you've never been, are you planning to go soon, or are you just dreaming of a possible future trip?

Hello Michelle,

Welcome to BellaOnline. I spent a few months in Australia during a 6-month honeymoon many years ago. Travelling on a budget had us sticking close to the east coast. I'd love to go back (and will one day soon) and see more of this vast and beautiful continent. Hmmm... maybe a year-long anniversary holiday is in order!

Cheers,
Megan

Welcome to BellaOnline Michelle!

I live in Australia.

I would LOVE to visit Austrailia and New Zealand while I am there. With the cost of the airfare, it makes sense to go and stay longer rather then just being there for a week.

I am taking nursing in school and look forward to being able to be a traveling nurse, I had thought about looking into 6 months contract in Austrailia, that would give me plenty of time too look around.

I've been to Sydney several times and have driven up the Coast as far as Brisbane. I would definitely visit again. It's a beautiful continent with amazing people. Do it. But the flight can be a killer. 14-15 hours from LAX. A little faster on the way back.

I know it's difficult for Melbourne to compete with Sydney - Sydney has the sights but I think Melbourne has the food and the shopping - so don't overlook us. My favourite part of Australia is far north Queensland - Port Douglas is just gorgeous.

Deborah, the next time I get to Australia I will definitely see Melbourne.

Very pleased to hear it...and we do have some sights - not the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botany Bay BUT we do have some fabulous strips of restaurants and shops - Acland St, St Kilda established by Polish (I think)Jews in the 40s and 50s - cake shops, cafes and my favourite restaurant, Cicciolina's.
Lygon Street established by the Italians - pasta, great coffee and fresh produce....Victoria Street, Abbotsford - the Vietnamese - all their delicious food - Lonsdale st - Greek food & Chinatown. I could go on and on....we do have other things besides food by the way! My summary is a little one sided!

Melbourne and the surrounds have plenty to rival Sydney. How about the Great Ocean Road, the Otways, the Dandenongs (okay, so Sydney has the Blue Mountains...), the MCG (where you can choose between cricket, its original purpose, or Aussie Rules football, or soccer, or rugby (league or union), or the occasional Commonwealth athletic game), the Australian Open tennis at Rod Laver, the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park.

We may not have the Harbour Bridge, but we make up for that with two elegant bridges: The Bolte and the Westgate. We don't have the Opera House but we do have Rialto Towers and the new Eureka Tower, either of which offer great panoramic views of the city. We have a bigger bay too - Port Philip, with some lovely beaches and nice little bay towns to stop at for a coffee.

And great food, as Deborah said. Approximately 1 restaurant to every 30 people resident here!

We're closer to Tasmania, too, which is a wonderful place for a holiday. You could combine the two.

O.K. you have me sold !! Lol. Thank you for the tips. I will definitely look into Melbourne. By the way, how is Ayers Rock and Perth? I know there is a transcontinental railroad too, featured on a Great Railways segment. I'd like to make it up North too.

Yay!!!!!!!

Okay, any Sydneysiders here will crucify me, but if asked which city I like more, Sydney or Melbourne, I would have to say Melbourne. (I might not say that while IN Sydney, of course... )

Sydney may have many of the iconic Australian sites (and I definitely recommend a stop in Sydney if visiting Australia), but, honestly, the city is too "international" for me. I want something that really screams "Australia!" to me, and that's what I feel is so special about Melbourne. (That said, I adore the Blue Mountains region right outside of Sydney, and I'd be sore tempted to make that my home if I moved to Australia!)

Of course, Melbourne was the first city in Australia I visited (our first trip began in Melbourne, ended in Sydney), so that may have also biased my opinion, too. But I'm ore of a "nature gal" than a "city gal" and Melbourne, with its many parks and artistic and literary bent, really tickled my fancy. Plus, there's the Great Ocean Road, the Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island... I could go on and on!

Woo hoo!!!!

I'd like to add my contribution for Brisbane (where I live). It may not be as big and as well known as Sydney or Melbourne: but there has to be a reason that so many people from "down south" move here every week!

In Brisbane, you can visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctury, take a trip on our City Cats along the beautiful Brisbane River, visit South Bank (and have a swim in our own inner-city beach) as well as just relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere that is Brisbane.

We're friendly and relaxed, and the city has some incredibly good restaurants (Jade Budda and Char Char Char are two of my favorite - down at our Pier area).

It's only an hour drive south to the Gold Coast, and all the attractions there (Sea World, DreamWorld, White Water World, Movie World and the R M Williams Outback Spectacular), or a similar trip north to the Sunshine Coast.

Or if beaches without as many people are what you're after, then Redcliffe is only 45 minutes from the heart of Brisbane, or take a trip out to Moreton Island and feed the dolphins there.

An hour and a half south-west and you come to Toowoomba - which has the Cobb & Co museum, a great record of colonial transport throughout Australia.

Fortitude Valley, in Brisbane, is acknowledged by independent musicians around the world as one of the best music precincts, and there are live bands in one of 20 or so different venues each night.

The highlight of your trip to Brisbane would be to take a climb on our Storey Bridge and watch the sun set over the city. Then take a drive up to Mt Coot-tha and have dinner at The Summit restaurant, while you watch the lights of the city and look out over Moreton Bay.

Can you tell - I'm a proud Brissie Girl!

Hi Michelle, and welcome (I'm new too, right behind you in the launch queue!)

I haven't been to Australia but it looks awesome! and I Do love Australian Film.

Most I have seen can be counted on to be top quality filming,performance, writing etc.

I particularly liked
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Walkabout
another one about a girls school - the name escapes me, maybe you can help?

Im also into genealogy (all those Celts who were transported! or famine victims)

PS Your pic is awesome too!

Siobhain
Short Stories

I think that the film you're thinking of is "The Getting of Wisdom" which is set in a girls school, and was made around the same time as Picnic.

I work in Perth from time to time - it's much smaller than the other capital cities and has a lovely laid back feel - I love it.
Gorgeous beaches and nice weather all year (if a little hot for me over summer) again, nice food and wine. Margaret River & the Swan River area are home to many fine wineries.
One of the best restaurants in Australia is in Perth (IMHO) thats Loose Box at Mundaring - if you ever get a chance, don't miss it.
The sights are also, amazing - some are a fair way from Perth but there are lots within easy driving distance from Perth - Fremantle is lovely - interesting maritime museum, historic prison, waterfront restaurants, great antique shops and lots more.
Lots of people like visiting the dolphins at Rockingham - you can swim with them at Monkey Mia, but that's a fair way from Perth.
I like Rottnest Island - you can hire a bike and ride around the island taking in the ocean views.
I think there's an easy charm to Perth.
Ayers Rock, Alice Springs are both amazing - the sights and sounds are well worth the trip - the beauty of the desert, the Olga's and sunset/sunrise at the "Rock"...

Yes, I must say I enjoyed Perth, Fremantle, and Rottnest all very much.

Thank-you so much Megan! Its irritating when you can't name something! I'll look it up right now. I can't remember.... I don't recall watching the end?

Siobhain
Short Stories

Megan,
I was in Brisbane for the first time this past May, and I do admit I rather enjoyed it! The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is just lovely, and I absolutely love that you can get to it by public transportation in the city (I just wrote an article on it, in fact). Brisbane is also very easy to get around. The South Bank (where I stayed) is coming along so nicely, and it's a quick walk to the Market. I think this will really be an up and coming destination for US travelers, especially as it's a good jumping point for all Queensland has to offer - and the Australia Zoo, Tangalooma Dolphin Resort, Noosa, Bundaburg, and Fraser Island are within easy distance, too!

Siobhan, if you like Aussie films, have you seen Ten Canoes? It's almost a cross between a drama and a documentary, but I really liked it - it follows the life of some Aboriginals in the Northern Territory.

Perth is also wonderful! Western Australia has so much to offer - I'm trying really hard to educate my clients on why they should make the journey. But, especially from the East Coast, once they travel all the way to Australia, they are often reluctant to make the journey out that way, which is very sad in some ways!

The ATE (Australia Tourism Exchange) is in Perth next year. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping they will bend the rules and let me go two years in a row! (Current rule is that a Premier Aussie Specialist can only be invited to attend once every two years, and I went this past year; but I plan on applying anyway!)

I've lived in Australia all my life, except when holidaying overseas. It is an amazing and diverse place. :-) I have lived in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and the country over a period of 25 years and have returned to Adelaide. I grew up in Adelaide, a city no-one seems to mention. It's lovely and quiet with only about 1.2 million people. Where else could you live on 17 acres within 30 minutes drive of the central business district?

While we love travelling and spent 3 months overseas last year we were very grateful we had Australia to come back to. While we found fabulous places and experienced all sorts of cultures, we found no place we'd rather live.

I've been to Sydney and Brisbane. Australia is such a great place to visit, the beaches are really nice and the surf is REALLY great!

I would return to Australia, but my only trip there was so great that I could never top it.

AustraliaBellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

My almost 13 year old would love to go there. We enjoy watching the show Awesome Pawsome about the four tiger cubs - well they must be adults by now.

Holding us back is a very long plane ride from CA and that both my kids are on the spectrum and we could never handle the time it takes. Hopefully air travel speed is making strides as I recal Richard Branson talking on one of the talk shows about it, by the time they have it done we will have the money and stamina to do it.

By that time my Rosacea and menopause would be over and that would help a lot. What are the seasons in Australia - is there an article that tells you what to do in Jan, what to dress and things of that nature. How to plan a visit any time of the year?

Here is the place Tiger Island

BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

Australia's seasons are sort of backward from the US. Summer is from Nov to January to Feb, while winter starts in late May to maybe July or August. It snows up in the montains a little, but not really in the major cities.

Thanks for the info, good to know about their seasons for future reference.

No problem! Always glad to help

I haven't been to Australia in more years than I care to admit, but travelling there was an incredible experience. My husband and I, honeymooners at the time, were hitchhiking along the East Coast -- and I thought Canada was big! We'd spend all day with a trucker before reaching the next spot of civilization! I need to go back, soon I think. In six weeks, we barely scratched the surface of the East Coast and didn't even make it as far north as Darwin or inland past Canberra in the south.

Cheers,
Megan

Now planning a return to Australia. Which is better, the Diamant Hotel or The Observatory?

Bea, I got to meet the cubs last year while I was at the ATE - Dreamworld brought them down to Brisbane for the conference. They were a lot of fun to watch! It was a lot of fun to watch them tumbling around. I'll do a review of Dreamworld soon!

Of the two hotels, I prefer the Observatory - more centrally located, has great service and an amazing pool, and if you are in Sydney over New Years or Australia Day, the hill (Observatory Hill) just across from the hotel is one of the best places to see the fireworks.

I am Australian, I moved to the gran ole USA 4 years ago. Australia is truly a beautiful place and I miss it everyday....not to mention my family! If I can answer anyones questions about the place I call home..... let me know!

I went to Australia in 2002. I may go back someday. If I do, I will see Ayers Rock and Tasmania.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit - We went to Sydney and Melbourne. The cities are very different but so interesting.

Hi Everyone :) As you can probably tell by my user name I'm an Aussie who loves the outdoors :) I'm a stay at home mum of 3 kiddies (4 if you count my husband LOL). We spend most of our spare time travelling around Australia and feel so very blessed to call this country our home. If anyone would like to know any inside information on our amazing country don't hesitate to ask. We've travelled almost all of the East Coast, From the top end of Queensland down to Melbourne, Right through the red centre from Darwin to Adelaide, plenty of inland country places and hopefully this year will be taking a visit to Western Australia, Next year Tasmania will be on our list. We live in a beautiful part of the country in NSW surrounded by gorgeous mountains one side while living a block from the beach on the other... it's heaven I tell ya :) Glad to see so much interest in our gorgeous peace of the world, and as I said don't hesitate to ask if you want to know something. I will have to post some photos and link to them too :)

I've been to Melbourne was a great experience stayed at this hotel on the beach cant remember the name but I found it on gekko.com - was amazing! want to go to the gold coast next - gosh you need so much time! I went for the Aussie open 2009 and i would deff recommend melbourne and the hotel on the basis of the hotel

Haven't been, but really want to. I've heard great things about Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide.

Sydney and Melbourne are wonderful cities. We flew into Sydney to begin our cruise but spent two extra days there. We had a great time.

I'd just like to point out the terrificness that is Brisbane!! People from overseas who want a city experience tend to head to Sydney and Melbourne - but Brisbane has got just so much to offer (Ok - I live here so may be a little prejudiced).

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland - and is situated about an hour drive from both Gold and Sunshine Coasts (two of Australia's most famous beach areas) and on the way to both are terrific Theme Parks (including Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo on the way to the Sunshine Coast).

From Brisbane, you can catch our Travel Trains and tootle either up the coast all the way to Cairns or head out west to some of Australia's most famous outback towns.

Brisbane also has the world famous Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - which has a bus route right to the door or you can catch a City Cat and head there via the Brisbane River.

South Bank is the location where World Expo 88 was held, and is now a parkland right on the river, with some terrific restaurants and cafes as well as a swimming beach (yes - in the middle of the CBD). The Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Museum are across the road from South Bank and are also worth a visit. And if you like Museums, in our City Hall, the Museum of Brisbane has some very Brisbane-centric displays.

Brisbane has some great Aussie colonial buildings and is one of the most haunted cities in the world - if you are into ghost tours, Brisbane has a very long running series of tours that takes in Toowong Cemetary, Boggo Road Jail and many of the old buildings in the CBD.

Please - don't forget Brissy! We're a freiendly and welcoming mob who just love visitors!

Try and make time to visit South West Rocks on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. Pristine secluded beachs, safe swimming and surf beaches within the bay. Trial Bay headland is one of the few beaches you can view a sunset over water on the Australian east coast. Nearby Smokey Cape lighthouse is a great place to whale watch June to November.

My Wife and I travelled to Oz in 2002 to see the eclipse and we also got married out there. Ayers rock is excellent but avoided climbing it as it is sacred to the local tibes and you should seek permission first as i understand it. The Loci (spirits of place) are very friendly too - particularly the Rainbow Serpent.

When I someday get a chance to go out and visit I'll definitely be visiting the various wine countries That will be the main attraction for me!

Lisa, you should also visit some of the more unusual wine growing areas.

The Granite Belt (Stanthorpe) has some magnificent wines (and wine tours) and you need to come to Brisbane and make a visit to Sirromet Wines (which is actually within the Brisbane city limits!)

I only wish that the Bundaberg Fruit Winery was still in production - they had some magnificent wines (their plum wine was just plain gorgeous - and they also made a beautiful honey dew melon and a water melon wine - both just tasted of summer!).

I would really love to go to Australia, the only concern I have is the fact it has some of the most deadliest creatures on earth and it panics me that I could be in my hotel and a poisonous snake or deadly spider could crawl into my room! That is my only set back :( Are deadly creature encounters often in Australia? If not and its just me being silly then I'd better start saving my pennies.... well hundreds of pounds!

No I have not been to Australia yet. But I wish to go soon.

Australians are the friendliest people in the world. They helped make my visit there a success.

Again, thanks Jim for your lovely words. One thing I understand about the Aussie nature is that we don't often stand on ceremony, (in fact we shun pretence in all its forms), we're happy to look you in the eye and tell it like it is, and we are very good at laughing at ourselves.

Come back to Oz, Jim, we can show you a really good time!

Cheerio for now

Linda and I visited the Jacobs Creek wineries when we visited Adelaide. We are still using some of the practical souvenirs, such as the champagne fizz cork saver, now ten years later. the wine itself was excellent.

I would love to go to Australia and visit the wine country. I also would make sure I get to stand near Ayers Rock and feel the spiritual vibrations. Such beautiful land there.

We went there too when we visited Alice Springs. It's five hours each way by coach(!) but nice through the Outback. It is very spiritual and next time I hope to climb it- but only with the permission of the Loci via the local Shaman.

All the time we were there the dangerous wildlife we saw was either running away from us, or steering clear. The houses and hotels are treated with a special spray, and whatever they use in the swimming pools even keeps the insects out(!). Also a branch of our clan has been out there for 3 months and even their cat hasn't brought anything nasty in

I think whole Australia is very good for travelling. When I joined air-hosts for my profession then my first flight was landed in Brisbane Australia and we really enjoyed this city.