Hello,

I will be going to Australia early next year, anyone has good advice on afordable places to stay in Brisbane and Sydney? I mean i dont need a 5* hotel, because my main purpose to go all the way to Australia is to do heaps of sightseeing and discover as much as i can about the beautiful country Oz seems to be.

Any other tips on places to see and visit downunder would be great.

Kind Regards,
Cpt Efis
:8

Anywhere near the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane would be good. Walking distance to China Town and handy for all of the cinemas, restaurants etc. Brilliant city.

Captain Efis:

Did just what you are planning last April. QF from the States. OK flight, but not anymore than that.

Stayed in Brisbane at the Royal Albert Apartment Hotel, near the Queen St Mall. Recommended by a Ppruneer. Nice rooms with good facilities including in-room laundry and car park. About 120 Aus Dollars per day, industry rate. Very friendly.

Wonderful city, easy to walk around and easy drive to/from airport. Quick access to Pacific Highway from the Royal Albert, north toward Noosa or south toward Gold Coast and Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. Parks well worth visiting as was Noosa and Byron Bay, NSW. Don't pass up Brisbane and the area. Noosa and Byron are worth the drive; beaches on Gold Coast excellant and the parks are good for two days visiting. I'm going back next year, probably in late October.

I've been to Sydney on military missions, also wonderful, but a big, big city.

GF :ok:

Right!
Brissie; the town itself can be a bit lacking... esp mid-week, but use it for what it's worth, a handy hub, with lots of nice stuff. Previously mentioned Noosa is a must, as is the rest of the 'sunshine coast' if you have the time, check out the glass-house mountains on the way... and keep going north til you hit Fraser island - World heritage listed for a reason - one of my favourite places on earth. In bris, on a great day/early evening a meal at the summit restaurant on Mt Cootha is worthwhile, with views from almost noosa to the gold coast... and a steak at the breaky creek hotel is must! great feel for the old true aussie times! the Lamington national park is great, easy to organise a tour to O'reilly's guest house - a hike is VERY rewarding... if you drive up there, be very careful, some rather hairy bends on a glorified goat track! The gold coast is well... the gold coast. cheap (and not so cheap) and tacky, but there are still some magic places there! dinner at the marina mirage (buiilt by the discraced skase) is great (the seafood buffet) and the missus will love to stay there or over the road at the palazio vercace (sp!) then skip down over the border to new south wales and soak up the splendour of the pure, untouched beaches...

good luck!

Hello,

Thank you all for the advice regarding my original question.

Regards,
Cpt Efis