"Australia was Awesome." Australia by 850prc

Australia Travel Guide: 44,992 reviews and 113,761 photos

The Red Center, heart of a big-hearted country

Australia. BIG Country. BIGGER heart.

I don't believe we've ever visited any more friendly and accomodating a place as Australia. We were welcomed everywhere with arms open wider than this vast Down Under land.

Like my own country, Australia is quite large. It's impossible to even scratch the surface of "visiting Australia" in so short a time span as 16 days. I'm not sure you could say you've "done Oz" even in 16 weeks, but I'd sure like to try.

Our trip consisted of stops in 4 basic areas:

Sydney
Adelaide
Alice Springs/Ayers Rock
Brisbane (Scarborough and Beerwah)

I plan to build separate pages for each of these locales, as they're different in what they offer and feature. One thing they had in common was, again, the friendly attitude towards visitors. I can't drive that point home enough, folks....Aussies are just so incredibly nice. It's strange to think that we could travel some 7000 miles across the ocean and still feel so much at home. Anyway, at some point in the future, there will be pages for each local.

I plan to build and maintain this modest "Australia" page. It will contain tips and items of a very general nature. And, I've built travelogues saluting three Aussie VT members who went out of their way to make our visit Down Under so special. Please take a moment to read up on three of VT's nicest people.

So, I encourage everyone who's ever thought about doing so to visit Australia. It's truly the land of "no worries, mate". Like the title says, Australia is BIG..... but her heart is even BIGGER.

National Pride is everywhere

Getting into the spirit(s) at Darling Harbor

Aussies have a deep-felt sense of national pride and patriotism. Their pride isn't a contrived or jingositic exercise, but rather a reflection of their love for all things Australia. And, nothing seems to make them happier than when you say how much you're enjoying your visit. They're more than willing to help you make your vacation very, very special. And they love when you want to celebrate the land Down Under.

FWIW, my daughter has proudly hung the Australian flag she bought, seen in the accompanying photo, in her bedroom. If you say the words "Sara, would you like to live in Australia someday?", she just erupts in a huge smile. Australia was her dream trip, and it was a dream come true.

Thanks again to all the people we met along the way who contributed to the glow we had upon our return home.

Australians and Americans, a special kinship

Ray, the laundry guy in Potts Point

Aussies and Yanks have always seen eye to eye, as a people. Our backgrounds are common, and our lands similar. Both countries were settled and are today populated by "can-do" peoples. Both lands are nations of immigrants, and both cherish their histories, both before and after the arrival of Europeans on their shores.

Summing up this melting pot of bubbling spirit would be my new friend Ray, shown in the photo accompanying this chapter. Ray is from Korea, and has moved to Sydney. He operates a coin laundry in Potts Point (appropriately named "The Potts Point Laundry"), a few doors down from the hotel we used in Sydney, the Victoria Court. I washed a load or two in Ray's establishment. We had a great time talking and he, like all other residents of Sydney, went out of his way to be friendly and helpful. Seeing Ray with a smile, hard at work in his laundromat the day we left, I noticed that he'd chosen a "Fort Lauderdale USA" shirt for the day. That sums it up...nations of immigrants, working and building small businesses....and that special friendship and kindred spirit that Americans and Australians share. No wonder the place seemed so much like home.

Pros and Cons

Pros:You are clearly welcome in Australia
Cons:It's frustrating to know how much you missed on just a 16 day visit
In a nutshell:Like the title of the first photo....it's a big country with a bigger heart.

Last visit to Australia: Jun 2005
Intro Updated Jul 24, 2005
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Reviews (29)

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Comments (38)

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tiabunna Mar 25, 2007 at 6:44 PM

G'day Pete, bloody ripper of a page, mate! You're just going to have to revisit - first to give Vegemite another try; also to sample a few tubes of Coopers and Toohey's Old - my favourite local beers (but XXXX and Boags are pretty right too).
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Marpessa Jun 6, 2006 at 3:07 AM

Hey, great page on Australia! Can't believe you found someone using 1 cent coins - they've been out of circulation (along with 2 cent coins) for years now :) Cassie
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Nemorino May 21, 2006 at 3:44 AM

"I only deliver the mail, mate" -- nice stories of your encounters with friendly Australians.
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TheWanderingCamel Apr 5, 2006 at 9:01 AM

Fantastic page - so many of your observatons and tips are spot on! You've done OZ proud. One thing though - never the "red 'roo - here we call it the - the spirit of Australia, the flying kangaroo. Cheers- leyle
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Hosell Feb 11, 2006 at 6:31 AM

Great and very informative page about Australia.I hope to go there aswell someday, but i don't know when!! :-)
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sunsea Nov 29, 2005 at 2:48 AM

Great! Great! Great!
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Anne12 Oct 22, 2005 at 5:51 AM

Hello Pete, I see you have met Doug:) He and a few others are coming to my town in November,he loves a meeting! Thanks for visiting my pages. Cheers Anne
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MalenaN Oct 1, 2005 at 11:40 PM

You have done a great job on this page Pete! I like the travelouges! I have never been to Australia but hope to go one day.
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amyhenderson Sep 28, 2005 at 1:18 AM

it's been a long time, but I'm back! hope you're well?! just thought i'd let you know, i guestimate the NO JUNK MAIL stickers for letter boxes works 80-90% of the time. nearly as effective as a firewall on your PC! nice tips, keep it up! Amy
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deecat Sep 22, 2005 at 3:24 PM

Loved reading and seeing your delightful travelogues. I smiled so much as I enjoyed your trip to Australia...brilliant work...5-star quality with tons of great, valuable information. Loved the personal touches, too. Thanks for a great tripm Mate!