Christs Church Newcastle Australia (Anglican)

Christs Church Newcastle Australia (Anglican)

This was listed as the number 2 site to see in Newcastle on Tripadvisor. I would say not a big fan of churches but this was mind blowing and a must see. you can even get your name on a paving stone for a $100. I reckon its good value as it is such an unspoilt venue. If your in Newcastle go there its great, only takes half hour but they have people there that are very knowledgable about the history of the church etc.

Lake Macquarie NSW Australia

Lake Macquarie NSW Australia

This is a stunning part of New South Wales Australia. Located about 2 hrs north of Sydney its a great place to visit. The lake has all the usual activities such as boat hire, Fishing, Shark net swimming areas, Jet Skiing  tubing etc. The is plenty of good quality accommodation and great food places to go to.

Ubud Monkey Forrest Bali Indonesia

Ubud Monkey Forrest Bali Indonesia

This is a must see if you are in Bali. To get there takes anything from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours by taxi from kuta. You get to see monkeys running around and coming up to you. You can feed them but be careful as they will snatch your glasses hats and run off with them. The temples inside the monkey forest are absolutely wonderful. You just have to visit this place its a great time.

Newcastle Harbour NSW Australia.

Newcastle Harbour NSW Australia.

The harbour is a must see in Newcastle. There are plenty of options for eating from fine dinning to pizza joints. Most have great views and atmosphere. Minutes from the city beaches with great sand and surf. The harbour caters for the large freight ships and its very interesting to see them go by. Last year a big container ship was blown of course hitting the beach which took so much effort to salvage the ship. After that only in Newcastle, They renamed a street after the ship.

Mcdonalds Australia Price list

Mcdonalds Australia Price list

As people ask how much things cost in Australia I thought i would put up this photo of a mcdonalds menu board to see if this can be a guide for you.

Durian Coffee

Durian Coffee

Its amazing what food combinations are available in different countries. The durian the arch nemesis of Andrew Zimmern combined with coffee. Not a combination i would have thought of. I am yet to try durian. Anthony Bourdaine describes it like french kissing ylur dead grandmother. One things for sure you love it or hate it. I will update after i try it this week. 

Dual Sim Phones and International Travel

Dual Sim Phones and International Travel

On my last trip to Hong Kong I purchased a dual sim phone prior to leaving. I was already on prepaid so i took that sim and also purchased a local sim card. In Hong Kong you pay to receive phone calls, This is also the case with my Australian prepaid sim. The benefit of the dual sim phone with the local card meant if there was an emergency back home it was easier to recharge the phones credit if I needed to call back to Australia for a long call. An example of this would be sickness or death in family or another example would be your car was stolen while you were away. Its much easier to recharge locally than having to use a credit card over the net etc. Its just a consideration for you when travelling, you would need to see what best suits your needs.

Getting around Australian Capital City's

Getting around Australian Capital City's

Unless your staying in the heart of Sydney, Melbourne or the Gold Coast Queensland your going to need car hire. Sydney and Melbourne are well serviced by trains and light rail. The gold coast has buses that will get you around to the fun parks and major shopping centers. An app that gives train bus and ferry timetables is available for iphone and android its called tripview.

Car Hire companies that service the airport are the majors -

http://www.avis.com.au/

http://www.hertz.com.au/ 

http://car-rental.europcar.com.au/car-hire-sydney-airport
http://www.budget.com.au/ 

http://www.thrifty.com.au/ 

I believe all offer GPS as an additional cost but you should check with them directly.

International Travel - Hand luggage

International Travel - Hand luggage

Just so you have an idea in Australia Hand Luggage bags are pretty cheap so you are able to buy extra bags here if you get caught without enough room. The photo was taken at KMART though there are so many bag shops and department stores you should be able to get what you need pretty cheap.

Mobile phones and Inernational Travel

Mobile phones and International Travel

What ever you do, do not use an account based phone when you travel overseas. The plan you are on will cost you possibly thousands. The best idea is to purchase a prepaid phone that you have control over the spend. When traveling to Bali from Australia I already had an unlocked phone so I purchased a Vodafone sim. This gave me for a $79 recharge $1500 to use while overseas. This was a lot of sms and calls. Other providers offer simular deals but personally I fount Vodafone to be best. The other option is to purchase an unlocked phone here as per picture and get a local sim card. You can also obviously buy an unlocked phone at your destination though phones in Australia are just so cheap. If you just consider them dispossible you wont have any issue if they get wet when your away. Unlocked phones from Kmart, Big w, Coles and Woolworths etc start at around $28. You also dont Have the issue of worrying if your phone gets stolen etc. When its all said and done if you travel internationaly your crazy if you dont go prepaid or use a local prepaid sim at your destination.

Internet For Travel In Australia

Internet For Travel In Australia

When Traveling in Australia its best to use prepaid Inernet Rather than bring your own account sim or device. You can purchase anywhere a wifi moden both 3g and 4g that will work with up to 5 devices for tablets such as Android and Ipad. If your bringing a laptop or notebook computer your able to purchase a pre paid dongle. This is much cheaper than geting internationaal roaming data charges. Mc Donalds, Starbucks and Gloria Jeans Coffee shops all provide free internet access. Nearly all shopping centers now provide free net access also. If your doing banking or purchasing tickets online I would strongly reccomend you purchase a wireless device for security and also convenience. The Major carriers in Australia are Telstra (best coverage but not the cheapest) Optus and Vodafone

Australian Currency Exchange

Australian Currency and Exchange.

Australian bank notes come in $100 $50 $20 $10 $5 all Australian notes are plastic. Coins come in 50 cents 20 cents 10 cents and 5 cant denominations.

WHAT EVER YOU DO, DONT CHANGE MONEY AT THE AIRPORT OR USE THE AIRPORT ATM. You've been warned. The police should round up all the money changers and charge them with highway robbery. Its a disgrace the exchange rates at Sydney and Melbourne airports.

Credit Cards are accepted everywhere you would be hard to find a store that doesnt take them. Eftpos is also available so only exchange what you have to. The only time you will need cash is if your heading to a market like flemingtons paddys market but they have cash machines onsite as do nearly all markets.

All banks do currency exchange at a fair rate and outside of the airport there are many good money changers. I dont use Travelex as the rates in my opinion are not competitive. You honestly will never have a problem changing money at any shopping center as they all have banks open Monday through till Friday.

****Make sure your credit card has a microchip, They nearly all do now but its important to check if your card will be accepted without it****

ATM - Cash machines are everywhere, every shopping center every petrol station etc. You will never be without a cash machine.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Its a great day. It takes about 3 1/2 hours to do and the view and experience is simply sensational. You have to be fit its a long way up but having said that unless your mobility inhibited you should be ok. You cant take camera's etc to the top and you have to wear very sexy overalls. The biggest drawback is the price it rages about $250-$300 depending on the time of day. I just think this is too much money for the experience yet i paid it myself so i should shut up. Your group size according to their website is a max of 14 and that ensures its not too crowded. You also get great info from the guides about the history and construction of the bridge. 

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

The Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a must see. Amazing views even if your not seeing a show and why not jump on a tour. Located a short walk from circular key you will get no better view of the Harbour Bridge. The opera House has 40 performances a week so there is something for everyone (not just opera and ballet). Check the website for weekly schedule. Sydney Opera House

Harry's Cafe de wheels

There are plenty of interesting food joints in Australia. One popular place to get the hunger pains away is Harry's Cafe de wheels. Its mainly pies hotdog's sausage rolls etc. This morning I thought I would check it out seeing I had never tried it before. I had a sausage roll it would have been better with sauce though I was asked if I wanted it, but it was still yummy. Not the cheapest at $3.60 but it was a fair size for the price. The Harry's i visited was in Newcastle it was great as it had 5 minute parking out the front. Definitely worth visiting as it is an icon here.