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Hi Terry,
You have a great trip planned in Australia. When I was on
Lady Elliot Island a few years ago, I enjoyed it immensely.
A friendly and family-friendly small resort (when I was
there). Great diving and snorkelling. I was surprised to be
so impressed by Ayers Rock and the Olgas. We've all seen
pictures, but the reality is so much more impressive. We
decided not to climb Ayers Rock because it is of such
cultural (religious) significance to the Aboriginal people
and they prefer you don't. For Melbourne, the website
http://www4.visitmelbourne.com.au is very large and includes
a wealth of information. The Great Ocean Road is a great
trip. It is obligatory to see "The Twelve Apostles" and, we
believe, another must- see is the elevated walkway through
the treetops in the Otway Ranges, called "The Fly". (I just
did a search of the keywords Fly Otways Twelve Apostles and
turned up heaps of information but there is a specific
website: http://www.otwayfly.com . The drive from Melbourne
to Sydney via the Princes Highway along the coast is long
but very rewarding. Bega, as has been mentioned, is a top
dairying area. Eden, Merimbula and, between them, Pambula
are all interesting and picturesque. I once had a house at
Pambula Beach, overlooking the Pambula River mouth and loved
it. Then Bermagui, the sleepy and pretty fishing port -
setting for the film "The Man who Sued God" and Central
Tilba, a tiny and charming historic village, overlooked by
Mount Dromedary, which was named by Captain Cook in 1770, on
the voyage in which he discovered Australia. We stayed at
"Green Gables" B&B at Central Tilba - small, very friendly,
very charming. The whole southeast coast of New South Wales
is spectacular, with long beach after beach in curves
between headlands, blue water and rolling surf. Batemans Bay
is popular, particularly because it is the nearest coastal
town to Canberra. As you continue to head north, don't miss
Kiama which is south of the bigger Wollongong. I understand
that there are a couple of wonderful B&Bs in Kiama but I
don't know their names. Sydney has to be one of the most
beautiful cities of the world, with Harbour, the Bridge and
Opera House combining to form a view which can be
breathtaking. When in Canberra, don't miss the Australian
War Memorial and allow it plenty of time. I don't usually go
much on museums, but this has been particularly well done. I
hope these notes are of some use and that we Aussies give
you the right kind of welcome.
Harry
Gold Coast, Australia
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