Holiday to Australia?

Question

My husband and I are thinking about going to Australia for 2-3 months with our son, he will be about 2 years old when we decide to go (we want to go before he starts school and starts his routine). We live in Northern Ireland and any tips on the best places to stay and where to book flights etc would be very much appreciated. We were even thinking about booking a holiday home because we want to settle our son as much as possible rather than staying in a hotel the whole time.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

There are so many places to visit in Australia that you'll probably want to travel around quite a bit. I'd suggest Jetstar for cheap domestic flights, sometimes you can get flights for only a few dollars when they have sales. In terms of where to stay it really depends on what you wish to see, if its the big cities your after Melbourne and Sydney are your obvious choice, if your after nice warm weather and beautiful beaches then the Gold/Sunshine coast or the islands, such as Hamilton Island.

Answer 2

no

Answer 3

My son's out there just now.He flew out with Quantas from Dublin to Sydney on the last day of March.Pretty sure they have the cheapest flights as all the backpackers use them.When are you thinking of going as this influences where to go as Sydney is going in to Winter now while Perth at the other side is still pretty warm.He stayed for two months at Bondi Beach.They shared a house with a rake of others but there will probably be smaller houses available.His had a pool and a barby.Not many do surprisingly,but then there's a beach anyway.He has since moved on to Perth which he really likes but they're returning to Bondi when it's summer there.Bondi might suit you as you have the holiday atmosphere as well as plenty to see in Sydney.Hope you like the Irish cos he reckons there are more Irish than Oz folk there!

Have a look at Bondi Beach on Google maps you'll see the general layout of the area and types of houses.

Answer 4

The most popular place to go is up the east coast.  However, it is full of young backpackers and is hot and humid - not the best for a toddler.  The same can be said for the red centre - exciting, but a harsh climate.

If you want to relax, and like the outdoors, you could do a lot worse than the Blue Mountains (anywhere further out than Katoomba, to avoid the tourists).  You could then day-trip to Sydney where there is a lot to do.

It's where I would choose to live.

Answer 5

I have 2 fav' place's & I've been right round Oz, Central Coast NSW, Sunshine Coast Queensland.

Answer 6

As you'll be here for 2 or 3 months, I suggest that you spend a few weeks in each of Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast in Queensland. You could also go to Cairns which is a great place and quite near the Barrier Reef, but in the summer months (Oct to Mar) it can be very hot and humid. Perth is also well worth visiting if you have the money and inclination to travel so far. In each place, rent a holiday apartment. They are fully self contained apartments with fully equipped kitchens, living/dining rooms, 1 or 2 bedrooms etc and are ideal for a family with a young child. Hire a car and car seat in each place and you'll really be able to get around and see the sights without unsettling your little one.

Have a great holiday.

Answer 7

Melbourne or Perth would be nice :)

You can get discount on airfares and great accommodation all around oz. You can check out this link my friend used to get to oz: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au/travel/i...

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 8

If you want a city kind of environment, with museums, shopping, etc etc, try Melbourne. Very beautiful place.

But if you want a smaller, not as busy place... I recommend Geelong. I think it's heaven on earth.

They're both in Victoria, (Southern Australia), and... I'll be honest... My vote is biased.

BUT I LOVE THEM! :)

Answer 9

I've been to Oz twice. Just 5 weeks bussing it the first time, down the east coast to Melbourne then up to the Red Centre and back. Second time I hitched the whole perimeter of the country and went out to Tassie.

It's too huge to base yourself in one spot. Think you're best hiring a campervan if you can afford it, just make sure you let people know where you're going and always have plenty of water.

Must admit I thought the Kimberleys in the NW were stunning and I loved Tassie.

Answer 10

For flights - Zuji (great comparison site, but book directly through the airline)

If you want to base yourself in one spot you are going to miss out on seeing most of Australia. I suggest looking into Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Try and find a city thats outside of the capitals but still close enough to day trips. Somewhere like Gosford or Wollongong in NSW for instance. Choose an area then google real estates in that area, most will offer holiday homes. Also cabins might be worth looking into, you can get some gorgeous homely ones.

If you're looking at Sydney at the preferred capital, then seriously consider staying in Wollongong. You will save alot of money and its only a short 1-1.5hr travel away. Wollongong and the neighbouring city of Shellharbour, would have more then enough to keep you and your little one occupied. Also its alot safer then staying in the city.

If you have any further questions feel free to email me via the link on my profile.

Hope you enjoy your holiday.

Answer 11

We had a fantastic holiday in Australia last year and I think what your doing now is brilliant, I can recommend Singapore airlines to travel to and from Australia with, the economy seats are brilliant and the children are very, very well looked after on those flights, there given ice cream, little toys and books throughout the flight, the meals are very good for both children and adults, you can have as many alcoholic or soft drinks as you want throughout the flight as its all included in your ticket price, they even have little cribs for babies and toddlers to sleep in, we based ourselves in Melbourne as my cousins live there and I found that to be a very cosmopolitan place with so much to see and do, we did a few days in Sydney and a week in Cairns and went to Ayers rock too, the holiday apartments in Australia are fantastic and you can book them from anything for a day to a year, the majority of them have a washing machine in too which is great especially if you have little ones, the prices food wise and eating out in Australia is very cheap compared to the UK, children are very well catered for in Australia so I cannot see you having any problems at all, have a wonderful trip.