Australia Thread 3

[cheskacutie]

I think so. 👍🏼😊

[rowan]

For Melbourne airports, there are Tullamarine and Avalon. I believe the former is their primary airport while the latter is near Geelong area.

Advice pala for those landing in Tullamarine and will have a connecting flight with a different airline on the same day, please allot enough time allowance to pass immigration and collect your bags. Super daming tao sa Tullamarine airport.  I stood in line for 2 hours before I finished immigration! Even the other line for accepted e-passport holders was long too. After which, you have to fall in line pa for security checks. I asked my cousin who lives there and she said ganon na nga raw palagi in Tullamarine. It's a good thing our layover was 4 hours long. When we got to our boarding gate, we only had an hour left. Nagulat talaga ako coz this is my third time to visit Melbourne na but its been 9 years since my last one. My sister also told me that when she visited Melbourne last year, it also took her 2 hours before she got out of the airport. I noticed that there are not enough immigration officers to handle the deluge of people landing in Melbourne. I was told they recently cut jobs.

[ataypool]

^same too with Sydney, job cuts ng Border Force. The last time I went to Manila around September, there was a 3-day strike by Border Police but only for peak hours that we went there 4 hours before departure but the Cebu Pacific counter was still closed. Kami nauna tapos may sumisingit sa amin. Behind us may mga nag-away na dahil sa singitan na iyan. When the counters opened, these 2 Pinays who got in front of my brother and his kids without permission (one was carrying an ironing board, gusto ko tanong 'wala ba iyan sa Pilipinas?'  and ihampas sa kanya) were trying to be in front of me and my sister-in-law but we were quicker than them. First time to encounter that kind of behaviour when checking in. Automated passport screening you can do too but only when you are familiar or comfortable with it. I used the automated screening, ako pa hinintay ng mga kasama ko kasi sila sa manned passport check mga nasa harap ko kasi mga nalito so napatagal.

It is best to read the news weeks before your flight, and to fight off those bastos passengers, otherwise you'll be late for your flight. It was reported 3 days ago that the Border Force will have a strike again on Easter weekend.

[cheskacutie]

^^Thanks rowan and ataypool..

We are planning to visit Melbourne from Sydney. By train how much will it cost? is that better than by Plane?

What are nice places to see in Melbourne? DIY travel kami ng hubby ko kasi Any recommendations on places to eat (restos coffeeshops) and shopping?

Thanks again! 😊

[ataypool]

^http://www.nswtrainlink.info - the Sydney to Melbourne train runs twice a day, morning and evening. If you book early you have the chance of having the cheapest price of $45 one way. Baka makakuha ka rin ng discount sa mga premium class or sleeper class nila na may bed, etc.

11 hours yata pero kung sa gabi ka aalis, it saved you an overnight accommodation and you can see the countryside.

Meron din sa bus na 13 hours yata pero may ibang routes may stopover sa Canberra para magpalitan ng driver, iba naman express.

[cheskacutie]

Thanks ataypool Will decide if we will take the plane or train.. Hopefully di kami maabutan nung border strike I checked out the news meron nga daw plan for a strike

[summersunder]

Anong weather this march sa melbourne at sydney?

[ataypool]

It is supposed to be autumn in Sydney but it is very warm, sobrang init, parang sa Manila. Pero Sydney very unpredictable na rin ang weather, para na rin Melbourne na you can have 4 seasons in one day.

[summersunder]

^ thank you so summer clothes pala plus jacket/pants ifever maging cold hehe

[ataypool]

^Bring a lot of sun protection. Ang init dito kasi very dry, you won't sweat a lot pero tagos na tagos sa balat. Apparently whole month of March daw ang init.

[summersunder]

^ thanks
Ask ko na din about the internet, my pocket wifi ba dun na marent or we need to buy local sim? Hehe
Also, bukod sa timtams haha anong ok na psalubong or must buy TIA

[rowan]

Yup get a local sim. I paid 40aud for optus unlicall, text, 8g data, plus 10aud credit good for 28 days. I know there are cheaper options pero matakaw ako sa data eh haha.

I bought freddos chocolates too. Cotton on is cheaper there too. I was able to score tops for 2-5aud and shorts for 10-15 aud

[summersunder]

^ thanks i will just get a local sim. Meron naman sa airport agad? Para my pang data na ako agad hehe

[ataypool]

^If you want to buy the pocket wifi device and sim with Optus sa airport meron. Pag rent meron din but baka mas mahal pa, Hertz and Avis meron sila sa airport. Kung ang phone mo naman pwede tethering hindi mo na kailangan bumili ng device, sim card na lang. http://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobilebroadband/prepaid?SID=con:omb:cat:til:3:ccrd:bb:prebblisting:img

Re pasalubong, Australia's chocolates and biscuits are very good kaya hindi lang Tim Tam recommend ko sa iyo. Pick anything hindi ka disappointed but my favourite brand for biscuits is Arnotts, just get anything from their range. Paradise Cottage Cookies with Macadamia is also a favourite. Also get the savoury snacks like rice crackers, potato chips, etc. any brand. Punta ka lang sa kahit anong shops like Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Target, Big W, K Mart, much better if you know someone who can take you to Costco.

[rocky]

^^bukod sa pods snickers, fave ko na rin yong freddo's milky top

[cheskacutie]

What malls are in the Sydney CBD sissies? Is there an area for high end shops too?
Have you girls been to Featherdale park or Maru Park in Melbourne? which is better to visit?

Any suggestions on restaurants or coffee shops in Sydney?

Thanks girls!

[ataypool]

^Pitt St has lots of malls both budget and high-end; you can also go to Martin Place, madami na high-end shops doon, even Star City Casino pero hindi masyado madami. Myer and David Jones are both high-end department stores with weekly bargains. Factory outlets in Homebush and Birkinhead Point, check mo na lang NSW cityrail website how to get there, they are far from the CBD.

Cafes don't go to Starbucks and Gloria Jeans, you will get better coffee from the independent ones. Pubs for cheap, good quality steaks, Chinatown food courts, high-quality but affordable buffet at Star City Casino's Garden Buffet, Pyrmont Fish Market for cheap, fresh seafood, Marys near Hyde Park for the burgers. Basta madami masarap kainan sa Sydney, you go to the one where people line up.

[bebeloo]

Hi girls! Please please check/comment on my drafted itinerary:

Aug 27 (Sat)
10am arrival
Sydney CBD Free Guided Tour 230 pm (c/o http://www.imfree.com.au/sydney/sights/)
Darling Harbour Fireworks 830 pm

Aug 28 (Sun)
Bondi Beach
Something to add here please

Aug 29 (Mon)
Blue Mountains Tour + Featherdale Wildlife Park + Ferry Ride by PJ Tours
http://pjtours.com.au/shop/uncategorized/blue-mountains-special/
$119/pax if you book a month in advance

Aug 30 (Tue)
Flight to Melbourne ($170 RT)
Melbourne Tour Day 1 (follow this iti http://www.marxtermind.com/2015/11/do-it-yourself-tour-in-melbourne.html)

Aug 31 (Wed)
Great Ocean Road Tour by Bunyip Tours
http://www.bunyiptours.com/great-ocean-road/classic-tour#
$125/pax

Sep 01 (Thur)
Melbourne Tour Day 2 (follow this iti http://www.marxtermind.com/2015/11/do-it-yourself-tour-in-melbourne.html)

Sep 02 (Fri)
Flight back to Sydney
DFO Strathfield or Birkenhead Point (which is better?) Outlet Shopping
Pasalubong shopping (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Target, Big W, K Mart)

Sep 03 (Sat)
Rest
11am departure

Where can I rent a pocket wifi for my whole stay in AU? I think I'll be needing to work during weeknights I read the previous post re: Optus, but mejo naconfuse ako dun sa mas mahal pa yung rent compared sa bibili ka ng pocket wifi device w/sim..

Thanks!

[ataypool]

^re pocket wifi renting, wala kasi sa website ang price list ng Avis or Hertz, just send them an email. Sa Optus, pricing ng device meron less than $100, mas mura pa if 3G, lalo na if USB modem. Kung konti lang naman difference between renting and buying, just buy the device. Anyway, I found this company renting pocket devices, they have a price list, you can compare with the other telcos. http://australia-wireless-rental.com/   

Kailan ka ba pupunta Sydney? If you are based in Sydney CBD, hanapin ko ang pocket wifi ko pahiram ko na lang sa iyo.

[bebeloo]

^ i will be in sydney on aug 27-sep 3.. we are planning to go to mel as well, but we will be back in sydney kasi dun yung flight namin pauwi.. and yes, im planning to get a stay at sydney cbd lang din..

can you also comment on my drafted itinerary? mejo confused ako, not too much info on the internet hehe