workhorse wrote:
I have always wanted to visit Australia and now that I am retired and have a little money saved I want to make the trip before arthritis makes that impossible. I am not a world traveler, I made my living as a carpenter. So what I want to know from anyone, but especially friends who live in Australia is, what is the best time of year and what should I see. Nature and animals are my thing but with limited walking because of the Arthritis. I don't have to use a cane yet and can still carry my own camera. Thanks for any information.
I have always wanted to visit Australia and now th... (
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I am an ex-patriate Yank & have lived / worked here in Oz over 32+ years. I am now retired and have osteo arthritis in both knees /hips. Will have x2 knees done this year. If you acturally go bush / outback, I assume you will be on guided tour(s) with meals, accomodation etc. laid on. If not, on your own with arthritis driving a rented vehicle will perhaps take a bit of the shine off your trip. There are plenty of zoos, animal parks, sanctuaries etc. all over the country. You will get better photos / interaction in these places than trying to locate & get close to a lot of the wildlife in the outback (YMMV). As stated before, the place is huge and from north (tropics) to south (snow/skiing ) and anything really in between. Try to define what area you want to visit first, is like Aussies going to USA & asking what to see? If you come to the tropics where I live ( Townsville, Queensland on the Great Barrier Reef), probably want to come in our winter (exact oposite of northern hemisphere). We get thousands of southerners (we call them Mexicans) coming north to enjoy our winter months. Steve Irvins Croc Park is on the coast just out of Brisbane. Since Steve was killed, his father Bob has parted company with the zoo, but widow Terri & kids Bindi & Bob are still there. Townsville is closer to Papua New Guinea than to our state capitol city (Brisbane). Distance is the killer here as the place is really big & spread out. My wife is from Perth, W.A. and you can spend your entire time there until your visa runs out & you won't see 1/4 of W.A.
Queensland, Northern Territory & top end of W.A. are the hottest areas temp. wise so check where you want to explore then adjust for the temps. you want to explore it in. I never want to be cold again & only feel for the frozen food in our freezer and never actually look into it! If I ever see frost / snow again, will be too soon. If you get to Cairns you must take SkyRail over the rain forest to Karanda & then take the scenic railway on back to Cairns. Or otherway around. Both scenic great rides and must do "adventures". Reef trips off Cairns, Port Douglas, Cooktown etc. and most have glass bottom boats / mini -subs for coral / sea viewing if you can't scuba dive or snorkle. Townsvile has about the same + the Strand beach here is world class development. The outback starts at Charters Towers just west of here and is olde gold mining town with cattle stations etc.
Be sure to browse the photos here on FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/SeeAustralia Spend at least a month looking over all the Chamber of Commerce / Tourist web sites before deciding, unless you already have your area picked out.
Bring extra memory cards for you camera. Things are more expensive here than USA. Our dollar caught up & passed the US dollar but you will still find most things here more expensive. Don't come unless you can afford travel insurance! I am a retired Qld. scenes of crime officer (CSI) and can tell you crime is here & growing all the time. Don't be complacent and guard your valuables. A money belt / under shirt stash for pass port & currency is wise and never leave any thing in your motel / hotel room while you are out of sight. Just like USA, crime is everywhere, just be aware and you will get on fine.
If you get up north to Townsville, let me know (email) & I can give you further info / advice if you wish. You will see all the "deadly creatures" on our tourist sites etc., but I have lived here over 30+ years and have never been bitten, stung, eaten or had any near misses. Obey all the "warning signs / notices" they are posted for your benefit. The salt water crocodiles we have here in the north are not the same as USA alligators and since becoming protected in the early 70's are in almost all our rivers, creeks and waterways now, and are becoming a very big problem now in some areas. If the signs or the locals tell you not to swim in a billabong / river / creek etc. then don't. The tourist sites won't most likely tell you how many Yanks have been eaten by crocs here (they also find Europeans & Asians quite tasty also).
Can't wait to welcome you to the land down under and bring plenty of greenbacks with you...........
some of my snaps of our native wildlife:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/el_condor_loco/sets/72157601726024973/ Curt H. Townsville, Queensland