travelling to Australia

[Relentless]

Hey Aussies and those that have travelled to Australia!

I know there's a bunch of you and I've already asked for advice from Franji but there's no harm in casting my net a little wider:

I'm travelling down there later this month. I'll be staying in Brisbane from mid Dec thru mid January. I'll have a car and lots of free time but can't be gone from Bris for more than 3 days at a time.

I need:
- ideas and advice about things to do, especially anything that's a "must see"
- any warnings you might feel a Canadian travelling down under should receive
- anything else you think I should know.


Other stuff:

I know power voltage is different, I am bringing an adapter/transformer for my laptop and other electronics. What about batteries. Are batteries the same in Oz? (AAA, AA, 9V, etc?)

I already know not to bring/wear any "Roots" clothing from the famous Canadian retailer of the same name.

For those that have travelled there from North America, what's the best way to ship back souvenirs and stuff (weight restrictions on luggage for the plane are harsh!).

[Saint Patrick]

You should import some bullfrogs like that episode of the simpsons.

[Rock]

I am with you callahan! australia would be paradise with out the snakes and spiders and bugs.

AC\DC comes from down under!

[ElPietro]

If you are swimming in the ocean, and you see a dorsal fin above the waterline coming at you...don't worry about it, it's probably nothing.

Pick up and pet all exotic looking snakes or hairy spiders you encounter.

While exploring the outback (not the steakhouse), eat any and all mushrooms you find growing in the wild.

[MixmasterNash]

Watch a LOT of the Croc Hunter. I hear from reputable sources that you have to wrastle a croc and fend off some dingos just to get your luggage at the airport.

[ElPietro]

Oh I forgot one. Don't forget to drink lots of Fosters and tell everyone you are a "tosser", you'll fit in and be well respected by all.

[Relentless]

Originally posted by ElPietro
Oh I forgot one. Don't forget to drink lots of Fosters and tell everyone you are a "tosser", you'll fit in and be well respected by all.

Nah, I wouldn't want to steal YOUR schtick.

I'll think up one of my own. ;)

[Tryska]

stay away from cloacas.

and from what i can tell it's cool to wear drag while riding a pink bus through the outback.


and umm..what's the deal with the "roots" thing?

[PowerManDL]

Carry a boomerang everywhere you go. Its like a gun to them.

[DoubleGulp]

You ripper!

[Stephen Riddington]

Originally posted by Tryska


and umm..what's the deal with the "roots" thing? :withstupi :scratch:

Have a g' time down there, mate. :thumbup:

And if I were you, would definately catch Steve Irwin's Croc Show at Queensland Zoo.

If I ever manage to go to Down Under, would not leave the country without catching one of his show, and the highlight of the trip would be a pic with him, he's the ultimate guy IMO.

[Relentless]

Originally posted by Tryska
and umm..what's the deal with the "roots" thing?

As I understand it, "to root" is a slang verb in Aussie slang that crudely means "to have sex".

Therefore, wearing a shirt that says "Roots" in Australia is roughly equivalent to wearing a shirt that says "F**ks". Now I understand that some folks may want to wear such a shirt to make themselves more appealing to the Aussies but that aint' my style.

As I recall, they also had to change the tagline for the movie 'Payback' for its Australian promos because the tagline, "Get ready to root for the bad guy." would have been misconstrued. It may be an aprocryphal anecdote, but apparently, oddly enough it was Mel Gibson that pointed out this slang problem to the producers.

[Relentless]

Originally posted by CanadianHomer
:withstupi :scratch:

Have a g' time down there, mate. :thumbup:

And if I were you, would definately catch Steve Irwin's Croc Show at Queensland Zoo.


Thanks man, I plan to do that... it's a short trip from Bris to the Australia Zoo and I am also a fan of Irwin. He's cheesy, but he's so frickin' ENTHUSIASTIC about what he does that I can't help but like him.


It was nice to get at least one useful comment among the multitude of useless posts. :D

[Stephen Riddington]

Originally posted by Callahan


Thanks man, I plan to do that... it's a short trip from Bris to the Australia Zoo and I am also a fan of Irwin. He's cheesy, but he's so frickin' ENTHUSIASTIC about what he does that I can't help but like him.


It was nice to get at least one useful comment among the multitude of useless posts. :D

Well, you lucky son of a gun. I really want to visit Australia and New Zealand.

[Budiak]

Just replace the phrases 'a lot' 'a great deal of' and 'a plethora' with the word 'heaps' and you'll fit right in.


Oh, and women love to be called 'bitches' in Australia.

[iLUDEd]

your comin at the right time, summer has just begun down here!

lol @ the roots thing, so true

[OverDose]

yeah callahan, australias pretty relaxed.. you might wanna bring some snow as to not get homesick :P

as for must see things, depends on you.. me id check out the titty bars and casinos at bruswick street and the city, speedway, beaches, if you dig the crocodile hunter, check his zoo out.. chances are youll get to meet him

enjoy

[bigedge]

Oh, and women love to be called 'bitches' in Australia.

actually, its 'shielas', i thought bitches was a word from the 'hood'

watch the movie 'The Castle' ;)

and come to tasmania

[iLUDEd]

if it always snows in canada, you will love it in brisbane, the weather takes soem geting used to though, its the only place ive ever been to where u can wear shorts and a singlet in the rain..

heard of cricket? goto a one-dayer (day night game) at the GABA (usually we have some sort of tri-nation comp happening in the summer) its awsome! the atmosphere is really good, even if your not a huge fan of cricket, its great to go and have a few drinks

[DoubleGulp]

Aussie chicks are hot. They're like Brits but they can tan and have white teeth.