possum52

Melbourne - assuming you are doing an overnighter in Melbourne on 18th January? If so, the Australian Tennis Open will be on - it will be the first week. If you are a tennis fan, you could attend, either obtaining a reserved seat in one of the arenas or buying a day pass. Other suggestions - visit Phillip Island on your first day to see the world famous penguin parade - the penguins come in from being at sea at dusk. It is very interesting and very popular. Phillip Island Penguin Parade Great Ocean Road (GOR) - from Torquay to the west of Melbourne - beautiful scenery along a road built by returned servicemen after WW1 and opened in 1932. Usually a two day trip at least would be required but you could do a one day trip arriving back in the evening. One of the Melbourne Zoos - Werribee Open Range Zoo west of the city, Melbourne Zoo just to the north west of the city and Healesville Santuary to the east of the city. Puffing Billy - a steam train travelling through the Dandenong Ranges Melbourne Botanical Gardens and numerous other gardens and parks all within walking distance of the CBD (Central business District) Queen Victoria Market or Vic Market which we locals callit has been operating from the same location since 1878 - on the edge of the CBD. Melbourne's unique laneways and arcades - Melbourne Laneways Plenty of art galleries and museums plus the wonderful State Library Good luck and enjoy your vist to Australia and NZ

This a map I found from 2019 for cruise ship passengers to Townsville. It states on it is a1.8km (1.1mile) walk from the cruise ship terminal to the city. It is another kilometre or so to the Strand/beach from there. There is no way, you could walk that far in 15 minutes, particularly in hot, humid weather. The map also mentions a shuttle from the ship into the city. I assume you are on either a Oceania or a Viking ship looking at the cruise ship schedule for Townsville. I would contact your cruise company and ask them it shuttles will be provided. If not, take a taxi. Townsville Cruise Ship Passenger Map

I would do a later flight. You never know if your ship will be delayed, or disembarkation is delayed. Once you collect your luggage, it is usually quickly out of the terminal but then then it can become interesting. It is a 100m or so walk over not smooth paving (unless it has been repaired) to the gates of the pier. This is where you will catch taxis or pick up your ride. Pre covid, there were shuttle buses to take those passengers who couldn't walk to the gate. But it appeared to be much faster to walk. It can be quite chaotic with 3000 passengers disembarking through the same gates and exit. Last time we disembarked at Station Pier, we were in the last group. There were still many people waiting to get a taxi or picked up. Our daughter was collecting us and had arranged to pick us up further down the entrance road to the pier near the roundabout. We had to pull our cases through and around groups of waiting people. I would consider taking a shuttle to the airport if they have them.

As there are three of you and you are in Sydney for a week, I would suggest an apartment which has cooking and laundry facilities in it. That way, you don't need to eat out for every meal if you don't feel like it. Usually on our visits to Sydney, we stay at a Meriton Suites Hotel. The majority of Meriton Suites have apartments with 2 bedrooms. Meriton Suites Hotels Or check your favourite hotel booking site for hotels that suit your budget. Note that Easter starts 7th April and for most of Australia, it will be school holidays from then through to 23rd of April so it will be busy and hotels are likely to be more expensive. There are quite a few threads on this board for Sydney hotels so have a look.

It will be very humid and hot in Townsville in December. Google maps shows about a 40 minute walk which will be quite taxing. I would suggest a taxi or Uber or there may be a shuttle into the CBD,

I saw that earlier in the year. Where is here Geoff? I've never heard of empire. I grew up in south west Victoria and devon was called stras and potato slices fried in batter are called potato cakes. There are many examples of different words for the same items throughout Australia. I saved this website ages ago with explanations of different words. Some may find it interesting. Australian Word Map

I certainly did! First thing I saw was the yellow of the jar of vegemite.

No send off rule in AFL Mic.

Excellent tackling by the Swans.

Yes, you will need to apply for a NZeTA to cruise to NZ ports. NZeTA

10 mins to go last quarter, Swans have run all over the Dees and are up by 4 goals. I'm off to bed, up early morning in the morning.

3/4 time Swans 12.5.77 v Dees 10.5.65

1/2 time - good quarter by the Swans and they take the lead by a goal. Swans 6.4.40 v Dees 5.4.34

Qualifying Final 1/4 time - Dees 4.1.25 v Swans 2.3.15

For our first cruises from Brisbane and Sydney we were up on deck for sailaway but since then, mainly sailing from Melbourne, we have tended to stay on our balcony or on the promenade deck to watch as we sail through Port Phillip Bay. We then head to the MDR usually. Melbourne sailaways are usually 4pm.

We have had great steaks in both Crown Grill (Golden) and Sterling Steakhouse (Diamond), the one we had on Voyager at Chops Grille was nice but much more expensive than the Princess steakhouses. As we are not big drinkers, spending a few dollars on a nice steak is fine as we enjoy it. We usually eat in the MDR but have been known to just go to Horizon Court after a busy shore day if we are tired and can't be bothered dressing up or even have room service.

There are a whole range of opinions of where chicken tikka masala was invented, the Scottish (Glasgow) just one of those. Some opinions say it was invented by an Indian chef in London in the 1970s and perhaps based on a Punjabi dish.

She did an overnighter while we were there a month ago.

They will dock in Cairns.

I have attached a screenshot of the map of Circular Quay. The jetty shaded red is the one to catch the F3 Paramatta ferry from. This link may help - Sydney Ferries

I found one cruise which only visits NZ ports, departing from Auckland and finishing in Dunedin in Dec this year. It is a Ponant cruise on Le Soleal and will visit 11 ports. There are also a few short P&O Aus cruises from Auckland to Picton return.

Thank you, that sounds a good deal. It is not specifically a cruise ship excursion though. It is a general excursion for tourists to the area. You would need to make sure that you are back at the ship with plenty of time to spare.

Glad it worked easily for you. Enjoy your trip down under.

The ETA is valid for twelve months. If your passport has to be renewed before travel, you will need to apply for your ETA with your new passport. If your present passport doesn't need renewing, I would apply a few months before you travel, in case there are any problems with issuing the ETA. This link will explain the procedures for applying for an ETA. Information and procedure to apply for an ETA Note - you need to apply using an app which is easily downloaded from your phone's app store.

Perhaps an ice vest under the jacket?