I'm going on the Aussie explorer November 1-December 1 and i have a few questions i was hoping you could help with:

1. do we have to find transportation to the hotel or will there be a shuttle? I get lost so \easy i keep freaking out!!

2. since we are going all over i cant seem to get a decent read out on how the weather will be in November, so if anyone has some idea that would be awesome.

3. which options are must dos on the Aussie explorer i don't want to waste any money.

4.i read that when flying back to the U.S. you have to pick up your luggage at the connection or it will get lost? did anyone have that problem? I'm horrible with air ports.

5.And if anyone had any general advice that they wish they would have gotten before going on the trip?


Thanks for your help!

Hey, I live in Australia. Your trip looks really great!

Um, I reckon you can get either the train/taxi/shuttle bus from the sydney airport to your hotel.I think the train is expensive and that way you have to find your own way (so prob not the best option). The shuttle bus will most likely be at the exit of the airport and can take u to ur hotel at a reasonable price (i reckomend this if you can find it at the airport). If not take a taxi, they are safe, they might take you the long way to get somewhere but at least you wont get lost!

The weather will be differnt all over where you are going. It is the begining of summer and the wet season up north. On the coast their will usually be a sea breeze, but it will also be starting to get humid and late in the day may be stormy. You can expect temperatures anywhere in the mid to late 20's (celcious) and in the centre probably in the 30's. However in the outback it gets cold at night time. Most of the time you will be in singlet shorts and thongs, but remember the essentials like a hat, sunnies, bathers and also a warm top, jeans, shoes to walk in, maybe a thin rain jacket, etc.

There are a lot of options on your tour, but the one thing I think you shouldnt miss is snorkelling or diving on the barrier reef, it is a must.

Hope that helps a bit.

thank you so much i just have to figure our temp from Celsius to Fahrenheit ha ha. i'm terrified of the ocean, but i defiantly want to push myself so i will def. consider the snorkeling. thanks again.

1. do we have to find transportation to the hotel or will there be a shuttle? I get lost so \easy i keep freaking out!!

That´s no problem. Just go to the next yellow tourist information point and tell them that you need a ticket (single or return) for the shuttle to Sydney. I think a single one is around 14$.


3. which options are must dos on the Aussie explorer i don't want to waste any money.

You have to go snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns or Whitsundays), you have to swim in Lake McKenzie (Fraser Island) and take a helicopter flight over Uluru! Everyone does the champagne sunset at Uluru.

5.And if anyone had any general advice that they wish they would have gotten before going on the trip?

It´s all about the experience! Take every chance you want, don´t think about the money, just do it! Enjoy, it will be an awesome trip.
I did the Reef and Rock tour this summer (Australien winter), because I didn´t have the time for the Explorer and I still remember every day what I saw and remember the people I met.

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Originally posted by jenameriwether:
thank you so much i just have to figure our temp from Celsius to Fahrenheit ha ha. i'm terrified of the ocean, but i defiantly want to push myself so i will def. consider the snorkeling. thanks again.

Hey yea the ocean can be a bit scary and dont go out too deep in places such as surfers paradise, but where they take you snorkelling or scuba diving will be pretty calm you should be fine. Dont miss it coz you are scared of the ocean, coz I reckon seeing the reef would be the best bit of the tour.

30 celsius is equal to 86 fahrenheit.

Hey, I live in Aus and did a great holiday up to the reef. agree with the advice from above, if you can work past your fear, do not miss the reef dive. it is amazing. and a litle tip our instructor gave us, if you can stay as still as possible the tropical fish will get used to you and become very inquisitive! great experience.

As for the weather, in sydney it will be warm with hot days, and up north and in the centre it will definantly be hot. but the best way to experience a real aussie holiday!

1. its up to you to make the hotel shuttles. I started in Darwin, it was $12 for the shuttle it dropped you off right in front of the hotel. Definitly recommend that.

3. Do everything that appeals to you. You will regret it later. I spent 1600 in optionals as I did almost all possible and yes I came back home broke but I would have regretted not doing some of them. My top 4 were Great Barrier Reef cruise, Draculas Diner, surfing, and whitsundays day sail.

4. Coming back through customs in the US you do pick up your luggage after going through US customs(I did in LA) and then if you have another transfer (within US) you carry it a little way and then put it on a conveyor belt and they take care of it. there are signs and I just followed the flow of people, however to transfer you had to exit the airport, change terminals and go through security again which was a pain, and a lot of people were JUST catching their flights, but thats LA for you. I liked that system that way I knew it came back from Aus, only mine did get left in Denver and didn't make it onto my last flight. That was frustrating, but better on way home than way there.

Great trip- you will enjoy it!

thank you everyone for your great responses!