I'm visiting Australia for the first time Feb. thru Mar. this year and would love some advice on what to experience. Let me start by saying I leave the US in 10 days and can barely contain myself. I've been dreaming about this trip for years.

I know my question is way too vague so let me say that I've researched all the travel guides so I'm familiar will all the typical guidance for tourists. I can't wait to do all those activities, but I am looking for advice from locals, or other travelers my age. My friend and I are in our late twenties, and our interest lie in great pubs, great conversations, and local flavor. I'm hoping to get some opinions on great hostels, and the best of the nightlife in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and also Auckland, NZ. Best places for live music would be fantastic(rock/indie type stuff.) Also one specific thing I was hoping to find is a really nice hotel/resort to stay in somewhere on the Gold Coast where we can end the trip in style, preferably under $300/night. Thanks for taking the time to help me out, and wish us luck.

Cheers,
Ryan

Hey Ryan, We sound identical just swapping countries. Im heading over to the states for the first time in a few months and am sooo excited. I live on the beautiful gold coast and have for a long time.

Firstly accom on the gold coast, you can get somewhere beautiful for your price range right in the middle of surfers. Go to www.wotif.com.au and search gold coast hotels.

Secondly clubs, in surfers you have all your big clubs (big for gols coast) like melbas, the drink, bedroom, their all great for clubbers but for something more like your talking about is a place mainly for locals but is great called "elsewhere" it is in cavill ave and a great place. If not head down to Broadbeach to a club called platnium.... Hope you love the gold coast.

Hi, I live in Melbourne. Best places for nightlife would be Fitzroy St. in St. Kilda, Chapel St. in South Yarra and Windsor, and of course some places in the CBD (but I'm not really familiar with the CBD). You can find a good mix of places on both these streets, from bars, to pubs, to clubs. Every place has something different on offer in the way of music so you're bound to find something that appeals to you. For a good pub with live music on the rock/indie side of the spectrum, try the Esplanade Hotel (known as the Espy) on the Esplanade in St. Kilda, it's kind of where Fitzroy Street joins aruond and meets the Esplanade. St. Kilda is a suburb of Melbourne, only about 5 or so mins by car from the CBD.

Thanks so much for the tips Trichelle and Aquathest. I've decided to stay at Base Backpackers in St. Kilda so the "Espy" is the first place I'm hitting. Thanks so much.

On a plane in 72 hours, can't wait.
Ryan

ryan if u havent already been to brisbane... the best clubs are in the valley... there's plenty there just on the 1 street... just catch a train from brisbane central to brunswick street station n its just around that area.

Brisbane born-and-bred here.

best night-life DEFINITELY Fortitude Valley. Catch the train to Brunswick Street.
Some places have cover charges, so take money.
and drinks aren't cheap.

there are also a few good clubs/pubs in the city.
just depends on the sort of place ur looking for.

Ok,

Flying would be the quickest way to see those specific cities...If you want to see places in between you could take a bus...Personally I did a trip between Melbourne and Sydney...there isn't a whole lot going on...My suggestion when in Melbourne take a day trip to the wineries, and places around melbourne...

Brisbane - I only passed through personally, did not stay there at all...have heard mixed reactions...My suggestion would to maybe go a little farther north to places along the beach (brisbane does not have a beach in case you were wondering)...There are really nice beach towns along the gold coast...

OZ experience - I took the OZ Experience (ok guys my first major bus trip solo) from Byron Bay to Cairns...People do that in many months (up to 6), I had a tight schedule and did it in 3 weeks...It was a fun experience...loads of young travelers, i'd say between 18-21...A lot come from England and are on gap year, as you should know being from england...You will get sprinkles from other parts of the world, but on my particular trip it was loaded with people from the UK and England...Now if its between May and August you may get some american's as that is our typical summer break...

Sydney night life is either on George st. in the CBD, Oxford St. in Padddington (a lot of gay clubs and smaller pubs) and main stuff is in Kings Cross (sort of a red light district). The cross is full of people until the sun comes up and there is plenty of interesting people and strippers cruising the place. Most clubs in the cross are house/electro. Paddington and George st. play more of a variety with some funky house, hip hop and disco type stuff. IVY on george st. in the city is the biggest best place there, and the cross has tons of places depending on what you are looking for. Dragonfly and Lady Lux are the late late night dirty electro music places open til 6am.

When I travelled to Australia I thought Brisbane was my favorite city. A good nightlife, clean streets, friendly people, and felt more distinctly Australian than other cities there.