Tuesday, May 19, 2009

sales

do google "australia DFO" and find your favourite direct factory outlets wherever the hell it is. mmm shopping ...

Ice ski info

IF we iceski.. it'll be at Mt Hotham... drive to Bairnsdale from Melb.. den up to Omeo..
stay at caravan Park in Omeo...
35km away from Mt Hotham - the ski resort!!!!
wheeeeeee
ICE... SKi.................!!!


http://www.mthotham.com.au/today/reports/snowreport.htm

http://www.hotham.com.au/

Friday, May 15, 2009

Just FYI....

FUEL CONSUMPTION
The common factor, wherever you start, is which way you make your circumnavigation - clockwise or anticlockwise. There are two major aspects to consider:
Trip around australia the prevailing winds
Trip around australia the northern winter

The wind may seem the least likely factor to take into account when planning the trip. But you need only one day's travel bucking into a stiff headwind to realise what a significant factor it is. And your wallet will feel the strain when you pull up to refuel. The difference between a 30 kph headwind and a 30 kph tailwind is 60 kph of wind. When you are bucking into 30 kph of wind, the driver going the other way is 60 kph better off, windwise. Compared with calm conditions, that 30 kph headwind could add 50% to your fuel bill.


CARAVANNING
Warning: Parking your caravan overnight in roadside rest areas can be dangerous and is often illegal. Caravan Parks provide a safe, secure facility for tourists and they need and deserve our support. Sadly, more caravan parks are closing than opening and this places the caravanning lifestyle so treasured by Australians at risk.

RdTrip Planner

http://www.maps.com.au/TripPlanner.asp

Monday, May 11, 2009

UPDATED ITINEARY - Adelaide to Melbourne (via Great Ocean Road)

Hey OZ peeps! rough itinerary til 6th june... planned with close reference to chun's rough skeleton itinerary...


31 May(sunday)
- Perth fly to adelaide [SAM pls provide us with flight details which u have booked for us]
Virgin Blue DJ722 5.45pm - Adel 22.10pm??

1 June (monday)
Meet Roy fly plane
6hrs drive (non-stop)
McLaren Vale – 50 wineries (wine tasting), Almond Train Walk (stroll along old railway line)
Victor Harbor – Fairy penguins, Whale Centre $8/pax (whale watching tour $$) Tel: 08 8552 5644/ 08 8551 0750
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=219494
Goolwa – sandstone cottages, Cockle Train (steam train but need $$)
- If got time, free 5mins ferry to Hindmarsh Island
- (if got time, stay over at nice campsite in Wellington: catch small vehicle ferry to get over to it)
From Goolwa to Port McDonnell > LIMESTONE COAST
http://www.thelimestonecoast.com/site/page.cfm?u=8

Coorong – Cultural centre -> National Park (Free)
Robe – seaside village, EAT lobster legs!!! (but winter duno have or not) “Indulge in the local delicacy, Southern Rock Lobster, September through May” – that answers the qn =(
• Take a photo of the famous obelisk at Cape Dombey
Beachport (if it’s convenient)- • Pool of Siloam, seven times saltier than the sea


2 June (tues)
Penola -> Coonawarra -> Penola – more wine!!
“The best landmark is inevitably a pub, so we picked the Prince of Wales for the rendezvous and cold beers on a warm day. We then checked into the only caravan park in town for 2 nights so we could take in some of the cellar doors.”
PENOLA CARAVAN PARK (powered site $25, unpowered $20 per night, $15/extra pax)
http://www.penolacaravanpark.com.au/
Phone: 08 8737 2381 (International Code +61887372381)


3 June (wed)
Mt Gambier – the blue lake (volcanic crater above city.. really very blue hoho)
“built on the slopes of an extinct volcano? Mount Gambier is one of them and the volcanic lake, the Blue Lake, contains the city's water supply”
“Situated midway between Adelaide and Melbourne, Mount Gambier makes an ideal stopover during a journey to the Great Ocean Road or the Grampians”
6 caravan parks
Port McDon – (EAT fresh crayfish & abalone)
• View the Limestone Wave Sculpture
• Uncover the stories of local shipwrecks at the Maritime Museum
• Explore the Petrified Forest and Camel Rock at Cape Northumberland (South Australia's southernmost geographical point)
“Diving in the area is considered world class with extensive fresh water cave diving and offshore wreck diving sites”
Narrawong – stay over at free forest camp (“perfect setting for a scary horror film”?)

4 June (thurs) & 5 june
Port Fairy – THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD STARTS HERE!!!!!
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sianeth/summer07/1189535760/tpod.html
“And so the last leg of our great campervanning adventure had descended upon us, 2 days on the Great Ocean Road from Warrnambool up to Melbourne”
Warrnambool – Logan's Beach> whale-watching season May to Sept!!!!! Woooot~
GREAT OCEAN RD
"famous 12 Apostles (although there are no longer 12 as a few have fallen down and some you can't see from the viewing platform!) We also saw The Arch, The Grotto and London Bridge, which collapsed in a storm so its no longer really a bridge...”
Bay of Islands
The Grotto
Ports Campbell (along the stretch)– London Bridge (“amusing tale accompanying this site; the first arch joining it to the mainland collapsed in 1990, stranding a couple that had walked over it on the limestone rock now known as the London Bridge, and seperate from the mainland. After being rescued they fled from the media as they were conducting an extra-marital affair!”), Loch Ard Gorge, Blowhole, Thunder Cave, Broken Head, Sherwood River, 12 Apostles (5mins drive to Gibsons Steps), Cape Oatway
Apollo Bay – EAT CRAYFISH!!!
Lorne – Erksine Falls (popular!)
Bells beach (world famous surfing temples) -> Torquay
Geelong – “We refilled our gas canister in Geelong, and then cruised up the motorway to Melbourne, stopping at a petrol station to refuel and clean up the exterior”

A FEW CARAVAN PARKS ALONG THE WAY
Honey Hush Caravan Park (6 Leakes Road. Laverton VIC)
Barwon Caravan Park (153 Barrabool Road, Belmont. Geelong VIC)
Riverglen Holiday Park (75 Barrabool Road, Belmont. Geelong VIC)


6 June (Sat)
Melb - Pick up Kenneth

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

google streetview

hey guess what. if you go to maps.google.com and zoom to our australia locations in Satellite view.. if there is an orange line that means the google street view van has been taking photos so you can see like a preview of the trip if you just zoom in all the way and zoom in somemore! can drag the picture around as u move along the street its pretty cool.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Aussie trip itinerary

28 May (thursday) – JETSTAR JQ110 5.45pm flight
Arrive perth 1110Hrs
29 May(friday) - Perth meet sam goh
30 May(saturday) - Perth meet crystle
31 May(sunday) - Perth fly to adelaide Virgin Blue DJ722 5.45pm - Adel 22.10pm
1 June (monday) - Adelaide collect caravan, meet roy go fly plane.
2 June (tuesday) - adelaide to mount gambier or portland or heywood 6hrs
3 June (wednesday) to melbourne 6hrs
4 June (thursday) melbourne meet andy
5 June (friday) – melbourne Meet Charmian
6 June (saturday) – Melbourne pick up Kenneth
7 June (sunday) – Melbourne Meet Elizabeth
8 June (monday) – Melbourne - Bairnsdale (312km, 4.5hrs)
9 June(tuesday) –Bairnsdale - Eden (273km, 2.5hrs)
- Eden - Batemans Bay (200km, 2hrs)
10 June(wednesday) - Batemans Bay - Nowra (118km, 1.5hrs)
Nowra - Sydney (162km, 1.5hrs)
11 June(thursday)– Sydney pick up mel
12 June(friday) – Sydney Skydive
13 June (saturday) Sydney
14 June(sunday) Sydney Bungee
15 June(monday) Sydney to Newcastle – 2hrs
Newcastle to Port Macquarie – 3hrs 30 mins
16 June(tuesday) Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour – 2hours
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay – 2hours
17 June(wednesday)Byron Bay to Gold Coast – 2 hours.
18 June(thursday) Gold Coast
19 June(friday) Gold Coast
20 June(saturday) Gold Coast – Brisbane – 1 hour return caravan, find hotel
21 June (sunday)– domestic flight Brisbane - Perth Virgin Blue DJ464 9.15am - Perth 12.50pm
22 June (monday) - Perth: JETSTAR JQ109 00:15AM flight (sunday late night) SGP 515am

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Updated flight plan to Aussie

hey guys, there has been a slight change in our flight timing from Singapore to Perth.

Latest update:

Flight date: Thu 28 May2009

Time: 5.45 pm

Flight no: JQ110

We would be departing from Changi Airport Terminal 1 and arriving at Perth at 11.10 pm. (local time)

Flight back from Perth:

Flight date: Mon 22 Jun 2009

Time: 12.15 am

Flight no: JQ109

We be arriving back in Singapore at 5.35 am.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

trip update

i have sent google doc invites to your hotmail/gmails for caravan and virgin blue flight stuff.
save n print n keep a copy!

money matters:
1) remember to prepare your respective caravan money for transfer by end of the month
2) pay sam back Sg 116 for perth-adel flight (alex, mich, hl, alvin)
3) pay chun back Sg 224 for brisbane-perth flight (sam, alex, mich, hl, alvin)

exam matters:
study ah! (chun, alex, vinz, sam, mich, hl)

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

buy domestic flights now!

31 may flight from perth to adelaide
flight no DJ722 545pm departure
$115 (feb 18 price)
---- (mar 31 GO! fare SOLD OUT)
$199 (mar 31 price for bluesaver)

21 june flight from brisbane back to perth
flight no DJ464 915am departure
$184 (feb 18 price)
$179 (mar 31 price for GO! fare)
$299 (mar 31 price for bluesaver)


so we sit here zuo boh, also can lose A$80.

please buy tix nownownow. dont buy salah!

probably means gotta check caravan booking soon also ah..

Sunday, March 15, 2009

meet up

this friday 8pm at arab st ya.
all the aussie trippers, time to know what everyone else looks like.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

thx for the update vin!
should put them all down on a big big map or something.

anyway more places we should be noting down so far are:

Caravan parks (City centre hard to find parking)
Factory Outlet (SHOPPPPPPINGGGGGGG)
Wineries
other places of interest

So from adelaide all the way to brisbane can find as many as possible. Also since we will be on the road for such a long time, can also find something to do while cramped in the caravan? The gas stove can only use when it's stationary, microwave and behind aircon needs to be plugged into power at caravan park to use. oh haha it's so friggin cold so not aircon i mean heater.

hl for the activities it might be a bit cold but i think you'll be pumped up and warm from all the swimming and paddling already lah. shouldnt be a problem other than renting wetsuits and having warm drinks on standby at the beach. or ice cold BEER... mmm...

Monday, February 23, 2009

Adelaide to Melbourne

31 May(sunday) - Perth fly to adelaide (evening (domestic) flight? yet tbc...)
Tentative flight details:
Virgin Blue DJ722 ($115)
Perth 5.45pm - Adel 22.10pm

1 June (monday)
6hrs drive (if non-stop)
McLaren Vale – 50 wineries (wine tasting), Almond Train Walk (stroll along old railway line)
Victor Harbor – Fairy penguins, Whale Centre $8/pax (whale watching tour $$) Tel: 08 8552 5644/ 08 8551 0750
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=219494
Goolwa – sandstone cottages, Cockle Train (steam train but need $$)
- If got time, free 5mins ferry to Hindmarsh Island
Coorong – Cultural centre -> National Park (Free)
Robe – seaside village, EAT lobster legs!!! (but winter duno have or not)

2 June (tues)
Penola -> Coonawarra -> Penola – more wine!!
“The best landmark is inevitably a pub, so we picked the Prince of Wales for the rendezvous and cold beers on a warm day. We then checked into the only caravan park in town for 2 nights so we could take in some of the cellar doors.”
PENOLA CARAVAN PARK (powered site $25, unpowered $20 per night, $15/extra pax)
http://www.penolacaravanpark.com.au/
Phone: 08 8737 2381 (International Code +61887372381)

3 June (wed)
Go this way?
Mt Gambier -> Port McDon – (EAT fresh crayfish & abalone) -> Hamilton -> Grampians Ntl Park
OR:
Naracoorte -> Edenhope -> Grampians Ntl Park

4 June (thurs)
Reach Melbourne


Damn good travel blog! Check it out…
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/froggies/london_july_06/1178343000/tpod.html

Grampians National Park (on the way to Melbourne)

The Web's Original Travel Blog.

trip costing

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pnZ4RkJUq_1ohnYK5R04ACQ&hl=en

Also, friend tells me VirginBlue's flight booking has a HAPPY HOUR booking time from 10-11am singapore time... which is like aust 12-1pm (EST +10 hrs). lets double check on that and book early also yah.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Driving from Adelaide


Tentative: 1st - 3rd June




Plan A

"the drive from Adelaide to the famous vineyards of Coonawarra provides spectacular scenery and vibrant contrast"

Highlights:
- 30 wineries in Coonawarra region
- Aboriginal heritage (free cultural museum)
- sandstone cottages
- Koalas & Kangaroos
- Whale watching




Plan B

"this is a drive for anyone willing to travel 400km north of Adelaide to get a rugged taste of the South Australian outback"

Highlights:
- rock formation
- swimming waterholes
- bushwalks to wildlife
- 4WD tour
- steam train

PLAN A seems to be more appealing (unless u guys want a more outback kind, den we can decide to spend a bit longer in Adel) and is on the way for our planned road towards Melbourne .. will come out with details soon.. FYI it's abt 500-600km.. so say abt 6hrs drive? including all the stopovers.. prob we can safely say we'll spend 2-3days in Adelaide (including the drive on the way to Melb). the end pt is quite close to Melbourne alr..
meanwhile... Chun>> can u plan the Perth part?? since u got fren there..
After the Adelaide leg.. i'll look into the Melbourne leg when i've got the time...

Saturday, February 21, 2009

American Idol on MRT!!!!!

so u think u can sing? Indian guy headhunted for American Idol!!!

MOST entertaining train ride of my life man!!!






Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Latest Update (as of 18th Feb)



our trip duration:
28th May - 22nd Jun


JETSTAR JQ110
28 May
SIN - 18:45 PM
PER - 0:10 AM
$96.91

JETSTAR JQ109
22 Jun
PER - 1:15 AM
SIN - 6:50 AM
$121.67



UPDATED ITINERARY

since we are leaving on 28 may instead of 26th.. some minor changes to the 1st leg (perth n adelaide).... the rest remains the same


28 May (thursday) – JETSTAR JQ110 6.45pm flight
29 May(friday) - Arrive perth 0010Hrs
Go Easy Perth or Old Swan Barracks backpackers hostel @ francis st
Perth meet sam goh (Pinky's aussie fren.. NOT the ntu civil Sam ahh... )
30 May(saturday) - Perth
31 May(sunday) - Perth fly to adelaide (evening (domestic) flight? yet tbc...)
Tentative flight details:
Virgin Blue DJ722 ($115)
Perth 5.45pm - Adel 22.10pm
1 June (monday) - Adelaide meet roy
2 June (tuesday) - adelaide to mount gambier or portland or heywood 6hrs
3 June (wednesday) to melbourne 6hrs
4 June (thursday) melbourne meet andy
5 June (friday) – melbourne Meet Charmian
6 June (saturday) – Melbourne pick up Kenneth, anyone else
7 June (sunday) – Melbourne Meet Elizabeth
8 June (monday) – Melbourne - Bairnsdale (312km, 4.5hrs)
9 June(tuesday) –Bairnsdale - Eden (273km, 2.5hrs)
- Eden - Batemans Bay (200km, 2hrs)
10 June(wednesday) - Batemans Bay - Nowra (118km, 1.5hrs)
Nowra - Sydney (162km, 1.5hrs)
11 June(thursday)– Sydney pick up mel
12 June(friday) – Sydney Skydive
13 June (saturday) Sydney Surf
14 June(sunday) Sydney Bungee
15 June(monday) Sydney to Newcastle – 2hrs
Newcastle to Port Macquarie – 3hrs 30 mins
16 June(tuesday) Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour – 2hours
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay – 2hours
17 June(wednesday)Byron Bay to Gold Coast – 2 hours.
18 June(thursday) Gold Coast
19 June(friday) Gold Coast
20 June(saturday) Gold Coast – Brisbane – 1 hour
21 June (sunday)– domestic flight Brisbane - Perth (morn? yet tbc...)
have to reach Perth by afternoon 2pm latest! midnight flight to S'pore
Tentative flight details:
Virgin Blue DJ464 ($184)
Bris 9.15am - Perth 12.50pm
22 June (monday) - Perth: JETSTAR JQ109 01:15AM flight


DISCLAIMER: All the dates in the itinerary is just a ROUGH guide.. it'll be subjected to changes due to unforeseen circumstances or at any pt of time when we decide to stay in a place shorter/longer.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Perth - Adelaide

Virgin Blue (domestic flight)
DJ 722 (31st May)
17:45 pm Perth
22:10 pm Adelaide
$115

same price for +/- 1 day...
so flexible...
can discuss the dates again...

Flight Prices (UPDATED!)

http://book.jetstar.com/Select.aspx

http://bookings.virginblue.com.au/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi

JETSTAR JQ110
28 May
SIN - 18:45 PM
PER - 0:10 AM
$96.91

VIRGIN BLUE DJ464 (Domestic Flight)
22Jun
BRIS 09:15AM
PER 12:50PM
$169

JETSTAR
23 Jun JQ109
PER - 1:15 AM
SIN - 6:50 AM
$121.67


TOTAL: $218.58 + $169 = $388