I’m nearing the end of my week and a half stay in Australia, and I wanted to write in for those of you that haven’t visited this country before, since it’s my first time.
When you get off of the plane in a new country, you can always get the sense of what you’re getting into – and for me, Australia provided a really good sense. Sure, I guess the airport isn’t always the best indicator, but I generally felt welcome and there was a good vibe about being here.
These are just some initial impressions, to get the pen on paper.
Qantas
Okay, so I know everyone won’t travel Qantas to get here, but if you’re going between cities, it’s going to be a strong contender for an option. I found the travel on Qantas to be amazing, and the service really top notch. I did have three separate flights with them, each of carrying length, and each was superb. The food was also really terrific. In a heartbeat, I’d travel Qantas again. Actually, I’m $50 indebted to them thanks to purchasing their electronic bag tags. 🙂
Friendly People
Consistently, I had very friendly people. Not only are the staff at the Park Hyatt Melbourne and the Park Hyatt Sydney on top of their game, I found the public to be of an amiable nature as well. If there’s one downside to the “friendliness,” I did notice a slight arrogance at the Park Hyatt in regards to Diamond recognition, but I wouldn’t let that shy you away from staying there by any means.
Clean Streets
I found Sydney and Melbourne to be unusually clean. When I say unusually, I compare it to most other major cities, and in a grand scale, they do a much better job of upkeep. There is a noticeable pride amongst the cities, and while both are very walkable (Sydney being larger, but still doable), I found there to be a good deal of clean environments, walking paths and city streets.
Good Food
The food in both cities was really tasty, and I can certainly understand why folks travel here just to eat. Australian food does have an American flare (or maybe it’s vice versa), so as a tourist coming in, you won’t be shocked with what’s on the menu. I encourage you to explore some of the local venues, stalls and hotels to taste what’s on offer.
Sydney Harbour
I’d return back here in a heartbeat. Now, if only there was better award availability. 😉
Have you been to Australia before? What was your first impression?
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
Award availability from Asia on ☆ Alliance is fantastic. Planning Sydney /Melbourne / Auckland so nice to hear some positive things about the food and the people.
Been to Australia twice before and have another trip coming up in the fall. I have a childhood friend who lives there so I stay with him whenever I’m in Sydney. I’ll admit my Oz plans depends on the exchange rate since the AUD/USD exchange rate tend to go all over the place. The last time I went there, the AUD was stronger than the USD and I definitely felt the pinch!
It’s weaker right now, but prices seem higher than the U.S. so it appears to balance out.
I am planning on going to Melbourne and Queenstown next year for about 2 weeks. My girlfriend stayed in Melbourne for a couple months 2 years and loved it. Excited to visit myself now.
Also helps that USD to AUD/NZD is much better now too. 1 to ~.75 instead of the usual. 1 to 1
I lived in coogee beach for 6 months and it was amazing! I love sydney! Make sure to visit bondi and do the cliff walk.
I also loved Fraiser island. Rent a 4×4 and spend two nights sleeping outside of you have time.
Did it today. It was so fun! Burned a few calories too – I think. Haha
Any thoughts on PH Melbourne vs. GH Melbourne? Thanks!
PH was fantastic. The club lounge was really great. Location is a little more of a walk to the action than the GH, but in some cases that’s a good thing.
I’m in Australia a few times a year for shows. I have typically always flown Qantas (which I love), but I did Cathay Pacific on last month’s run and plan to do that from now on: lots of extra EQM & EQP credited to AA; the busines class product is significantly better (CX has fully flat seats rather than QF’s slight angle); I got an op-up from Premium Economy to Business!! As stingy as QF is with upgrades, I wouldn’t ever expect a business class upgrade on a longhaul.
But, Qantas business class food definitely beats Cafhay Pacific.
I love Australia, it’s people, it’s culture…
The beaches around the Sydney and NSW coast are some of my favorite in the world. It’s such a “beach city.” Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth…they’re all fantastic places to visit! (though the food sure isn’t cheap, as a foreigner not earning their nearly $20/hour minimum wage)!