Is Australia really worth the effort to get there from North America.?

hey I am Australian (I live in Brisbane Queensland)

My advice to you is work out what you want from Australia before you decide where you want to go.

Australia is a huge place... you can't just fly to one place and think you can see all the things there are to see.

Yes flies can be annoying but that is only in the Summer months (December, January, February) and if you are not used to hot conditions then don't travel to places like the Northern Territory in Summer... because it will be hot.. and there will be 10 million flies.

I have travelled alot in Australia and if you are interested in shopping.. go to Melbourne or Sydney (Brisbane is ok too but Melbourne is probably the best)

Uluru (Ayers rock is good but only if you are interested in climbing etc)

now the best places in Oz are probably the coastal regions, I lived on an Island in the Whitsundays and I tell you what you just can't beat it (it is still hot and yes there will probably be flies but after the first day you will probably forget about them)

the great barrier reef it great there is heaps to do snorkeling, diving (you will need you diving ticket though) sailing and heaps of other stuff.... if you stay in a resort they offer heaps of activites including bush walks and archery (if you go to Lindeman Island it has lots of private beaches because most people go to the main beach)

there is alot Australia can offer you just have to think about what you want to get out of your trip before you decide what destination in Australia to pick

Hope this helps....

P.S. a great thing about Australia is how nice the people are... I have travelled alot and Aussies are probalby some of the nicest locals you could ask for :)

There is tons to do in Oz. Yes the flight is long so tray to go for a while. I did some volunteer work for a month there. I met some cool Aussies and other cool people from around the world. Plus we went where the tourists don't go. I also went up the coast to Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Townsville. The reef is great. I would love to go to Ayers Rock but its a long ways there and it's expensive to stay there. I hear Perth is good too. Aussies love to have fun. You will too!

If you're gonna fly all this way just to stick around in the cities forget it. (Buildings don't do it for me)

It's our natural attractions that do it for most people. Personally I rate Kings Canyon more than Uluru (previously known as Ayers Rock until everyone realised it had another name before they named it that...) Uluru is just so touristy it's like the tick in the box spot now, but like you said doesn't really do much for many people any more unless they have a thing about it.

The Great Barrier Reef is awesome to travel to. You can do the relaxing thing there, the exciting thing with water sports and everything, you can do the nature thing and go and see all the marine life too. It's so big you can choose from about 5 destinations to base yourself from as well. (Cairns is my recommendation if you haven't been to Aus before)

The alternative is you can go to places most tourists skip - Tasmania's Cradle Mountain National Park is a winner with some friends of mine; Ningaloo Reef in WA you can swim with Whale Sharks (and is one of teh few places in the world to do it); even going wine touring in the Barossa Valley in South Australia might be more your thing...

All that stuff is worth the flight.

If you don't think you want to visit us don't.

We're not to everyone's taste.

It is a long trip and I can see your point about airports etc.

By the way, the majority of people fly to the Red Centre, they don't drive. I know I wouldn't.

And yes, the Great Barrier Reef is wonderful but so are a lot of other places in this vast country.

Is it worth the effort? Absolutely.

Visit: www.the-discount-travel-guide .com you'll get some small idea about what it's like and you can even find out about the best things to see and do while you're here,.and yes I am an Aussie, have travelled extensively and wouldn't live anywhere else.

Enjoy

John

If you have these negative thoughts if or if not coming to OZ then you better stay where you are!

My opinion: it's rather worth to travel to Australia then to the USA.

Had been to both countries - once to the States and seven times to OZ, planning trip number eight.

This tells all. Any questions why?

YOU THINK THAT GOING TO AUSTRALIA IS TOUGH! TRY GOING ANYWHERE FROM AUSTRALIA! Unless you want to go to asia you're looking at a 15 hour flight MINIMUM! So come to Aus, and watch us wish that we lived near where you do.

Ignorant people should just stay away, that would be the best advice on offer.......

oh yeah it is great

forget about how duration of the flight

with your attitude please do not come,go to mexico not so far for you