Operation Wombat

[Footy Chick]

JAS might be worth trying to avoid School Holidays also, accommodation will be more expensive and everywhere you go there will be kids!

*ahem* Not with this tour manager!

Look forward to you being my tour manager!

I offered - you declined

[spell_check]

School holidays are roughly two weeks in mid-April; I know some private schools have the holidays at different dates, but as far as public schools go, it's mid-April.

Actually, according to here, it's one week later than I thought:
http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/custserve/pag ... t/pubhols/

Thanks spelly...you're a star.

Bugger, bugger, bugger

So you've got Easter as 16th Apr to 1st May
England average 11 - 27th Apr (varies between councils and schools)
Scotland average 1 - 18th Apr (ditto)

...and I want to travel out in the last week of April.

I hate the Vatican...they made it a movable bloody feast...make it fixed like Christmas...arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh.

Regards
JAS

School holidays do not always coincide with Easter holidays. When Easter occurs in late March, the school holidays are still sometime in April. It's essentially a 5 day weekend next Easter, due to Anzac Day on the Easter Monday, so the Anzac Day holiday is on the 26th.

[JAS]

Thanks R&B...the Fleurieu and Victor are certainly on the cards (that might even be the home-cooked roast day. I think that's near McLaren) although not the driving on beaches part...sorry but I live by the sea and couldn't be more against that.

Regards
JAS

Correct

Is 2 weeks your limit JAS?

Am wondering if you would need longer as not to be 'rushed'
There's so much to see + fitting in those footy games?

oooh I got it right...my geography is improving then

Depending on the exchange rate I'm actually looking at up to about 16 nights in total.

The footy is the priority for me but should be easy to fit in...League and Ressies are normally the same day same venue so I can spend just 2 days in total to see 4 games the U18's would be a bonus if they are triple headers otherwise it's a shame but no biggy if I can't get to them.

So the very rough plan so far is...

Footy - 2 days
Mt Gambier et al - 2 days
Flinders et al - 2 days
KI - 1 day
Port Dock Brewery etc - 1 day
Museum and Gallery - 1 day
Zoo and tour - 1 day
Central Market, shops etc - 1 day

I like to leave myself a couple of days free to allow for spontaneous stuff or just to chill out and be lazy, do laundry, whatever. And I can't see everything...I'd have no excuse to start saving for a return trip for my 60th other than the footy

Regards
JAS

[AFLflyer]

hey Jas,
whats the reason for visiting Mt Gambier? unless you have friends there, not worth the 5 hour drive. Stick to an extra day on KI and a night at whalers Inn at Victor. Such a better closer option IMO.
The Mount is ok, but really so many better closer options.

taken at Ki this year - although this was obviously taken in summer.

[JAS]

hey Jas,
whats the reason for visiting Mt Gambier? unless you have friends there, not worth the 5 hour drive. Stick to an extra day on KI and a night at whalers Inn at Victor. Such a better closer option IMO.
The Mount is ok, but really so many better closer options.

taken at Ki this year - although this was obviously taken in summer.

It's not just to visit Mt Gambier it's to do a tour of the region and see the lake, the caves, the lobster, the Coorong Park, Coonawarra (sorry if that's spelt wrong) wineries etc ...ie Mt Gambier is the stop-over and turn around point.

I admit that is a very pretty beach but I'm afraid I couldn't spend more than about an hour at it before I got bored...sorry but beaches really don't do it for me. I'm sure most people could happily spend a week there but I'm afraid I haven't seen anything online or in the guidebook to convince me I'd want to spend more than a day on KI (sorry A Mum too I know it's your old stomping ground) From what I can tell there's a more to see and do on FC's Mt Gambier trip.

Regards
JAS

[AFLflyer]

hey Jas,
whats the reason for visiting Mt Gambier? unless you have friends there, not worth the 5 hour drive. Stick to an extra day on KI and a night at whalers Inn at Victor. Such a better closer option IMO.
The Mount is ok, but really so many better closer options.

taken at Ki this year - although this was obviously taken in summer.

It's not just to visit Mt Gambier it's to do a tour of the region and see the lake, the caves, the lobster, the Coorong Park, Coonawarra (sorry if that's spelt wrong) wineries etc ...ie Mt Gambier is the stop-over and turn around point.

I admit that is a very pretty beach but I'm afraid I couldn't spend more than about an hour at it before I got bored...sorry but beaches really don't do it for me. I'm sure most people could happily spend a week there but I'm afraid I haven't seen anything online or in the guidebook to convince me I'd want to spend more than a day on KI (sorry A Mum too I know it's your old stomping ground) From what I can tell there's a more to see and do on FC's Mt Gambier trip.

Regards
JAS

fair enough Jas, each to their own. actually the Coonawarra wineries are top notch!

[JAS]

fair enough Jas, each to their own. actually the Coonawarra wineries are top notch!

No worries it was still a very good idea...and that is a very, very pretty photo.

As I said when I opened the thread people should suggest anything and everything cos even if it's not my cuppa tea it might give others some inspiration and ideas

So keep 'em coming folks...it's your State...big it up

Doesn't have to be just outdoors scenic things either...specific buildings, museums, workshops/craft stuff etc, cafes, big lobsters ...anything at all

Regards
JAS

[Ian]

blue lake has a dark tinge in winter but still good to look at.

that'll make me easy to spot. I kept an eye on the temps there in early May and I reckon it was about what we have now. Today is around 18C and it's t-shirt and shorts for everyone here

Regards
JAs

Mt Gambier in May, you'll be lucky to get 8 deg with a icy wind straight off the south pole

[AFLflyer]

fair enough Jas, each to their own. actually the Coonawarra wineries are top notch!

No worries it was still a very good idea...and that is a very, very pretty photo.

As I said when I opened the thread people should suggest anything and everything cos even if it's not my cuppa tea it might give others some inspiration and ideas

So keep 'em coming folks...it's your State...big it up

Doesn't have to be just outdoors scenic things either...specific buildings, museums, workshops/craft stuff etc, cafes, big lobsters ...anything at all

Regards
JAS

That's the thing though, you wont find a lot of heritage in Australia (like europe) Australia's thing IMO is its natural beauty. Having said that food is good here, we have a lot of influences from around the globe - best eating streets JAS by far, googer street and rundle street, also good eateries in Nth Adeklaide and of course the bay plus we have great wine!!

[Ian]

big lobsters ...anything at all

If you want big, Australia is the place and SA has it's fair share,

already mentioned is the Big Lobster @ Kingston,


then we have the Giant Rocking Horse @ Gumeracha,


The Big Galah @ Kimba,


The Big Orange @ Berri,


Map the Big Miner @ Kapunda

[AFLflyer]

[Mic]

Thanks R&B...the Fleurieu and Victor are certainly on the cards (that might even be the home-cooked roast day. I think that's near McLaren) although not the driving on beaches part...sorry but I live by the sea and couldn't be more against that.

Regards
JAS

Correct

Is 2 weeks your limit JAS?

Am wondering if you would need longer as not to be 'rushed'
There's so much to see + fitting in those footy games?

oooh I got it right...my geography is improving then

Depending on the exchange rate I'm actually looking at up to about 16 nights in total.

The footy is the priority for me but should be easy to fit in...League and Ressies are normally the same day same venue so I can spend just 2 days in total to see 4 games the U18's would be a bonus if they are triple headers otherwise it's a shame but no biggy if I can't get to them.

So the very rough plan so far is...

Footy - 2 days
Mt Gambier et al - 2 days
Flinders et al - 2 days
KI - 1 day
Port Dock Brewery etc - 1 day
Museum and Gallery - 1 day
Zoo and tour - 1 day
Central Market, shops etc - 1 day

I like to leave myself a couple of days free to allow for spontaneous stuff or just to chill out and be lazy, do laundry, whatever. And I can't see everything...I'd have no excuse to start saving for a return trip for my 60th other than the footy

Regards
JAS

I would swap the Mt Gambier visit for an extra day or 2 at Flinders (which I reckon you'll need just to get there and back).

[JAS]

Thanks Ian..they're great

The Big Orange is the only one I knew about. A not terribly funny Geordie comedian tried to immitate Billy Connolly's excellent tv road trip and that was one of the things he visited.

Pity the Big Galah is a bit out of the way for me...after spending most of my childhood being called one it would have been a laugh to give the old man a photo of me standing next to one.

That's the thing though, you wont find a lot of heritage in Australia (like europe) Australia's thing IMO is its natural beauty. Having said that food is good here, we have a lot of influences from around the globe - best eating streets JAS by far, googer street and rundle street, also good eateries in Nth Adeklaide and of course the bay plus we have great wine!!

Thanks for the suggestions for places to eat...even I need feeding while I'm there one thing I always try to avoid in any country are the global chain eateries...ie McD's, KFC, HJ's (which I know is your name for Burger King), Pizza Hut et al

You'll have to forgive me if I refuse to believe you don't have much heritage. It might not be as old as some countries but it's still there. That's what makes you different from other countries...even other States...ain't just down to the scenery and wildlife

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

I would swap the Mt Gambier visit for an extra day or 2 at Flinders (which I reckon you'll need just to get there and back).

Thanks Mic. I'd quite like to still do both for the scenic contrast between different parts of the State if nothing else but I could probably easily add an extra day to the Flinders visit to allow for travelling time if necessary...I'd leave that up to FC as she'll be the one who has to drive.

Regards
JAS

[Footy Chick]

Yeah, Mount Gambier will merely be the stop over - and to have a look at the Blue Lake, more interested in showing JAS the Naracoorte caves, the Coorong and the wineries.

[mighty_tiger_79]

with the naracoorte caves, some of them as you may or may not be aware are tour guided ones, with set times.

[JAS]

with the naracoorte caves, some of them as you may or may not be aware are tour guided ones, with set times.

Thanks MT79...good point...I'll add it to the list...got to check opening hours etc for a few other things already.

Regards
JAS

[johntheclaret]

Hey Jas, you will need to leave at least the 1st day free to get over the trip. Jet lag et all.

Go to KI. It is fantastic. Most of the wildlife, seal, sea lions etc are on the far side of the Island which is a bit of a drive so a day might not be enough. If you can pinch a day, try to use it on KI. It really is worth it.

I know you might not have time but Coober Pedy is an experience

[devilsadvocate]

Hey Jas, you will need to leave at least the 1st day free to get over the trip. Jet lag et all.

Go to KI. It is fantastic. Most of the wildlife, seal, sea lions etc are on the far side of the Island which is a bit of a drive so a day might not be enough. If you can pinch a day, try to use it on KI. It really is worth it.

I know you might not have time but Coober Pedy is an experience

That's because it was 45 in ADELAIDE on the days you went up there!

I'm surprised you hadn't turned to sand when you got back mate!!

[JAS]

Hey Jas, you will need to leave at least the 1st day free to get over the trip. Jet lag et all.

Go to KI. It is fantastic. Most of the wildlife, seal, sea lions etc are on the far side of the Island which is a bit of a drive so a day might not be enough. If you can pinch a day, try to use it on KI. It really is worth it.

I know you might not have time but Coober Pedy is an experience

Cheers JTC...yeh I'm planning to keep the first day free especially as it'll take almost an extra days travel just to get to London so I know all I'm going to be wanting is a shower and sleep. Hoping I'll be able to get flights with Malaysia Airlines so after a train and flying down from Aberdeen I can go Heathrow - Kuala Lumpar - Adelaide and not have to change at Sydney or Melbourne as well.

Regards
JAS